​We often talk about what to do when you're having OCD symptoms. But, what does it look AFTER you go through treatment? Do you stop treatment? Are you cured? Let's go through this so you can have a good perspective of what "recovery" looks like.

If you're working through exposure and response prevention; these 25 tips are GOLDEN. Originally presented by Fred Penzel, Ph.D. of Western Suffolk Psychological Services. Dr. Penzel gave me special permission to present his 25 tips to you. ​

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OCD is LOUD! It tries to rattle you and the more you "fight" or try to make sense of it the more it becomes louder. Both competing to see who wins or who can be the loudest. Instead of competing what if you tried being quieter?⠀ 

Topics discussed:⠀⠀

• Learn to no compete with OCD⠀
• What to do when your OCD gets LOUD⠀
• How OCD tries to overpower you⠀
• What it looks like to stop competing with your OCD⠀
• Learn your job with OCD⠀
• How to get the voice of OCD to be quieter⠀
• What it looks like to sit through an exposure⠀ ⠀
• What do you do to teach your OCD that you are no longer reacting to it?⠀ ⠀

Remember, when it comes to your OCD; it is your job to "Face The Unknown".⠀ ⠀⠀

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.⠀⠀

There are many scenes in Harry Potter that can show how OCD works without knowing it. ⠀ A scene with the devil's snare shows OCD, compulsions, and the struggle.⠀ ⠀

Devil's Snare is an extremely dangerous plant that will, as suggested by its name, ensnare wizards when disturbed. It strangles those who approach it by wrapping them in its tendrils.⠀ ⠀

Topics discussed:⠀⠀
Comparing OCD to the Devil's snare from Harry Potter.⠀

• How vines are like OCD themes or topics.⠀
• How struggling in the vines are like compulsions.⠀
• How Herminie accommodated their OCD using a spell.⠀
• Gaining freedom by using exposure and response prevention.⠀
• What you learn by continuing to use compulsions with your OCD.⠀
• Example of how to act during an exposure.⠀ ⠀
  
  

As always, bloopers/mess ups at the end to show that none of us are perfect and never will be.⠀⠀ ⠀

Remember, when it comes to your OCD; it is your job to "Face The Unknown".⠀ ⠀⠀

​DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.⠀⠀

When someone uses exposure and response prevention and are facing their fears; they essentially are acting like the perceived fear/threat doesn't matter. Thus taking power away from it. I have individuals pretend they are in acting or in film school. It is time to do their final project in front of the class. You have to prove that the fear you are facing through ERP does not scare you. Depending on how you act, facial expressions, body language and the effort you put into it; would they believe you? What grade would you get for your final project?

Topics discussed:

• How to be an actor or actress with your OCD
• See an example of an exposure and how to act
• See an example of how to not do an exposure
• How to resist compulsions
• What your OCD learns after you use ERP

OCD is like a MAGIC TRICK! It will entice you to figure out how it's done. Your brain goes into problem-solving mode. Sometimes it won't stop until there is a conclusion. This is EXACTLY what OCD does! It draws you in and sends you through loops until you gain certainty on your OCD fear or topic. Watch me do some real magic tricks and figure out if you are getting fooled by your OCD.

The following topics are covered:

• How OCD sucks you in!
  
• How you can get fooled by your OCD!
  
• How OCD can dazzle and confuse you!
  
• How it convinces you to do a compulsion.
  
• Learn your job with your OCD.

Remember to "Face The Unknown"

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.

Have you asked for reassurance from a loved one and they have no idea that they just reassured you? This is an example of a sneaky compulsion. Are you doing them?


The following topics are covered:
----What Sneaky compulsions look like.
?Example of sneaky compulsions.
?What is a compulsion?
?Why doing a compulsion is dangerous.
?Reassurance Seeking
?Avoidance
?Talking about your OCD story can be helpful and harmful.
?What your job is when a loved one accommodates or reassures you.
?How our brain is designed to react to anxiety.
?Comparing problem-solving and having a headache.

Remember to "Face The Unknown" ?

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.

Did you know there is a difference between doing an exposure or using ERP and just being exposed? ? I hear many individuals say that they've been doing exposures when really they've just been exposed.
Do you know the difference?
Let's go through the difference between being exposed vs. doing an exposure and make your ERP more effective.
Remember to "Face The Unknown" ?​

DISCLOSURE: Although I am a licensed therapist. This video is not intended to replace medical advice. This is for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a local mental health professional.