317. The psychology of OCD

317. The psychology of OCD

Have you ever heard someone say they are “so OCD” for simply having a tidy house? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, frequently reduced to stereotypes about neatness or organisation. But for those living with OCD, the reality is far more complex - and far more invisible. In today’s episode, we go beneath the surface to explore the lived experience of OCD: the hidden compulsions, the mental spirals, and the exhausting need for certainty. We unpack the psychology behind it, challenge common misconceptions, and explore what recovery and support can actually look like.

We explore:

  • The role of the OCD cycle
  • Why intrusive thoughts can feel so threatening
  • Types of OCD beyond cleanliness and order
  • Why compulsions don’t always look like rituals
  • How OCD thrives on shame, secrecy, and doubt
  • Approaches to treatment and the path toward healing

Whether you live with OCD, love someone who does, or just want to understand it more deeply, this episode is for you.

Treat my OCD: https://www.treatmyocd.com/

Zachary: https://www.instagram.com/ocdestigmatize?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Elizabeth Colbert was our researcher for this episode! Thank you Libby!

Listen to my NEW PODCAST, Mantra: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Ckds0BoJDDpODInN9cWcc?si=b6ad5d555c1940e0

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(400)

399. The psychology of exercise

399. The psychology of exercise

We all know exercise is ‘good for us’, but why is it that a walk can calm your brain, why a workout can feel like emotional release, or why movement can become either self-care or self-punishment. In ...

23 Mar 47min

398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s

398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s

Feeling stuck in your 20s is a rite of passage, but it's can also feel deeply hopeless when nothing in your life seems to be moving or changing in the way you want it to. In today's episode, we break ...

21 Mar 23min

397. The psychology of office politics

397. The psychology of office politics

When we think about office politics, you might think gossip, favouritism, or power plays - the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that makes work feel draining. But office politics isn’t just about one-u...

19 Mar 36min

396. Homesickness

396. Homesickness

Homesickness is more than just “missing home", it's a deep sense of nostalgia, grief, longing and also, as psychology will tell us, a unique kind of stress response. In this episode, we break down the...

16 Mar 34min

395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?

395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?

The idea that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” is one of the most widely accepted explanations in modern mental health ... but is it actually true? In this bonus episode, we unpack where...

15 Mar 32min

394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

When one person tries to get closer to someone else, and the other person pulls away in response, they might be experiencing a pursuer-distancer dynamic. This can create a very painful cycle, where co...

12 Mar 39min

393. The psychology of stoicism

393. The psychology of stoicism

If you heard someone described as stoic, you would probably imagine they were unemotional and repressed, with a stiff upper lip. But stoicism has a PR problem. In fact, stoicism can teach us a lot abo...

9 Mar 37min

392. Why is whimsy so powerful

392. Why is whimsy so powerful

We often dismiss the small, playful things we do to keep life joyful: collecting trinkets, baking for no reason, blowing bubbles, looking for magic. They’re labelled childish, unnecessary, or unseriou...

5 Mar 39min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
treningspodden
foreldreradet
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-sunn-okonomi
jakt-og-fiskepodden
sinnsyn
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
rss-kunsten-a-leve
gravid-uke-for-uke
merry-quizmas
hverdagspsyken
smart-forklart
rss-kull
fryktlos
hagespiren-podcast
rss-var-forste-kaffe
rss-mann-i-krise-med-sagen