Bonus Episode: Do I Have OCD? The Signs Most People Miss
Summary: In this episode, I break down six commonly missed signs of OCD and explain why so many people go undiagnosed or receive the wrong treatment. While many people think OCD is only about visible behaviors like checking, cleaning, or being organized, the reality is that OCD often shows up in much more hidden ways. I explain how obsessions can be thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges, or images, and how many compulsions happen entirely in a person’s mind.
We explore some of the most overlooked signs of OCD, including mental compulsions like rumination, mental checking, and compulsive prayer; self-criticism and assigning meaning to intrusive thoughts; avoidance behaviors that quietly shape daily life; reassurance seeking in both obvious and subtle ways; and self-punishment driven by guilt and shame. I also explain how OCD tends to attack the things we value most, whether that’s our relationships, our faith, our work, our health, or our sense of self.
Most importantly, I want listeners to know that if they recognize themselves in these symptoms, they are not broken and they are not alone. Getting the right name and understanding for what you’ve been experiencing can be the beginning of recovery. When we understand how OCD truly works, we can begin seeking the right support and start moving toward healing.
