Podcast Summary: “Full OCD Recovery: Rumination About Anxiety Is Still OCD Rumination”

Podcast: OCD Recovery
Host: Ali Greymond, OCD Specialist & Author
Date: December 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ali Greymond explores the concept of ruminating about anxiety itself and explains why this is still considered OCD rumination. She delves into how worrying about OCD-induced anxiety feeds the disorder—often labeled as "meta OCD." Ali emphasizes the importance of recognizing all forms of mental rumination as compulsions, not just those directly about the primary intrusive thought. The episode is practical, focused on actionable strategies for listeners to move toward full OCD recovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Is Rumination About Anxiety?

• Definition: Ali defines rumination about anxiety as obsessing over the presence, severity, or implications of one's own anxiety, even if it isn’t directly about the original OCD topic.
• Key Insight: This pattern keeps the cycle of OCD alive—even when it “shifts” to focusing on the anxiety itself rather than the original intrusive thought.
  • “If you are afraid of OCD anxiety, that still is OCD, it still feeds the disorder.” (Ali, 00:08)

2. Meta OCD Explained

• Clarification: Ali introduces the concept of “meta OCD,” which is when obsessions and compulsions orbit around the anxiety caused by OCD, not just the content.
  • “It’s called meta ocd.” (Ali, 00:13)
• Example Scenarios:
  • Worrying if “the anxiety will ever stop.”
  • Obsessing over how you feel about your anxiety from moment to moment.

3. Rumination Is a Compulsion

• Core Message: Any form of mental review or rumination—about the original thought, about feeling anxious, or even about “doing recovery correctly”—counts as a compulsion.
• Important Reminder:
  • "Whether you’re thinking about the anxiety, the thought, your reaction—rumination is rumination. It’s all OCD.” (Ali, ~00:25)
• Actionable Advice: Stop engaging with all these mental checks, no matter the “theme.”

4. Path to Full Recovery

• Main Recovery Point: Full OCD recovery is possible when all ruminations, including those about anxiety and recovery progress, are viewed as OCD and responded to with non-engagement.
• The Greymond Method:
  • Focuses on breaking mental habits, not just physical rituals.
  • Encourages mental distancing and refocusing away from both intrusive thoughts and the anxiety they provoke.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ali Greymond, 00:00:

  “Rumination about anxiety is still OCD rumination.”

• Ali Greymond, 00:13:

  “If you are afraid of OCD anxiety, that still is OCD, it still feeds the disorder. It’s called meta OCD.”

• Ali Greymond, ~00:25:

  "Whether you’re thinking about the anxiety, the thought, your reaction—rumination is rumination. It’s all OCD.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–00:13: Introduction to the theme – rumination about anxiety
• 00:13–00:40: Explanation of meta OCD and how rumination shifts focus within the disorder
• 00:40–end: Recovery advice—why stopping all rumination is key to overcoming all OCD themes

Tone and Approach

Ali Greymond uses a matter-of-fact, supportive tone. She normalizes common listener experiences while providing actionable steps, encouraging listeners that full recovery is possible if they address all forms of rumination, not just the obvious ones.

Conclusion

Ali’s core message is clear: ruminating about anxiety is just as much OCD as ruminating about the intrusive thoughts themselves. Recognizing and halting all forms of mental rumination, regardless of their focus, is crucial for long-term recovery. This short episode is an empowering reminder for anyone focusing on exposure and compulsion prevention in their OCD journey.