OCD Recovery Podcast — Episode Summary

Podcast: OCD Recovery
Host: Ali Greymond
Episode: If You Are Getting An OCD Image
Release Date: December 22, 2025

Overview

This brief but impactful episode, hosted by Ali Greymond, addresses the experience of receiving unwanted, disturbing images as a symptom of OCD. Ali emphasizes that these intrusive images are a normal part of OCD and provides guidance on how to respond to them using practical, compassionate advice rooted in her years of experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intrusive Images as a Normal OCD Symptom

• Ali Greymond builds immediate reassurance, letting listeners know that experiencing “very real feeling image[s], something disturbing, something scary, something that you don't want” is entirely normal for people with OCD.

  • Quote:

    “If you are getting a very real feeling image, something disturbing, something scary, something that you don't want, please understand that this is normal for people with OCD.”
    — Ali Greymond (00:00)

• She dispels the myth that these images are meaningful, stressing that their presence is not an indicator of one’s character or desires:

  • Quote:

    “It's nonsense, it's meaningless, it says nothing about you.”
    — Ali Greymond (00:26)

2. The Brain’s Role in OCD Triggers

• Ali explains that the brain “is just trying to throw anything it can at you to get you into a reaction.”

  • She notes that the brain specifically chooses images or thoughts that it knows are likely to disturb the sufferer.

• Strategic Brain Behavior:

  • Quote:

    “Your brain is just trying to throw anything it can at you to get you into a reaction. That's all it's trying to do. And it knows that you react strongly to this. So this is why it's sending you these specific images.”
    — Ali Greymond (00:08–00:16)

3. Importance of Allowing vs. Resisting Thoughts

• Ali warns against the instinct to suppress or ‘push out’ the unpleasant images:

  • Quote:

    “The more you try to push it out, the worse this image is going to get.”
    — Ali Greymond (00:19)

• Instead, she recommends a brave, counterintuitive approach—allowing the image to exist rather than fighting against it:

  • Quote:

    “So make the brave choice not to push it out. Just allow it to be there.”
    — Ali Greymond (00:21)

4. Practical Advice for Sufferers

• Listeners are counseled to accept the presence of these intrusive images and not to engage in or respond to them.
• The acceptance technique:
  • “Allow it to be there.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Normalcy and Meaninglessness:

  “Please understand that this is normal for people with OCD… It's nonsense, it's meaningless, it says nothing about you.”
  — Ali Greymond (00:00; 00:26)

• On the Brain’s Triggers:

  “Your brain is just trying to throw anything it can at you to get you into a reaction… it knows that you react strongly to this.”
  — Ali Greymond (00:08-00:13)

• On the Danger of Compulsive Suppression:

  “The more you try to push it out, the worse this image is going to get.”
  — Ali Greymond (00:19)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 00:00-00:08: Reassurance on the normalcy of disturbing OCD images
• 00:08-00:16: Explanation of why the brain serves up these particular images
• 00:19-00:26: Warning about trying to suppress images and encouragement to allow them

Final Takeaway

Ali Greymond leaves listeners with a powerful yet simple message: intrusive images are a common, meaningless OCD symptom. The healthiest and most effective response is not to fight or analyze them, but to bravely accept their presence and move on.

(Note: The episode was succinct and direct, focusing exclusively on support and practical advice. For further help, listeners are invited to seek an emergency session through resources in the episode description.)