The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova

Episode 159: How One Man Turned OCD Pain Into 60,000 Followers
Guest: Lukas ("Intrusive OCD Memes")
Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Lukas’s personal journey with OCD—from his early symptoms as a child in Poland, through the difficulties of living with undiagnosed and misunderstood OCD, to his eventual diagnosis and therapy in adulthood. Now the creator behind "Intrusive OCD Memes," Lukas shares how sharing his struggles through memes has not only helped him heal but also built a supportive online community of over 60,000 followers. The conversation explores themes of stigma, cultural barriers, the power of community, and the ongoing process of recovery.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lukas’s Early Experience with OCD

• Early Symptoms & Lack of Awareness:
  • Lukas recalls his first symptoms appearing around age 10, but with little awareness of mental health in Poland at the time, he didn’t understand what he was experiencing.
  • Quote [01:26]:

    "I can remember that first symptoms of OCD I had when I was 10. But after my diagnosis in 2023 ... I had to find some space ... to share my personal stories." — Lukas

• Diagnosis Journey & Cultural Challenges:
  • At 18, after experiencing disturbing intrusive thoughts about his girlfriend, Lukas consulted a psychiatrist but was only diagnosed with anxiety and offered medication.
  • He declined SSRIs, internalized societal and familial expectations, and attempted to deal with OCD alone.

2. The Impact of COVID-19 & Escalation of Symptoms

• Pandemic as a Turning Point [03:00-08:33]:
  • During the pandemic, OCD became harder to manage, manifesting in compulsive calorie counting and hours of exercising, daily checking behaviors, and relationship anxiety (ROCD).
  • Lukas describes how seeking reassurance from his wife put strain on their relationship:

    "For over three years, I was struggling with ROCD ... after three years, when our relationship almost was destroyed, I told her that I can't fix myself ... and I have to find professional help." — Lukas [07:25]

3. Finding the Right Support & Therapy

• Therapy & Recovery [08:33-09:32]:
  • Upon finally starting therapy, Lukas was quickly diagnosed with OCD and began the hard work of learning to manage it through therapy.
  • He credits his therapist for being "really amazing" and emphasizes the long journey of realizing he needed help.

4. Insights on OCD Awareness & Stigma in Poland

• Culture of Silence & Stigma [09:32-15:42]:
  • Lukas and Kristina discuss the broader Eastern European context, where mental health is often stigmatized or misunderstood.
  • Lukas notes the lack of general awareness about OCD, even among adults, citing stories of people misattributing OCD behaviors:

    "Even adults have no idea that intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and OCD is a problem..." — Lukas [11:15]

• Role of "Intrusive OCD Memes":
  • What began as a private outlet became a public resource, helping others understand and relate to OCD through humor and honesty.
  • Quote [14:23]:

    "I created this as for a self therapy or self support. But then I realized that I can help others... I want to change this, not only in Poland, but in general." — Lukas

5. Progress & Advocacy in Poland

• Advocacy and Small Steps [15:59-17:19]:
  • As an IOCDF advocate, Lukas now gives webinars and spreads awareness at his workplace and beyond.
  • He expresses hope for slow but positive change, sharing how every effort, such as educating coworkers, ripples out to families and communities.

6. Recovery Is Not Linear—Therapy, Patience, & Self-Compassion

• Challenging Misconceptions [17:51-23:05]:
  • Both speakers reject the idea that therapy has a "quick fix" or end-date, explaining that recovery is ongoing and setbacks are normal.
  • Lukas addresses the pressure of cultural expectations:

    "I heard sometimes that after two years of therapy I should know everything... But... maybe therapy could be two years long, but also 10 years long or even longer." — Lukas [18:10]

  • Kristina compares learning OCD skills to learning a craft:

    "It's not the same as making that apple pie many times... over time, you learn and you learn." — Kristina [21:07]

• Self-Compassion [23:05]:
  • Lukas emphasizes the need for patience and kindness to oneself, describing self-compassion as vital for handling setbacks.

    "Self-compassion plays a really important role ... we are making progress, but also we can make a failure or steps backward because this is life." — Lukas

7. The Importance of Community and Support

• Community as Lifeline [26:22-27:23]:
  • Lukas describes his experience at the Chicago IOCDF conference as a turning point, underscoring the importance of not being alone:

    "You are not alone. We know how the community is important ... and this showed me that I am not alone. I can be myself." — Lukas [26:22]

  • He encourages listeners struggling in isolation to seek community, whether online or in person.

8. How to Connect with Lukas

• Instagram: [27:39]
  • Primary platform: @intrusiveocdmemes
• YouTube:
  • For educational videos, search "Intrusive OCD Memes" on YouTube.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Realizing Childhood OCD Symptoms:

  "...I was really scared of being contaminated when I was walking with my parents... I was mentally checking if I could touch this..." — Lukas [08:48]

• On Stigma in Poland:

  "There is a lot to do in Poland because I met so many people after I created intrusive OCD memes. And even adults have no idea that intrusive thoughts, compulsions, and OCD is a problem..." — Lukas [11:12]

• On the Recovery Journey:

  "We know that even when we have a really, really good month or two months or even year and something happened, we can make step backward and we can need to go to therapy again." — Lukas [20:18]

• On the Power of Community:

  "I want that everyone who is struggling alone to know that you are not alone. We are here to help... just to be there." — Lukas [26:39]

Important Timestamps

• [01:26] Lukas’s introduction and first symptoms of OCD
• [03:00] Impact of pandemic on OCD and escalation of symptoms
• [07:25] Turning point: seeking professional help
• [08:48] Reflecting on childhood OCD signs
• [11:12] Cultural stigma and lack of awareness in Poland
• [14:23] Motivation for creating “Intrusive OCD Memes”
• [15:59] Hopeful signs of progress and advocacy in Poland
• [18:10] Therapy duration—confronting cultural misconceptions
• [23:05] The importance of self-compassion and patience
• [26:22] Message of community and hope to listeners
• [27:39] How to connect with Lukas online

Final Message

Lukas’s journey from struggling alone to building a global OCD support community highlights the profound impact that honesty, creativity, and outreach can have on personal recovery—and the world. If you're struggling with OCD or feel misunderstood, know that education, support, and connection are possible and that you are not alone. Find Lukas at Intrusive OCD Memes or on YouTube.