OCD and Anxiety Disorders with Kimberley Quinlan

Forrest is joined by therapist Kimberley Quinlan to explore one of the most misunderstood anxiety disorders: obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Drawing from her clinical and personal experience, Kimberley breaks down what OCD is, how it differs from general anxiety, and the ways it’s often mischaracterized. They discuss the core features of obsessions and compulsions, and how these can manifest across a wide range of themes, including harm, contamination, morality, and relationships. Kimberley explains how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) works, what makes an exposure “good,” and how to build tolerance for distress rather than trying to eliminate it. They also touch on self-compassion, the role of medication, and the stigmas that can keep people from getting help. About our Guest: Kimberley Quinlan is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author, host of the popular Your Anxiety Toolkit podcast, and the founder of CBTschool.com . Key Topics: 0:00: Introduction 1:19: Kimberley’s personal experience with OCD 3:36: What is OCD? Obsessions vs. compulsions 8:18: The relationship between trauma (PTSD) and OCD in Kimberley’s experience 11:12: ERP and approaches to treatment 17:14: Differences between clinical ERP and informal exposure practices 24:30: Imaginal exposures for fears that can’t be physically enacted 28:52: Resourcing for exposure 30:26: What if exposure goes poorly? 34:38: Role of self-compassion in OCD treatment 37:02: Considering medication: benefits, stigma, and SSRIs 42:52: Unhooking from intrusive thoughts: ACT, mindfulness, DBT 53:59: “How can I make this my bravest day?” 57:45: Recap Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link. Sponsors Head to acornsearly.com/beingwell or download the Acorns Early app to help your kids grow their money skills today. Get Notion Mail for free right now at notion.com/beingwell , and try the inbox that thinks like you For a limited time, get Headspace FREE for 60 days. Go to Headspace.com/BEINGWELL60 . Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/beingwell . Go to ZOE.com and find out what ZOE Membership could do for you. Use code WELL10 to get 10% off membership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices