Jason Adams, a dad of twins/husband, author of the book, OCDad: Learning to Be a Parent With a Mental Health Disorder, a musician, and a guy with OCD, in that order, candidly shares his journey with OCD in this #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series.

What started as typical new-parent anxieties after the birth of his twin sons in 2019, quickly evolved into severe OCD symptoms, including intrusive thoughts about his children's safety. This strain affected his relationships and daily life, prompting him to seek therapy and a formal diagnosis.

Through treatment, Jason learned to manage his OCD, though balancing his needs with family responsibilities was tough. He points out the importance of understanding how OCD impacts loved ones and not just the individual. Jason highlights the transformative journey of understanding and acceptance, acknowledging the temporary discomfort of change and the long-term benefits of these therapeutic approaches. His openness about integrating clinical strategies with compassionate family dialogue emphasizes the collaborative effort necessary to manage OCD’s effects within family life.

In a candid conversation, Justin Mackenzie shares his journey with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced from his early teens through high school and beyond. Diagnosed around seventh or eighth grade, Justin reflects on how debilitating OCD impacted his daily life, academics, and relationships, often manifesting as intrusive thoughts that consumed his mind. He emphasizes the common misconception surrounding OCD, distinguishing his experiences from the more benign behaviors often associated with the disorder.

Justin highlights the importance of understanding that OCD is not who he is but rather a condition he navigates. Ultimately, his story serves as a beacon of hope, reminding listeners that recovery is possible and that support is essential in overcoming the hurdles of mental illness.

In Part 2 of this OCD Podcast, Justine De Jaegher details a personal journey with OCD, highlighting her experience with various OCD subtypes such as harm, religious scrupulosity, gender or sexual orientation OCD, and perinatal OCD. Justine discusses the transformative impact of exposure and response prevention (ERP) and highlights the importance of tailoring treatment to be inclusive and respectful. The conversation emphasizes the diversity of OCD presentations, challenges with accessing appropriate treatment, the stigma surrounding taboo subtypes and the need for systemic reform to improve accessibility and equity in mental health services. Justine encourages advocacy to advance mental health awareness and policy changes.

In Part 1 of this OCD podcast, we dive into the personal journey of Justine De Jaegher who has faced the challenges of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) from a young age. Justine shares her experiences from when OCD first manifested with overwhelming intrusive thoughts about harm coming to the people around her, how these thoughts escalated into compulsive checking behaviours, and how the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding OCD complicated her path to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout this candid conversation, Justine talks about the evolution of her OCD into themes like religious scrupulosity and perinatal OCD, the impact it had on her life, finding the right treatments, and the importance of advocacy and awareness in improving access to effective OCD treatment. This discussion not only sheds light on the realities of living with OCD but also offers hope and insight for those navigating similar struggles.

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series, Dr. Robert Selles, a registered psychologist joins Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s clinical counsellor to explore how families and caregivers can support children dealing with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They talk about recognizing common OCD symptoms in children, understanding when these behaviours become problematic, and the influence of growing up and transition periods on OCD. Dr. Selles offers thoughtful insights on validating and supporting a struggling child while finding self-compassion as a caregiver. Join us for insightful advice on managing these challenges and ensuring that children and caregivers receive the support they need, distinguishing it from anxiety, managing distressing behaviours, and providing reassurance and self-care strategies.

Discover how cognitive therapy is used to treat OCD, its key components, and how it differs from ERP. Learn about thought-action fusion, cognitive distortions, and real-life examples in this insightful podcast episode with Dr. Maureen Whittal, an acknowledged expert in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and internationally known for her work in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

In this episode of #OurAnxietyStories, the OCD Series, Mark Antczak, from Anxiety Canada interviews Dr. Peggy Richter, a leading expert in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Richter, known for her groundbreaking research on the genetic and biological underpinnings of OCD, discusses how to effectively advocate for yourself, access support, and explore various treatment options including medications and therapies. Discover insights from the head of Canada’s premier residential OCD treatment program and a professor at the University of Toronto about effective strategies and resources for managing OCD and supporting loved ones.

In this episode of the #OurAnxietyStories podcast, the OCD series, Mark Antczak, Anxiety Canada’s clinical counsellor, is joined by Dr. Marlene Taube-Schiff. Dr. Taube-Schiff is a registered psychologist with expertise in OCD and anxiety disorders. She founded and is the director of Forward Thinking Psychological Services and co-founded the Sunnybrook Intensive Services Program for OCD. Together, they explore the symptoms and criteria for OCD, the interplay between anxiety and OCD, making meaning of our thoughts, and various strategies for managing intrusive thoughts and behaviours.