Podcast Summary: Full OCD Recovery – Signs That Your OCD Is Getting Better

Podcast: OCD Recovery
Host: Ali Greymond
Episode Title: Full OCD Recovery: Signs That Your OCD Is Getting Better
Date: January 1, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ali Greymond, an OCD specialist and creator of The Greymond Method, outlines the practical signs that indicate true progress and healing from OCD. Ali draws on her extensive experience coaching clients through recovery from all major OCD themes—including Pure-O, Relationship OCD, Religious OCD, and more—to share concrete markers of recovery. The episode is aimed at listeners actively working on OCD recovery who may be wondering how to confidently recognize their progress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Importance of Tracking Progress

• Tracking as a Tool: Ali strongly emphasizes the importance of tracking not only behaviors that feed OCD but also tracking reductions in anxiety levels.
  • Quote (00:14):

    “If you've been doing the tracking, you will see in your tracking the anxiety dropping, which is why I encourage you to do that. …You see, not in theory, not, ‘I think I'm doing better, but I'm not sure,’ but you see—let's say 30 days ago you put down your level anxiety was nine, and now you're putting down that your level anxiety is, let's say, four or three. So, yeah, you're doing good.”

• Why We Forget: Over time, people often forget how severe their anxiety used to be; tracking helps provide objective proof of progress.

2. Return of Interests and Enjoyment

• Shifting Focus Back to Life:
  • As OCD becomes less consuming, people notice their natural interests and hobbies starting to emerge again.
  • Quote (00:56):

    “You start to see that your hobbies, your interests, things that you enjoy doing come back into focus a little more…When you're in the throes of OCD, you don't. You just have the desire for basic getting through the day.”

• This shift from “just get through the day” to experiencing wants (rather than just needs) is considered a major recovery milestone.

3. Objective Biometrics Reflecting Stress Reduction

• Wearable Devices as Indicators:
  • Clients using devices like Oura Ring or Whoop Strap may see a measurable reduction in stress as they recover.
  • Quote (01:48):

    “Clients who are tracking their biometrics... start to see that their level of daily stress is dropping. That's because obviously you're not ruminating, you're not doing compulsions, so you can physically see it.”

  • Ali notes how surprising it is to see the physical evidence of decreased mental stress through biometrics.

4. Forgetting OCD for Increasing Periods

• Recovery Reflected in Forgetfulness:
  • Experiencing stretches of time where you genuinely forget you have OCD is seen as a powerful sign of recovery.
  • This begins with short intervals and gradually increases.
  • Quote (02:58):

    “You forgot you had OCD. …Maybe you'll get engrossed in a conversation and you'll start to say, ‘Oh, for the last five minutes I forgot I had OCD.’ Or for the last 30 minutes I forgot it, or for half a day…I have clients say this all the time.”

• Progress is Cumulative: These episodes of forgetfulness lengthen as recovery continues, affirming that OCD no longer controls your life.

5. Ongoing, Continuous Improvement

• No Stagnation: Recovery should be marked by continuous improvement in all the above areas—reduced anxiety, restored interests, improved stress biomarkers, and longer periods of OCD-free thinking.
  • Quote (03:34):

    “All of these things that I've mentioned, you should see continuous improvement. So they shouldn't be at a stagnated level. So all of this should increase—the wants, increase the biometrics if you're tracking it, increase…the overall feeling of the disorder is not controlling your life anymore.”

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Tracking Progress:

  “You see, not in theory, not, ‘I think I'm doing better, but I'm not sure,’ but you see—let's say 30 days ago you put down your level anxiety was nine, and now you're putting down that your level anxiety is, let's say, four or three. So, yeah, you're doing good.”
  (Ali Greymond – 00:14)

• On Regaining Interests:

  "When you start to feel better, some more not needs, but more of wants start to come back in. So that's very common.”
  (Ali Greymond – 00:56)

• On Objective Biometrics:

  “The device registers it, which is kind of crazy—how much you're actually changing, not like the chemistry of your entire body.”
  (Ali Greymond – 01:52)

• On Forgetting OCD:

  “For the last five minutes I forgot I had OCD. Or for the last 30 minutes I forgot it, or for half a day I forgot I had OCD. I have clients say this all the time.”
  (Ali Greymond – 02:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:14] — The importance of tracking anxiety and observable improvement
• [00:56] — Return of hobbies and desires as signs of progress
• [01:48] — Measuring recovery with wearable biometrics
• [02:58] — Forgetting about OCD for increasing periods: a major milestone
• [03:34] — Continuous improvement and avoiding stagnation

Conclusion

Ali Greymond provides meaningful, real-world criteria for recognizing true OCD recovery. By focusing on tracking improvements, noting the return of joy and interests, using objective metrics, and observing periods of 'forgetting' OCD, listeners can accurately gauge their healing and stay motivated. Her experienced and encouraging tone makes this episode a practical resource for anyone on the recovery journey.