FearCast Podcast

Abby reached out to me via Instagram to ask a question that starts off a little Harm OCD, but ends up a little Sensorimotor/ Hyperawareness OCD. She wants to know how to deal with her intrusive, looping thoughts that focuses on harm related thoughts toward a family member. She knows it’s her OCD, so she’s not doing compulsions, but she hates that they are even there. Does she need to do ERP, and if so how? I offer some ideas on how she can approach the situation with some Cognitive Behavioral Therapy skills, some ACT skills, and of course offer some ideas on exposures she can try. To Learn More About Harm OCD, Check Out This Article From The California OCD And Anxiety Treatment Center The post #234- How Do I Stop, And Do ERP With, These Looping Violent Thoughts appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

M messaged me recently to ask about a situation that is all too common. They struggle with POCD, but are terrified to go see a therapist for treatment because what if the therapist 1) doesn’t diagnose them with POCD but actually thinks they are their worst fear, and 2) they actually are their worst fear and they don’t fully and clearly communicate their symptoms and they mistakenly get diagnosed with POCD and not… you know… that other thing. Either way, it’s a fear of getting misdiagnosed, not getting the right treatment, and suffering needlessly. This happens with POCD as well as any number of other taboo subtypes, so it is very relatable across the board. For more about POCD, check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #233- POCD: What If Therapist Actually Thinks I’m… You know?! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Struggling Artist emailed me with an admittedly long question. They want to become a full time artist but are struggling to take the leap because their Religious and Moral Scrupulosity OCD is trying to overtake their life. Obsessions about moral perfection are leading to checking compulsions, donating art sales profits, excessive confession, and mental rumination. Can they learn to work around it, or are they doomed to give up on their dream? For more about Moral Scrupulosity and Religious Scrupulosity, check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #232- How Can I Be A Full Time Artist Without Scrupulosity Destroying Me? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today I get to share a comment from Eden and a question from Nicholas. Eden wanted to share her experience with Casadastraphobia. I love being able to share others’ experiences because everyone’s experience is a little bit different; even when people share the same anxiety subtype. After this, I get to answer Nicholas’ question about taking power away from the sensations that seem to be plaguing him. To learn more about Sensorimotor OCD and Hyperawareness OCD, check out this post from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #231- Eden’s Casadastraphobia, and Taking Power From Sensorimotor OCD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Katie reached out ask me a simple question about how to pursue Exposure and Response Prevention when she cannot habituate to anxiety after she has had a resurgence of a fungus growing in her fingernails, and now toenails! She’s been through treatment, including IOP, but now is struggling to figure out what to do now that her anxiety is back! Finally, a contamination adjacent question!! I discuss some options Katie could consider from an ERP model, as well as the Mastery Model. It’s a real therapeutic model party on the FearCast today. Get excited! The post #230- Not Habituating To Anxiety Of Fungus Under My Fingernails! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Phil messaged me to ask a simple question; what can he do to fight the inner fight of SO-OCD? He comments that he is in a relationship but constantly gets unwanted, intrusive thoughts telling him to “come out” or otherwise twisting completely neutral thoughts into something he does not want. So, what can he do? He’s doing exposures, but finds that in general he is uncomfortable around gay men. Does that mean something? I offer some tips on how to deal with taboo obsessions, how to apply radical acceptance, and how to use various types of exposures to deal with the obsessions. To learn more about Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD), check out this article from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #229- How Can I Fight The Daily Fight Against SO-OCD? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s episode features another amazing interview with someone at the forefront of their field. I had the privilege to interview Dr. Lorna Myers about Functional Neurological Disorder and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. This may be new to many of this podcast’s listeners, but it is another fascinating dive into how the brain works, and when the brain misfires. Dr. Myers spent a bunch of time sharing what FND and PNES are, who and how they impact, and what we can do to help overcome it! Put on your nerd cap and come along for the ride! The post #228- Functional Neurological Disorder and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures with Dr. Lorna Myers appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

In light of Mother’s Day, I had a chance to sit down with Dr. Jon Abramowitz and chat about Post Partum and Parinatal OCD, usually abbreviated as PPOCD. Dr. Abramowitz and I discussed the nuts and bolts of PPOCD, how it fits within the general OCD cycle, the impact it has on both new mothers and fathers, and what treatment looks like. As usual, we get distracted by other topics of OCD and Dr. Abramowitz does not disappoint with facts and stats related to diagnosis and treatment concerns. In summary, because people have violent and taboo thoughts, new parents have violent and taboo thoughts, and OCD loves to jump on board and make a mountain out of a mole-hill. However, acceptance, self compassion, and exposure help! For more on Post Partum and Parinatal OCD (PPOCD), check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #227- Post Partum OCD with Dr. Jon Abramowitz appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For today’s episode, I answer a question from C. She wants to know what she can do about her dissociation and memory loss when she becomes triggered and/ or overwhelmed with anxiety. What’s worse, she feels this way when she tries to do ERP and wonders whether or not the dissociation will make her efforts toward exposure fruitless. I offer her some ideas on how she can work with her dissociation. I am also joined by Erika McCoy, an IOCDF advocate, who shares about her passion for Creative Corner. This is an event being held at the upcoming summer IOCDF conference offering space, materials, and encouragement for creative and artistic expression about OCD and the experience of living with, and fighting against, OCD. It was a really fun conversation and a great opportunity for anyone attending the conference! The post #226- Dealing With Dissociation, and Creative Corner with Erika McCoy appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Jenn wrote to me asking about how she can deal with the feelings of shame and embarrassment after her family has heard the details, and been the recipients of, her compulsive confession, reassurance seeking, and other compulsive behavior. She’s struggling with the shame that happens after years of compulsive vulnerability and wants to know how to put her relationship back together after they’ve seen and heard what they’ve seen and heard. To address this I revisit shame and OCD, and how people can give themselves compassion, love, and support to let their relationships rebuild. Allowing herself, and her family, to have new interactions and opportunities filled with love and validation will help to off-set the stretch of shame and unworthiness. The post #225- Shame and Rebuilding Relationships After The Worst Of OCD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.