The harder you try to control your thoughts, the more it controls you
Get to know OCD18 Mar 2025

The harder you try to control your thoughts, the more it controls you

When we try to control every thought that enters our mind, we unknowingly give it more power. The harder we fight intrusive thoughts or uncomfortable feelings, the more they seem to persist. Brenna Posey, a member of NOCD, shares how this cycle kept her stuck and how she learned — through therapy and experience — that true freedom comes from allowing thoughts to come and go without reacting to them.

Learning to sit with uncertainty is one of the most challenging but life-changing skills for managing OCD. In this video, Brenna explains why resisting anxiety only fuels it and how changing your response can break the cycle. She also offers practical strategies to help you step away from compulsions and regain control —not over your thoughts, but over how you respond to them.

Exposure and Response Prevention therapy helped Brenna manage her OCD, and it might do the same for you. If you want to explore treatment options with our team, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

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Episoder(242)

Is It Hoarding… Or OCD?

Is It Hoarding… Or OCD?

What's the difference between hoarding and OCD? Imagine two people who both refuse to throw away the same old birthday card. One keeps it because it holds a memory they’re afraid of losing. The other ...

11 Sep 5min

I’ve Treated OCD For 27 Years. Here’s What I’ve Learned

I’ve Treated OCD For 27 Years. Here’s What I’ve Learned

Dr. Patrick McGrath has been treating OCD for nearly 27 years, and there are still parts of the job that never get easier. He’s watched people suffer for years without the right diagnosis, receive tre...

7 Sep 7min

I’m A Psychologist And I Still Didn’t Know I Had OCD

I’m A Psychologist And I Still Didn’t Know I Had OCD

Santina Cilento works as a school psychologist, so she knew what OCD was. What she didn’t realize was that she had been living with it herself for years. The rigid rules, the need for certain numbers,...

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Why OCD Makes You Question Your Own Memories

Why OCD Makes You Question Your Own Memories

A memory feels a little fuzzy, and suddenly OCD wants an answer. Did that really happen? Did you miss something? Did you do something wrong without realizing it? What starts as a small doubt can turn ...

30 Aug 5min

Why OCD Makes You Feel Like You Have To Confess Everything

Why OCD Makes You Feel Like You Have To Confess Everything

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27 Aug 6min

5 Pieces Of Advice That Can Make OCD Worse

5 Pieces Of Advice That Can Make OCD Worse

"Trust your gut” or “just stop thinking about it” — these might sound like helpful things to tell someone struggling with OCD, but they can actually make things worse. OCD already thrives on doubt, re...

23 Aug 8min

She Worked On Beetlejuice And Jurassic Park And Did Not Know She Had OCD

She Worked On Beetlejuice And Jurassic Park And Did Not Know She Had OCD

Lynette Eklund spent decades building creatures and effects for some of Hollywood’s most recognizable movies, including Beetlejuice and Jurassic Park. Behind that career, though, was something she did...

20 Aug 44min

My OCD Recovery Inspired Me To Become A Therapist

My OCD Recovery Inspired Me To Become A Therapist

Tandy Cyrus didn’t begin her career in mental health. She spent years working in juvenile probation, helping young people navigate difficult circumstances while slowly realizing she wanted to make a d...

16 Aug 16min

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