FearCast Podcast

For today’s episode, I was able to have on Dr. Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier, LPCC, to discuss health anxiety. They recently released the book “The Complete Guide To Overcoming Health Anxiety” and were kind enough to join me to talk about their book and how to face down health anxiety in a doable, and I dare say enjoyable, way. They offer some great insight into the perspective one must have to treat health anxiety, and they offer some helpful tips on ways to structure therapy to feel heard, cared for, and encouraged. To learn more about health anxiety and hypochondria and treatment, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #175- The First Episode With Dr. Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier On Health Anxiety appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes in from “C” who wants to know whether her SO-OCD is decreasing her sense of attraction to her partner, or if she is actually experiencing a change, transition, or awakening to the realization that she’s actually, truly, gay. I go through the question and discuss several other issues that could be contributing to her experience, including her medication, overall anxiety, and ruminative patterns. We also discuss a, new to me, reassurance resource called the “Lesbian Masterdoc” that aims to give people the confidence to know that they might actually be a lesbian. Spoiler… it doesn’t answer anything definitively, but does stoke the fires of confusion and uncertainty. So, check it out! The post #174- Is SO-OCD Decreasing My Attraction To My Partner? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s episode is a special discussion of Illness Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, Hypochondriasis,Health OCD, or whatever else you wanna call it. What ever name works for you, today I discuss the common obsessions, common compulsions, and treatment of health anxiety! In addition to all the general information about this disorder and treatment, I share several health related exposures throughout the episode, so it’s a great opportunity to practice uncertainty, acceptance, and resiliency! If you have questions about health anxiety, or want to share your journey through health anxiety, please reach out to me via the Submit A Question link, or by sending me a DM at instagram. For more about Health Anxiety, Hypochondriasis, and Health OCD, check out this article from the California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center The post #173- Health Anxiety, Hypochondriasis, Health OCD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who wants to know how to deal with an obsession that comes back. Do they handle it on their own, or do they go back to therapy? Their obsession, new or old, is not always tainted with anxiety. Sometimes it is neutral or enjoyable, and sometimes it’s anxiety provoking. How should he handle this situation? The post #172- Handing An Obsession Resurgence; Return To Therapy, Or Deal On My Own? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

This audio question comes from a listener who lays out a lot of background, lots of evidence, and lots of experience. After careful consideration all signs point to… uncertainty. The post #171- Inconsistent Arousal, Childhood Experimentation, Lots of Checking… I’m Gay, Right? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s questions come from listeners both struggling with ROCD. One is struggling with the dreaded combo of ROCD and SO-OCD, and the other is struggling with news from their psychic (and later astrological charts) that her and her to-be husband are NOT meant to be. No evidence? Hearsay? Unfounded confidence? Mysticism? Yup, OCD’s gonna be all over that… The post #170- Staying Present Amidst My SO-OCD and ROCD Obsessions, and Psychics Ruining My Marriage! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who has a question about how to get support from others when she is in the middle of high anxiety or panic. Is this the right time to get support? But is that reassurance? Should she confess her thoughts? Should she tell people she’s gay even though she doesn’t identify that way? I offer some ideas on how to reach out effectively and manage her uncertainty without feeling alone. The post #169- Confessing, Sharing, Or Getting Support With SO-OCD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s question comes from someone who is struggling with family members who are overwhelmed by the idea of COVID and continue to be enveloped by rituals and routines focused on preventing or avoiding COVID despite being vaccinated and boosted. These precautions are now infringing on the questioner’s family. So, how do you deal with family who has too much precaution? Is too much precaution a good thing, or when does it become a bad thing? The post #168- My Family Is Stuck And Overwhelmed By COVID appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For today’s episode, I offer some guidance to a listener who is struggling with their treatment for their Religious Scrupulosity (Religious OCD). They find that whenever they try to do treatment they notice an uptick in self-harm related thoughts, which has been a deterrent to trying to do treatment in earnest. I offer some things to consider in treatment, discuss the importance of seeking a therapist when experiencing self-harm thoughts, and encourage the listener that there is still hope for recovery. The post #167- Religious Scrupulosity Treatment Triggers Self Harm Thoughts. Help! appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

On today’s adventures through obsession, I answer a listener question about Relationship OCD and the obsession toward a partner’s level of attractiveness. Do they find their partner attractive? How attractive? Does that one flaw or unattractive part of them negate the other attractive parts? I talk about how some realities of being human are important to keep in mind while living with ROCD, and offer some suggestions on how to engage the relationship despite the urge to pull away. The post #166- ROCD: Do I Really Find Them Attractive? Did I Ever? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.