I sat down with Kaitlin Weigle to discuss what it’s like to live with OCD, and what misconceptions exist, like “all OCD’rs are clean.” Kaitlin breaks down how OCD is the obsessive loop and compulsions that try to neutralize fear, including mental compulsions like arguing with your thoughts, seeking reassurance, and avoiding triggers. We talked about intrusive thoughts, why they feel so convincingly real, and the shift that happens when you learn that the content of the thought isn’t the problem. Instead, the solution is in the relationship you have with the thought. Along the way, we laugh a lot and, not surprisingly, we connect the dots between OCD, anxiety, and the universal experience of “the conversation between our ears.”

We discussed practical recovery concepts, like exposure and response prevention (ERP), accepting uncertainty, and the idea that “possible doesn’t mean probable.” Kaitlin shares what it looks like to do one uncomfortable thing a day and pair it with self-care, plus how loved ones can be supportive without feeding the reassurance trap. From there, we pivot into peer recovery support, what it is, and how it’s different from traditional talk-therapy. We close with rapid-fire takeaways, resources like Sharewell and HeyPeers, and a clear message for anyone struggling quietly with OCD: you’re not alone, you’re not your thoughts, and you deserve a life that isn’t driven by fear.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

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#ocd #intrusivethoughts #ocdrecovery #obsessivecompulsivedisorder #ocdawareness