FearCast Podcast

On this episode of the FearCast, I finish out the Anxiety in the Arts series with my friend Noel Dumont. She is a talented, multinational singer who was kind enough to share her story about her singing career and her struggle with anxiety and ADHD. For more on Noel, check here out here: facebook.com/NoelDumontMusic The post #116- Anxiety in the Arts with Noel Dumont appeared first on FearCast Podc...

We have another audio question! This question comes from Markus who asked about how he can deal with his job better. Markus is a bank teller who is working with a therapist, but struggles with counting, checking, and other mental compulsions when dealing with money. I offer some advice for doing exposures, accepting uncertainty, and challenging the legitimacy of the obsessional doubt. Bonus: Chris...

On this episode, I answer a listener’s question about how he can de-associate songs and memories he has about a past relationship. I also talk about how he can fight against his ruminations about that past relationship while he’s at it. The next question is from a 16 year old who wants to get started treating their SO-OCD, but they can’t start therapy and self-guided ERP sounds too daunting. Lastl...

On this episode, I answer a question from someone struggling with panic attacks while feeling nauseous for several hours! The next question is about someone struggling with “loud” environments and dealing with “bossy” spaces. For this question, I’m asking for the FearCast family to reach out with their suggestions and ideas! Last, I answer a father’s question about how to help his son deal with Pu...

For this episode, I was joined by Kristina Orlova, the host of the OCD Whisperer Podcast and the author of the new eBook, Your Guide to Compulsive Rumination +30 Day Journal. She spent some time with me discussing what mental ruminations are, how they impact people living with OCD, and what you can do to minimize their impact on your life. For more about Kristina Orlova, you can check her out here...

On this episode, I answer Alex’s questions about symmetry obsessions. Specifically, Alex asks about whether symmetry and asymmetry can both be obsessions, and what exposures can be done to deal with these “just right” kind of obsessions. On this episode I discuss what Just-Right OCD is, how symmetry commonly appears in some OCD manifestations, and how to differentiate between personal preferences...

On today’s episode, I discuss an audio question about Real Event OCD and False Memory OCD. I go over what these two subtypes are, how they are similar, and how they interact and influence one another. I also discuss some things they can do to help combat their obsession and focus the idea of trusting the conclusion they typically come to or fight for after their compulsive efforts. I recorded this...

WARNING: This episode has A LOT of profanity and I am not editing it out. If I did, the episode would probably 2 minutes long. 3 minutes tops. So, you’ve been warned. On this episode, I was joined by tattoo artist Rick Fitzwater who was kind enough to share his story of how he expresses his passion for art through the medium of tattooing. Rick also talks about how he got into the world of tattooin...

On this episode, I answer a listener’s question about the idea of “late bloomers,” or people who discover their sexuality later in life, and how the idea serves as a tremendous trigger and rocket fuel for their Sexual Orientation OCD. Next, I discuss a listener’s concerns about not feeling anxious when they do imaginal exposures, i.e. scripts, for their anxiety. Lastly, I discuss someone’s fear th...

For today’s episode and edition of Anxiety in the Arts, I was joined by Lefty-Lucy, a professional actor, performer, podcaster, producer, and educator for theater and burlesque. She was kind enough to spend some time with me discussing how she manages to work and perform despite the pressures of the pandemic and her own anxiety. Below, you will also find links to some of the projects she is connec...

On this week’s episode, I answer three questions! The first is from someone who’s partner says that love isn’t a choice, and that their partner with ROCD should leave unless they have constant strong feelings. Next, I answer a listener’s questions about breaking up a relationship because of the guilt they feel about having ROCD related obsessions. Lastly, I follow up with someone who previously as...

For today’s episode, I was joined by artist, graphic designer, and cartoonist JSalvador who discusses his journey through his career as an artist and his experiences with mental health along the way. I had a great time catching up with JSalvador and learning more about how he started in his art career, his decision to go into art full time, and his motivation behind his most popular art endeavor....

On this week’s episode, I decided to pack a relatively short episode with three questions and a feedback email. I discuss a wide range of topics, including how to deal with obsessions about past partners and how this impacts the state of the current relationship. I also discuss someone’s swallowing obsessions (Sensorimotor OCD) and their awareness spiking especially around close friends and family...

On this episode, I was joined by Carl Robbins, LCPC, to discuss Inference Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or IBT. Mr Robbins was kind enough to share his expertise and passion about this fascinating approach for those with OCD and related disorders. Inference based CBT is a treatment method for OCD that emphasizes the role of reasoning in the development and maintenance of ocd. Treatment is ba...

Today’s episode kicks off a short series I’m doing to highlight the anxiety and mental health struggles of people in the arts. Sarah Winchester is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and writer and was kind enough to join me to discuss her story. More from Sarah Winchester: https://www.sarahwinchesterband.com/ About the Anxiety in the Arts Series: The Anxiety in the Arts series f...

On this week’s episode, I answer two questions from listeners about their struggles with OCD. The first question deals with how someone can practice being with their thoughts and disengaging from their rumination. What are they supposed to do? The second question is about how someone can get certainty about their feelings about their partner. Their “constant checking” isn’t helping, so what can th...

On this episode, I answer two listeners questions. The first one is about how someone can deal with reducing and managing rumination compulsions. She also wants to know whether medication will reduce or eliminate ruminations. Then, I answer a question about how someone can discuss their HOCD (SO-OCD) symptoms with their partner without them getting upset. Of course, just like me, I made it all the...

This past weekend, I spoke with the Lauren Rosen, MFT, Kelley Franke, MFT, and Elena Fasan, LCSW, at the OCD SoCal 6th annual conference on the topic of mental compulsions. As usual, I had a great time presenting this rag-tag group of brilliant people, and hopefully our talk was helpful to a few people. You can log in and watch our talk along with a ton of other fantastic presentations from a long...

This episode of the FearCast is an answer to a question that, unfortunately, was not asked by Steven Crowder (@scrowder) when he tweeted a comment about POCD. Therefore, I had to throw together a quick video explaining what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is so he, and others, and understand the foundation for the other OCD subtypes. This is the first official video by the FearCast! Check it out at...

On today’s episode, I answer a question from someone wondering how they can come to terms and start accepting their OCD diagnosis. I think this question is particularly relevant to anyone receiving any mental health diagnosis, whether it be OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobia, Depression, or anything else under the sun. I hope the answer I offer is helpful to at least one person struggling t...

Orthorexia straddles the line between an eating disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. For today’s episode, I was joined by Chris Trondsen to discuss Orthorexia, his experience with it, and what treatment for Orthorexia entails. The post Orthorexia with Chris Trondsen, MFT appeared first on FearCast Podcast .

No, this has nothing to do with sports. This episode is a mix of four quick questions. Topics range from how one can identify whether a therapy tool is being used compulsively, whether dreams can confirm one’s sexual orientation, the fear of being sued, and the fear of looking at yourself in the mirror. It was really fun to answer a wide arrange of topics and I really appreciate the questioners! T...

For today’s episode, I discuss two listener questions on the ROCD spectrum. The first one (3:31) deals with someone obsessing about their partner’s physical condition, an actual physical/ medical condition, and what that would mean for their future, kids, etc. The second question (23:18) has to do with the attention the listener is giving her thoughts and doubts, and whether she should be letting...

Today’s question comes in audio form from Mike. He asks a simple question; what are you supposed to do in the latter half of treatment? I get this question a lot, and it’s not always a straight forward answer. So, I try my best to give Mike some ideas on what he can do to maintain his progress so he can go out and live his life! Here is the article I referenced by Jon Hiershfield: https://www.shep...

Today’s episode comes from an audio question. The questioner asks what she can do about obsessions that switch themes rapidly. Should she keep doing scripts? Keep doing what her therapist says? Follow the fluctuating obsession? I call this “Flavor of the Week OCD” and it is a phenomenon that happens from time to time and I offer some tips on what you can do to help. The post What To Do With &#8220...