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(195)

The Types of OCD No One Talks About

The Types of OCD No One Talks About

Most people think OCD is just about cleaning, germs, or being organized — but that’s only a small part of it. In reality, OCD can latch onto anything: your faith, your relationships, your memories, ev...

10 Nov 202511min

NFL Player Braden Smith Opens Up About His OCD Journey

NFL Player Braden Smith Opens Up About His OCD Journey

Braden Smith built his NFL career by overpowering defenders every Sunday as an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts. But away from the field, he was fighting something he couldn’t see — intrus...

6 Nov 202546min

When OCD Makes You Fear You’ll Harm Yourself

When OCD Makes You Fear You’ll Harm Yourself

Sometimes OCD makes you afraid of your own thoughts. You don’t want to hurt yourself — but your mind won’t stop asking, what if I did? That fear can feel overwhelming and isolating, but it’s actually ...

2 Nov 202546min

OCD Made Me Afraid of the People I Love Most

OCD Made Me Afraid of the People I Love Most

Jen Wiles remembers the fear more than anything — not just the thoughts themselves, but the silence that came with them. She was terrified of what her mind was saying, ashamed to tell anyone, and conv...

30 Okt 202547min

Why Specialized Therapy Is Essential for OCD

Why Specialized Therapy Is Essential for OCD

Most therapy isn’t designed for OCD — and that’s the problem. A lot of therapists mean well but use approaches that make symptoms worse, not better. That’s why specialized treatment matters. In this v...

26 Okt 202511min

What It’s REALLY Like To Be An Athlete With OCD

What It’s REALLY Like To Be An Athlete With OCD

Tom Smalley grew up chasing athletic success, but behind his drive was a constant mental battle he didn’t yet understand. At sixteen, he was diagnosed with OCD, a condition that turned every game, pra...

23 Okt 202550min

Understanding ADHD and OCD — how to treat and navigate both

Understanding ADHD and OCD — how to treat and navigate both

OCD and ADHD are often misunderstood — and when they overlap, it can be even more confusing. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down how the two conditions interact, where they differ, and what...

19 Okt 202510min

Actress Sarah Jeffery Opens Up About Living With OCD

Actress Sarah Jeffery Opens Up About Living With OCD

Sarah Jeffery’s acting career has spanned hit shows and films like Charmed and Descendants. On screen, she looked fearless. But behind that was a mind that wouldn’t stop asking, what if I forget how t...

16 Okt 202556min

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