4: OCD pt. 2: OCD, ADHD & the Dishwasher Olympics: When Efficiency Becomes a Sport

SUMMARY

In this candid and often humorous episode, Patricia (she/her) and Alex (they/them) share their deeply personal neurodivergent experiences with OCD, weaving in childhood rituals, intrusive harm thoughts, contamination fears, and the tangled coexistence of Autism, ADHD, and trauma. They explore how OCD shows up in everyday life — from dishwashers to hyper-specific food hygiene rules — while unpacking the overlap between Autistic routines and OCD compulsions, the stigma around taboo intrusive thoughts like pedophilia OCD, and the toll of decision fatigue. Along the way, they discuss diagnosis challenges, the role of cultural conditioning in reinforcing OCD patterns, and evidence-based treatments like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based CBT (ICBT), offering validation, understanding, and a dash of humor for anyone navigating the messy, nuanced reality of an OCD brain.

SOME KEY THINGS DISCUSSED

OCD prevalence stats in adults and children in the U.S. (a.k.a. Turtle Island)
Childhood rituals with stuffed animals and early harm-related intrusive thoughts
Overlap and confusion between Autistic routines, ADHD efficiency needs, and OCD compulsions
Harm OCD imagery while driving and in daily life
Contamination fears and hygiene rules (including mayo placement politics)
Decision fatigue and how structure/routines can reduce it for Autistic & ADHD brains
Somatic obsessions after allergic reactions and medication side effects
Taboo intrusive thoughts, including pedophilia OCD, and the distress they cause
Misdiagnosis challenges, including being told OCD symptoms were PTSD or OCPD
The role of attachment injuries in triggering OCD spirals
Food preoccupation as an OCD manifestation, especially with an eating disorder history
Normalizing catastrophic thinking in neurodivergent lived experience
Cultural and gendered reinforcement of reassurance-seeking behaviors
Evidence-based OCD treatments: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and ICBT
Importance of OCD specialists and screening tools like the OCI-R

SOUNDBITES

"OCD is showing us how much you value this thing."

"It's important to work with an OCD specialist."

"We don't have to show up shiny, perky, happy all the time."

"OCD attacks what we value — it goes straight for the things that matter most to us."

"I've just gotten accustomed to having terrible graphic thoughts about what could happen and going, isn't that interesting?" "My mayo has its designated spot far in the back of the fridge — and yes, I need my own."

CHAPTERS (Please adjust for the addition of the intro)

00:00 Navigating Low Energy and Self-Compassion

01:56 Understanding OCD: Facts and Statistics

03:33 Personal Journeys with OCD: Alex's Story

11:27 Diagnosis and Misunderstandings of OCD

14:24 Patricia's Experience with OCD and Autism

19:23 Coping Mechanisms and the Impact of OCD

20:50 Understanding Intrusive Thoughts and OCD

27:43 Cultural Influences on OCD and Mental Health

31:22 Therapeutic Approaches to Managing OCD

37:32 Exploring Different Therapies for OCD

40:33 Final Thoughts and Resources for OCD Support

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS:

Alex McLaughlin (they/them) has a Master's in Social Work, and is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) on Wahpekute land (colonized as MN). Alex is an AuDHDer, PDAer, Queer, non-binary, fat, chronically ill, disabled, & a multi-racial (1/8th Chinese & white passing) human with lived experience of OCD. As a late diagnosed adult, Alex has felt different and embraced their quirky, eccentric nature—what they now recognize as undiagnosed AuDHD. This lifelong experience of masking and curiosity about people inspired their passion for understanding and serving others, ultimately shaping their path today.

Alex provides neurodivergent and Queer-affirming therapy and Autism and ADHD assessments on Wahpekute land (colonized as Minnesota). Their work is grounded in intersectional feminism, ecological systems theory, and a commitment to decolonizing mental health care. They support clients in exploring how interconnected systems shape their experiences, while fostering resilience, empowerment, and self-understanding—especially for Neurodivergent, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC/POGM, and disabled communities. Trained in ERP, I-CBT (including ND-affirming I-CBT), sand tray therapy, TF-CBT, and somatic approaches, Alex also brings lived experience and is pursuing IFS to deepen their parts-informed practice.

Coaching, consulting and training coming soon! Head here to be notified when this practice opens!

Head to Alex's website here to connect further: Here

Patricia Young (she/her) has a Master's Degree in Social Work, and was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 17 years, but she is now exclusively providing coaching. She knows what it's like to feel like an outcast, misfit, and truthteller. Learning about the trait of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), then learning she is AuDHD with a PDA profile, OCD and RSD, helped Patricia rewrite her history with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and a sense of self-compassion. She created the podcast Unapologetically Sensitive and Unapologetically AuDHD to help other neurodivergent folks know that they aren't alone, and that having a brain that is wired differently comes with amazing gifts, and some challenges. Patricia works online globally working individually with people, and she teaches Online Courses for neurodivergent folks that focus on understanding what it means to be a sensitive neurodivergent. Topics covered include: self-care, self-compassion, boundaries, perfectionism, mindfulness, communication, and creating a lifestyle that honors you

Patricia's website, podcast episodes and more here!

References

Research shows that the average person goes 14 to 17 years before receiving an OCD diagnosis. And that delay in diagnosis is the biggest barrier to finding the relief you deserve. Studies show that only about 200,000 people with OCD actually seek effective therapy (McGrath, 2024).
OCD affects about 1-3% of the global population,(Brock, Rizvi & Hany, 2024) per one study.
Another source estimates about 1 in 100 adults, or between 2-3 million adults in the U.S.A; and 1 in 200 kids and teens, or around 500,000 in the U.S.A.. (as reported by the IOCDF, 2024)
OCD can be incredibly debilitating, in fact, according to digging that the OCD-UK did, "OCD was once ranked by the World Health Organization in the top 10 of the most disabling illnesses by lost income and decreased quality of life" (OCD-UK, 2018)

Additional LINKS

Email us with questions related to the podcast
Obsessional Compulsive Inventory - Revised (OCI-R)
4 question OCD screener
Evidence based approaches include:

Exposure and response prevention