How Mental Compulsions Helped Me Hide OCD for Decades
For years, Shala Nicely looked like she had it all together, but in reality? Her mind was consumed with obsessive thoughts and nonstop mental rituals. Because her compulsions weren’t visible, no one — not even Shala herself — realized she was suffering from OCD.In this interview, Shala shares how mental compulsions made it easy to hide her struggles but impossible to feel peace. She opens up about the toll of living in secret, how long it took to get a diagnosis, and what finally helped her step out of the cycle and into recovery.If you’re stuck in mental loops no one else can see, you’re not alone. NOCD therapists specialize in treating mental compulsions with ERP, the most effective therapy for OCD. Book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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48:22
Manifestation, Positive Thinking, Law of Attraction — Why They Don’t Help OCD
Manifesting. Cleanses. The Law of Attraction. Jaclyn Steinmann tried it all, believing that if she could just control her thoughts — keep them positive and “high vibration” — she could finally quiet the chaos in her mind. But the more she chased perfect thinking, the worse her OCD got.In this interview, Jaclyn shares how popular self-help and spiritual practices didn’t just fail to help — they fed her OCD. Real change didn’t begin until she let go of those ideas and started evidence-based treatment like ERP. This is her journey, and what she’s learned through trial, error, and research.If you feel you’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked, you’re not alone. Like Jaclyn, many people with OCD don’t see real progress until they start evidence-based treatment. At NOCD, our therapists specialize in Exposure and Response Prevention, the gold standard for OCD care. To learn more, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YTResources Jaclyn mentioned on the episode:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S187620182400248Xhttps://michaelshermer.com/sciam-columns/quantum-quackery/https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Positivity-Keeping-World-Obsessed-ebook/dp/B094VCFSZW?dplnkId=13f82e2f-da33-4ef5-9199-bdc566458a38&nodl=1https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09505431.2013.768222?scroll=top&needAccess=true Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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47:48
Why Nothing Ever Feels "Just Right" with OCD
Ever find yourself re-checking, redoing, or repeating things until they feel just right — but they never actually do? You're not alone. In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath breaks down the “just right” subtype of OCD: why it’s so exhausting, how it traps you in endless loops, and what it takes to break free.If you’re stuck in the cycle of doing things over and over until they feel “just right,” you’re not alone — and you don’t have to stay trapped there. Our NOCD therapists specialize in treating OCD with ERP, the most effective therapy for breaking these exhausting loops. To get started, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YT.Follow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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10:01
I Used to Hide My Anxiety — Now I Help Millions Heal
Paige Pradko looked like she had it all together — working a corporate gig in Chicago, high-achieving, and smiling through the stress. However, she was secretly battling relentless anxiety. It all came crashing down during a panic attack that sent her to the ER — the moment everything unraveled, and finally, started to make sense.In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Paige shares how that crisis led to a diagnosis, a career change, and a mission to help others feel seen and supported. Now a therapist and YouTube creator reaching millions, she opens up about her journey, what real recovery looks like, and why no one should have to suffer in silence.0:00 Intro2:16 Meet Paige6:22 Why Paige began creating content online despite personal hesitation11:01 Hearing from her audience keeps Paige motivated14:08 Somatic awareness OCD explained16:10 Health anxiety OCD explained20:02 Why Paige’s videos resonate22:11 Motivating others to face their fears when seeking treatment23:53 The current state of mental healthcare30:41 Paige’s big message about mental health33:42 A responsibility to evidence-based information37:11 Paige’s mom is an artist37:53 Feel alone? Listen to Paige’s advice41:21 OutroIf you’ve been silently struggling with anxiety or OCD, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. Our NOCD therapists are specially trained in ERP, the most effective treatment for OCD. To book a free 15-minute call, visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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44:12
OCD, Arousal, and the Mind-Body Disconnect
For years, Tracie Ibrahim treated OCD professionally — but even she was stunned by how often groinal response came up in sessions. Not just with one theme, but across the board: harm OCD, sexual orientation OCD, taboo thoughts. And every time, it came with the same crushing question from clients — “Does this mean I want it?”In this episode, Tracie unpacks the mind-body disconnect at the heart of these fears. She shares the science behind arousal non-concordance, why physical reactions don’t equal desire, and how OCD twists basic human sensations into something terrifying. It’s a topic most people avoid — but one that desperately needs to be understood.If you're struggling with OCD, our NOCD therapists might be able to help. They are specially trained in ERP therapy — the most effective treatment against OCD. To learn about treatment options, book a free 15-minute call at https://learn.nocd.com/YTFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tune in each week for a deep dive into all things OCD with host Dr. Patrick McGrath, NOCD's Chief Clinical Officer. We’ll be sharing inspiring real-life stories of people who’ve faced OCD and came out the other side, as well as practical tips for understanding and tackling OCD. We hope you enjoy the podcast and it helps you get to know OCD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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