OCD Straight Talk

Chris explains the concept that exposures are really just opportunities to practice skills that allow you to interact with your anxiety-system in a different way. The biggest hurdle that you will face in trying to "treat yourself" is not having a therapist there to ask you the real questions. Why are you not working harder to get better? Why are you gravitating back to the same old way o...

Chris shares several case studies related to clinical anxiety and works to show you what they have in common so that you can better understand how to understand, dissect, and manage your own anxiety system. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chris@kentuckyocd.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating.

Chris discusses cracking the OCD code in this latest episode, and further applies the cognitive model to understanding, and gaining control over anxiety related disorders. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chris@kentuckyocd.com or DM me on IG @ocdstraighttalk. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating.

Chris continues the series on striving to equip you to treat yourself by discussing the Cognitive Model. It's true that it's a basic concept ... and that OCDST has presented long presented the idea. BUT, that doesn't mean that you have worked to apply the model in real-time to your symptoms. Gotta do it! Map it out. Dissect your symptoms. You can't directly stop your thoughts; neit...

Chris talk about the future of the podcast, and the use of OCDST as a means of learning and practicing skills to get yourself better. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chris@KentuckyOCD.com If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating.

Chris begins a new series with Dr. B and encourages listeners to begin the process of becoming their own behavior therapists.

Chris opines about the future of mental healthcare in general and OCD treatment in particular. Given the slow but steady, technological development of healthcare delivery in the past 20 to 30 years, it's only a matter of time. Soon AI human-like robots (like Max Headroom from the 80s) will serve as treatment experts, and patients will get themselves better with the use of highly developed and...

Chris discusses a unique form of OCD that is, at the same time, common to the population: Perfectionism. In this case, it's not as straight forward as working to stop compulsions. The endeavor of behavior change is more about adding an ingredient than omitting one. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chris@kentuckyocd.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consid...

Chris shares a recent episode he had with OCD and anxiety and works to discuss, frame by frame: what should you do when OCD sets a trap for you and it works? Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to Chris@kentuckyOCD.com If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating and subscribing to OCD Straight Talk for more structured help with you anxiety or OC...

Chris discusses a menagerie of concepts in this episode, and works to bring them together for OCD-sufferers everywhere. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with you anxiety- or OCD-symptoms.

Chris discloses his own ongoing struggle with OCD, and talks about a recent conversation with a patient during which he realized an off-the-beaten-trail, just-an-innocent-part-of-who-he-is (not his OCD) has actually been his OCD all along. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, feel free to consider giving it a 5...

Chris discusses a phenomenon evident in the population nowadays that some people prefer to cut corners and find a quick fix for their anxiety. The trouble is a precious few "easy" fixes actually work for most people over the long haul. Nothing generally replaces doing the work of learning the ERP model and skill-set, and sharpening it into ready use to help yourself manage your anxiety s...

Chris discusses using the basic and core concepts of OCD and anxiety treatment for the purpose of increasing self-esteem. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com or @ocdstraighttalk. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with you anxiety- or OCD-symptoms.

Chris discusses two ways, one motor and one metal with examples, as to how you might work to spoil compulsions that you've just engaged. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com or DM @ocdstraighttalk.

Chris discusses some specifics of how to build a working hierarchy. But nothing will replace your grit and resilience.

Chris discusses a few cliches that inform his work in therapy in order to orient and empower patients and listeners as to the "active ingredient" in the therapeutic process. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to @ocdstraighttalk on IG or chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating, and subscribing to the podcas...

Chris discusses the correct way to do exposure therapy and continues the discussion on why many people don't get what they want from the process: they're not doing it the right way. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help w...

Chris discusses the reality that people fall back on the habits that they know when the anxiety-related "shit hits the fan." They're going to use the so-called "coping behaviors" with which they're familiar to try and feel better, even though it is often these very responses that keep their thoughts and anxiety strong and coming back again and again. The great trouble is that they can't stop these...

Chris encourages listeners with the idea that they don't "have to" do compulsions, explaining that often people confuse intrusive thoughts and anxiety with compulsions. They in turn think they "can't" stop the compulsions. The clarity between them and the choice to stop compulsions makes a big difference, especially over time. Feel free to reach out with any questions y...

Chris discusses the OCD and anxiety disorders hack: that thoughts and feelings following the leadership of behavioral patterns. There are a few pitfalls to keep in mind... Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with your an...

Chris discusses some personal experiences that led to the launching of OCDST in March of 2020. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with your anxiety- or OCD-symptoms.

Chris recaps several concepts that raise the question: How do you tell the difference between OCD and objective danger? While a number of answers could be presented to the question, Chris offers two. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to Chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more stru...

Chris responds to an oft' repeated phrase, "Well, I have anxiety, but I don't have OCD. And for fun, he also addresses several myths and misunderstands relative to the diagnosis and treatment of the anxiety-related disorders. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCDST helpful, consider giving us a 5-star rating and sub...

Chris discusses several ideas and studies, and works through conversations he typically has with patients at various points of the clinical process. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found OCD Straight Talk helpful, consider giving it a 5-star rating and subscribing to the podcast for more structured help with you anxiety-symptoms.

Chris responds to a listener's question regarding how obsessions or intrusive thoughts might be experienced differently across the OCD-population. He lists kinds and categories of intrusive thoughts and provides several cases examples from his own experience. Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to chrisleins04@gmail.com. If you've found the podcast helpful, consider gi...