OCD Recovery Podcast: "Full OCD Recovery: Prepare For The Intensity Of OCD Intrusive Thoughts"

Host: Ali Greymond
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ali Greymond addresses the intense and often overwhelming nature of OCD intrusive thoughts. She focuses on preparing listeners—regardless of their OCD subtype—for how real and urgent these thoughts may feel. The central theme is about expecting the intensity of OCD and learning how to respond in a way that supports recovery, with practical tools for day-to-day management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Intensity of OCD Intrusive Thoughts

• OCD doesn't introduce intrusive thoughts mildly; it comes in intensely and tries to provoke a reaction.
• Being prepared for this intensity is crucial in the recovery process.

  "It's important that you're prepared for the intensity with which OCD is going to come in because it's going to come in pretty intense and it's going to try to get a reaction out of you with that intensity."
  —Ali Greymond [00:00]

2. Common Experiences With OCD Thoughts

• Many people describe intrusive thoughts with phrases like:
  • “It feels real.”
  • “It felt like I actually wanted the thoughts.”
  • “It feels like I like the thoughts.”
• Such experiences are common across all OCD themes, including Pure-O, Relationship OCD, Harm OCD, Real Event OCD, Sexuality-OCD, Religious/Scrupulosity OCD, Cleaning & Contamination OCD, and beyond.

  "You know the common things that people say about OCD. It feels real. It felt like I actually wanted the thoughts. It feels like I like the thoughts."
  —Ali Greymond [00:21]

3. Preparation as a Recovery Tool

• The host emphasizes a “mental pre-game”—preparing oneself each morning for the possibility and intensity of intrusive thoughts.
• This preparation arms you with the right mindset, akin to “going into a battle with a bat versus with a foam bat.”

  "If you prepare ahead of time that this is what's going to happen, you're going into a battle with a bat versus with a foam bat."
  —Ali Greymond [00:35]

4. Anticipating Specific Tactics of OCD

• Intrusive thoughts will feel like disturbing facts rather than questions.
• Each day, expect that OCD will try to “get you” in new and familiar ways—but you decide in advance that you will disregard it.

5. Taking Active Steps to Disregard the Thoughts

• Upon encountering intense or disturbing thoughts, the recovery response is disregard: Don't analyze, don't react emotionally.

  "Today I'm going to get OCD thoughts. They're going to feel real, they're going to feel disturbing, they're going to feel like a fact instead of like a question. Whatever it is, however it gets you and when it does, I'm going to disregard."
  —Ali Greymond [00:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Expecting Intensity:

  "It's important that you're prepared for the intensity with which OCD is going to come in..."
  [00:00]

• Recognizing Common OCD Experiences:

  "It feels real. It felt like I actually wanted the thoughts. It feels like I like the thoughts."
  [00:21]

• Metaphor for Mental Readiness:

  "You're going into a battle with a bat versus with a foam bat."
  [00:35]

• Daily Intention Setting:

  "Today I'm going to get OCD thoughts...whatever it is...I'm going to disregard."
  [00:50]

Episode Flow & Structure with Timestamps

• 00:00 — Facing the full intensity of OCD:
  The host underscores preparing for heavy-hitting intrusive thoughts rather than expecting them to be minor or fleeting.
• 00:21 — Common reactions and feelings:
  Ali lists how genuine and disturbing OCD thoughts can feel, normalizing this for listeners.
• 00:35 — The importance of pre-emptive mental preparation:
  She uses the vivid “bat vs. foam bat” analogy to reinforce building real strength beforehand.
• 00:50 — Creating a recovery mantra:
  Ali suggests starting each day with the resolve to face, feel, and then disregard the intrusive thoughts as they arise.

Final Takeaways

• Be mentally prepared for the intense, real-feeling nature of OCD intrusive thoughts.
• Recognize that the distress these thoughts create is a normal part of OCD—not proof of their truth.
• Every morning, reset your resolve to anticipate thoughts and intentionally disengage.
• Use Ali’s practical advice as a daily exercise to strengthen your ability to disregard OCD and continue on the path toward recovery.

This episode offers grounded, relatable advice for anyone struggling with OCD, focused on courage, preparation, and proactive response.