Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This episode is the first part of Andy and Julie's question and answer show. In this episode they answer the first five questions that have been submitted by listeners. They talk about how you can know if what you are experiencing is OCD or not, and how you can know if you are morally ok despite the fact that you may experience intrusive thoughts. They answer a question about parenting and how a parent can help their child without being overbearing or controlling. They also talk about getting a dog and how this has affected Julie's OCD by either making it worse or making it better. The last question they deal with is that of how OCD affects their physical relationship. This is an issue that has not been talked about in the past because it is obviously one of a sensitive nature but they talk about it here in the hope that someone will be helped knowing they are not alone in this aspect of their OCD struggles either. So buckle up for the Sex episode, it's the one that's been along time in the making.

This is part 2 of Bernie's interview with Julie and Andy. They talk about a number of issues this week including things that both Bernie and Julie have used as coping mechanisms for their OCD. Bernie shares about his friends and family, if having OCD has stigmatized him in anyway and if as result of this show he will share more about his struggles with those close to him. Bernie also shares the story of how having a serious surgery caused him to temporarily forget about his OCD. He talks about his tendency towards ROCD and how this has affected past relationships and those he may enter into in the future. They close the conversation by talking about how the show has helped Bernie and what other avenues he thinks Julie and Andy could explore in the future. This episode is yet another insightful view into the life of fellow OCD sufferer and includes a candid discussion on both the good and the bad things things that go along with that.

In this part one of a two part episode Julie and Andy welcome their first male guest, Bernie to the show. He shares his story of living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. They talk about Bernie's recent experience with therapy after being told by a friend that they suspected he had OCD. This leads to a discussion of the different types of medication Bernie has been on over the past few years. They then talk about the physical and emotional side effects that such psychiatric medicine inevitably leads to and the struggles that come along with that. Bernie also shares about his childhood and how the history of mental illness in his family made growing up difficult. He talks specifically about the form his obsession and compulsions take and about how the intensity of these compulsions increase during stressful times in his life. This is a frank and open discussion of some of the yet untouched issues of OCD in regards to this show. Bernie has many insightful things to share from his daily struggles with OCD.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their discussion with Holly Maddy (hollymaddy.com), a therapist who specializes in treating OCD. Their conversation centers around how to find a therapist and how to determine if a particular therapist is right for you. Julie and Holly discuss the patient-therapist trust axis and why it is so important. They also discuss resources available to help people find a therapist in their area. They talk about why it is so difficult for some people to seek help and also what the benefits of therapy can be. The conversation wraps up with a discussion of how medication can aid in the recovery process and what the most misunderstood thing is about therapy and therapists in general. Holly gives some books suggestions and in closing offers her advice for listeners and for the podcast's future. This is the conclusion of a fascination conversation and view of OCD from the therapy side.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome their third guest, Holly to the show. Holly is a therapist specializing in OCD and her insights and knowledge provide a different and insightful view of the disorder. In this first of a two part episode Julie and Holly talk about her background as a therapist and how she came to specialize in treating OCD. She talks about her practice and what types of therapy she uses as well as who the OCD sufferer is and what treatment involves as far as diagnosis, length, homework, and success. They continue their discussion to include how the family can contribute to treatment and how partners can help the sufferer. The podcast ends with a discussion of Holly's nature vs. nurture view on OCD and her advice to listeners who are thinking about starting therapy. This podcast is a must listen for people wanting to gain a professional's insight on OCD!

In this episode Andy and Julie continue their discussion of Relationship OCD in the second of a two part show. They focus on the partner of the sufferer in this conversation and talk about how ROCD affects them specifically. They also discuss whether there is something that makes ROCD worse or triggers an episode and how you may be able to recognize the signs. Other points of discussion include if a person regrets what happens after they have confronted a partner and why after numerous confrontations a partner would choose to stay with someone with ROCD. They continue the episode by talking about what a person can do to help the sufferer and what steps could possibly be taken if it comes to the point of getting a partner help for their struggles. Julie shares how ROCD has affected her life and also her life with Andy since they met and started dating. She finishes by giving her thoughts out the overall outlook for someone struggling with ROCD. Personal stories and new insights makes this another interesting episode.

In this episode Julie and Andy discuss the little known subject of a facet of OCD called Relationship Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (ROCD). What this subject boils down to is the obsession over the justification to stay in a relationship. They talk about how ROCD relates to OCD, how a person can know if they have ROCD, and also some common symptoms. They also discuss how ROCD affects the current relationship the sufferer is in and how it affects their past relationships also. Julie is able to look back on her past and see many incidents that she never realized were ROCD until this episode. Andy is also able to give Julie some insight into how ROCD affected their dating relationship and makes some realizations of his own about Julie along the way. ROCD seems to be a common trait of people with OCD but does not get talked about a lot as there is not much information out there about it. This episode tries to shed light on yet another aspect of the life of someone with OCD.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their conversation from last week with their guest Traci. They discuss Traci's theory on the origin of her OCD and whether or not it is due to brain chemistry, her environment and upbringing, or a combination of the two. Traci opens up about her relationship with her husband and what it is like for him dealing with her OCD on a daily basis. She talks about her children and how they are affected by her panic episodes and subsequent profuse apologies. Finally, they wrap up their conversation by talking about what kind of future Traci sees for herself in relation to her OCD. Traci gives some good advice to listeners and shares her story of how she found the podcast and what benefit she has gained from it. This is the ending of a story of a very brave soul who has prevailed despite her circumstances and continues to fight the good fight against her OCD.

In this episode Andy and Julie welcome their second guest to the show, Traci. They talk about Traci's history of OCD and the issues and events that shaped her life as a child. She shares a very pivotal event in her life that forced her into therapy for the first time even though not for the correct diagnosis. Traci discusses her home life and how that affected her OCD. She shares her journey through therapists and through misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis until she finally realized that what she had been struggling with her whole life was OCD. They discuss her current positive therapy experience and also the various medications she has been on over the years that have or have not helped. Julie and Traci's OCD are very similar and what follows is a lively discussion of two different people brought together by the common thread of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their interview with Shannon about her life with OCD. They pick up where they left off in the first show talking about Shannon's history of therapy and how she has found a lot of help through various professionals. Shannon talks specifically about her obsessions of harming others and Julie is able to share her struggles with the same obsessions. They talk about books that have helped them over the years and also discuss whether Shannon's OCD is a result of nature, nurture or a combination. Shannon tells what her relationship is like with her husband, her kids and also where she sees her life 5-10 years from now in relation to her OCD. Julie ends the show with getting feedback from Shannon about the podcast. Shannon's story is one of struggle but ultimately one of success and is an inspiration to us all.

In this episode Julie and Andy welcome their first guest to the the show. Shannon shares her story of living with OCD and how it has affected her and her family. We get a history of Shannon's life starting from early childhood all the way up to her current life as a wife and mother of two children. Shannon talks about her obsessions and compulsions and how her OCD is mainly "Pure O." She chronicles her history of different medications and of different therapists and types of therapy. What follows is a frank discussion of some of the more difficult aspects to talk about when it comes to OCD. Shannon's openness and bravery to share her story not only impact Julie and Andy directly but hopefully many more people who listen to the show. This is part one of a two part interview with Shannon.

In this episode Andy and Julie talk about a new development in their lives. Julie talks about how this new development has impacted her OCD and what she has and has not been able to control in regards to her obsessions and compulsions. They also discuss the future of the show and where they would like to see it go from this point on. They discuss opening up the show to listeners so other people can share their stories and talk about what course their individual OCD has taken. They encourage listeners to email new topics of discussion and also welcome anyone who would like to be a guest on the show. This brief episode is an overview of the future and what they feel it holds for their podcast.

In this episode Julie and Andy continue their discussion on Self-mutilation and specifically cutting. Julie talks more about her cycles of attachment throughout her life and the people that she bonded with in one way or another. The characteristics of the cutter is explored and talked about in relation to how Julie exhibits these characteristics in one way or another. The end the show on the topic of nature vs. nurture and whether cutting emerges as a result of a person's predisposition to mental illness or whether it results solely from a person's environment and upbringing. Cutters feel alone. People with OCD feel alone and ultimately this show's goal is to make each of us realize that we don't have to be alone.

In this episode Andy and Julie address the topic of Self-Mutilation or cutting. We learn about Julie's struggle with his during her teenagers years and early adulthood. It is an emotional episode but a topic that needs to be discussed nonetheless. Just like OCD, cutting can become a lonely and isolating disorder and the goal again is to make people feel that they are not alone, that someone understands their struggles. Julie talks about her personal history with cutting and also about the characteristics of self-mutilation in general. They also postulate as to whether cutting is related in anyway to OCD and if perhaps one can "spring" from another and become just another way of coping with the obsessions going on inside a sufferer's head. Julie addresses why people injure themselves, what their motives are behind such a behavior and whether or not that person is trying to take their own life. The discussion is open and honest but at times graphic as well, something necessary to convey the desperate nature of this issue.

This episode is the second part of our discussion on how Andy is affected by Julie's OCD. Julie continues to ask Andy questions and pick his brain on what it's like to be a "co-sufferer" living with someone with OCD. The episode covers the area of what day to day life is like for Andy and how he handles Julie's compulsions and what worries him most about her OCD. Andy offers advice for listeners that may live or know someone with these same struggles and shares tips that he has learned over the years of living with Julie. They also discuss Andy's opinions on medication and therapy and whether there are other avenues he thinks Julie should pursue in order to help alleviate her OCD. The partner of someone with OCD is a vital person in the life of the sufferer and so that is why these two shows have been devoted to delving inside Andy's mind. What follows is sure to be intriguing not only for listeners but also for Julie and she finds out things she never knew before.