The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

160. OCD & Grief: How Trauma Hijacks Your Mind | Real Stories & Coping Tips

🧠 Can you grieve “correctly” when you have OCD?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Krista Reed, clinical social worker and specialist in OCD, BFRBs, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Together, they explore how grief, loss, and real-life emotional pain interact with OCD — and how deeply the experience can impact identity, relationships, and recovery.
 
❤️Krista opens up about:
• The childhood loss that first ignited her OCD
• How witnessing traumatic events shaped her fears
• The return of old compulsions — and the arrival of new ones — after recent family deaths
• The struggle of balancing caregiving, parenting, and severe OCD during her father’s hospitalization
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers compassion, insight, and the reminder that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
 
📲 About Krista Reed (guest):
• OCD/BDD/BFRB Specialist in KS
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristaruthreed/?hl=en
• Breathe Between Battles: A Daily Reflection Journal: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSL41QCR?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_SKM3AA2QVVQ5B5MHYS9Q&bestFormat=true
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] – Krista’s Story: Becoming an OCD Specialist Because She Had No Choice[00:40] – Why We’re Talking: Real-Life Grief Colliding With OCD[02:19] – The Moment It All Started: A Childhood Death That Changed Everything[04:42] – Misunderstood Trauma: When a Small-Town Tragedy Sparks Lifelong OCD[07:48] – The Hospital Nightmare: Krista’s Dad Nearly Dies and OCD Explodes[08:17] – “What If I Want Him to Die?” The Darkest OCD Thoughts No One Talks About[10:39] – The Heartbreaking Moment: Her Dad Wakes Up and Doesn’t Know Who She Is[13:15] – Masking While Falling Apart: Parenting Through an OCD Spiral[14:25] – Pre-Grief, Fear, and the Reality of Being in the Unknown[15:55] – When OCD Comes Back After New Losses: Two Deaths in Two Weeks[18:22] – “Your Food Is Contaminated”: New Compulsions That Come Out of Nowhere[20:19] – Grieving Wrong? How OCD Makes You Doubt Your Own Emotions[21:30] – Conflicting Feelings: Relief, Sadness, Gratitude, and Guilt All at Once[24:20] – When Two Family Members Die but the Pain Feels Different Each Time[28:09] – Kristina’s Story: Losing Her Mom and Feeling Everything at Once[31:36] – Being Told You’re “Too Much”: The Hidden Shame of Deep Feelers[34:18] – Why People With OCD Often Feel Grief More Deeply Than Others[37:21] – The Empathy Factor: Why Some People Cry for Strangers and Feel Everything[37:39] – What Grief Really Triggers in People With OCD[39:23] – What to Do When OCD Hijacks Your Grief[39:45] – When Old Traumas Return Out of Nowhere: OCD Has No Timeline[42:01] – The 2020 Spiral: OCD Convinces Krista Her Dad Will Die Again[43:00] – Planning a Funeral That Isn’t Happening: OCD’s Wildest Curveball[43:13] – Breaking the Spell: How Krista Finally Called OCD’s Bluff[44:01] – Even Clinicians Get Stuck: Why This Disorder Is So Relentless[44:20] – Final Thoughts: Normalizing Your Grief, Your Feelings, and Your Journey
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
OCD and grief intrusive thoughts during grief managing OCD during loss anticipatory grief OCD emotional intensity and OCD grief processing with OCD OCD recovery stories
 
© OCD Whisperer

159. How One Man Turned OCD Pain Into 60,000 Followers

🧠 *Can self-compassion really help you recover from OCD?*
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Lukasz, known online as Intrusive OCD Memes. Together, they explore how humor, community, and self-awareness play a role in managing OCD, and how sharing personal experiences can help both yourself and others.
 
Lucas opens up about:
• First symptoms of OCD as a child and struggles with contamination fears
• How intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions impacted his relationships
• His journey toward seeking therapy after years of coping alone
• Using humor and memes as a form of self-therapy and community support
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone else, this episode offers hope, insight, and tools to show that connection, humor, and community can make a real difference.
 
📲 About Lukasz Czajkowski (guest):
• IOCDF Advocate with OCD/ROCD
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intrusiveocdmemes?igsh=dDFyOGl6eXNyNmVz
• YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@intrusiveocdmemes
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] – Meet Lucas: The Man Behind Intrusive OCD Memes[00:40] – How a Meme Account Became a Lifeline for OCD[02:11] – Why He Waited YEARS to Get an OCD Diagnosis[04:38] – The Dark Side of Air OCD and Pandemic Struggles[06:56] – OCD Almost Destroyed His Relationship… Here’s What Happened[08:55] – Shocking OCD Symptoms From His Childhood[10:01] – Living With OCD in Poland: The Cultural Reality[12:45] – Stigma, Misunderstandings, and Why Most People Don’t Get OCD[15:34] – How Memes Are Actually Helping People With OCD[17:13] – Bringing OCD Awareness to Thousands at Work[19:33] – Mental Health Is Not Linear: Prepare for Setbacks[21:05] – Reading the Recipe vs. Making the Apple Pie: OCD Therapy Explained[22:37] – Panic in a New City: Why Environment Matters[23:53] – Self-Compassion and Patience: The Secret Weapons for OCD[25:15] – Hidden Cultural Pressures You Didn’t Know About[26:04] – You’re Not Alone: Finding Community When Struggling[27:47] – Follow Lucas Online for Memes and OCD Resources
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
self-compassion and OCD OCD recovery tools mindfulness for OCD CBT for OCD intrusive thoughts and self-kindness reducing OCD suffering Kimberley Quinlan OCD OCD Whisperer Podcast
 
© OCD Whisperer

158. Self-Compassion & OCD: The Secret Habit Making Your Anxiety Worse

🧠 Can self-compassion really help you recover from OCD?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, host Kristina Orlova speaks with Kimberley Quinlan, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, creator of CBT School, and author of The Self-Compassion Workbook for OCD. Together, they explore how learning to treat yourself with kindness can transform your relationship with OCD and emotional suffering.
 
Kimberley opens up about:
• Why self-compassion is not weakness or self-indulgence
• How criticizing yourself actually increases stress hormones
• What it means to “be a safe place” for your own emotions
• Simple ways to start practicing compassion without triggering compulsions
 
Whether you’re living with OCD or supporting someone who is, this episode offers real strategies to reduce suffering, calm your nervous system, and heal with compassion.
 
📲 About Kimberley Quinlan (guest):
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youranxietytoolkit/
• YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkit
• CBT school: https://www.cbtschool.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] Meet Kimberley Quinlan — Therapist, Author, and OCD Expert[01:18] What “Self-Compassion for OCD” Really Means (and Why People Get It Wrong)[03:00] Why Being Kind to Yourself Isn’t Weak — It’s Actually Science[04:40] The Stress Hormone Secret: How Self-Criticism Fuels OCD Suffering[07:25] Real Compassion vs. Compulsions — The Long-Term You Strategy[08:55] Becoming a Safe Place for Yourself: Handling Guilt, Shame & Emotions[11:05] The Surprising Power of Doing Nothing With Your Emotions[13:10] Why People Struggle to Accept Themselves (Even When They “Know” How)[16:25] When OCD Tricks You Into Thinking Self-Kindness Is Dangerous[19:00] Step-by-Step: The Self-Compassion Break That Calms Intense Feelings[21:30] “You’re Not Alone” — The Humanity Behind Anxiety & Intrusive Thoughts[23:10] Gentle Self-Kindness vs. “Screw You, Anxiety!” — Finding Your Style[25:30] The Fear of Feeling Itself — Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Avoidance[28:10] The Real Goal: Becoming a Safe Space for Every Emotion[30:05] Where to Find Kimberley — “Your Anxiety Toolkit” Resources
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
self-compassion and OCD OCD recovery tools mindfulness for OCD CBT for OCD intrusive thoughts and self-kindness reducing OCD suffering Kimberley Quinlan OCD OCD Whisperer Podcast
 
© OCD Whisperer

157. Just-Right OCD & Somatic Intrusive Feelings: Learning to Recognize OCD Signals

🧠 Do you ever feel like something is wrong — even when nothing happened?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Heather Brown, LCSW, OCD and trauma specialist. Together, they explore Just Right OCD, magical thinking, somatic anxiety, and how OCD can sometimes feel like trauma.
 
Heather opens up about:
• Her personal experience living with Just Right OCD
• Sensations-based OCD: when the fear isn’t a thought, but a feeling
• Magical thinking OCD & “what if something bad happens?” spirals
• ERP, ACT, Brainspotting & CPT for trauma-related OCD symptoms
 
Whether you're navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone, this episode offers powerful insight, tools, and hope for healing and self-trust.
 
📲 About Heather Brown (guest):
• OCD, anxiety, trauma, & perfectionism therapy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evoluercounseling/
• Evoluer Counseling: https://www.evoluercounseling.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] Meet Heather — The Therapist Who Actually Has OCD[00:22] “Just-Right OCD” — The Invisible OCD Nobody Talks About[01:30] When Everyday Tasks Feel Wrong — The Hidden Somatic OCD Signs[02:28] Shower Shock — When OCD Strikes Out of Nowhere[03:25] The Symptom Everyone Misses: “Nothing Happened… So WHY Do I Feel This Way?”[03:44] The OCD You Don’t See — Why So Many Cases Get Missed[04:25] It’s NOT Just Anxiety — The Quiet OCD That Hides in Your Body[04:53] When Thoughts Loop Forever — The Difference Between Worry & OCD[06:05] “If I Don’t Do This, Something Terrible Happens” — OCD’s Magic-Thinking Trap[07:00] Real Story — The Carpool Lane OCD Panic Moment[07:47] What Is Magical Thinking OCD? Explained Simply[08:52] “My Thoughts Could Cause Disaster” — Why It Feels So Real[09:21] Can OCD Cause Trauma? Shocking Truth Explained[10:10] When Trauma and OCD Join Forces — And What Actually Helps[11:04] The Brain Under Fire — How OCD Shakes Your Identity[12:20] How OCD Rewrites Your Beliefs About Yourself[13:15] Trauma Treatment + OCD Treatment — When You Need Both[14:20] ERP, ACT, Brainspotting — What REALLY Works?[15:07] The Surprising Therapy That Helps Trauma + OCD[16:35] “Is My OCD Trauma?” — How Clinicians Decide[18:27] Obsession vs Worry — How to Tell the Difference FAST[19:33] Can Treatment Work? Heather’s Recovery & Honest Answer[20:25] When OCD Comes Back — Expert Shares What She Does[21:40] OCD Explained in Kid-Language — The Monster Analogy[23:00] The Cookie Monster OCD Trick — Why Compulsions Backfire[24:06] “How Do I Even Start?” — First Step for Anyone Struggling[25:17] Where to Find Heather — Therapist Who Gets It
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
Just Right OCD Magical Thinking OCD Somatic OCD OCD and trauma OCD in children Feeling-based OCD OCD without intrusive thoughts OCD sensations ERP therapy Brainspotting OCD ACT for OCD How to treat Just Right OCD OCD parenting support OCD recovery stories
 
© OCD Whisperer

156. PANS/PANDAS: The Autoimmune Cause of Sudden OCD in Children

🧠 Could Your Child’s Sudden OCD Be Something Else? Understanding PANS & PANDAS
 
In this powerful episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Angela Henry, therapist and PANS/PANDAS specialist, and Lindsay Forsyth, a mother and advocate who has navigated this journey with her own child. Together, they shed light on how sudden-onset OCD, tics, and anxiety in children may sometimes point to something deeper — an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder known as PANS or PANDAS.
 
Angela and Lindsay open up about:
• How PANS/PANDAS can mimic OCD and anxiety — and why it’s often misdiagnosed
• The emotional toll families face when doctors can’t find answers
• How infection-triggered inflammation can alter behavior overnight
• What every parent should know about early warning signs of PANS/PANDAS
 
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or clinician, this episode offers clarity, validation, and practical tools to navigate the confusing intersection of OCD, PANS, and PANDAS.
 
📲 About Angela Henry (guest):
• Certified EMDR Therapist
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctr_for_collaborative_healing/
• Webpage: https://angelahenrylcsw.com/
📲 About Lindsey Forsyth (guest):
• Mom of 2 kids with PANS/PANDAS.
• Pandas network: https://pandasnetwork.org/
• PANS PANDAS Advocacy, Community & Support Aspire
• Neuro Immune: https://neuroimmune.org/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] Welcome — Meet Lindsay, Angela, and Kristina
[01:05] PANS & PANDAS Revealed — How Your Child’s Brain Can Turn Against Them Overnight
[01:50] The Infection Trigger — Strep, Viruses, and Environmental Factors That Can Hijack a Child’s Mind
[02:57] Recognizing Abrupt Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Kids
[03:24] PANS vs PANDAS — The Shocking Differences You Need to Know
[03:42] “Something’s Not Right” — How Parents Can Spot the Early Warning Signs
[05:05] Lindsey’s Story — From Meltdowns to Mystery Illness
[07:48] The Specialists Who Saved Our Child
[09:12] Lifelines for Parents
[10:02] Why Your Child Can Suddenly Regress Without Warning
[10:45] Tracking the Chaos — Growth Charts, OCD Scores, and Why Labs Don’t Always Show the Truth
[11:06] The Hidden Diagnosis — Blood Work Says “Normal” but Your Child Isn’t
[12:27] Advocacy 101 — How to Get Answers When Doctors Don’t Have Them
[14:13] How to Make Sure Your Pediatrician Takes You Seriously
[15:53] Therapy That Helps — How to Support Children
[17:54] Not Just Bad Behavior — Why Your Child Isn’t Misbehaving
[20:09] Supporting the Whole Family
[22:00] Covert OCD Revealed — When Your Child’s Obsessions Don’t Look Like OCD
[23:47] Why ERP Can Backfire During a Flare
[25:12] Pediatric OCD Exposed — Obsessions, Separation Anxiety, and the Hidden Signs
[27:44] Heavy-Hitter Symptoms — Emotional Outbursts, Bedwetting, ADHD...
[29:03] Are Some Kids Genetically Predisposed?
[30:26] Could Family History Play a Role?
[31:17] Step-by-Step Guidance — Therapy
[32:24] Get Help Now —How to Contact Lindsay and Access Real-World Resources
[33:32] Therapist Support & Networks — Angela’s Consultation Groups for Families and Professionals
[35:09] Closing Words — Hope, Awareness, and Why You’re Not Alone
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@theocdwhisperer.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• PANS and PANDAS OCD
• sudden onset OCD in children
• pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
• OCD vs PANS
• children’s mental health
• autoimmune inflammation and OCD
• OCD parenting support
• anxiety in kids
 
© OCD Whisperer

155. OCD Exposed: 10 Myths and Misconceptions about OCD (and what people get wrong)

Is everything you’ve been told about OCD wrong?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova sits down with Elysse Lescarbeau, writer, advocate, and author of OCD Exposed: 10 Myths and Misconceptions About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Together, they uncover the hidden sides of OCD—from misunderstood symptoms to the powerful truth about recovery.
 
Elysse opens up about:• Being misdiagnosed and discovering OCD later in life• Living with mental compulsions and invisible obsessions• The breaking point that led to her diagnosis and healing• How ERP, ACT, and ICBT changed her life and mindset
This honest conversation dives into:• The biggest myths and misconceptions about OCD• The hidden forms of OCD most people never see• How OCD recovery rewires your brain and restores hope• Real stories of survival, recovery, and empowerment
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD yourself or supporting someone you love, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical tools for real recovery.
 
📲 About Elysse Lescarbaugh (guest):
Certified life coach + future therapist
OCD & Anxiety Survivor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocd.or.just.me
Webpage: https://www.ocdorjustme.com/
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS
[00:00] “I Thought My Brain Was Broken” — Meet Elysse, Who Discovered OCD at 29[00:57] The Childhood Moment That Changed Everything: Protecting Her Little Brother Became an Obsession[01:45] Silent Struggles: Living Decades with OCD No One Could See[02:30] The Breaking Point: When Compulsions Suddenly Stopped Working in Europe[03:15] “I Don’t Want to Live Anymore” — The Night She Finally Asked for Help[03:45] The Doctor Who Changed Her Life With One Sentence: “Have You Ever Considered OCD?”[04:30] The Power of Honesty: How One Conversation Opened the Door to Recovery[05:15] From Despair to Diagnosis — The Moment Everything Made Sense[05:50] Why OCD Isn’t About Cleaning or Order — The Biggest Myth Everyone Believes[06:45] How the Media Got OCD All Wrong (and Why It Still Hurts Real People)[07:30] The Hidden Type of OCD No One Talks About: Mental Compulsions & Rumination[08:40] The Book That’s Changing the Conversation — OCD Exposed: 10 Myths & Misconceptions[09:35] Why OCD Doesn’t Define Who You Are — And How to See It Clearly[10:14] The Human Side of OCD: Real Survivor Stories from Around the World[11:00] The Truth About OCD Recovery: It’s Not Easy, But It’s Possible[11:50] What OCD Really Feels Like — Beyond the Stereotypes and Statistics[12:40] The Science of Recovery: How ERP, ACT & ICBT Rewire the Brain[13:30] “I Still Get Intrusive Thoughts… But They Don’t Control Me Anymore.”[14:40] OCD and the Brain: Why It’s Not a Personality Flaw, But a Biological Cycle[15:55] Breaking the Cycle: What Actually Helps the Brain Heal from OCD[17:00] Freedom Over Fear: How to Live Fully Even When OCD Shows Up[18:15] Why Recovery Isn’t About Getting Rid of OCD — It’s About Taking Your Life Back[19:20] Applying OCD Tools to Everyday Life — From Therapy to Surfing in Hawaii[20:25] How OCD Recovery Teaches You to Live Stronger, Freer, and More Present[21:15] How ERP Helped Kristina Heal Her Own Grief After Losing Her Mom[22:45] The Real Secret: Empowerment Through Discomfort and Acceptance[23:30] “I’ve Never Felt More Empowered Than in My OCD Recovery.” — Elysse’s Message of Hope[24:20] Where to Find Elysse, Her Book OCD Exposed, and Why This Story Matters
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• OCD myths and misconceptions• OCD recovery stories• Intrusive thoughts and mental compulsions• ERP and ACT therapy• ICBT for OCD• Living with OCD• How to recover from OCD• OCD Awareness Week
 
© OCD Whisperer

154. Life With Harm OCD - “I Thought I Was Danger to the People I Love”

What happens when your mind turns against you — and fills you with thoughts you can’t control?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Maurice, creator of the Obsessless app — a powerful new tool designed to support people living with OCD. Maurice opens up about his terrifying first intrusive thoughts, years of misdiagnosis, and how ERP therapy and mindset work helped him turn pain into purpose.
 
Together, we explore:
• The hidden side of OCD most people never see
• How intrusive thoughts can completely take over your life
• What it really takes to heal when therapy isn’t immediately available
• The creation of Obsessless — and why tech could change OCD recovery forever
 
Whether you’re currently navigating OCD or supporting someone who is, this episode offers raw truth, hope, and tools for reclaiming your mind.
 
📲 About Mourice Schuurmans (guest):
Co-founder of ObsessLess
OCD Survivor & Advocate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obsessless_mourice/
ObsessLess App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/obsessless-ocd-treatment-app/id6742539895
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] From Suffering to Solution: Meet Maurice, Creator of Obsessless[00:57] “Something’s Not Right…” — The Childhood Clues Everyone Missed[01:45] 21 Years of Misdiagnosis: When OCD Hides Behind “General Anxiety”[02:30] The Date That Changed Everything: When Intrusive Thoughts Strike Out of Nowhere[03:20] “I Thought I’d Hurt Someone” — Living Through the Scariest OCD Theme[04:15] Waiting 8 Months for Help: What Happens When the System Fails You[06:45] Rock Bottom: Trapped on a Chair, Fighting Thoughts You Can’t Escape[07:30] How His Dad Accidentally Did Exposure Therapy in the Backyard[08:20] The Turning Point: Finding Mark Freeman & Discovering He Wasn’t Alone[09:00] “I Wouldn’t Wish This on My Worst Enemy” — The Real Pain of OCD[10:15] ERP Therapy Explained: What Actually Helped Him Heal[11:06] Why EMDR Isn’t for OCD (and What Is)[11:48] The Harsh Truth: Why OCD Recovery Takes Time (and Why That’s Okay)[13:30] How to Stop Being Afraid of Your Own Thoughts[15:42] The Secret to Living Peacefully With Intrusive Thoughts[16:40] “I Still Get the Thoughts… I Just Don’t Care Anymore.”[18:10] From Patient to Creator: How Obsessless Was Born[19:22] Inside the App: The SOS Feature That Saves People in Crisis[20:43] Meet OLLIE — The AI OCD Companion That Won’t Reassure You[22:22] “We’re Lowering the Barrier to OCD Treatment.” — Maurice’s Mission[22:55] Where to Find Maurice & The Obsessless App
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• OCD intrusive thoughts
• ERP therapy for OCD
• OCD recovery story
• Obsessless app
• overcoming harm OCD
• mindfulness for OCD
• Kristina Orlova OCD Whisperer
 
© OCD Whisperer

153. I Couldn’t Stop Pulling My Hair! I Hid My Disorder For 30 Years Until... (Trichotillomania)

Have you ever felt ashamed of a habit you couldn’t control?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with Aneela Idnani, co-founder of HabitAware and mental health advocate. Aneela opens up about living with trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), how shame kept her silent for decades, and how awareness and acceptance transformed her recovery journey.
 
Aneela shares:
• Her early experiences with hair pulling and intrusive thoughts
• The hidden shame and secrecy that fueled her struggle for 20+ years
• How pregnancy and stress intensified her compulsions
• The turning point—finally opening up to her husband and seeking help
• How HabitAware’s Keen Smart Bracelet helps build awareness and break the cycle
 
This conversation also dives into:
• Why awareness is the first step to any lasting change
• The role of self-care, mindfulness, and acceptance in recovery
• How shifting perspective can turn struggle into strength
• The importance of removing shame and embracing your full self
 
Whether you’re navigating OCD, BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors), or supporting someone who is, this episode offers hope, tools, and strategies for healing.
 
📲About Aneela Idnani (guest):
Co-founder of HabitAware
Long-time lived experience: pulled hair since adolescence; integrated intrusive thoughts and self-soothing behaviors into her journey
HabitAware: habitaware.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneelaidnani
 
✂️ TIMESTAMPS:
[00:30] Aneela’s Untold Story
[01:39] When Hair Pulling First Began—and Why No One Saw It
[03:46] Living in Silence: The Hidden Shame No One Talks About
[06:11] The Moment Everything Changed—Her Husband Finds Out
[07:33] From Struggle to Solution: How HabitAware Was Born
[11:01] The Game-Changer: Turning Awareness Into Freedom
[14:18] ADHD, Intrusive Thoughts & The Spiral of Self-Criticism
[15:55] Shutting Down the Inner Bully: Mindfulness That Works
[20:47] From Self-Hate to Self-Grace: Reframing the Struggle
[24:43] Losing It All, Finding Meaning: Processing Grief Differently
[26:47] Want to Heal? Here’s How to Reach Aneela & HabitAware
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• trichotillomania recovery
• hair pulling disorder help
• body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs)
• OCD and shame
• awareness in OCD recovery
• HabitAware Keen Smart Bracelet
• living with OCD and BFRBs
 
© OCD Whisperer

152. Response Prevention: Most Important Part of ERP for OCD

What is Response Prevention and why is it the most important part of ERP?
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova speaks with therapist Natalia Aiza. Together, they explore Response Prevention (the RP in ERP therapy)—why it’s the most crucial step in breaking free from OCD cycles, and how to actually apply it in daily life.
 
Natalia opens up about:
• Why exposures without response prevention don’t work
• The difference between physical vs. mental compulsions
• Tools for handling rumination, avoidance, and reassurance-seeking
• How “good enough” ERP (not perfection) helps real people recover
 
This conversation also dives into:
• How to identify sneaky mental rituals disguised as “thinking”
• Why delaying compulsions builds brain flexibility
• The power of uncertainty, creativity, and new discoveries in recovery
 
Whether you’re struggling with OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope to guide your recovery journey.
 
📲 Natalia Aiza (guest):
LPC, Founder of Kairos, specializes in OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and parent coaching for all ages.
OCD Colorado: https://www.kairoswellnesscollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalk.ocd
 
✂️TIMESTAMPS:[00:00] – Welcome back + today’s focus on Response Prevention[01:07] – What is response prevention in ERP?[01:45] – Mental vs. physical compulsions[03:19] – Building a response prevention “ladder”[04:17] – Identifying mental rituals as compulsions[05:50] – Why belief in compulsions makes ERP harder[07:01] – Rumination-focused ERP & breaking mental loops[08:57] – Mental distortions + using CBT to challenge analysis[10:47] – Sitting with not knowing vs. “maybe, maybe not”[13:10] – Distress tolerance + uncertainty in recovery[15:52] – Opposite action vs. “good enough” ERP[17:37] – When OCD flares up again: going back to basics[19:21] – Why response prevention matters long-term[21:29] – Designing RP: adaptive vs. compulsive behaviors[22:29] – Reality anchoring: using trusted people as baselines[23:50] – Creative RP examples & individualizing ERP
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• response prevention OCD
• ERP therapy explained
• mental compulsions OCD
• breaking OCD cycles
• rumination and OCD
• uncertainty in OCD recovery
 
 
© OCD Whisperer

151. OCD Specialist: The Shocking Truth About In Vivo ERP Therapy for OCD

What if the story that makes you feel most ashamed… is the exact story you need to face?
 
This episode includes some words that platform may flag as problematic. We have muted them to prevent issues with the platform. These edits are purely for compliance and do not change the meaning or therapeutic purpose of the script.
 
In this episode of The OCD Whisperer Podcast, Kristina Orlova continues her conversation with clinical director Natalia Aiza in part three of the ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) series. Together, they explore live exposures — the practice of confronting OCD fears in real time instead of avoiding them.
 
Natalia shares her journey of:
• Facing intrusive fears head-on with live ERP
• Learning to trust herself again after doubting her safety around loved ones
• Why “breaking OCD’s rules” is key to recovery
• What it really feels like to sit in the discomfort and not perform compulsions
 
This episode also dives into:
• Why ERP feels counterintuitive — but works
• How OCD uses secrecy and avoidance to stay powerful
• The role of courage and compassion in confronting fears
• Why recovery means learning to live with uncertainty
 
Whether you’re struggling with OCD yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and hope to guide your recovery journey.
 
📲 Natalia Aiza (guest):
LPC, Founder of Kairos, specializes in OCD, anxiety, ADHD, and parent coaching for all ages.
OCD Colorado: https://www.kairoswellnesscollective.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letstalk.ocd
 
✂️TIMESTAMPS:
[00:00] – Welcome & Introduction[01:30] – Why ERP gets “fun & creative” outside the therapy room[02:35] – Pe*ophilia OCD & Harm OCD: You’re NOT who OCD says you are[03:05] – Babysitting kids as exposure?! Saying yes instead of no[04:00] – Why “belief” matters before facing taboo fears[05:30] – Parents avoiding their own children: breaking the cycle fast[06:15] – Intentional vs. organic exposures: what’s the difference?[07:00] – Life throws exposures at you daily — here’s how to use them[07:30] – Breaking OCD rules & sitting in raw discomfort[08:30] – Her scariest thought: “What if I throw my kids out the window?”[09:30] – Why your body reacts & what habituation really means[10:45] – Urge surfing: riding the wave without compulsions[12:30] – Facing identity & sexual orientation OCD with exposures[14:20] – Justice-based ERP: tailoring therapy without harm[16:30] – Faith & ERP: therapy that respects your religion[19:00] – The #1 job of ERP: teach the brain what’s truly safe[19:50] – Where to find Natalia & episode wrap-up
 
✅ Free Resources & Links
🎁 Free OCD Survival Kit & Classes → www.shorturl.at/KcTxM
📖 OCD CBT Journal → www.shorturl.at/7pUxB
🌐 Website → www.korresults.com/
✍️ OCD Academy→ www.ocdacademy.thinkific.com/
 
📲 Stay Connected
Facebook: www.facebook.com/korresults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocdwhisperer/
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@ocdwhisperer
Twitter (X): www.x.com/korresults
Website: www.korresults.com/
 
📩 Business Inquiries: info@korresults.com
 
✅ About OCD Whisperer
Welcome to OCD Whisperer! Each episode shares tools and insights for OCD recovery, managing intrusive thoughts, ERP therapy, CBT techniques, anxiety relief, and mindfulness practices. Join me for expert interviews and personal insights into overcoming OCD. Subscribe to find support, strategies, and hope for your OCD journey.
 
⚠️ Disclaimer: Please note while the host is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in OCD and anxiety disorders in the state of California, this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for therapy.
 
🔑 SEO Keywords
• OCD live exposures
• ERP therapy for OCD
• intrusive thoughts recovery
• OCD treatment strategies
• facing fears in OCD
• Kristina Orlova OCD Whisperer
 
 
© OCD Whisperer