Podcast Episode Summary

Get to Know OCD

Episode: I Thought I Had Schizophrenia — It Was Actually OCD
Host: Dr. Patrick McGrath (NOCD Chief Clinical Officer)
Guest: Alexis Elizor
Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Alexis Elizor, an OCD advocate and creator of the "Unstuck" guided journal. Alexis shares her journey from misdiagnosis and confusion, initially believing she had schizophrenia, to properly identifying and treating her OCD. The discussion explores the challenges of diagnosis, the transformative experience of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, her passion for advocacy, and how her own experiences led her to develop resources to help others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Misdiagnosis and the Confusion of OCD

• Alexis describes her initial experience with OCD symptoms:

  • She endured intrusive thoughts that felt completely foreign and alarming, leading her to believe she might have schizophrenia, especially given her family history.
  • “At first I was still skeptical that I was OCD. I actually thought I had schizophrenia because I was like, well, these thoughts are very... they couldn't be my thoughts.” (00:00, Alexis)

• Her journey to a correct diagnosis:

  • Initially misdiagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and later labeled as having a fear of failure.
  • Online communities and chat rooms proved crucial in helping her realize her experiences aligned with OCD.

• Childhood roots:

  • Alexis recounts obsessive thoughts related to religious blasphemy in childhood, which she coped with on her own and didn’t share at the time.

Facing ERP Therapy: Fears and The Healing Process

• Initial skepticism and fear toward ERP:

  • Alexis, grappling with her doubts, was “desperate for relief” and hesitant to confront the thoughts head-on.
  • “I was afraid because I didn't want to be with those thoughts... there was some embarrassment too, like, around, like, addressing the thoughts or speaking the thoughts or sharing it with my therapist.” (07:22, Alexis)

• Host’s reflection on responsibility and stigma:

  • Dr. McGrath observes that many prefer diagnoses like schizophrenia over OCD due to misconceptions about blame and responsibility for intrusive thoughts.
  • “Might OCD have felt more like you were responsible for having the thoughts?” (08:47, Dr. McGrath)

• ERP experience and its challenges:

  • Alexis recalls the therapy as emotionally taxing, counterintuitive, and isolating—especially since her family didn’t share her diagnosis.
  • The trusting supportive relationship with her therapist was pivotal.
  • “It was extremely hard...I think I also had a really trusting relationship with my therapist. She was very good at not reassuring me, even though I tried so many ways of being reassured…” (11:00, Alexis)

Life After ERP and Embracing Values

• Transformation through ERP:

  • Alexis found a renewed sense of strength and resilience post-treatment.
  • “ERP therapy really changed me. It made me realize I was stronger than I thought I was.” (13:45, Alexis)
  • She developed tools not just for OCD, but for general uncertainty in life.

• From rigid plans to living in the present:

  • Alexis shifted from needing a strict 10-year plan to being comfortable focusing on the short term and the present moment.
  • “I used to have like a ten year plan...Now I pretty much see life and like next month, like what am I doing this month?...letting life happen to kind of like shape things.” (14:04, Alexis)

“Unstuck”: Creating OCD Resources

• Inspiration and gaps in self-help materials:

  • Noting the lack of ERP-specific journals (compared to CBT), Alexis created “Unstuck”—a guided journal to help others navigate their recovery.

• Collaboration with clinicians:

  • She partnered with an ERP therapist to ensure the resource was clinically sound, balancing her personal experience with professional guidance.
  • “I did the whole journal...then I had this therapist come in, and over a process of a few weeks, we were workshopping it and going line by line. And it was extremely helpful…” (25:03, Alexis)

• Design and feedback:

  • Tested by fellow people with OCD before publication; feedback led to improvements.
  • The journal’s structure emphasizes both ERP strategies and broader exercises for connecting with values and meaning.
  • “…OCD and anxiety makes your world small, but your values make your world big again.” (19:56, Alexis)

Living With OCD Now

• Sustained recovery and life changes:

  • Alexis experiences fewer intrusive thoughts and describes OCD as “taking up less space” in her life.
  • She recognizes the ongoing, lifelong nature of OCD but stresses her increased capacity and toolkit for managing symptoms.
  • “I've built my capacity up to hold it more so when it arises...but I have a bigger capacity than I did, let's say, in 2017, when I had no tools and I thought I had schizophrenia.” (23:43, Alexis)

• Advocacy and next steps:

  • Alexis is considering new projects focused on connection and embodiment, reflecting her evolving interests and recovery.
  • “Whatever I do, it's focusing on connection and connecting with other people...I'm focused on something that can help people feel more connected and embodied.” (33:57, Alexis)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Misconceptions:

  • “I think OCD is probably a lot of what people don't think it is, because we just see in the media that it's washing your hands or straightening things.” (10:30, Dr. McGrath)

• On Values and Recovery:

  • “OCD and anxiety makes your world small, but your values make your world big again.” (19:56, Alexis)
  • “I had to learn to zoom out and focus on those values and building the life that I wanted to build.” (19:13, Alexis)

• On the Challenge of Taking Action:

  • “It takes a lot of strength and courage to have that happen and still take action towards something bigger than your ocd...you get momentum through action.” (22:23, Alexis)

• On the Gift Amidst the Struggle:

  • “After I was able to get through ERP treatment, I kind of felt in some ways grateful for the experience that I went through...it gave me tools that I felt like I needed.” (38:07, Alexis)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | Summary | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Alexis’ early confusion with diagnosis | Describes mistaking OCD for schizophrenia, childhood memories of OCD symptoms | | 04:13 | Misdiagnosis & researching OCD | Discusses journey to correct diagnosis via chat rooms and self-research | | 07:22 | Hesitations about ERP therapy | Talks skepticism, desperation, and embarrassment about discussing intrusive thoughts| | 11:00 | The ERP process: difficulty & support | Outlines the intensity of ERP and importance of therapist relationship | | 13:45 | Post-ERP transformation | On gaining strength and life skills through ERP | | 16:51 | Creating “Unstuck” guided journal | Describes the motivation, development process, and clinical collaboration | | 19:13 | Purpose of the journal | Emphasizes broadening focus to values and life goals beyond OCD | | 23:43 | Living with OCD after treatment | Alexis explains her improved capacity and new approaches to uncertainty | | 25:03 | Clinical vetting of the journal | Discusses collaboration and balancing perspectives | | 28:08 | Reception and user feedback | Shares positive reactions and social media reviews | | 31:10 | OCD’s current role | OCD now takes up less space; focus has shifted to other personal growth areas | | 33:57 | Future projects and connecting people | Advocates for creating connection-focused products and increasing embodiment | | 35:54 | Advice to those considering treatment | Encourages trust in the recovery process, even amidst doubt | | 38:07 | Final reflections: Gratitude and growth | Expresses gratitude for the lessons OCD taught and encourages others |

Resources and Where to Find Alexis

• Unstuck Journal: theunstuckjournal.com
• TikTok: @theunstuckjournal
• Amazon: (Coming soon)
• Bullet Journal Website: (Link to be added)

Final Words of Wisdom

“You might surprise yourself and there might be a moment when the dust settles that you actually feel grateful that you...went through this experience and you gained a new perspective and new tools as well.” — Alexis (38:07)

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