Explore every episode of the podcast Free Me from OCD
Dive into the complete episode list for Free Me from OCD. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
Rows per page:
50
1–50 of 62
Title
Pub. Date
Duration
How to Break a Habit and Why It's So Hard to Do
28 Nov 2024
00:13:27
What are habits, and why are they so hard to break? In this episode, we break down what a habit is and how to overcome unwanted habits, even when it's challenging.
Listen to the podcast to learn more about how our brains work and discover how you can start reshaping your habits today!
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
OCD Therapist Tracie Ibrahim Tells Her OCD Story
17 Sep 2024
00:47:51
It's a delight to welcome back Tracie Ibrahim. Tracie is an OCD/ERP therapist and practitioner. She also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for NOCD.
In this episode, Tracie shares the story of spending over 8 years of her childhood in inpatient psych facilities, and NO ONE--not one treating practitioner--ever considered the diagnosis of OCD.
Don't miss this episode!
You can learn more about OCD and find an ERP practitioner here. https://www.treatmyocd.com
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Who is the True You?
04 Sep 2024
00:09:50
In this empowering episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner dives into the powerful question: Who is the true you? She explores how our identities are shaped by experiences, societal labels, and, in the case of people with OCD, often by misleading thoughts. Dr. Rackner draws on her personal experience as a mother of a son with OCD, as well as her background as a physician and life coach, to discuss how those with OCD—and their families—can reclaim their true identity.
Using engaging stories and reflections, Dr. Rackner highlights how false beliefs about ourselves can take root early in life, and how identifying the truth of who we are can help break these limiting perceptions. She shares a story about her son proving his math teacher wrong and a moving example of a woman with chemical sensitivities owning her truth. Dr. Rackner also discusses how people with OCD may be particularly vulnerable to forming false identities due to their neurodivergent experiences.
Key Takeaways:
False Identities: Our sense of self is often shaped by others' perceptions and false assumptions, especially for those with neurodivergent brains. These false narratives can be challenged and replaced with empowering truths.
Truth of Who You Are: Identifying the truth of who you are is key. It's important to ask whether beliefs about yourself are rooted in fact or misconceptions.
Safety and OCD Management: The feeling of safety plays a crucial role in managing OCD. Creating environments and practices that foster safety can help empower individuals to regain control over their thoughts and behaviors.
Practical Steps: Dr. Rackner encourages listeners to reflect on the lies they've accepted about themselves, replace them with truth, and explore the environments where they thrive.
Actionable Tips:
Challenge False Beliefs: Take time to reflect on any limiting beliefs you have about yourself. Are they true?
Find Your Environment: Identify the conditions where you thrive and take steps to spend more time in those environments.
Prioritize Safety: Focus on creating safety in your daily life. Whether it's emotional or physical, the more secure you feel, the better equipped you are to manage OCD.
Inspiration for Families: If you or someone you love is struggling with OCD, know you are not alone. This episode offers hope and practical insights into managing this challenging condition while celebrating your true self.
Final Thoughts: Dr. Rackner leaves listeners with a call to action: Be the true you. Reclaim your identity, challenge false narratives, and spread the message of hope for families navigating OCD. Resources:
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
The Secret Power of OCD
28 Aug 2024
00:08:46
In this uplifting episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner flips the script on OCD by exploring how the same qualities that make OCD challenging can also serve as powerful gifts. From persistence and empathy to creativity and attention to detail, people with OCD possess remarkable strengths that can be harnessed and celebrated. Drawing from personal stories, including the inspiring tale of Gus Wahl, Dr. Rackner explains how reframing OCD from a liability into a potential superpower can lead to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the unique strengths of the condition.
Key Takeaways: - Persistence and Dedication: People with OCD are often incredibly determined, even in the face of discomfort. This persistence can lead to breakthroughs in many areas of life, from professional to personal.
- Empathy and Insight: Individuals with OCD are highly empathetic and can read subtle emotional cues, which makes them skilled at understanding others in ways that can be valuable in relationships and various professions.
- Problem-Solving Abilities: OCD wiring equips people with the ability to anticipate and address potential problems, making them invaluable in roles where foresight and prevention are key, such as in aviation, emergency preparedness, or security.
- Attention to Detail: The keen observational skills of people with OCD allow them to notice details others might overlook, which can be an asset in fields such as medicine, design, or quality control.
- Creativity and Completion: OCD often fuels imaginative thinking and the ability to follow through on tasks, making individuals with OCD excellent partners in creative collaborations and project management.
Actionable Tips:
1. Reframe Your Thinking: Recognize and celebrate the unique strengths that come with OCD, from empathy to problem-solving skills. These traits can serve you in countless ways.
2. Find the Right Environment: Like choosing the right car for your journey, the key to managing OCD lies in understanding your brain and finding the environments where it can thrive.
3. Manage with ERP: Actively managing OCD with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can help keep obsessions and compulsions in check, allowing your unique gifts to shine.
Final Thoughts: Managing OCD is a journey, but it’s important to recognize that alongside the challenges lie incredible strengths. Whether you’re living with OCD or supporting someone who is, take time to celebrate the gifts that come with this neurodivergent wiring. Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope for a better tomorrow.
Resources Mentioned: - https://www.treatmyocd.com/ - Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters (Book on visionary-implementer partnerships)
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Thoughts about Thoughts 2 of 2
20 Aug 2024
00:18:53
In this episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner explores the power of thoughts and how they shape our lives. Building on the previous episode about the origins of thoughts, today’s focus is on the importance of intentionally choosing your thoughts and thinking on purpose. Through relatable stories and practical exercises, Dr. Rackner explains how thoughts create feelings, actions, and ultimately, the results in our lives. She offers actionable steps for shifting from reactive thinking to strategic thinking—helping you take control of your mental landscape and create the life you want.
Key Takeaways:
- You Are Not Your Thoughts: It’s important to understand that thoughts are separate from who you are. You are the thinker of your thoughts, and just because a thought arises doesn’t make it true or define you as a person.
- Curiosity Over Judgment: Rather than judging yourself for having certain thoughts, adopt a curious mindset. Ask yourself why certain thoughts pop up and how they might be influencing your actions and feelings.
- Choose Which Thoughts to Keep: Like fishing, you can decide which thoughts are worth keeping and which ones to throw back. Not every thought needs to stay.
- Thoughts Create Your Results: Our thoughts influence our feelings, which in turn affect our actions and inactions. Those actions then shape the results we experience in life. Learning to swap out unhelpful thoughts for more empowering ones can help change your life trajectory.
- Working Backwards: If you want a different result in your life, reverse engineer it by thinking about the actions, feelings, and thoughts that would lead to that result. Practice replacing limiting thoughts with ones that support your goals.
Actionable Steps:
1. Daily Thought Download: Write down the thoughts running through your mind each day without judgment. This will help you recognize which thoughts are shaping your actions.
2. Differentiate Thoughts and Facts: Learn to separate facts (things that can be objectively proven) from the thoughts you have about those facts. This distinction is crucial to understanding how your interpretation of facts can shape your experience.
3. Replace Judgment with Curiosity: When a challenging thought comes up, ask yourself: What feelings are associated with this thought? What actions does it prompt? What are the results of holding onto this thought?
4. Practice Thought Swapping: If you want different results, practice replacing limiting thoughts with empowering ones. For example, instead of thinking, “Things never go my way,” try, “I am open to things working out for me.”
5. Be Patient with Thought Transitions: Changing thoughts is a gradual process. Start by taking small steps toward your desired thought rather than forcing an immediate change.
Final Thoughts: Thinking on purpose may sound simple, but it requires consistent practice. By intentionally choosing the thoughts you entertain, you can reshape your emotional and mental well-being. Remember, you are in control of your thoughts, and with time, you can cultivate the mindset that leads to the life you want.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Thoughts About Obsessions and Other Thoughts 1 of 2
08 Aug 2024
00:19:24
In this episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner explores the critical role thoughts play in shaping our lives, especially for those living with OCD. She breaks down how thoughts, whether they are fleeting or obsessive, create feelings that drive our actions, which ultimately shape the results we experience in life. Dr. Rackner shares personal insights from her experience as a mother to a son with OCD and discusses how understanding and managing thoughts can help take control of OCD.
Key Takeaways:
- Thoughts Are Powerful: Obsessions, the O in OCD, are just thoughts, and they have the power to shape your feelings and behaviors. Recognizing thoughts as mere sentences in your brain can be a crucial step toward managing them.
- You Are Not Your Thoughts: Just because a thought arises doesn’t mean it’s true or that you are defined by it. Your thoughts are separate from who you are, and you have the power to choose which thoughts to hold onto and which to release.
- Thoughts Shape Results: Your thoughts create feelings, which drive your actions and ultimately the results in your life. If you’re unhappy with your current circumstances, consider the thoughts that might be contributing to them.
- Where Thoughts Come From: Thoughts come from various sources, including biology, childhood lessons, peer groups, and external marketing. Each of these influences shapes how we interpret our world and the beliefs we hold.
- The Danger of Unquestioned Thoughts: When we don’t challenge our thoughts, we may stay stuck in limiting beliefs that hold us back. Thoughts like “I’ll never find a partner because of OCD” or “I’ll never succeed” create feelings of resignation, leading to actions that make those thoughts self-fulfilling.
Actionable Steps:
1. Understand the Source of Your Thoughts: Recognize that thoughts come from various places—your biology, family upbringing, peer groups, and societal messaging. Once you see where thoughts originate, you can begin to question them.
2. Challenge Your Thoughts: Instead of accepting every thought as truth, ask yourself: Is this thought helpful? Is it factual? What evidence do I have that this thought is true or false?
3. Pay Attention to the Connection: Realize that your thoughts create feelings, which then influence your actions. If you want different results in your life, start by examining and changing the thoughts that drive those results.
4. Practice New Thoughts: Just like anything, thinking new thoughts takes practice. Identify thoughts that will serve you better and intentionally practice them regularly. Over time, these new thoughts will lead to better results.
Final Thoughts: Understanding the role thoughts play in your life, especially when living with OCD, is key to managing compulsions and moving toward the life you want. Dr. Rackner encourages listeners to start paying attention to their thoughts, question them, and practice choosing thoughts that will lead to the results they desire.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
6 Steps for Successful Difficult Conversations
31 Jul 2024
00:24:48
Welcome to the Free Me From OCD Podcast! If you or someone you love has OCD, you know that OCD can hold you hostage, taking control over your thoughts and emotions. But here, we’re all about reclaiming that control and learning how to face life’s challenges with confidence. I’m your host, Dr. Vicki Rackner, and today’s episode will focus on something that many of us struggle with—having difficult conversations.
Whether it’s a conversation with a loved one, a coworker, or even ourselves, difficult conversations can stir up anxiety and leave us feeling vulnerable. But these conversations, when approached thoughtfully, can lead to growth, deeper understanding, and healing.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through 6 steps to have a successful, honest, and compassionate conversation, especially when the topic is tough.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Get What You Want 2 of 2
05 Jul 2024
00:14:18
The best fuel to drive your efforts to be freed from OCD is a focus on what you want. In this episode, you will learn the three steps to getting what you want, and the powerful Freedom Formula self-coaching tool to make them happen.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Get What You Want 1 of 2
25 Jun 2024
00:11:28
Do you have a hard time getting what you want--especially when OCD enters your life? In this episode, Dr. Vicki shares the top three reasons it's so hard.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Are You Anxious about the Election Results?
13 Nov 2024
00:09:30
If you have anxiety about the election results, you are not alone. In this episode Dr. Vicki offers some tips about moving forward in the face of the our future leadership.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
My Top OCD Tips
02 May 2024
00:29:13
Episode Title: My Top OCD Tips Host: Dr. Vicki Rackner, MD
Summary: In this episode of Free Me From OCD Podcast, Dr. Vicki Rackner reflects on the past decade of living with and supporting a family member with OCD. She shares the single most valuable lesson she’s learned through her journey of helping her son manage OCD and how it transformed her family’s life. Dr. Rackner emphasizes the importance of becoming an empathic witness, staying present, and managing your own emotional bus to better support your loved one. She also introduces the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp—a program designed to provide practical skills and strategies to help OCD caregivers and warriors effectively manage OCD in their lives.
Key Topics Discussed:
The Complexity of OCD:
Understanding OCD as an unwelcome passenger on the "bus" of life.
How OCD sees danger everywhere and creates persistent anxiety through obsessions and compulsions.
Why traditional instincts of fixing or helping often worsen OCD rather than improve it.
The Number One Lesson Learned:
Manage Your Own Bus: The most helpful way to support a loved one with OCD is to manage yourself.
Resist the urge to fix or control your loved one’s OCD. Instead, focus on being an empathic witness, offering love, presence, and belief in their ability to manage OCD.
How to Show Up as an Empathic Witness:
Be present and convey the message: "I see your pain, and I believe in your ability to rise to the challenge."
Avoid trying to control or solve your loved one’s OCD. Instead, work on your own emotional regulation and provide a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Building New Skills:Learn to manage your own emotions, thoughts, and actions while witnessing your loved one's struggles.
Develop strategies to feel and regulate your own feelings rather than avoiding or fixing pain.
Actionable Takeaways:
Manage your own bus: Focus on yourself and your emotional responses instead of trying to fix your loved one’s OCD.
Show up as an empathic witness: Be present, compassionate, and supportive without trying to control the situation.
Invest in skills for self-regulation: Develop tools to manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions so you can be a source of calm for your loved one.
Quotes:
"OCD is like an unwelcome passenger on the bus, creating chaos. The best way to help your loved one is to manage your own bus."
"Show up as an empathic witness, saying, 'I see your pain, and I believe in your ability to manage OCD.'"
Final Thoughts: Dr. Rackner emphasizes that managing yourself and becoming an empathic witness are the most powerful tools you can use to support someone with OCD. Rather than trying to fix or control the situation, focus on providing a safe, calm, and loving environment. By doing so, you’ll be a stronger source of support, helping your loved one manage their OCD more effectively.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
4 Pillars of OCD Success
10 Apr 2024
00:18:32
Episode Title: 4 Pillars of OCD Success
Host: Dr. Vicki Rackner, MD
Summary: In this episode of Free Me From OCD Podcast, Dr. Vicki Rackner introduces the Four Pillars of OCD Success—four foundational principles to help OCD Warriors and their caregivers thrive. These pillars provide a structure that supports healing, growth, and freedom from OCD. Dr. Rackner draws from her experience as a physician, mother of a son with OCD, and certified life coach, offering listeners valuable insights and practical tips to support their journey toward overcoming OCD.
Key Takeaways:
Pillar 1: Connection to the Science of OCD and Best Practices
Understanding OCD through a biological model removes judgment and stigma.
It’s important to replace myths with facts about OCD, such as the role of obsessions and compulsions.
Therapy, especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is essential in managing OCD effectively.
Explore new scientific discoveries about the nervous system, microbiome, and how they relate to OCD management.
Pillar 2: Connection to Yourself
Knowing yourself—your needs, desires, and brain wiring—helps you become a stronger caregiver.
The goal of OCD management is to keep OCD at bay, like an annoying buzzing mosquito.
Learn to manage your thoughts, regulate your nervous system, and embrace self-compassion to better support your loved one.
Pillar 3: Connection with Your OCD Warrior
Reclaim leadership in your family by fostering an environment of love and support, not one controlled by OCD.
Be an empathic witness, showing up for your loved one with empathy and encouragement.
Support your OCD Warrior in a way that empowers them to manage their own OCD.
Pillar 4: Connection to Community
Feeling isolated is common for OCD Warriors and caregivers.
Finding a safe, supportive community can make a significant difference in managing OCD.
Dr. Rackner emphasizes the importance of caregivers connecting with others who understand OCD to share experiences, insights, and encouragement.
Actionable Steps:
Educate yourself about OCD: Replace myths with a deeper understanding of OCD's biological roots and best therapeutic practices.
Focus on self-awareness: Know what you need to thrive, and learn tools to regulate your own emotions and thoughts.
Be a supportive force for your loved one: Create an environment that helps your OCD Warrior feel safe and understood.
Join a supportive community: Don’t navigate this journey alone—connect with others who understand and can offer support.
Quotes:
“People with neurodivergent brains, like those with OCD, thrive when supported by solid external structures.”
“The best way to help a loved one with OCD is to manage yourself first. Be the empathic witness they need.”
“You have the potential to be a key force for healing in your loved one’s journey with OCD.”
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
2 Kinds of Pain: Part 2 of 3 - OCD and Pain
15 Mar 2024
00:13:29
Episode Title: 2 Kinds of Pain: Part 2 of 3 - OCD and Pain
Host: Dr. Vicki Rackner
Summary: In this second episode of a three-part series on pain and OCD, Dr. Vicki Rackner explores the difference between primary pain and poisonous pain. She explains how our natural responses to pain, especially when dealing with OCD, can either help us move forward or keep us stuck in a cycle of suffering. Dr. Rackner also shares insights into how our brains react to pain and offers practical advice on how to manage it more effectively, leaning into primary pain to heal and avoiding the traps of poisonous pain.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Primary Pain:
Primary pain is a natural response to real loss or difficult circumstances. It's the immediate pain we feel when something important to us is disrupted—like the loss of something meaningful, whether that’s a rose garden or a loved one’s peace of mind due to OCD.
Primary pain is an unavoidable part of life, but feeling it and moving through it is the path to healing. It’s like letting the body heal a cut—natural and necessary.
The Danger of Poisonous Pain:
Poisonous pain occurs when we try to avoid, numb, or distract ourselves from the natural pain we feel. This includes avoiding situations that cause discomfort, numbing the pain with food, shopping, or other distractions, or blaming yourself or others for the situation.
Avoidance, distraction, and self-blame keep you stuck and add layers of suffering to the primary pain.
These responses come from the Paleo Brain, which interprets pain as dangerous and tries to help you avoid it, but in doing so, makes the situation worse.
The Role of the Paleo Brain:
Your Paleo Brain has three main strategies to protect you from pain:
Avoidance – It tries to keep you away from things that might trigger pain, like looking away from the skeleton of a rose bush that was eaten by goats (or avoiding OCD-related triggers).
Numbing – It encourages you to escape painful feelings through distractions like binge-watching TV, eating, or shopping.
Blame and Resistance – It focuses your attention on fighting against what’s already happened, or blaming yourself or others for the pain.
These strategies keep you stuck in poisonous pain, preventing you from moving forward and healing.
The Importance of Leaning Into Primary Pain:
Moving through primary pain is the key to growth and healing. Avoidance and distraction only increase suffering.
In the context of OCD, trying to avoid the discomfort of obsessions through compulsions only strengthens the OCD cycle.
Learning to feel your feelings—such as anxiety, sadness, or frustration—and trusting that you can survive them is a crucial step in overcoming both OCD and poisonous pain.
Practical Tips for Managing Pain:
Identify Primary vs. Poisonous Pain: Ask yourself, "Is this pain a result of my current circumstances (primary pain), or is it my brain's attempt to avoid or numb the pain (poisonous pain)?"
Challenge Your Thoughts: Be mindful of thoughts that cause you to blame yourself or others, or to avoid the pain. Redirect your attention back to the primary pain and let yourself feel it.
Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a child. Avoid harsh self-judgme
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
A Powerful OCD Thought Swap Inspired by the Super Bowl
16 Feb 2024
00:15:00
In this podcast episode you'll take away one thought to swap to make it easier for you to be freed from OCD. It was inspired while watching the Super Bowl.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
When Someone Says NO to OCD Treatment
09 Feb 2024
00:31:54
If you have OCD, you might arrive at a day when you say NO to treatment. What do you do then In this podcast episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner explains how and why people with OCD get stuck, and offers some thoughts about getting unstuck.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Manage Disgust--With or Without OCD
31 Jan 2024
00:20:20
Disgust is one of the strongest, most common and most commonly misunderstood emotions we have. In this podcast episode, we’ll explore what disgust is, how it helps us and how it harms us. Specifically, let’s address how to manage disgust if it’s part of the OCD picture—or part of your life even if you don’t have OCD.
Click here to download the Exploring Disgust Worksheet
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Common Feelings about OCD--and How to Manage Them
23 Jan 2024
00:28:47
When you or someone you love is diagnoseds with OCD, you may have strong feelings. In this episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner shares common feelings, and offers ideas about how to manage them.
Click here to download a worksheet about your thoughts and feelings.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Who is Your OCD Monster?
06 Nov 2024
00:10:12
Have you named your OCD monster? This episode explores embracing the parts of ourselves we hide while reclaiming control over the voices that don't define us.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Yell Less --and Recover Faster
27 Dec 2023
00:24:44
If you are the parent of a child with neurodiverse brain wiring--OCD or ADHD or autism--you might lose your cool and yell at your child or partner or friend. You might even yell at yourself!. Do you want to yell less? Would you like to recover faster when you do? Dr. Vicki Rackner, physician founder of Free Me from OCD, offers some tips.
Click here to get on the waiting list to be notified when we open membership to the OCD Haven. It's a virtual online community for people with OCD-- and the people who love them. You'll find a safe place to become educated, share stories, get coached and know you are not alone!
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
OCD and Money: Taking on a Taboo Topic
23 Nov 2023
00:25:20
Do you know someone with OCD who struggles with money? Join us as we reveal the financial challenges faced by individuals living with OCD and their families .
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Unraveling Trauma
30 Oct 2023
00:30:08
What is trauma? What's happening in the brains of people with trauma? How do you know if you have it? What's the connection between trauma and OCD? What is intergenerational trauma?
In this podcast episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner offers some answers.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
What is ERP?
18 Oct 2023
00:14:14
In almost every podcast episode I mention ERP. Today I would like to share with you what ERP is, how it works and speculations about why it's so effective.
Click here to visit NOCD and find and ERP therapist.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How a Diagnosis of OCD Can Help You--Or Harm You
30 Aug 2023
00:21:49
Finally your healthcare professional delivers the three little words. Obsessive compulsive disorder.
You might have heard. “You have OCD.” Or “Your child has OCD.”
The diagnosis of OCD does not have magical powers. Your brain wiring is the same the day before and after a health care professional delivers the diagnosis.
However, the meaning you ascribe to the diagnosis and what you do with a diagnosis can radically transform your life.
So today, let’s discuss:
Why a diagnosis is so important, especially when a diagnosis describes how neurodiverse brains work.
What is the value of an accurate diagnosis?
How and why do people use the diagnosis against themselves and do more harm than good?
Click here to learn more about ERP. Click here to go to NOCD and find an ERP practitioner.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Manage Disappointment Part 1
30 May 2023
00:16:38
We all face disappointment at some point in our lives, and it can be challenging to manage those feelings. In this podcast we will:
Explore what disappointment is
Identify common ways of managing disappointment that are NOT effective
Lay out a process for effectively managing disappointment.
This is Part 1 in which we help you manage your own disappointment. In the next episode we'll talk about how to help your child manage his/her disappointment. We'll also address what you say and do when someone disappointment you, or someone expresses their disappointment in circumstances in which you are involved.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Halloween: Fun or an OCD Nightmare?
31 Oct 2024
00:11:46
What is Halloween like for someone with OCD? In this Free Me From OCD podcast episode, we take a closer look at Halloween—a holiday celebrated for its thrills and chills, yet one that can be particularly challenging for those dealing with OCD. We’ll dive into three key questions:
1. Why is Halloween so much fun for many?
2. Why isn’t Halloween as enjoyable for people with OCD?
3. How can someone manage OCD effectively during this spooky season?
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Postpartum OCD: Insights from OCD Expert Jenna Overbaugh
20 Apr 2023
00:32:34
Welcoming a new baby into the family is a joy-filled event. However, human brains can pose challenges. You already know about postpartum depression. In this podcast episode you will learn about postpartum OCD. My guest, Jenna Overbaugh, is a licensed professional counselor and NOCD therapist. Jenna shares her own experience with postpartum OCD and demystifies this taboo condition.
Do you know someone who might be struggling with postpartum OCD? Here are some helpful resources.
Contact NOCD to speak with a therapist who treats OCD--and postpartum OCD-- with the evidence-based clinical intervention ERP.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Is Your Child with OCD Broken?
10 Apr 2023
00:16:49
Has your child learning to manage OCD ever told you, “I’m broken?” Have you ever thought about your child as broken? This podcast is for you. We’ll explore the high cost of thinking of people as broken. Then I’ll show you a different path.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
What to Know and Do When Your Child with OCD Applies to College
04 Apr 2023
00:54:06
College application is the source of anxiety. In this podcast episode, you'll hear a conversation with our guest Dan Ulin. For the past 35 years, Dan has helped kids get into the college of their dreams and set them up for success in adult life through his company Elite Student Coach.
In this episode, Dan offers answers to the following questions:
1. What do college admissions officers want? 2. What are some tips to help a college applicant be successful? 3. Should the diagnosis of OCD be disclosed on college applications? 4. What if the student likes a college, but there are no resources for students with OCD?
Questions for Dan? He invites you to email him at dan@elitestudentcoach.com
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
What to Do When You Think, "I'm to Blame for My Child's OCD."
30 Mar 2023
00:25:37
Have you ever thought, “I’m to blame for my child’s OCD?”
It seems like such an innocent thought; however, it is not.
In this podcast episode I will help you understand the the high cost to hanging onto the thought, “I’m to blame for my child’s OCD.” Or any variation of “I’m a bad parent.” You’ll see why it’s downright dangerous.
You’ll also learn and what to do when you have this thought, or your in-laws tell you that you are responsible for your child’s OCD.
We’ll also explore what to do when your child blames you for their OCD.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Family Feuds Part 3: What to Say to Your Child Instead of Engaging in Power Struggles
08 Mar 2023
00:19:16
Would you like an alternative to power struggles with your kids managing OCD? In this episode, you learn the third stage of the Relationship Reboot. Here you'll learn what to say to you kids instead of getting into an emotional tug-of-war about how your adult child managed OCD.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Fighting Family Feuds, Part 2 of 3
13 Feb 2023
00:19:25
Have you ever been in an emotional tug-of-war with your child or other family members about how OCD is managed? In this episode, you'll learn to unplug from OCD-related power struggles with the Relationship Reboot. This is the second of a series of 3 podcasts.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Family Feuding About OCD? Try Something That WORKS!
17 Jan 2023
00:23:12
Have you ever been in an emotional tug-of-war with your child or other family members about how OCD is managed? In the next series of 3 podcasts, I’ll uncover the origins of the most common conflict within families—which are usually power struggles— and show you how power struggles do more harm than good. Then I’ll lay out an alternative I call the Relationships Reboot.
Click here to listen to the podcast episode in which I interview NOCD's Tracy Ibrahim about EPR--the evidence-based treatment for OCD proven to work.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
How to Manage Harm OCD with Guest Tracie Ibrahim
26 Aug 2022
00:28:07
What do you do if OCD obsessions take the form of thoughts or urges of harming yourself or harming others?
In this podcast interview, Dr. Vicki interviews NOCD leader and therapist Tracie Ibrahim. Tracy helps us understand what harm OCD is--and what it is not.
Here are the main take-away messages: 1. People with OCD can have thoughts and urges about harming themselves or others.
2. These thoughts about harm are usually obsessive thoughts or urges.
3. Harm themes are managed in exactly the same way other OCD thoughts or urges are managed.
4. It's critically important to be evaluated and treated by a therapist skilled at managing OCD harm themes. Reach out to NOCD to get connected with such a therapist.
NOTE: If you have any question about whether your child is suicidal, err on the side of safety and bring your child to the ER.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Click here to get on the waiting list for The OCD Haven. This is a safe place to educate yourself, talk about your experiences with OCD, pose your questions and get support.
Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp. This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
OCD and Shame
25 Jul 2022
00:28:43
OCD and shame seem to be tied at the hip.
In this podcast episode we'll explore what shame is, where it comes from and how to manage it. You’ll see that shame can sabotage you as you learn to manage OCD—-or serve you.
Here are the main take-away messages:
Shame is just a feeling. It will not kill you, although it might feel like it! Shame communicates the message that you have not lived up to the standards you set for yourself. When you have guilt, you say to yourself, "I made a mistake." When you have shame, you say to yourself, "I am a mistake." You get embarrassed when you worry what others will think of you. Click here to listen to the podcast episode about embarrassment.
If you think you have to earn your worthiness, you are vulnerable to feeling shame. OCD makes you more vulnerable to experiencing shame. When you have shame, you will want to hide. The hiding can prevent you from getting to the other side of OCD.
Shame is triggered by circumstances; however, shame is caused by a thought that you are unworthy. Shame leads to hiding and lying. the hiding makes shame worse.
Here are some thoughts to manage shame:
1. Recognize the feeling of shame.
2. Don't judge yourself for having shame.
3. You can replace the thought "I'm unworthy" to "I'm worthy." The "thought ladder" can help you get there.
4. Don't hide. Speak your truth. You can send an anonymous postcard to
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
Why Is Managing OCD So Hard?
18 May 2022
00:21:29
If your child has OCD, you might wonder, "My child is exhausted from responding to all the demands his 'OCD Monster' makes. He wants to get back in the driver's seat of his life. He knows what to do to manage OCD. Why isn't he doing it?"
There are good reasons. Here are the top three you will learn about in this episode:
1. Your child's biology. 2. Limits of medical science that make it difficult to get a diagnosis of OCD and then find the right treatment. 3. Beliefs that transformation should be fast, easy and relatively free from discomfort.
Managing OCD is HARD WORK. The evidence-based treatment proven to work is ERP. To learn more, I invite you to visit NOCD.
Do you like the idea of creating a family culture in which members do hard things? You're invited to be a Founding Member our "Do Hard Things and Get Results" Community.
The goal of this community is to help you evolve into the best version of yourself--no matter what. We want to help you:
Be who you are
Know what you know and
Do what you need to do.
Here you will:
1. Set a goal--whether it's losing weight, or becoming more fit or stop overspending. 2. Have a community who holds you accountable. 3. Celebrate wins and overcome hurdles. 4. Participate in training calls where we address specific topics like:
How to resist urges
What to do when you fall off the wagon
How to manage hard feelings
How to deal with perfectionism or people pleasing
How to create a protocol that works for you.
5. Join group coaching calls. You can get in the hot seat and get specific ideas about how to get unstuck.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Founding Member of the Do Hard Things and Get Real Results Community. The membership fee covers all members of your family. Each family member can set different goals.
Membership includes participation in the general community. We will also have breakout groups for:
People who want to lose weight.
People who want to get fit.
People who want to respond to their kids with OCD more effectively .
We will open other topic-specific groups as the needs arise.
Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.
What is ERP? An Interview with NOCD's Tracie Ibrahim
28 Apr 2022
00:33:42
In this episode I have the pleasure of interviewing Tracie Ibrahim. Tracie is the Director of Clinical Risk Management at NOCD. She's also a therapist who uses ERP in her OCD toolbox.
You will hear Tracie's personal and professional journey with OCD. She will also share with you what ERP is, and why she uses it as she treats her clients with OCD.
Click HERE to visit the NOCD web site and learn more about using ERP to manage OCD .