OCD Straight Talk
Episodes
What's the Difference between Facts and Fears?
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses intrusive images and urges, noting that often they elicit anxiety because of what we think they mean. The question, of course, becomes...
Compulsions Make the Thoughts Real
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris talks through the idea that compulsive responses give credibility to the obsessional anxiety. The question becomes, What does it look like for y...
Can You Imagine Anxiety-Producing Thoughts That Don't Produce Anxiety?
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Building on the last few episodes, and referring to the idea of the system and its parts, Chris explains what OCD looks like when it's no longer clini...
Introducing Dr. B: A Follow-Up on the System and Its Parts
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris has a conversation with Dr. B, his wife, about the OCD-system and how it works. Enjoy. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have ...
The System is Made Up of Parts
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the OCD-system, the pieces and parts that make up the whole. And he identifies the common reaction of making "feeling better"...
Your Compulsions Hide in Your Assumptions about What is NOT a Compulsion
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris explains the thinking and assumptions of many people and patients about what "compulsions" are, and are not. Often, it's the assum...
The 2 Primary Reasons OCDers Don't Tend to Make Much Progress
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses common patterns across years of cases. Many patients struggle to make progress early in treatment (or because they are not in it to st...
Mark McMinn, Ph.D.
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Dr. Mark McMinn to discuss scrupulosity and religious scrupulosity. The two talk through various issues, though, the simple issue...
What Does That Thought Mean?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the idea of meta-cognitions: the thoughts we have about the thoughts we have; and he answers a listener's question about intrusive ima...
To Panic or Not to Panic: That is the Question
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris grapples with the questions of 1. What constitutes a panic attack? and What are the common triggers or reasons that individuals might experience...
Act Better First; Feel Better Next.
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris tackles a listener's question about Mental Contamination, and provides clarity on two points: the first priority in making therapeutic progress,...
Focus on What You Can Control!
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the idea of overriding your urge to manage your thoughts and feelings. This isn't easy; and nobody (at least nobody who knows what he ...
What Disorders Are Truly "Related" to OCD?
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris takes on the question of the degree to which OCD is unlike the anxiety disorders and more like Trichotillomania and Excoriation Disorder. It com...
How Informal Is Too Informal in Exposure Therapy?
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chris tackles a good question relative to exposure therapy: How informal is too informal? Many of us walk into exposure-work with the idea that it has...
The Anxiety's A Good Indicator
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris provides a bird's eye view of the process-landscape. One of your questions at this point might be, Am I doing my exposures right? And that's a g...
Is It A Compulsion Or Just An Anxious Behavior?
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris asks listeners a question about the possibility of live-meetings, and invites feedback. And he takes on the question of whether differentiating ...
"I Think It's More Nuanced Than That"
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris reflects on a conversation he recently had with a respected colleague. They discussed the resistance some patients/OCDers appear to have toward ...
"Watch the Anxiety Manage Itself"
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a therapeutic conversation he had recently with a new patient. They work through a few basic concepts, and how those concepts fit toge...
What's the Difference between Overthinking and Rumination
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener: Are these symptoms even related to OCD? Following a confusing meeting with a mental health professional, she further inq...
Take the Next Step with OCD Straight Talk
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We've all learned real skills from watching YouTube videos and listening to podcasts. Some of us have earned college, and even graduate degrees in asy...
"Pure-O" & Mental Contamination
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
MAJOR OCD STRAIGHT TALK ANNOUNCEMENT coming tomorrow. Chris responds to a listener's question, and discusses the concepts of distinguishing between o...
Is One Compulsion Better than Another?
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a patient's question, Is one compulsion better than another? Good question. The short answer is, No; but the long answer is, Yes.&nb...
After That, What Do I Do with My Thoughts?
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
**Major OCD Straight Talk announcement coming November 1, 2022. Chris discusses the question of, After I stop compulsions and mental rituals (e.g., ru...
Is Arguing with My Thoughts A Compulsion?
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
*** Big OCD Straight Talk Announcement coming November 1, 2022. Chris discusses a really common response OCDers have to their intrusive thoughts. The...
I Have Anxiety, Not OCD: What Do I Do?
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris deals with a common question in therapy: What do I do: I have anxiety, not OCD. The Cognitive Model provides a useful roadmap for understanding ...
"Just-Right OCD": Can't Stop This Feeling
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's question about how to manage "just right"-OCD. It's important, first and foremost, to remember that OCD is OCD; and alt...
How Do I Stop Ruminating?
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At the request of a listener, Chris returns to the question of, How do I stop ruminating? He provides a specific technique, but explains the importanc...
The Fear behind the Fear: The Core of the OCD
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a question regarding perceived memory loss and obsessional distress, and incorporates various clinical observations and explanation ...
You Can't or You Won't?
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses his understanding of the dreaded phrase, "I can't" in relation to the resistance of compulsions, and discloses his battle with OCD. Bu...
Just Trying Harder is a Step in the Right Direction
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the Cognitive Model and how it applies to depressive and anxious symptoms. Distinguishing between symptoms that we can directly contro...
Kathleen Rupertus, Psy.D.
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Dr. Kathleen Rupertus, Clinical Director of the Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center in Wilmington, DE, and coauthor of the acclaim...
OCD - the "C" = EX/RP
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris is on Instagram (@ocdstraighttalk)! On this episode, Chris explains the idea that we're not really doing exposure therapy if we're also doing co...
Edna Foa, Ph.D.
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Dr. Edna Foa, a psychological scientist who needs no real introduction. To those who are even somewhat familiar with the literatu...
You're Doing One at the Expense of the Other or the Other at the Expense of the One
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the symptomatologic reality that individuals can't manage their anxiety and manage their compulsions: they're either working to keep t...
The Banana Peel Effect
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a phenomenon that he calls, The Banana Peel Effect that changes the power individuals report feeling over resisting and stopping compu...
Heart and Skill is a Powerful Combination
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the idea of coupling your fight to get better with strategic no-how. Being determined to stop compulsions without the skill of identif...
Is It Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Or Is It OCD?
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a central distinction between symptoms indicative of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD and those indicative of OCD. The punchline...
Is It Panic Disorder or Is It OCD?
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the differences in symptom-presentation and evidence-based intervention between two common, anxiety-related disorders: Panic Disorder ...
An Overview of Skills in Successful Treatment
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris puts several pieces together and discusses significant challenges in the process of treatment. A different life is possible; but you've got to f...
Two Cases, One Lesson
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris shares two clinical experiences that he says helped shape him as an OCD therapist. Bottom line, "It's not my job to get you better," he says. He...
Thanatophobia and Meta-Cognitions within OCD
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris answers a question about Thanatophobia (fear of death), and highlights the concept of meta-cognition (thoughts we have about thoughts we have) w...
Real Event OCD
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a question about a so-called subtype of OCD known as Real Event OCD. This is a unique presentation among OCD symptoms in the sense t...
How Are Obsessions & Compulsions Interconnected?
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How you ever dissected your OCD to see how it works? In this episode, Chris discusses both the difference between, and the mutual connection of the sy...
Robert Hindman, Ph.D.
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Dr. Robert Hindman, a trainer at the widely respected Beck Institute, and specialist in the treatment of clinically significant a...
Uncertainty is Your Friend; I'll Prove It
16 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris grapples with the question of uncertainty. Is it your enemy, like many OCDers tend to think, or is it actually your friend? Good question. Let's...
Why Is My OCD Not Getting Better?
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris tackles a very common question among OCD-ers internationally - Why is it that my OCD didn't get better in psychotherapy? It is a complicated iss...
What's the Difference between CBT and Ex/RP?
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses subtle difference between classical Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Ritual Prevention (Ex/RP) in the treatment of OC...
Knowing is Half the Battle
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a summary-comment that a patient made at the "finish line" of treatment: "When you can tell the difference between the obsessions and ...
David H. Barlow, Ph.D., ABPP
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris talks with Dr. David Barlow, one of the world's foremost experts on the treatment of psychopathology, and leading experts in the area of disorde...
Jon Abramowitz, Ph.D., ABPP
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Dr. Jon Abramowitz, one of the world's foremost experts of the understanding and effective treatment of OCD. They discuss topics ...
The Mosquito Bite Analogy
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the request of a listener, Chris revisits the mosquito analogy, and explains "the moral of the story." Punchline is: you can tolerate more discomfo...
Getting Started with Exposure Therapy
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris moves past the theoretical skills "out there," and discusses getting started with exposure therapy. The key phrase is, "start small." Grow in ex...
Jason Adams
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris sits down with Jason Adams to discuss the complexities of parenting young children while simultaneously dealing with OCD. Chris and Jason talk a...
Common Errors Made in Exposure Therapy for OCD
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris takes on the question of, Why does exposure therapy work for some people, but not for me? It's a common question; and, in many cases, the answer...
What is Exposure Therapy - Exactly?
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a study published in the early 1980s the results of which have gone on to confirm the most effective treatment available for OCD - Exp...
Tell Me, "Do I Have OCD?"
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's questions about whether he can confirm an OCD-diagnosis for a listener, commenting on presentation and history of sympt...
Eric Storch, Ph.D.
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris talks with Dr. Eric Storch, a leading OCD-treatment specialist, and one of the psychological scientists who developed the Yale-Brown Obsessive-C...
What Do You Mean, Compulsions Drive Obsessions?
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a question about the link that connects, not obsessions and compulsions, but compulsions and obsessions. Consider rating OCD S...
OCD & The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the concepts of Trace Decay Theory (of psychology) and Entropy (of physics), explaining - without apology - the necessity of repeatedl...
The Difference between Rumination and Reflection
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks for the question - very good one. Chris responds to a listener and defines compulsions from a couple of vantage points. Feel free to reac...
On Weakening the Connection between Thoughts, Behaviors, and Feelings
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses CBT-theory, which is based on "the Cognitive Model," and raises the question of how we can methodologically weaken the strong and habi...
True or False: If You Think It's Your OCD, It Is
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's question - A follow up on our series on uncertainty. So, true or false? Or, is it a trick question? Feel free to reach ...
EMDR vs. Prolonged Exposure for PTSD
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the prevailing treatments for PTSD, and the weird animus that tends to stand between them. Feel free to reach out with any questions y...
Is Uncertainty Your Friend or Your Enemy?
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris breaks down the reality of uncertainty, and explains how we can either work with uncertainty, or against it. Feel free to reach out with a...
What, Essentially, Is OCD?
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris talks behind and beyond all the technical language and diagnostic criteria of OCD. The condition, whatever it is, centers on a life-dimension co...
Understanding Obsessions and Compulsions in Existential OCD
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener and explains the importance of identifying compulsions, and distinguishing them from obsessions in existential OCD. ...
Macro-, and Micro-Compulsions: A Very Important Idea
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a concept that is practical to cracking the code of OCD. Many of us approach OCD with stereotypes and assumptions. Part of what that m...
Common Pitfalls on the Road to Therapeutic Progress
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses several common mistakes individuals tend to make in relation to their OCD, often whether in therapy or not. This episode works to diss...
Another Technique for Letting Go of Intrusive Thoughts
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris revisits his conversation with Michael May, MA, LPCC, an ACT therapist and OCD treatment-specialist. He discusses the "I'm having the thought th...
A Discussion with Mr. Michael May, LPCC about ACT for OCD
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol with Michael May, MA, LPCC, an ACT trainer and clinical expert. They talk thera...
More Details on Stopping Mental Compulsions: Another Episode by Popular Request
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses two cases in which stopping rumination was an important part of the therapeutic process. Remember, if "nobody's home" to do the work o...
Why Does Psychotherapy for Clinically Significant Anxiety Sometimes Not Work?
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a complex set of dynamics in modern psychotherapy that serve to offer an explanation to an otherwise puzzling problem: Why do people s...
A Discussion about PTSD with Dr. Joseph Birli
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses trauma symptoms, and their corresponding treatments with a trauma expert, Dr. Joseph Birli. A wonderfully competent, and seasoned ther...
Is There a Connection between Obsessions and Outcomes - Association OCD
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's question about "Association OCD," pointing to the "heart beat" of this symptom-dimension. Chris also sets-up Mond...
To Choose or Not to Choose: That is the Question
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the notion that 'you are not your thoughts," and your anxiety, even when it's really, really bad, can't hurt you - unless you let it. ...
Gonna Tell You A Bit about Myself
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discloses some of his specific OCD-presentation, and what it looks like in real time. He also responds to a listener's question/email. Thanks fo...
When I'm Loving Someone with OCD
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a common familial scenario: family members of OCDers want to know how to be helpful. This is a frequently asked question in the therap...
Weed-Smoking, Psychotropic Medications, and OCD
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's question about meds, supplements. In the process, he discusses other substances that are commonly inquired about in tre...
The Cognitive Model: How You Can Force Symptomatological Change
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses two kinds of patients: one comes to the game to watch from the sideline while the others fight the battle, the other comes to fight th...
The Various Faces of Existential OCD
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's request for a subtype-description. Like some others, this listener requested that the response be made on the podcast, ...
What's the Difference between Rational Thinking and Rumination?
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener who requests clarity as to the difference between thinking "rationally" about obsessions for the purpose of disputing the...
This Makes A Behavior A Compulsion
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris explains three important elements that, cumulatively, help to identify a behavior as a compulsion. Not every behavior is a compulsion; but compu...
What Makes A Behavior A Compulsion?
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris rambles about behaviors v. compulsions. If compulsions are always behaviors - and more than that, choices, then this opens a wide array of possi...
Here's My Situation, Tell Me What to Do: A (Second) Case Discussion
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's questions about a specific symptom-dimension of OCD: anxiety relative to the possibility of speaking or behaving inappr...
Here's My Situation, Tell Me What to Do: A Case Discussion
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris reads, and responds to an email about a listener's symptoms, and OCD-system (with his/her permission). During this episode, we leave the discuss...
OCD-101 vs. Advanced Techniques
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the difference between two kinds of thoughts: obsessions and compulsions. It is an advanced skill to differentiate between intrusive t...
What Causes OCD?: The Theory That Will Never Die
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses old theories and new ones regarding why OCD happens - a (very) cursory history of OCD research. But the real question is not, Why does...
Chasing Certainty
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
So often, OCD-sufferers speak of obsessions as being "irrational." Many have long-been told that. But are they? Chris discusses the irrationality of c...
How Long Will It Take for Me to Get Better?
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a - the most - frequently asked question at the top of a case: How long is this gonna take? The answer is about four months; but there...
How Can I Better Find Compulsions?
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses the "Compulsions Decision Tree" - not technical language - in order to better identify compulsions. The purpose of these 3 questions i...
When OCD Causes Depression
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a common problem among individuals suffering from OCD and clinically significant anxiety - secondary depression. What do you do when y...
What Compulsions Go with Which Obsessional Themes?
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to an email regarding lists of compulsions that tend to travel in packs (or subtypes). But the answer isn't what you think. The fact is...
How Do I Tell the Difference between Obsessions & Compulsions?
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses OCD 101, How do we tell the difference between OCD-components in order bring to a grinding halt our OCD-systems? Feel free to re...
Compulsions Breed Compulsions
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Discusses attitude. It comes down to decision and follow through. Sure, it's a little more complex than that. Sometimes we're doing compulsions ...
What Do I Do When I Can't Stop My Compulsions?
08 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses an oft-posed question in therapy, and gives an honest and empowering answer. Thanks for tuning into the podcast. Feel free to re...
Relationship OCD, What is It?
30 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses yet another symptom dimension of OCD. The truth of the matter, though, is that there is no piece of information more important in this...
POCD, What Is It?
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's request for a discussion on OCD-subtypes. The topic of the next few episodes will be "kinds," or subtypes of OCD. Some ...
Harm OCD, What Is It?
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris responds to a listener's request to discuss OCD-subtypes. The topic of the next few episodes will be "kinds," or subtypes of OCD. Some subtypes ...
You're Why I Podcast
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thanks for listening. Chris discusses the regrettable fact that many people struggle with OCD symptoms, and often get access to misleading, or even st...
How Do I Let Go of My Intrusive Thoughts (Part 2)
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris discusses a technique he encountered under the clinical supervision of Dr. Monnica Williams. The technique is aimed at dismissing intrusive thou...