Neurodiversity Podcast

OCD: Beyond the Neat & Orderly

May 30, 2024

Author Jessica Whipple shares her personal experiences with OCD and coping strategies. They discuss the impact of obsessive thinking patterns, importance of mental health discussions with children, and the role of children's literature in teaching coping skills. Topics include OCD symptoms, exposure and response prevention therapy, and managing OCD through community support.

30:24

Creator website

Episode guests

Jessica Whipple

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, ranging from contamination fears to perfectionism.

Children's literature can educate on diverse experiences and coping skills, reducing mental health stigma and providing valuable resources for young audiences.

Deep dives

Understanding OCD and ERP

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves obsessive thoughts leading to compulsive behaviors. These intrusive thoughts can vary from contamination fears to just-right OCD. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy entails gradually exposing oneself to fears and resisting compulsions. By desensitizing to anxiety-inducing stimuli, individuals can manage OCD traits episodically or pervasively, often connected to other neurodivergences like autism.

Introduction

6min

Evolution of OCD Treatment

9min

Exploring OCD Symptoms and Child Behavior Indicators

3min

Embracing Neurodiversity Through Children's Literature

9min

Managing OCD Through Community Support and Thought Control

4min

You often hear people reference their own OCD, but there’s far more to it than just the desire to be orderly or neat. Today, Emily Kircher-Morris explores the topic of obsessive compulsive thinking patterns, their impact on individuals, and the importance of discussing mental health with children. Jessica Whipple, author of 'I Think I Think a Lot,' shares her personal experiences with OCD and the coping strategies she has developed. The conversation also highlights the significance of representation in children's literature and the role of books in teaching coping skills. If you’re curious about OCD, this episode will help.

Takeaways

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors, which can manifest in various ways such as contamination fears, taboo thoughts, and perfectionism.
Children's literature plays a crucial role in representing diverse experiences, teaching coping skills, and reducing stigma around mental health and neurodivergence.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be an effective treatment for OCD, helping individuals manage their thoughts and behaviors.
It is important to have open conversations with children about mental health, providing them with the tools to understand and cope with their emotions and experiences.

Sign up for the Educator Hub now, the window for registration closes Sunday night, June 2, at 11:59pm pacific time. We’d love for you to join us!

Jessica Whipple is an acclaimed published author who writes for adults and children. Her book, I Think I Think a Lot, was inspired by her own OCD and was published by Free Spirit Publishing, and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon. Her poetry for adults, which often includes themes of mental health and parenting, has been published both online and in print. Her poem Broken Strings was nominated for a 2023 Pushcart Prize. To read some of her work, click on her link (below) or find her children's picture books anywhere books are sold.

BACKGROUND READING

Jessica’s website

Instagram

Twitter/X