May 2023

You Are Not Your Thoughts (Why This Matters in OCD Recovery)

‘You are not your thoughts’ is a term regularly used in OCD recovery. But for OCD sufferers who are tormented by intrusive thoughts that challenge their morality and identity (and feel so real!), it can be difficult to wrap their heads around this notion.

The common misconception here is that we ARE our thoughts.

Within the context of OCD, this belief is crippling and painful.

Sufferers are constantly invaded with disturbing, shocking, violent, and sometimes aggressive intrusive thoughts across a variety of content. Thoughts that make them wonder, “Who am I if I could think such a thing?”

(more…)

338 Staying Busy VS. Compulsive Busy-ness (and How to tell the difference)

Is Being Overly “Busy” A Compulsion? | Ep. 338


Welcome back, everybody. Today, we are going to have a discussion, and yes, I understand that I am here recording on my own in my room by myself, so it’s not really a discussion. But I wanted to give you an inside look into a discussion I had, and include you hopefully, on Instagram about a post I made about being busy. 

(more…)

Suicidal Intrusive Thoughts: I’m afraid I’m going to take my own life

Suicidal intrusive thoughts can be incredibly distressing for the person experiencing them. They are unwanted, repetitive thoughts (or images) around the fear of taking your own life. These occur in a person’s mind despite not wanting or intending to have them which is why they feel so alarming. 

They are a type of intrusive thought, which are often alarming and highly disturbing thoughts or images that involuntarily pop up in a person’s mind seemingly out of nowhere.

(more…)

337 How to be happy (when you have anxiety)

How to be Happy (When You Have Anxiety) | Ep.337


Hello and welcome back, everybody. We have an amazing guest today. This is actually somebody I have followed, sort of half known for a long time through a very, very close friend, Shala Nicely, who’s been on the show quite a few times, and she connected me with Dr. Ashley Smith. Today, we are talking about happiness and what makes a “good life” regardless of anxiety or of challenges you may be going through. 

(more…)

Intrusive Thoughts in OCD: Everything You Need To Know

Within OCD, intrusive thoughts fall under the category of obsessions. Those who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, are plagued by unrelenting and highly distressing intrusive thoughts that play on their fears.

These unwanted thoughts are experienced by everyone, including non-OCD sufferers.

But when these invasive and repetitive thoughts take over and begin to limit our ability to enjoy and experience day-to-day life to the fullest, this is when they become a problem.

(more…)

336 How to Handle 1010 Anxiety

How to handle 10/10 Anxiety | Ep. 336


Hello and welcome back, everybody. I’m so happy to be here with you. This is not the normal format in which we do Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast, but I wanted to really address a question that came up in ERP School about how to manage 10 out of 10 anxiety. 

(more…)

What is Retroactive Jealousy OCD? An In-depth Guide

Those with retroactive jealousy OCD suffer from an immense fixation on their partner’s previous relationships that cause a painful level of jealousy, anxiety, and insecurity.

Retroactive jealousy within a relationship is actually fairly common.

We have all had momentary emotional blips where we find ourselves strangely curious about our partner’s past relationship. However, it’s when this curiosity grows into a relentless sense of jealousy, anxiety, and fixation that it can become destructive and negatively impact our relationships.

(more…)

335 PMS and Anxiety

PMS + Anxiety + PMDD | Ep 335


Welcome back, everyone. I am so happy to do the final episode of our Sexual Health and Anxiety Series. It has been so rewarding. Not only has it been so rewarding, I actually have learned more in these last five weeks than I have learned in a long time. I have found that this series has opened me up to really understanding the depth of the struggles that happen for people with anxiety and how it does impact our sexual health, our reproductive health, our overall well-being. I just have so much gratitude for everyone who came on as guests and for you guys, how amazing you’ve been at giving me feedback on what was helpful, how it was helpful, what you learn, and so forth. 

(more…)