In episode 264 I chat with Mike Vatter who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. Mike is on the board of OCD Jacksonville.

In this episode I chat with Mike about his OCD story, things having to be just right, panic attacks, hitting breaking point, pulling hair, how his first therapist thought he didn’t have OCD, how a hit and run OCD episode helped him get an OCD diagnosis, using humour to make it easier, meeting his biological parents, and much much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/story-mike-vatter-264

The podcast is made possible by and sponsored by NOCD. NOCD are now in the UK. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

We are hosting an AMA with Jon Hershfield and Sean Shinnock to celebrate their new book on March 6th – find out more here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-afternoon-with-jon-hershfield-the-ocd-workbook-for-teens-launch-ama-tickets-139995489277

In episode 11 of The OCD Stories podcast I interviewed Jeff Bell & Shala Nicely. Jeff and Shala have a personal and professional journey with OCD, and have come together to create Beyond The Doubt.

Show notes:

Shala & Jeff’s OCD story (2:10)

What worked other then ERP/CBT? (14:20)

The importance of meaning (17:10)

Seeing the Universe as friendly (22:45)

Power of personal responsibility (26:30)

How to deal with dull looming anxiety (38:00)

“The only way to effectively manage uncertainty, is to embrace uncertainty?” (32:30)

Advice for conquering ERP (41:40)

The ultimate goal for OCD recovery (46:30)

Shala’s advice for changing careers and becoming a therapist (49:20)

The purpose behind BeyondTheDoubt.com (56:30)

The one piece of advice (59:30)

What Jeff and Shala would have on their billboard (1:01:00)

Find out more about Chris and Kelly:

Beyond The Doubt – BeyondTheDoubt.com

Twitter: Jeff / Shala

Shala’s website – ShalaNicely.com

Jeff’s initiative – Adversity to Advocacy

Jeff’s books: Rewind, replay, repeat (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com) & When in doubt, make belief (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com)

Resources mentioned:

Jon Hershfield

Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s search for meaning (Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com)

Tamar Chansky’s book Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (Amazom.co.uk/Amazon.com)

Steven Hayes’ podcast episode

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In episode 426 I chat with Josh who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. 

We discuss his story, his early experiences of OCD, intrusive thoughts, sexual intrusive thoughts, religious OCD, self harm, joining the military, perfectionism, getting therapy, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/josh-426 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ theocdstoriespodcast 

In episode 400 Nami (my wife) chats with me (Stuart, the host of the podcast) about my experience and learnings from the podcast over the last 400 episodes. 

We discuss and reflect on the last 400 episodes, what episodes and concepts have stood out to me, my original hopes for the podcast, how the podcast has influenced me, what topics I hope to cover in the future, what I would put on a billboard, what I would tell my 7 year old self, and much more. Hope it helps.

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/stuart-400 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast 

In episode 395 I chat with Hannah who has kindly agreed to share her OCD story with us. 

We discuss harm worries around her children, hit and run themed OCD, finding a therapist who is an specialist in OCD, her core fears, doing exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), doing ERP while raising kids, medication, support groups, OCD and faith, and much more. Hope it helps.  

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/hannah-395 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast 

In episode 394 I chat with Will who has kindly agreed to share his OCD story with us. 

We have been shortlisted for mental health podcast of the year at the Mental Health Blog Awards. Please vote for the podcast if you get time. Please skip through until you get to the ‘podcast of the year’ category, and select my the podcast: https://s.surveyplanet.com/18rbm4yd Thanks

We discuss his story, growing up in a toxic environment, intrusive thoughts, confessing as a compulsion, perfectionism, being active duty in the US military, identity struggles, a bad relationship with alcohol, pOCD, relationship themed OCD, sexual orientation themed OCD, suicidal themed OCD, harm themed OCD, a fear of crossing bridges, health anxiety, being hyper-fixated on sleep, his journey to finding suitable therapy, peer support, intensive outpatient therapy program, masculinity, developing self-compassion, and much more. Hope it helps. 

Show notes: https://theocdstories.com/episode/will-394 

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. NOCD offers effective, convenient therapy available in the US and outside the US. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories

Thanks to all our patrons for supporting our work. To sign up to our Patreon and to check out the benefits you’ll receive as a Patron, visit: https://www.patreon.com/theocdstoriespodcast 

In episode 280 I interviewed Brian Sullivan who has kindly agreed to share his story with us. 

I chat with Brian about his story, divorce, bullying, depression, medication, suicidal ideation, working with the wrong therapist, then finding a helpful therapist, hospitalisation and how Brian found that helpful, what Brian has learned in therapy about OCD and life, going back to studying, we talk about Asexuality, words of hope, and much much more. Hope it helps.

The podcast is made possible by NOCD. To find out more about NOCD, their therapy plans and if they currently take your insurance head over to https://go.treatmyocd.com/theocdstories