FearCast Podcast

Today’s episode is a continuation of the Faith and Doubt Series. I am joined by Claire Breedlove, LCSW, who specializes in treating Religious Scrupulosity and working with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. Claire was kind enough to share her passion with the LDS community and how she works to help the LDS community living with Religious Scrupulosity overcome their fear and...

Today’s audio question comes from Worry Wart who asked about life after OCD begins and whether one can get back to the happy place they were in before OCD began. To answer this, I asked Lauren Rosen, MFT, to join me. Lauren offers insights into her experience as someone who knows what the questioner feels and has come to a wonderful place in her own journey. We talk about the highs and lows of tre...

Today’s audio question comes from Liam who notices that he becomes upset when it seems like people keep disagreeing with him, or making it seem like he’s not being heard. Others seem to discount or disagree with his opinions which triggers something in him. So, is this is OCD acting up again, or is it something else? Also, regardless of what it is, what can be done about it? The post #187- Microdi...

Today, Issy reached out with an audio question. She shared her story about diagnosis with OCD and her success with POCD, but wanted to know how to deal with issues related to SO-OCD. She has two main questions. The first is how to help her parents understand what ERP is and why she should do it (and why they should pay for it). The second is about groinal sensations and how to deal with them in th...

Today’s episode is a mash up of a few emailed questions. First, a listener notices their obsessions about their thoughts increases physical pain and they don’t know how to handle it. Next, a listener asks whether they should start therapy again with their various ups and downs of ROCD and SO-OCD. Finally, I answer a question (or, a couple of questions) from a listener who wants to know whether OCD...

For today’s audio question, I answer Hannah’s question about her Sensorimotor/ Hyperawarness obsession. She shares that she’s had a few other obsessions in this theme, but lately it’s turned into being stuck between doing something or not, and both being problem! The good old “lose-lose” from OCD, and she feels stuck. I discuss her question and give her some things to consider as she moves forward...

For today’s audio question, Chris Trondsen, MFT, was kind enough to join me to discuss Panicasaurus’s question. The question is very layered and has a lot of aspects to consider, but the main question is whether they are truly in doubt of their sexual orientation, or whether they are just struggling with their SO-OCD. Chris and I go through this question with a fine toothed comb to try to and answ...

Today’s audio question comes from Overthinking Queen who wants to know whether her obsessions are coming from some unresolved or unaddressed issues in her life. She also struggles with her fear that she might be slowly abandoning her faith due to thoughts about sex, relationships, and SO-OCD obsessions. She also shares some fears about starting therapy because a therapist may encourage her to purs...

For today’s episode, I answer a few emailed questions! I’m going over two listener questions. The first one from someone struggling with driving and feeling overwhelmed, self-critical, and fearful. I offer them some advice on how they can embrace the good with the bad, and discuss how compassion can boost her self confidence! With the second question, I discuss some ways the listener can deal with...

Return FearCast audio question submitter questions whether or not they are happy. Like, a lot. In their relationship, with their friends, with their hobbies. Even worse, they notice their rumination about their happiness and daydreaming pulls their attention away from reality. Oh, and maybe it’s not even OCD, wait, or is it… the rumination is ever present! The post #180- Constantly Checking Whethe...

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who’s trying to help her partner who seems to be struggling with some type of OCD. In the episode, we discuss the listener’s questions about Relationship Focused OCD (ROCD), False Memory OCD, and Pure-O. There’s a lot to the question and I do my best to offer some ideas on how the questioner can reach out, be supportive, and accept uncertainty of her ow...

Today’s episode features Dr. Ran Littman, PhD, who joins me to discuss everything there is to know about Relationship OCD (ROCD). Dr. Littman is a researcher, therapist, and writer who has a particular interest in helping people overcome the impact of ROCD on their life and pursue more effective and vibrant relationships. He offers great advice and guidance to those struggling with ROCD and he was...

Today is a continuation in the Faith and Doubt series where I highlight people working to help people overcome Religious Scrupulosity, the OCD subtype focusing on one’s religious life. I was joined by Mubeena Mira, LCSW, who shared her wisdom about Religious Scrupulosity within the Muslim community. This was a fantastic conversation. Mubeena was able to provide a clear roadmap for compassionate an...

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who previously, er… currently, is struggling with SO-OCD. They previously struggled with their obsession daily, but that has calmed. But, now they are triggered to the memory of the obsession, which triggers the obsession. If they aren’t currently overwhelmed by the obsession, why did they have the obsession in the first place? Does that mean they are a...

For today’s episode, I was able to have on Dr. Josh Spitalnick and Michael Stier, LPCC, to discuss health anxiety. They recently released the book “The Complete Guide To Overcoming Health Anxiety” and were kind enough to join me to talk about their book and how to face down health anxiety in a doable, and I dare say enjoyable, way. They offer some great insight into the perspective one must have t...

Today’s audio question comes in from “C” who wants to know whether her SO-OCD is decreasing her sense of attraction to her partner, or if she is actually experiencing a change, transition, or awakening to the realization that she’s actually, truly, gay. I go through the question and discuss several other issues that could be contributing to her experience, including her medication, overall anxiety...

Today’s episode is a special discussion of Illness Anxiety Disorder, Health Anxiety, Hypochondriasis,Health OCD, or whatever else you wanna call it. What ever name works for you, today I discuss the common obsessions, common compulsions, and treatment of health anxiety! In addition to all the general information about this disorder and treatment, I share several health related exposures throughout...

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who wants to know how to deal with an obsession that comes back. Do they handle it on their own, or do they go back to therapy? Their obsession, new or old, is not always tainted with anxiety. Sometimes it is neutral or enjoyable, and sometimes it’s anxiety provoking. How should he handle this situation? The post #172- Handing An Obsession Resurgence; R...

This audio question comes from a listener who lays out a lot of background, lots of evidence, and lots of experience. After careful consideration all signs point to… uncertainty. The post #171- Inconsistent Arousal, Childhood Experimentation, Lots of Checking… I’m Gay, Right? appeared first on FearCast Podcast .

Today’s questions come from listeners both struggling with ROCD. One is struggling with the dreaded combo of ROCD and SO-OCD, and the other is struggling with news from their psychic (and later astrological charts) that her and her to-be husband are NOT meant to be. No evidence? Hearsay? Unfounded confidence? Mysticism? Yup, OCD’s gonna be all over that… The post #170- Staying Present Amidst My SO...

Today’s audio question comes from a listener who has a question about how to get support from others when she is in the middle of high anxiety or panic. Is this the right time to get support? But is that reassurance? Should she confess her thoughts? Should she tell people she’s gay even though she doesn’t identify that way? I offer some ideas on how to reach out effectively and manage her uncertai...

Today’s question comes from someone who is struggling with family members who are overwhelmed by the idea of COVID and continue to be enveloped by rituals and routines focused on preventing or avoiding COVID despite being vaccinated and boosted. These precautions are now infringing on the questioner’s family. So, how do you deal with family who has too much precaution? Is too much precaution a goo...

For today’s episode, I offer some guidance to a listener who is struggling with their treatment for their Religious Scrupulosity (Religious OCD). They find that whenever they try to do treatment they notice an uptick in self-harm related thoughts, which has been a deterrent to trying to do treatment in earnest. I offer some things to consider in treatment, discuss the importance of seeking a thera...

On today’s adventures through obsession, I answer a listener question about Relationship OCD and the obsession toward a partner’s level of attractiveness. Do they find their partner attractive? How attractive? Does that one flaw or unattractive part of them negate the other attractive parts? I talk about how some realities of being human are important to keep in mind while living with ROCD, and of...

Today’s audio question comes from Raymond who wants to know how to deal with his fear that he may have a heart attack or other medical event even though his heart has been checked out and cleared by doctors. He’s looking for some tips on how to deal with this obsession. The post #165- Afraid Of Heart Attack If My Heart Rate Goes Too High! appeared first on FearCast Podcast .