FearCast Podcast

Today’s guest is Dr. Jeremy Shuman, PsyD, who joins me to talk about his urgency for consider neurodivergent traits when treating OCD and anxiety spectrum disorders. Dr. Shuman discusses a broadened yet refined view of neurodiverse traits and how including a neurodivergent lens in our treatment of OCD and anxiety spectrum sufferers will make treatment more specific, compassionate, and successful. The post #157- Neurodivergent Treatment For OCD and Anxiety Spectrum Disorders With Dr. Jeremy Shuman, PsyD appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s question is an audio question from a listener who struggles to get help with her obsession. She worries that thinking gory thoughts will make her pass out while she’s driving. Oh, and she’s passed out before from seeing gory images! She’s seen a therapist who recommends ERP, but she’s still driving. What can she do? I offer some guidance on where she can look to get some help and some other ways to think about her obsession. I also discuss Vasovagal Syncope as part of the answer. Buckle up for a quick and broad episode! The post #156- What If Gory Thoughts Leads To Passing Out Behind The Wheel And ERP Won’t Help!? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s episode is a contamination focused question about how to deal with an obsession that can’t reasonably be disproved, or proved! This is relevant to a lot of people as well who struggle with existential obsessions because we may never be able to see the outcome of an obsession in life, so how do you do ERP when you can’t see the feared outcome happen or not happen?! The post #155- Coping, And Doing ERP, With Contamination Obsessions That Can’t Be Disproved appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today I was joined by Mike Heady, LCPC, to talk about shame. This conversation really broadened by understanding of the emotional experience of shame, and how the weaponized Toxic Shame can destroy someone from within. Mike is a wonderfully clear communicator and dives deep into a subject that we all know one way or another, whether we want to or not. The post #154- Shame And Toxic Shame In OCD With Mike Heady, LCPC appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes from Sarah. She wants to know how to deal with the returning hyperawareness theme focusing on the items on her desk while she studies. It is really getting in the way of her ability to study. She made some progress before, but with a big upcoming test the theme is back! What can she do? The post #153- New Hyperawareness Theme? Old Theme? Or Same Old Theme? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today, bass player Brian Killeen joined me to talk about his experience as a working musician and his journey through anxiety and OCD recovery. The Anxiety In The Arts series is focused on amplifying voices of artists, musicians, performers, and creative people as they navigate their way through anxiety as they strive to express themselves. This was a fun conversation and I really enjoyed speaking with Brian. The post #152- Anxiety In The Arts With Guest Brian Killeen appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today I speak with Michelle Massi, MFT, about the differences between different types of treatment programs, what sets them apart from one another, and why you might be interested in one level of care over another. This was a really fun conversation and Ms. Massi expertly explained the range of treatment options. For anyone who is just starting out in treatment, or someone just learning about therapy, this episode is a must-listen. The post #151- Out-Patient, IOP, PHP, or Residential ? Levels Of Care With Michelle Massi, MFT appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes in from a listener who has been working hard on their obsessions and has made a bunch of progress toward recovery, but is noticing that she’s experiencing Maladaptive Daydream. She wants to know if I can offer any suggestions on how to address Maladaptive Daydreaming, so I give a brief discussion of what it is, how it differs from the regular daydreaming we all know about, and what she (or you) can do to help with it. Here are some resources I mention in the episode: https://www.discussingpsychology.com/maladaptive-daydreaming/how-to-stop-maladaptive-daydreaming/https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/maladaptive-daydreaminghttps://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/common-fears/maladaptive-daydreaming-ocd The post #150- Maladaptive Daydreaming- What Is It, And How Can I Deal With It? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

Today’s audio question comes from Max. He went a long time without his obsessive thoughts, but now they are back! He wants to know how to stop all his efforts to monitor his obsessions and anxiety levels. He worries he’ll never be able to go back to the guy he used to be, and how to simply deal with the fact that he’s obsessing. The post #149- Returning Obsessions: Never Going Back To Who I Was, And How To Stop Monitoring Anxiety? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

For today’s audio question, I was joined by Bronwyn Shroyer, LCSW, to talk about the EMDR treatment modality. The questioner noticed their OCD was re-activated by some EMDR treatment for trauma and wanted to know why that happened and what she can do about it. Bronwyn was kind enough to join me to share her expertise about EMDR, how and why it works for treating trauma, where it is similar to CBT/ ERP treatment for OCD and anxiety disorders, and where they are different. This was a wonderful conversation that spanned a ton of information and covers a lot of treatment theory, including ICBT. The post #148- EMDR Treatment: Where It Works And Where It Doesn’t With Bronwyn Shroyer, LCSW appeared first on FearCast Podcast.