Get to know OCD

Daily panic attacks. Anxiety so crippling he could barely function. The fear that if he told anyone what was happening in his mind, they’d think he was crazy. That was Sean Patton’s reality growing up. OCD wasn’t just about organizing things or washing hands — it was a relentless loop of intrusive thoughts and compulsions that dictated his life. It got so bad he dropped out of high school, avoided doorways, people, places, and conversations that might expose his struggles. But what Sean didn’t realize at the time was that the very thing causing his pain would eventually become the foundation of his greatest strength.Comedy became Sean’s way of fighting back. What started as a defense mechanism— using humor to mask the chaos inside — turned into a career where he could be unapologetically honest about his experiences. On stage, he found power in telling the stories he once tried to hide, turning his most terrifying thoughts into punchlines that resonated with audiences who had their own hidden battles. In this sit-down interview, Sean opens up about his journey with OCD, the misconceptions about mental health, and how laughter became his therapy. Chapters:0:00 Intro2:05 Meet Sean Patton4:03 How OCD affected Sean early in his life9:42 How Sean dealt with his OCD11:08 Is psychedelics good for OCD?16:25 Misrepresentation of OCD in movies and shows20:45 Is OCD beneficial?23:15 Sean’s comedic act about OCD26:47 Fear that OCD will evolve27:50 “It’s Okay”29:36 OCD ebbs and flows32:13 Why Sean talks about OCD in his comedy39:21 Facing OCD fears head-on42:39 The best compliment Patrick gets46:26 Destigmatize OCD and other mental health struggles49:21 Sean’s comedic act about OCD superstitions54:09 Why does OCD have to feel so real?58:05 How to find SeanStruggling with OCD? NOCD may be able to help. We specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention therapy — the gold standard in OCD care. To learn about treatment,  book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When we try to control every thought that enters our mind, we unknowingly give it more power. The harder we fight intrusive thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, the more they seem to persist. Brenna Posey, a member of NOCD, shares how this cycle kept her stuck and how she learned — through therapy and experience — that true freedom comes from allowing thoughts to come and go without reacting to them.Learning to sit with uncertainty is one of the most challenging but life-changing skills for managing OCD. In this video, Brenna explains why resisting anxiety only fuels it and how changing your response can break the cycle. She also offers practical strategies to help you step away from compulsions and regain control —not over your thoughts, but over how you respond to them.Exposure and Response Prevention therapy helped Brenna manage her OCD, and it might do the same for you. If you want to explore treatment options with our team, book a free 15-minute call at  https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 IOCDF Conference — starting July 10 in Chicago — is set to bring together clinicians, researchers, and individuals with OCD for a weekend focused on education, advocacy, and community. In this episode, Rebecca Deusser, Executive Director of the International OCD Foundation, talks with Dr. Patrick McGrath about what makes this event unique and why it has become such an important gathering for the OCD community. They discuss new initiatives for this year’s conference, including expanded virtual access, increased programming for families, and a stronger emphasis on global outreach.Beyond the conference, Rebecca shares the IOCDF’s long-term goals, from pushing for more research funding to improving access to treatment worldwide. With OCD still widely misunderstood and effective care difficult to find, the need for advocacy has never been greater. This conversation dives into how the conference plays a key role in breaking stigma, equipping clinicians with better training, and giving those affected by OCD the resources they need.For more information about the conference, please visit: https://iocdf.org/programs/conferences/Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocdFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most films and TV shows get OCD completely wrong. They reduce it to a quirky obsession with cleanliness or a need for perfect symmetry, missing the relentless, intrusive thoughts that actually define the disorder. But filmmakers Luca Pizzoleo and Conor Patrick Walsh — who both have OCD themselves — set out to change that. Their short film, O.C.D., isn’t about neat freaks or excessive handwashing; it’s about the unseen war happening inside the mind.In O.C.D., intrusive thoughts aren’t just thoughts — they’re real, tangible, inescapable. With a mix of psychological horror, dark humor, and brutal honesty, Conor and Luca pull viewers into the suffocating cycle of compulsions and anxiety that so many with OCD know all too well. The response has been overwhelming — millions of views, thousands of comments from people who finally feel seen — and hopefully, plans to expand the story into a full-length feature film.Both Conor and Luca sit down to talk with Dr. Patrick McGrath about living with OCD and the filmmaking process behind it — where the disorder was ever present. Chapters:0:00 Intro2:20 Inspiration behind O.C.D. film4:10 Conor’s OCD experience5:51 Luca’s OCD experience7:40 Why OCD feels so real10:50 OCD is the mental version of “knocking on wood”11:38 A clip from O.C.D. film18:11 Substance abuse as an OCD coping mechanism20:33 Luca’s treatment experience23:08 OCD lies to you25:27 No one with OCD recommends having it27:39 Living with OCD IS possible32:45 How OCD interfered in Luca’s filmmaking process36:24 Turning O.C.D. into a feature film38:21 Has the film helped others understand OCD?41:18 Portrayal of OCD in the media45:08 What Conor and Luca hope people take away from the film48:17 OutroWatch O.C.D. here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAfdRMeZkWQIf you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, Brenna Posey struggled with overwhelming fears, intrusive thoughts, and behaviors she couldn't explain. She went through cycles of anxiety, compulsions, and brief periods of relief—never realizing there was a name for what she was experiencing. It wasn’t until one pivotal moment that everything clicked. In this video, Brenna shares the exact moment she realized she had OCD, how she found hope, and why understanding her diagnosis changed everything.If you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocdFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristy Quinn never expected to find herself at rock bottom. Growing up, she struggled with crippling OCD, intrusive thoughts, and overwhelming anxiety — challenges that few around her truly understood. To cope, she turned to alcohol, using it as a way to quiet the never-ending noise in her mind. But what started as an escape quickly became a trap, pulling her deeper into addiction and self-destruction. At her lowest, she suffered seizures, lost her memory, and nearly lost her life. She knew something had to change, but the road to healing felt impossible. How do you rebuild when the very thing you've used to survive is destroying you?For Kristy, the answer came in the form of comedy and community. Taking the stage was terrifying at first, but it was also the first time she felt truly present — fully sober, fully herself. Each joke, each performance, each connection with an audience reminded her that she was more than her struggles. Through ERP therapy, support from others who understood her pain, and a newfound passion for making people feel good, she slowly took back control.Chapters:0:00 Intro0:53 Kristy’s background2:09 Being in the moment while doing comedy5:57 Kristy used to be terrified of doing comedy9:27 OCD has been a part of Kristy’s life since childhood13:13 When Kristy began using alcohol to cope with OCD15:59 Talking about OCD openly19:36 When others don’t understand the disorder 20:42 How Kristy uses OCD in her comedy 22:17 The low point in Kristy’s life26:49 Talk therapy made Kristy’s condition worse29:52 “What if” rules Kristy’ life before ERP therapy31:48 The power of diet and helping others34:46 What Kristy wishes she knew about OCD before37:22 Kristy’s advice if you’re struggling with OCD42:11 Where to find KristyIf you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scrupulosity OCD isn’t just about religion — it’s about relentless self-doubt, moral perfectionism, and the constant fear of making the “wrong” choice. For Summer Lemmon, that meant questioning every decision, feeling paralyzed by guilt, and seeking endless reassurance that she was a good person. Then, everything changed when Summer lost her mother — the person who had always reassured her that things would be okay. Without that anchor, her OCD spiraled, leaving her to face not only overwhelming grief but also the terrifying realization that she could no longer rely on the reassurance that had kept her afloat for years. In this episode, she shares her journey through loss and the difficult but necessary process of learning to navigate life without external validation.If you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking to friends and family about OCD can be frustrating, especially when they think it’s just about being neat and organized. In this video, Brenna Posey breaks down the real OCD—what it actually looks like, why people misunderstand it, and how you can explain it in a way that makes sense. She’s been through it herself, so she gets how tough it is when people don’t take OCD seriously. Instead of getting stuck in endless debates or feeling unheard, she’ll give you simple ways to help your loved ones understand what you're going through.If you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocdFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Oscars Awards happening tonight, Hollywood is shining a light on mental health like never before. NOCD team members Brenna Posey dives into A Real Pain, the Jesse Eisenberg film nominated for an Academy Award, starring Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin. The film explores OCD and depression through a deeply personal lens, with Eisenberg drawing from his own struggles with OCD, anxiety, and depression. Brenna also highlights Turtles All the Way Down, based on John Green’s novel, which delivers one of the most realistic depictions of OCD in film, and Pure O, a movie tackling the lesser-known but deeply impactful Pure O subtype. With Hollywood’s biggest night upon us, it’s exciting to see films that go beyond entertainment to bring awareness and understanding to real OCD struggles.If you are struggling with OCD, help is available. NOCD Therapists are specialty-trained in ERP therapy, the most proven treatment for OCD, to help you regain your life. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about specialized treatment at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cayla Davis never imagined that motherhood and marriage would come with a silent battle — one that lived in her mind and convinced her she was a danger to the very people she loved most. When intrusive thoughts took hold, everyday moments with her children became terrifying, and the weight of OCD strained her marriage. The back-and-forth battle wasn’t easy, and the guilt of needing constant support nearly broke her — but she refused to let OCD define her.Through exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, Cayla learned to live with uncertainty instead of being ruled by it. She stopped letting fear dictate her every move, and for the first time in a long time, she could truly be present with her family. Now, she shares her story to help others who feel trapped in their own minds, proving that recovery is possible and that OCD doesn’t get to steal the life you love.At NOCD, we specialize in ERP therapy. Book a free 15-minute call to learn more about the specialized care we offer at https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.