Max emailed me and asked a question that has never been asked on the FearCast before. He shares that he struggles with Intrusive Musical Imagery, or intrusive mental snippets of songs, and he wants to know how to deal with them. This is a great question that, even Max acknowledges, does not have a lot of information out there. But, I did some research to find some good and helpful information that could be helpful for those of you interested in, or struggling with, Intrusive Musical Imagery. The post #222- Intrusive Musical Imagery: What Is It, and How Do I Stop It? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s question comes from Rick and Emilie. Rick struggles with feeling terrible over the fact that he even has POCD related thoughts and worries they reflect something terrible about himself. Furthermore, he feels worse now that he doesn’t feel as bad as he did before! What could that mean?! Emilie is similarly struggling with guilt, but the kind rooted in Real Event OCD and False Memory OCD. Did she cheat on her boyfriend? Everyone says ‘no,’ but her OCD says ‘yes.’ Who to believe?! For more on Pedophile OCD (POCD), check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center For more on Real Event OCD, check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center. The post #221- What Kind Of A Person Has POCD Thoughts, and What If I Cheated? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s main question comes from a listener who seems to be stuck in a memory from two life events and she cant seem to get herself out of, away from, or past them. She’s tried ERP, but nothing seems to work. But, what if ERP in this instance wasn’t the solution? A OCD Therapist not immediately suggesting ERP?! Outrageous! And yet, what if ERP wasn’t the fix, but instead living and learning would get her past them better? The post #220- Stuck In A Real Event Obsession: ERP, Or Live And Learn? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s question is a fun one (for me). PotatoChipFiend emailed me asking me how they should deal with recurring thoughts about their childhood crushes and whether or not it is a form of POCD? In this episode I offer some guidance for exposures, ways to rethink the meaning of the story for him, how he can separate the fear into different parts that may be easier to accept, and ways he can apply CBT and ICBT tools. For more on Pedophile OCD, or POCD, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #219- I’m Attracted To The Memory Of My Elementary School Crush… Is This POCD? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For this week’s question, Sisi emailed me asking about the best exposures for Sensorimotor OCD. So, while of course I offer some suggestions and ideas, I also use this as an opportunity to discuss Attention Training as a way to help build your skill to allowing distraction while intentionally, and non-compulsively, directing your attention. Trigger warning, I read some poetry in the episode. Consider yourself warned. For more on Sensorimotor and Hyperawareness OCD, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #218- What Is The Best Exposures For Sensorimotor, And Attention Training appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Maya messaged me recently with a question about her Real Event OCD. She decided to finally say “no” to a confession compulsion as part of her Real-Event cycle, but this has re-triggered the OCD theme! What should she do? Sometimes we are stuck in situations where there is no perfect outcome, so we have to do our best, make a choice, move forward, and suffer consequences if and when they come. But, that’s the trick, isn’t it… For more on Real Event OCD, check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center. The post #217- Saying “No” To Real Event OCD Has Triggered My Real Event OCD! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today I’m releasing an episode early in honor of Valentines Day! This question comes from Teddy who is in an open relationship and has a fear that he will be replaced by someone else. While it may not be the expected podcast content for Valentines day, there is actually a lot of overlap from Teddy’s question to others struggling with ROCD and other relationship anxieties. References in the show: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/may/22/what-if-he-finds-someone-better-the-agony-and-the-ecstacy-of-an-open-relationship The post #216- Valentines Special: Open Relationships And The Fear of Being Replaced appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Mubeena Mirza, LCSW, joined me today to talk about Religious Scrupulosity within the Muslim community in anticipation of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month-long religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the world, and for anyone who struggles with Religious Scrupulosity knows that major holidays can invite new obsessions, intensifying current obsessions, and a struggle to keep compulsions at bay. Mubeena joined me to talk about what Muslims can do to make Ramadan more livable so they can enjoy the holiday and connect to their faith. For more on Religious Scrupulosity, please read this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #215- Living Religious Scrupulosity Through Ramadan, With Mubeena Mirza appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Kelley Franke, MFT, joined me today to answer a listener question about parenting with OCD. Lots has been written about how to parent a kid with OCD, but how do you parent with OCD yourself? Today’s question comes from Kelly (a different one, I swear). She shares how she always wanted a second child, but the stress of her first, along with the nag of OCD, is making her second guess her interest in more kids. So, Kelley Franke helps me tackle this question and discuss the realities of being a parent, the complication factor of OCD, and what Kelly (the questioner) can consider as she moves forward. The post #214- OCD Is Exhausting, So Are Kids. Do I Want Another One? Featuring Kelley Franke, MFT appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

MJ asks a great question, that I think a lot of people have too. She’s gone through treatment, which was pretty successful, but why is her brain still giving her these unwanted intrusive thoughts that sometimes catch her up into a swirl of anxiety again?! What gives? I offer MJ some ideas on why this is happening, and why she is still having these thoughts. Lastly, I offer a few ideas on what may help her further her recovery. The post #213- I’ve gone through treatment, so why do I still get these intrusive thoughts? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.