Stay ConnectedTune in each week for a deep dive into all things OCD with host Dr. Patrick McGrath, NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer. We’ll be sharing inspiring real-life stories of people who’ve faced OCD and came out the other side, as well as practical tips for understanding and tackling OCD. We hope you enjoy the podcast and it helps you get to know OCD.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When intrusive thoughts took over his life, Jesse Katches felt isolated, hopeless, and afraid to share his struggles — even with his roommate. Fast-forward to today, and Jesse has transformed his pain into purpose as a mental health advocate reaching millions online.
In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Dr. Patrick McGrath sits down with Jesse to discuss his journey through anxiety and OCD, the power of vulnerability, and why taking one small step at a time can change everything. They explore the courage it takes to live authentically, the challenges of sharing personal stories online, and the surprising ways advocacy helps erase the stigma of mental health struggles.
If you are or a loved one is experiencing OCD, there is hope. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more about effective, evidence-based treatment.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:44 Why Jesse began posting online about mental health and OCD
7:39 Dealing with online trolls
11:03 Living life in spite of OCD
14:57 The importance of having nerves
17:15 Dating with OCD
22:37 Changing the narrative around mental health
27:00 Remember why you’re doing it
29:51 Know you’re not alone
31:51 Future of content
34:51 Decreasing the stigma
36:54 Risk of reaching out for help
43:45 Being nice to yourself
47:26 Jesse’s advice to content creators thinking of opening up about struggles
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr. Patrick McGrath and Michelle Massi bring 45 years of combined experience to this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, where they get into the state of OCD treatment today.
You’ll discover why failure can pave the way for progress, how feeding compulsions derails recovery, and why leaning into discomfort is key to reclaiming your life. Packed with practical wisdom and candid insights, this conversation is a must-hear for anyone affected by OCD — whether you’re struggling yourself or supporting a loved one.
Has your OCD recovery journey hit a wall recently? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to get perspective from our experts on how to treat yourself.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
4:55 How failure led Michelle and Patrick to becoming therapists
7:37 Differences between residential, PHP and IOP treatments
12:17 Why someone might need higher level of care
15:35 Encouraging OCD patients to be accountable to treatment
19:23 OCD is never satisfied
20:38 Common questions Michelle gets
21:43 Family treatment can be complicated
28:50 ERP principles are life principles
36:05 What’s the “right” thing to do?
38:40 The role families play in OCD accommodation
41:53 The importance of evidence-based care
45:00 Learned helplessness
48:85 We’re allowed to be imperfect
49:48 Michelle’s future
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
OCD in children isn’t always easy to spot — it can appear as perfectionism, relentless checking rituals, or overwhelming fears about safety. Without the right support, it can quietly take over not only the child’s life but the entire household.
In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath dives into the subtle yet disruptive ways OCD manifests in kids. He breaks down the telltale signs and offers advice for parents, including the benefits of exposure and response prevention therapy.
If you think your child might have OCD, know this: treatment is available. Visit learn.nocd.com/podcast to connect with a licensed OCD therapist and explore treatment options.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dating in the modern age feels hard enough — add anxiety and OCD, and it can feel overwhelming. Dating coach Sabrina Zohar knows the struggle firsthand, living with anxiety. In this episode of Get to Know OCD, Sabrina shares her insights on navigating the dating world with these unique challenges.
With her signature candor, Sabrina unpacks the reality of dating apps, the art of bringing up mental health in relationships without fear, and even the empowering side of rejection. She also reminds us that, sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is just show up as we are.
Is OCD getting in the way of your dating life? Visit learn.nocd.com/YT to explore treatment options that can help.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:59 Sabrina’s background
4:12 Mental health issues and dating
8:31 Working through relationship OCD
11:50 Five safety behaviors to look out for
16:58 Everyone has “baggage”
22:01 “Off” days when dating
23:06 Dating app anxiety
26:37 Need you vs. want you
28:14 Dealing with the loss of a significant relationship
30:06 Risk vs. reward
32:11 Managing OCD-fueled doubt in a relationship
36:35 Top tips for dating for those with chronic conditions
40:16 How to keep a relationship thriving
43:37 Being able to be honest in a relationship
44:08 Sabrina’s final takeaway
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever feel like health worries are taking over? Like every ache or pain needs immediate attention? If so, this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast is for you. Today, we’re joined by Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier, co-authors of The Complete Guide To Overcoming Health Anxiety.
Josh and Michael break down the difference between real medical symptoms and the “what if” thoughts that health anxiety loves to create. From that “urgent” need to call a doctor to the constant dread of something being wrong, they’re here to show why facing those fears — rather than panicking at them — might just bring the relief you need.
Treating health-related anxieties and OCD often overlap. Check out https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to see if you could use help from our experts in evidence-based treatment.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:44 Josh and Michael’s background
2:59 Writing a book together
6:40 What is health anxiety?
10:01 Difference between health anxiety and OCD with health themes
12:10 Ways to treat health anxiety
26:36 Cold and flu season anxiety
31:55 Unknown callers are like thoughts
35:17 Cognitive tools to treat health anxiety
43:49 Forming a relationship with physical symptoms
49:48 Using humor to treat anxieties
54:03 Where to get Josh and Michael’s book
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We get OCD-related questions all the time — in our comment section, emails, webinars, in-person therapy, and more. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath answers real questions he most often gets. He covers everything from ERP to dream states, and everything inbetween.
Have more OCD-related questions? Check out our content library for more answers to our most-frequently-asked questions: https://learn.nocd.com/ocd-library
Show notes:
0:36 Question one
2:50 Question two
4:25 Question three
8:50 Question four
10:02 Question five
11:31 Question six
14:06 Question seven
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
OCD representation in movies, shows, and media often misses the mark, pairing misinformation with laugh tracks and stereotypes. These portrayals often stick, leading to widespread misunderstandings and even misdiagnoses of this complex disorder.
In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Patrick sits down with therapist Nathan Peterson, who has over a decade of experience treating OCD and anxiety. Together, they break down popular clips from Friends, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and HBO's Girls to reveal what the media gets wrong about OCD — and the rare moments it gets right.
Want to better understand OCD? Not only your symptoms, but how to treat them? Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more about our evidence-based treatment.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You do NOT have to beat yourself up for having OCD. In fact, according to therapist and anxiety expert Kimberly Quinlan, self-compassion — not self-punishment — is the real path to healing. Kim, who has literally written the book on compassion, knows firsthand how powerful kindness can be in breaking the relentless cycle of compulsions, fear, and doubt. In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Kim draws on her personal journey through eating disorder recovery and her work with OCD clients to show why you don’t have to be your own worst critic. If you’ve ever struggled with self-blame, Kim’s message of compassion is sure to resonate.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:42 Kim’s background
4:46 Overlap between anxiety and eating disorders
7:42 Self-compassion for OCD recovery
10:14 The power of compassion when dealing with other disorders
13:53 Kim’s definition of self compassion
16:39 The biggest roadblock to self-compassion
22:43 Can self-compassion become a compulsion?
25:51 The role mindfulness plays in treatment
29:50 Why Kim bought herself a van
33:19 Letting loved ones suffer
38:15 Advice for parents
41:54 Did DSM get the definition of OCD wrong?
44:11 How Kim practices what she preaches
46:06 Taking the first step to get help
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a world overflowing with uncertainty, OCD wants to convince us we can somehow control it all. From political unrest to personal worries, the mind relentlessly searches for answers —sometimes convincing us that just one small compulsion can fix everything. But as we know, the lies OCD feeds us don’t lead to absolute answers. Ever.
In this episode, we explore our relationship with uncertainty. We' explain why compulsions never create certainty and how embracing this uncertainty might just be the better solution you're looking for.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more.
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Imagine waking up one day, and nothing feels right. Life as you knew it — your career, your family, your joy — starts slipping away, replaced by relentless, intrusive thoughts. This is the reality Erica Lugo, fitness coach and former Biggest Loser trainer, faced when she was blindsided by a diagnosis that changed everything: OCD.
In this eye-opening episode of Get to Know OCD, Erica shares the raw and vulnerable truth behind her battle with OCD, the therapy sessions that pushed her to the brink, and the moments of doubt that nearly derailed her. But through it all, Erica found a way to “live on my terms, not OCD’s.” Now she’s on a mission to break OCD stereotypes and educate other women about the twisted nature of onset OCD.
Don’t miss Erica’s powerful message on living life beyond OCD’s grip and reclaiming the joy you thought you’d lost forever.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:45 Erica’s fitness background
3:37 OCD struck Erica seemingly overnight
6:30 Erica struggled with ERP at first
8:20 Just how real OCD felt to Erica
10:36 OCD never tells you the truth
14:01 “I’m so OCD” bugs Erica
16:02 Hormone changes can lead to onset OCD
18:11 Erica’s intrusive thoughts while pregnant
20:37 “What if OCD comes back?”
24:50 OCD has no end
30:32 Why Erica is such an advocate for women’s health
33:11 Educating family members about OCD
37:41 The downside of speaking publicly about OCD
39:36 Erica’s advice to those struggling with OCD
Follow us on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/
https://twitter.com/treatmyocd
https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
