Episode Overview

Podcast: OCD Recovery
Host: Ali Greymond
Episode Title: OCD Can Come In As A Physical Feeling
Date: December 26, 2025

This episode centers on a lesser-discussed aspect of OCD: how compulsions and obsessions can manifest not only as intrusive thoughts or images but also as physical feelings. Ali Greymond addresses the common concern among listeners and clients who experience their OCD primarily or additionally through somatic sensations—she demystifies these experiences and shares practical advice for managing them using the same tools as for more thought-based symptoms.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Physical Feelings as a Form of OCD Intrusion

• OCD can manifest as physical sensations:
  Ali Greymond highlights that obsessions can surface not only as distressing thoughts or mental images but as tangible bodily sensations.

  “It’s normal for OCD to come in as a physical feeling. It can come in as a thought, it can come in as an image, but it can also come in as a physical feeling.” (00:00)

• Physical sensations are just as valid a form of OCD:
  Clients often question whether these bodily symptoms are "different" in meaning or significance. Ali is clear that they are not.

2. How to Respond to Physical OCD Sensations

• Ignore physical sensations as you would intrusive thoughts:
  The recommended recovery approach does not change for physical manifestations of OCD.

  “If you’re getting physical feelings attached to your OCD fears, choose to ignore them the same exact way you ignore thoughts.” (00:14)

• The disorder seeks your reaction, regardless of “format”:
  Whether OCD appears as a thought, feeling, or image, its objective is always to elicit ritualizing, rumination, or avoidance.

  “It doesn’t make any difference… it just wants a reaction from you. This whole thing is about getting you to have a reaction, to ruminate, to do compulsions, to do avoidance behaviors, because that’s what strengthens the disorder.” (00:29)

3. Practical Advice for Recovery

• Brave choice to ignore—don’t let the format scare you:
  Ali emphasizes courage:

  “So you need to see it as okay, I’m experiencing this physical feeling, whatever, doesn’t matter. I’m making the brave choice to ignore, and make that brave choice. I am telling you, you will not be wrong.” (00:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On normalization of physical OCD feelings:

  “It’s normal for OCD to come in as a physical feeling.” (00:00)

• On client concerns about sensations:

  “With clients, I hear this question all the time – is this different? But it feels different because it’s a physical feeling.” (00:19)

• On the principle of response prevention:

  “Choose to ignore them the same exact way you ignore thoughts.” (00:14)
  “I am telling you, you will not be wrong.” (00:53)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction; validation that OCD can present as physical feelings
• 00:14 – Instruction to ignore physical sensations like thoughts
• 00:19 – Addressing client fears: Is this different because it's physical?
• 00:29 – Explanation of the underlying mechanism—OCD seeks your reaction
• 00:48 – Encouragement to make the brave choice to ignore

Summary

Ali Greymond uses this short but impactful episode to assure listeners that physical sensations as part of OCD are not unique or more concerning than intrusive thoughts or images. The episode encourages listeners to apply the same recovery strategies—primarily, choosing to ignore and not react or ritualize—to all formats of OCD intrusion. Greymond’s tone is practical and empathetic, directly addressing common fears and bolstering listeners’ confidence in their ability to recover.

For detailed recovery tools and one-on-one support, listeners are encouraged to explore resources linked in the episode description.