Get to know OCD12 Jun 2025

I Used to Hide My Anxiety — Now I Help Millions Heal

Paige Pradko looked like she had it all together — working a corporate gig in Chicago, high-achieving, and smiling through the stress. However, she was secretly battling relentless anxiety. It all came crashing down during a panic attack that sent her to the ER — the moment everything unraveled, and finally, started to make sense.

In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Paige shares how that crisis led to a diagnosis, a career change, and a mission to help others feel seen and supported. Now a therapist and YouTube creator reaching millions, she opens up about her journey, what real recovery looks like, and why no one should have to suffer in silence.

0:00 Intro

2:16 Meet Paige

6:22 Why Paige began creating content online despite personal hesitation

11:01 Hearing from her audience keeps Paige motivated

14:08 Somatic awareness OCD explained

16:10 Health anxiety OCD explained

20:02 Why Paige’s videos resonate

22:11 Motivating others to face their fears when seeking treatment

23:53 The current state of mental healthcare

30:41 Paige’s big message about mental health

33:42 A responsibility to evidence-based information

37:11 Paige’s mom is an artist

37:53 Feel alone? Listen to Paige’s advice

41:21 Outro

If you’ve been silently struggling with anxiety or OCD, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Our NOCD therapists are specially trained in ERP, the most effective treatment for OCD. To book a free 15-minute call, visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/

https://twitter.com/treatmyocd

https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd

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Episoder(227)

When Binge-Watching And Doomscrolling Becomes An OCD Compulsion

By itself, "watching one more" episode or scrolling through social media isn't an issue. But if you're using screens to escape your own intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or uncomfortable feelings, that mig...

23 Jul 0s

I Wanted To Make A Bigger Impact As A Therapist

Dylan Mckelroy didn't become a therapist just to listen — he wanted to help people make meaningful, lasting change. After working in community mental health, he found himself searching for a more effe...

19 Jul 19min

Emilia Fart Reveals The OCD Behind Her Online Persona

To millions online, Emilia Fart appears fearless, creative, and completely unapologetic. But behind that persona, OCD was quietly dictating her daily life. It influenced her relationships, her creativ...

16 Jul 39min

Stop Trying To Make Bad Thoughts Go Away

The first instinct after an intrusive thought is usually to get rid of it. You tell yourself it isn't true. You try to prove it wrong. You replay it in your head, search for certainty, or avoid anythi...

12 Jul 5min

Why You Can't Think Your Way Out Of OCD

When you have OCD, thinking can feel like the solution. You replay conversations, analyze your memories, research every possibility, and search for the one answer that will finally bring certainty. Bu...

9 Jul 4min

The Hidden Behaviors Keeping Your OCD Alive

Most people know that compulsions keep OCD going. What many don't realize is that some of the behaviors feeding OCD are much harder to recognize. Rumination, avoidance, reassurance-seeking, distractio...

5 Jul 6min

Why OCD Therapy Did NOT Work The First Time

Trying therapy for OCD once doesn't always mean you received the right treatment. Many people leave therapy believing it "didn't work," when in reality they were never treated with exposure and respon...

2 Jul 6min

Why OCD Says You Can't Live Until You Feel Better

OCD has a way of convincing you that life can wait. If you can just find the right answer, get rid of the anxiety, or finally feel "okay," then you'll be able to relax and enjoy yourself. But that mom...

28 Jun 5min