Living With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This episode Julie and Andy welcome Aubrey to the show. Aubrey is a 28 year old living in Texas who remembers struggling with OCD as far back as she can remember. She talks about how severe her OCD is and when she first noticed it in herself through a therapist telling her she had it. Julie and Aubrey discuss some of their similar obsession and compulsions while Aubrey also shares some obsessions unique to her such as a fear of committing suicide and a fear of water and the need to be completely dry. On the compulsion side Aubrey discusses cuticle picking, hair pulling, scab picking and checking locks. This is part one of a two part interview with a brave woman who has tried several different medications along with several different therapists and has made huge strides done the road to recovery from OCD. You will here about her desire for a family, about what she believes is the cause of her OCD as well as where she sees herself in the future. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

After a long hiatus Julie and Andy return to the podcast and catch their viewers up on everything that has been going on in their lives for the past couple months. They talk about how having a kid has completely changed their lives and how it’s tough adjusting to a tiny little person calling the shots instead of them! Julie discusses how her OCD has been doing during this time and her thoughts on OCD and motherhood. The end the episode by discussing the future of the show and announce the upcoming topics that will be talked about as well as some very important interviews they have lined up. This welcome back episode is one that Julie and Andy are very happy to record.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their conversation with Charlotte about OCD and Religion. They talk about the difference between "real" prayers and OCD prayers, how they often feel like an "evil person, " and how both of them are at times preoccupied with divine retribution. Andy reads comments and emails from listeners about the topic and the resulting discussion begs the question of whether being religious makes OCD worse or better and whether an atheist suffering from OCD struggles with these same obsessions. This episode is a frank conversation about how OCD can affect and cling to areas in our lives that are most precious to us no matter how much we wish they wouldn't.

In this episode Andy and Julie welcome Charlotte back to the show to talk about OCD and Religion. Religion is an important or the primary factor in many people's lives and, not surprisingly, the same is true, with a twist, for many who suffer from OCD. For some, unfortunately, their religion is an integral part of their obsessions (e.g., scrupulosity) and compulsions. For others, fortunately, their faith provides a means of dealing with and/or overcoming their OCD and its attendant problems. Charlotte and Julie discuss how religion plays into their OCD struggles and how at times they feel blasphemous and as if the obsessions and compulsions take the joy out of their faith. This is an open and honest discussion between two morally sensitive people that is sure to shed light on another interesting aspect of OCD.

In this episode Andy & Julie talk about the future of the podcast and possible show topics to be discussed. They ask listeners to give feedback on which topics interest them & what they would like to hear more of. Julie shares possible podcast topics including OCD and religion, Exercise & OCD, hoarding, Tourettes Syndrome, Trichotillamania, Compulsive Skin Picking & postpartum OCD. This episode tries to get listeners involved in the future of the show by covering the topics that are relevant & interesting to all.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their interview with Tristan in Peru. They talk about when his OCD is at its worst and when it is at its best. He shares about his friends and family and whether or not they know about his struggles and whether that will change after doing this interview. They discuss similarities they have in their OCD and how OCD has stigmatized them. In conclusion Tristan talks about how he found the show and how it has helped him, particularly with aspects of ROCD that he deals with. This episode is a glimpse inside the mind of an honest and forthcoming man and is sure to be an interesting listen for all those fellow souls struggling with the same issues.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome Tristan to the show to talk about his life with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Tristan is very open and honest about his struggles and says exactly what is on his mind which will certainly help listeners who may feel they are alone in some of their obsessions. They talk about how he first discovered he had OCD, his childhood and his adult life dealing with the disorder. He shares about his experience with therapy over the years and how this has helped him and set him on the path to recovery. Tristan also discusses how he is stationed in Peru for his current job and how the challenges of that make his OCD worse at times. This is the first of a two part interview and one that will lead you inside the mind of a eloquent man learning to live his day to day life with OCD.

In this episode Andy and Julie continue their conversation about having their baby and Julie's numerous hospital visits. They discuss what bringing home their daughter was like and how they handled the first few days together as a new family. Julie then starts to talk about how having a new baby has affected her OCD and specifically what things she has struggled with the most and what things weren't as hard for her as she originally thought they might be. She shares what being on her medication was like during pregnancy and why she recently had to increase her dosage. To close the show they talk about what concerns Julie has moving forward regarding her OCD and raising her daughter. This show is an open and honest conversation about the struggles that a new parent with OCD faces when having a child for the first time.

In this episode Andy and Julie return after the birth of their baby to share their story with their patient and faithful listeners. They talk about the past month and how they were in and out of the hospital twice before actually delivering for various complications and how this affected Julie's OCD and her mental state in general. They then talk about the actual hospital visit that resulted in the birth of their daughter. Julie discusses how the ordeal was for her both physically and mentally and how the hardest part was some of the medication that she had to be on for high blood pressure. Despite all the obstacles Andy and Julie made it through and have returned to the show they love to talk about how no matter where you are or what experience you go through, OCD still plays a part in every little detail when you are a sufferer.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome back Shannon to the show for a follow up interview. Shannon has been going through medication changes over the past few months and her story is one that a lot of people will be able to associate with. Julie and Shannon talk about the inevitable withdrawals that happen with medication change and about just how bad it got and how she coped with things. They talk about how long all these symptoms lasted, the OCD issues that popped up because of the decreased medication and the effect the difficult few months had on her family. They end their conversation by discussing how the new medication works in comparison to the old medication and what Shannon has learned through this whole experience. If anyone is on any sort of medication currently or has been in the past for their OCD you will enjoy this show that talks about the not always so great side of coming on and off different drugs.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue the second part of their interview with Lenore. They talk about her past self-harm issues as well as how her OCD comes through in her various writings over the years. She talks about the situations that make her OCD worse such as being in large crowds of strangers and around her family as well as the situations where her OCD is easier to deal with. She shares about spikes she's had when going through trauma in her life and also about how not many people know she has OCD and whether or not that will change after doing this interview. Lenore's story is one that a lot of people will be able to associate with and one that highlights the bravery and perseverance of a young woman living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome Lenore to the show for the first part of her two part interview. Lenore is a native of New York currently living in Scotland. she shares her story of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how her main struggles have been with intrusive thoughts of death and injury. She talks about her family history and how she believes the struggles of her parents and other family members had to have played a genetic role in her development of the disorder. Lenore shares her experience of recently starting therapy and medication and talks about how this has helped her tremendously get a handle on her symptoms. Her story is one of hope and encouragement for the future while trying to cope with the pressure of family, relationships and studies.

This episode is the second part of Julie and Andy's interview with Daniel. He talks about in what situations his OCD is at its best and at its worst. He shares about the impending departure of his two daughters and how he seems himself handling this big change and his plans for the future. He shares about his family and the support his mother has been to him while he has struggled with OCD over the years. More than anything this episode is one of hope for the future and personal perseverance despite the obstacles that Daniel is facing. His strength and character really come out in this episode and we are left with a glimpse into the world of a man whose life has been crippled by OCD yet not crushed. Daniel is the story of what many of us may be going through, the story of living with OCD despite the odds.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome Daniel to the show. Daniel shares his story of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and how ultimately it led to the breakdown of his marriage and family. Daniel's main struggles revolve around intrusive thoughts which is made infinity more difficult by the fact that he has two young daughters. This is the first part of a story that will certainly touch you as none has before. This show is here to give people a different perspective on OCD and let them know that not always does this disorder bring people together and cause them to bond, but that it can often separate people and tear families apart. Daniel's story is one of great importance. In this first part of a two part interview you will get to know Daniel as a loving and caring father whose OCD prevents him from living the kind of life he longs to live...a must not miss episode.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome back Jennifer and Cade to the show for a couples interview. Cade shares what it's like being in a relationship with someone with OCD and the struggles and challenges that it inevitably presents. They talk about Jennifer's tendencies towards ROCD as well as how Cade realizes when his fiance is heading towards a "spike" and how he combats that. Andy and Cade discuss how they can best support their partners and how they do things many things in that regard that probably go unnoticed. The episode ends with Jennifer and Cade talking about their future wedding plans and how the stress of planning such an event may affect their relationship. They give advice to listeners and co-sufferers about the things they believe are most important when being in a relationship with an OCD sufferer. This interview provides a unique look into the various aspects of the relationship side of OCD.

In this episode Andy and Julie welcome Jennifer and Cade to the show. Jennifer has OCD and Cade is her fiance. The conversation concentrates on Jennifer's story this week with Cade sitting in to add his thoughts and comments. Jennifer shares how her OCD is mainly of the Pure O type and how this has presented difficulties for her over the course of her life. She talks about being in education and how this added to the stress of her OCD. She describes what her therapy experience has been like and how CBT as well as different medications have aided in her recovery process. Julie and Jennifer discuss the impact of family on OCD and how being around loved ones can often exasperate their OCD symptoms. The first part of this interview is one of hope and perseverance despite the lifelong difficulties of suffering from OCD.

This episode is the third and final part of Nicky's interview. She talks about how each of Charlotte's siblings handle her OCD at this point as well as discusses how she felt when Charlotte decided to drop out of University. Julie and Nicky talk about Charlotte's progress since starting therapy and Nicky shares her outlook for her daughter in the coming months and years. They close the interview by giving some advice to other parents of children with OCD as well as co-sufferers. Nicky shares how OCD has impacted her life as a mother and how she has learned to coped with this disorder in her own way. This episode is the final installment in what has been an intriguing look inside the family makeup of an OCD sufferer.

In this episode Julie and Andy answer more listener questions from the past couple of months. They talk about the holidays and how many people with OCD seem to struggle at this time for various reasons. Julie answers a questions about Vitamin B being shown to help with OCD symptoms and also a question about how relabeling OCD as anxiety can help as far as therapy and recovery goes. They discuss the issue of focusing and learning and whether a person with OCD learns differently than a person without OCD. This leads into an interesting discussion of "brain pain" vs. "brain numbness" and the value Julie has come to place on this numbness apparently at the cost of certain goals and aspirations. They close out the show talking about social phobia, the most distressing part of OCD and Andy and Julie's favorite analogies for the disorder. Another thought provoking episode based on great listener questions.

This week Andy and Julie continue their conversation with Nicky, the mother of Charlotte who suffers from OCD. In this second part of her episode they talk about the progress Charlotte has made over the past month and how immensely this has helped the family dynamic. Nicky discusses how communication is so important and how essential it is to stand up to the OCD for your child and not let it win the daily battle. She gives advice on how to differentiate between what is your child and what is OCD as well as how much a parent should cater to their child's compulsions. The key phrase that permeates this episode is that sometimes "you have to be cruel to be kind" when it comes to being a co-sufferer. Nicky shares her feelings on how her daughter's OCD makes her feel helpless but how there is always light at the end of the tunnel if you just hold on long enough and find the support and help that you need.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome Nicky to their show. Nicky is the mother of Charlotte who was a guest a few weeks ago. Charlotte also participates in the interview with her mother and the result is an interesting perspective on OCD and the family dynamic. Julie and Nicky talk about Charlotte's childhood and what she was like growing up. They talk about her diagnosis and how that made Nicky feel as a mother. The sibling dynamic is also discussed as well as how Charlotte managed as a teenager and how she always sought perfection in school and was never satisfied no matter how well she did. There is a lot of laughter in this episode and the importance of open communication and the support of family and friends in the life of an OCD sufferer is emphasized. This is the first part of Nicky's interview and is one that is sure to be extremely helpful for any co-sufferer seeking to help and support someone in their life with OCD.