OCD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions in the world—and it's far more than being organized or liking things a certain way.
In this episode, OCD specialist Kristina Orlova shares her own journey of living with undiagnosed OCD for years, believing she was simply "losing her mind" before finally receiving answers. Together, we unpack what OCD actually looks like, why intrusive thoughts become so terrifying, the hidden subtypes most people have never heard of, and why reassurance often makes OCD worse instead of better.
Whether you're living with OCD yourself, supporting a loved one, or trying to understand what someone is experiencing, this conversation offers practical education, hope, and a roadmap toward recovery.
We also dive deep into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the gold-standard treatment for OCD, and explain how it helps people reclaim their lives one step at a time.
00:00 Introduction
02:05 Meet OCD Specialist Kristina Orlova
02:50 Kristina's Personal OCD Journey
05:20 What Intrusive Thoughts Actually Feel Like
08:03 Why OCD Is So Different From Everyday Thoughts
10:48 Why OCD Is So Misunderstood
11:39 What OCD Really Looks Like
16:03 How Parents Should Respond to OCD
20:40 Why People Get OCD Wrong
23:13 Lesser-Known Types of OCD
25:12 Signs Parents Should Watch For
30:24 Why Traditional Talk Therapy Can Make OCD Worse
32:17 How Exposure Therapy (ERP) Works
38:48 A Real Success Story With ERP
42:00 When Should You See an OCD Specialist?
44:30 Final Thoughts & Resources
Learn more about Keesha: https://keeshascott.com/
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