OCD Recovery Podcast
Host: Ali Greymond
Episode: More Thoughts When You Start To Actively Disregard OCD
Date: April 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ali Greymond discusses what happens when individuals with OCD begin to actively disregard obsessive thoughts and stop engaging in compulsions. The focus is on the mental backlash often encountered during recovery—specifically, the surge of intrusive thoughts that can occur when someone withdraws the "fuel" that OCD thrives on. Ali provides practical reassurance, explains the brain's patterns, and distinguishes vital concepts like busy-ness versus avoidance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Brain’s Immediate Reaction to Disregarding OCD

• Ali explains that when people begin to disregard OCD thoughts and stop engaging in compulsive behaviors, it’s very normal for the brain to temporarily increase the frequency and intensity of intrusive thoughts.
  • "When you start to disregard, a lot of the times, your brain will push harder and give you more thoughts in the beginning to try to get you back into OCD.” (00:00)

2. Why the Spike in Thoughts Occurs

• Ali uses a vivid analogy to clarify this process:
  • Because you have been “feeding your OCD a lot, the brain got used to it, and now you're taking that feeding away.” (00:16)
• The brain prefers familiar routines and "doesn’t like it" when those routines change, especially if those routines involved frequent compulsive responses.

3. Commonality and Normalization of the Experience

• Ali reassures listeners that this uptick in intrusive thoughts is extremely common and not a cause for alarm.
  • “That's normal. And it's also normal if you're not experiencing it. But a lot of the times people do experience—I'd say more people have this period than not. I'd say maybe like 70, 30. So if you're not, that's okay, but most people do.” (00:39)

4. The Importance of Persistence

• People encountering a spike in obsessive thoughts are encouraged to “ignore your way through it”—meaning, to notice but not engage with thoughts, and continue with everyday life.

5. Being Busy vs. Avoidance

• Ali emphasizes that staying busy is not avoidance:
  • “Being busy is not avoidance. You're showing your brain what you normally want to do in life, which is your everyday life stuff. That's training your brain.” (00:51)
• Actively living and shifting attention to regular activities is part of retraining the brain, not a compulsion or a form of avoidance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the brain’s resistance to change:

  • “What's happening, Captain? This is not our normal route.” (00:25)
    • Ali humorously personifies the brain’s confusion when compulsive behaviors stop, making the experience relatable and less intimidating.

• On normalizing the discomfort:

  • “That's normal. And it's also normal if you’re not experiencing it.” (00:39)
    • Ali reassures individuals on both sides of the experience, emphasizing that it’s okay either way.

• On staying active:

  • “Being busy is not avoidance. You're showing your brain what you normally want to do in life...” (00:51)
    • Ali clarifies a common misconception, encouraging listeners to lead regular lives as part of recovery.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:16: The brain’s pushback when you start disregarding OCD
• 00:16–00:36: Analogy explaining withdrawal of “feeding” OCD
• 00:36–00:46: Statistics and reassurance about normality of this phenomenon
• 00:47–00:57: Key advice: ignore thoughts and stay busy, not as avoidance but as brain retraining

Summary

Ali Greymond offers compassionate, practical advice for those on the OCD recovery path, particularly in the challenging early phase of disregarding OCD thoughts. Listeners are reassured that an initial increase in obsessive thoughts is not a setback but a natural part of brain retraining. The central takeaway: stay committed, lead your normal life, and remember that being busy is healthy and essential—not avoidance.