On this episode of Sanity, Dr. Jason Duncan and Dr. Jonathan Grayson dive into OCD, defining and differentiating it from other mental disorders and “normal” behavior. They discuss the core features of the disorder, which are obsessions and compulsions, and provide multiple examples of how obsessions and compulsions might look in a clinical setting. Dr. Grayson introduces the topic of uncertainty and how it is the core of the problem for those living with OCD due to its contribution to avoidance and behaviors interfering with quality of life. Interestingly, once individuals learn to live with uncertainty as part of OCD treatment, they are actually more tolerant of it than those in the general public. They review treatment for OCD, including exposure and response prevention, and Dr. Grayson identifies common pitfalls with diagnosing and treating OCD, such as the end goal not including tolerance of uncertainty. Numerous client examples are provided along with rationales for Dr. Grayson’s treatment approach for specific obsessions or compulsions.

Resources:

Grayson Center
http://laocdtreatment.com/

Book Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
https://www.amazon.com/FreedomObsess...

Book Is Fred in the Refrigerator
https://www.amazon.com/FredRefrigera...

Book Everyday Mindfulness for OCD by Jon Hershfield and Shala Nicely, with foreword by Alec Pollard
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06...

Other books by Jon Hershfield
https://www.amazon.com/JonHershfield...

Podcast The OCD Stories
https://theocdstories.com/

International OCD Foundation
https://iocdf.org/