The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   This week I interview Sheva Rajaee to discuss R-OCD.   She is the founder of The Center for Anxiety and OCD and you can find her website  here and contact her center that specializes in OCD, BDD, BFRB's, and anxiety disorders in Irvine California.   We also referenced her book that will be coming out Spring of 2021 called Relationship OCD: A C...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   This week I interview Alegra Kastens to discuss how do you know it is OCD?  She is an MFT and specializes in OCD, BDD, BFRB's, and anxiety disorders in Los Angeles. You can find her on instagram at obsessivelyeverafter  or on her website  .   She also referenced this article if you want to have a read. _____   IG @ocdwhisperer Resources for OC...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. This week we talk about can OCD make a person control their environment? The answer is YES! Listen to find out how and take the challenge to evaluate what are your control strategies?   _____   IG @ocdwhisperer   Resources for OCD eBk: How to Stop Compulsive Rumination + 30 day journal _____ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes....

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Interview with Chris Trondsen who is an OCD specialist and has OCD!  _____   IG @ocdwhisperer Resources for OCD eBk: How to Stop Compulsive Rumination + 30 day journal   _____ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes.  Though I am a licensed marriage and family therapist in California & specialize in OCD and Anxiety Disorders, this...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Let's talk about Relationship OCD!    R-OCD  Are you doing any of these things: Checking to see if your partner is the one? Checking if the relationship feels right? Nitpicking your partners appearance or flaws? Compulsively analyzing if your partner is a good fit?  Are they passionate enough?  Are they funny enough? And so on... Are you accom...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Let's talk about dreams and OCD!    #1 Tip to help you: Response Prevention Once you are awake (regardless if it is middle of the night from a dream or organically in the morning) and the OCD related dream tries to hook you in, slow down for a second and get clear on what you are doing.  Are you doing ANY compulsions in ANY way? Once you get y...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Let's talk about committed action and why it is important.  There are some self-evaluation questions you need to ask yourself.     Self- evaluation questions: Am I currently living my life in a way that is truly in alignment with my values in the context of my life? Am I engaging in a range of behaviors that are connected to my deepest wishes...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Today I cover 3 things you DO NOT want to do If You Love Someone With OCD.   Do not try to think your way out of OCD!  Using logic and rationale will only perpetuate the compulsive analysis cycle!   Instead remind the person it is OCD flaring up and what OCD is. Do not provide incessant reassurance!  This will give momentary relief only to rei...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Today I am answering some questions that got direct messaged to me on my Instagram account @ocdwhisperer . Unintentional thought suppression question and how to have acceptance. Comparing your OCD to Instagram posts to validate or invalidate your own experience question. Can someone with OCD find a friend or a partner who also has OCD and can...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we are talking about Mindset work. What are you paying attention to?  Consciously direct your attention! What meaning you assign to your anxiety experience does influence how you feel about it.  (Is anxiety a threat?  Did you assign meaning to it that you cannot handle it?) What you choose to do in response to your anxiety will either feed...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we are talking about Compulsions! Themes of different compulsive behaviors: Avoidance Compulsive crying (other OCD influenced emotions) Self reassurance (sneaking them in sometimes) Decontamination Checking Magical compulsions Perfectionistic compulsions Counting Tracing Touching/ tapping Mental compulsions (there is an episode just on thi...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we are talking about Motivation: it is an on-going dynamic process. Take away strategies are: Break your ERP exercises or any goals down into small steps that you can do right NOW.  Focus on the present- what can you do NOW to start? Set limits with distractions- say no to them. Watch for your rationalizations of all the "should's" and not...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we are covering compulsive rumination: what it is, why people rationalize why it is important to keep ruminating, and simple strategies to try today. Strategies discussed are: Catch yourself in the act!  Increase your awareness of how much of this behavior you engage in. Set firm boundaries with no ifs buts or anything else!  Example: I wi...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we will touch on the second part of OCD Subtypes.  These two episodes, episode 3 and 4 are to give you an idea of the different ways OCD can present itself. Subtypes discussed are: Sexual Obsessions OCD Relationship OCD Superstitious / Magical OCD Aggressive Obsessions OCD Emotional Contamination OCD Perinatal/ Postpartum OCD Rumination OC...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we will discuss the first half of various OCD Subtypes. Subtypes discussed are: Symmetry/Perfectionism OCD Contamination OCD Fear doing something wrong OCD Harm OCD                                           Hypochondria/ health OCD Pure “O” OCD  Scrupulosity OCD-morality, being good or evil  Just Right OCD  Need to know/ remember OCD  Pedo...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast. Today we will discuss the art of Exposure & Response Prevention as the first line treatment for OCD. Principles discussed are: Variability Defuse and create a little space between you and OCD Opposite Action Be here NOW Tripple A: acknowledge, agree, and accept _____ OCD Journal and Planner: CBT based tracker IG @ocdwhisperer Resources for O...

Learn all things OCD with the OCD Whisperer Podcast.   Today we will discuss what OCD actually is-a doubting disease.   A great resource is also the International OCD Foundation www.iocdf.org   _____ OCD Journal and Planner: CBT based tracker IG @ocdwhisperer Resources for OCD   ______ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes.  Though I am a licensed marriage a...