Have you ever been trapped in an OCD thought loop—overanalyzing intrusive thoughts, trying to logic your way out, only to get pulled in deeper? You’re not alone. In this episode, I share my personal journey through OCD, the science behind thought loops, and the proven strategies that helped me break free. We’ll dive into: ✅ What OCD thought loops are and why they happen ✅ How OCD tricks your brain into compulsions ✅ The power of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) ✅...

In this episode of [Podcast Name], we’re diving deep into OCD recovery—what it really takes to break free from intrusive thoughts and compulsions. We’ll bust some common myths, talk about how OCD hijacks your brain, and most importantly, explore how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help you rewire your mind for lasting change. Recovery isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about rewiring your brain step by step. We’ll break down the process, talk about the power of tracking progre...

In this illuminating episode, we explore the deep connection between OCD and exhaustion. We discuss why people with OCD often experience profound mental, physical, and emotional fatigue, and offer practical strategies for breaking the cycle of burnout and finding relief. Key Points OCD creates a constant state of mental alertness that acts like running a marathon with your mind all dayThe physical toll of compulsions combined with sleep disruption leads to profound exhaustionPeople with OCD ...

In this insightful episode, we explore a fresh perspective on managing OCD and how this approach can transform your relationship with OCD by viewing intrusive thoughts as separate from you and simply "letting them be" without engaging in compulsions. Blog related to video Key Points Introducing the "Let Them Theory" from Mel Robbins' book and its application to OCD management Personifying OCD as a separate entity (Toi calls hers "Gloria") to create helpful distance The parallels between th...

Episode Summary In this powerful episode, we explore the hidden struggles of living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and why keeping it secret often worsens the condition. I share my personal journey of masking compulsions and the freedom she found in finally opening up about her diagnosis. Key Points The stigma and misconceptions around OCD often lead people to hide their conditionKeeping OCD secret can increase isolation, delay treatment, and give the disorder more powerMany people...

In this episode we dive into the world of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with a healthy dose of humor and hope. I aim to demystify the process of facing OCD fears, transforming anxiety-inducing thoughts from terrifying monsters into manageable challenges. Whether you're just starting your mental health journey or looking for new strategies to manage intrusive thoughts, this episode promises to make ERP feel less like a mountain to climb and more like a quirky adventure in brain traini...

In this episode of The Out of OCD Podcast, Toi Hershman dives into a widely misunderstood OCD subtype: religious or moral scrupulosity. Toi draws from personal experience to explain how this condition affects individuals’ faith and mental health. Key Topics Covered: What is Religious Scrupulosity?A subtype of OCD involving intense fear of sin, blasphemy, or punishment.Common compulsions include repetitive praying, excessive confessions, and seeking reassurance from religious leaders.The Emoti...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), challenging common misconceptions that trivialize this serious mental illness. Our host addresses myths like "OCD is just about being tidy," "Everyone’s a little OCD," and "People with OCD can just stop." Each myth is broken down to reveal the true impact of OCD on daily life, emphasizing that OCD isn’t about enjoying cleanliness or control—it's about managing intrusive, distressing thoughts through compulsive beha...

In this episode, we dive into how uncertainty makes OCD feel real. For those of us with OCD, even though we logically know our thoughts can't hurt us, OCD makes them feel incredibly real and threatening. People without OCD often don’t understand that we can’t simply brush off these scary thoughts; we feel the overwhelming need to perform compulsions to prevent something bad from happening. This episode explores how OCD taps into your brain's fight, flight, or freeze response, making the intru...

Episode 8: Mastering Intentional ERP for OCD In this episode, we explore the power of intentional Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for managing OCD. Key points include: • Understanding ERP and its initial challenges • The benefits of proactive vs. reactive ERP • Simple techniques to practice intentional ERP daily • Methods for disengaging from intrusive thoughts • The importance of celebrating progress, no matter how small • Tips for tracking improvement over time We discuss how even...

Postpartum OCD occurs after childbirth and is characterized by obsessive, repetitive, unwanted, and distressing thoughts, often accompanied by compulsions or repetitive behaviors. These compulsions are performed to relieve the stress and fear caused by intrusive thoughts. With postpartum OCD, intrusive thoughts can take on various forms often revolving around a new mom's ability to care for her child. These thoughts are not reflective of a new mother's true beliefs and are highly distressing...

The Dark Struggle - OCD and Suicidal Thoughts *TRIGGER WARNING: This article may be difficult if you are sensitive to this topic. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a severely disabling mental illness that can make someone's life feel like an endless nightmare. The constant cycle of intrusive, tormenting thoughts and the compulsions aimed at relieving the anxiety they cause is utterly exhausting. For some struggling with OCD, the pain and suffering becomes so overwhelming that they ...

ERP for OCD: Taking Back Control with Exposure Therapy This episode dives into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We'll hear personal stories about the struggles of OCD and how compulsions, while offering temporary relief, can become a trap. We'll break down ERP therapy, explaining how it works and why it's so effective. You'll learn about exposure hierarchies, a system therapists use to gradually expose you to...

Hello my friend with OCD. I want to ask you about something and see if it applies to you. Do you have all-or-nothing thinking? People with OCD often exhibit this black-and-white way of thinking due to an intolerance of uncertainty and need for certainty. This leads to viewing situations as completely safe or extremely dangerous with no middle ground. All-or-nothing thinking stems from the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that characterize OCD, as sufferers aim for perfection to red...

Here's what it feels like with OCD... It's like you have a pesky gremlin whispering in your ear, telling you to do something over and over again. Now, this is in no way like somebody who hears voices, but it is like a gremlin in your head. It's like having an urge or compulsion to do something, whether that's to wash your hands, organize your soups, collect things, etc. For me, it was just moving through my day. I would try to get dressed and have to start over with better thoughts, go throug...

In this episode, we talk about how to find the right person to help you in your OCD healing journey. I share some different therapy or coaching options and some red flags to look out for when researching therapy to help you find the right person. Resources: Free Workbook to Quit OCD: https://outofocd.com/free-workbook/ Out of OCD Website: https://www.outofocd.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToiHershman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outofocd/ Facebook: https://www.fa...

In this podcast I am joined by my friend Maria Claire Andrea for a deep talk about mental health, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder. We discuss our issues and experiences with our mental health and healing journeys. Included in the episode: OUT of OCD Youtube Channel OUT of OCD Instagram Toi Hershman Facebook Marie Claire Andrea Instagram Marie Claire Andrea Facebook Resources: Free Workbook to Quit OCD: https://outofocd.com/free-workbook/ Out of OCD Website: https://...