Free Me from OCD

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!Link to the podcast episode about how our brains work: Ep. 27 A Story About How the Human Brain WorksConnect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

You might have thoughts about your child with OCD, and these daily downloads will help you figure out how to create the results you want. Download the worksheet here. Get curious about your thoughts, and give yourself time to get the hang of this process.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

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.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

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.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

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?For those interested in the psychology behind Halloween's appeal, check out the Harvard Business Review article, The Psychology Behind Why We Love (or Hate) Horror.Whether Halloween fills you with excitement or dread, tune in to gain insight, understanding, and strategies for navigating it with confidence.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

Discover how to build meaningful relationships by prioritizing trust, listening with undivided attention, and understanding the unique challenges faced by those with OCD.Here is a link to another podcast episode that discusses this identity shift between someone whose job it is to fix things and someone whose job it is to be the compassionate witness.Listen Now:My Top Tips for Helping a Loved One Manage OCD : https://www.freemefromocd.org/season-01-episode-42Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

You may believe certain things are impossible due to OCD, whether for yourself or your child. But what if you're wrong? In today's podcast, we'll explore the possibilities beyond those limits.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

In this podcast, I'd like to discuss three steps to help you better connect with your emotions.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

In this episode, Dr. Vicki highlights the therapeutic power of exercise and its potential to enhance mental well-being. She shares practical tips on incorporating movement into your daily routine if you have OCD.Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

OCD themes can morph and change over time. Listen to this episode to hear Dr. Vicki describe the common themes. Connect with Dr. Vicki Rackner: Website: FreeMeFromOCD.org Social Media: Follow Dr. Rackner on Instagram and Facebook for more insights and resources on managing OCD.

In this insightful episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner sits down with Tracie Ibrahim, a therapist specializing in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy and Chief Compliance Officer at NOCD. Traci shares her personal experience with OCD—both as someone with OCD and as a mother raising children who also live with OCD. Together, they discuss the realities of managing OCD and break down misconceptions about the disorder.Tracie offers a clear explanation of what OCD truly is, emphasizing that it is much more than the stereotype of excessive cleanliness or neatness. Instead, OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that can take many forms. Traci highlights the importance of proper diagnosis and treatment, sharing her personal journey through years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments.The conversation also dives into "false memory OCD," where individuals with OCD may doubt their past, creating distressing false memories. Dr. Rackner and Traci discuss the challenges this poses for both those with OCD and their families, emphasizing the importance of finding a qualified ERP therapist for proper treatment.Key Takeaways:- OCD Misconceptions: OCD is often misunderstood as a disorder focused on cleanliness or organization, but it's much more complex. OCD involves obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors that extend far beyond those stereotypes.- False Memory OCD: People with OCD may experience distressing thoughts that make them question their memories or actions. Tracie describes how the mind, in an effort to make sense of incomplete information, can create false memories, leading to even more anxiety and confusion.- The Importance of ERP Therapy: ERP is the gold standard treatment for OCD. Tracie urges listeners to be cautious when seeking therapy, as not all therapies advertised as evidence-based are truly effective for OCD.- Finding the Right Therapist: It's crucial to ask specific questions when searching for a therapist, especially regarding their approach to OCD. Traci advises listeners to verify that therapists are well-versed in ERP, as many therapists may advertise OCD treatment without the proper training.Connect with Tracie Ibrahim:- Instagram: tabootracie- NOCD Website: www.treatmyocd.comFinal Thoughts:Managing OCD can be incredibly challenging, but with the right treatment, you can regain control over your life. Traci's story is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocacy, education, and getting the right help. If you or someone you love is dealing with OCD, you're not alone, and there is hope for a brighter future.Resources Mentioned:- NOCD Therapy: www.treatmyocd.com- International OCD Foundation: iocdf.org Connect with Us: Website: Free Me from OCD Social Media: Instagram | Facebook If you found this episode helpful, please consider sharing it with others or leaving a review to help more families find support!

Could eliminating sugar make it easier to manage OCD? We'll explore that question in this episode.

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:Link to Safety SurveyAmy Cuddy's TED Talk: Your Body Language Shapes Who You AreConnect with Us:Website: Free Me from OCDSocial Media: Instagram | FacebookIf you found this episode helpful, please consider sharing it with others or leaving a review to help more families find support!

Our greatest gifts and our greatest liabilities are usually flip side of the same coin. In this episode, we'll explore the secret powers of someone with OCD.

Your thoughts are powerful; your thoughts shape the results you get in life. In this podcast episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner, Principal of Free Me from OCD, helps you identify your thoughts and swap your thoughts.

Your experience with OCD proves to you the power of thoughts. Listen to this podcast episode to explore:1. Why your thoughts are so important, 2. Where your thoughts come from and 3. How your thoughts create the results in your life—with or without OCD.

Do you avoid difficult conversations? In this podcast episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner offers 6 simple steps to help you successfully navigate these conversations.

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. 

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.

What is your OCD Story? Is it helping you or holding. you back? In this story, Dr. Vicki Rackner offers tips about how to retell you OCD story.

Click here to learn more about the OCD Freedom Formula Bootcamp.  This 28 day program kicks off 5/7/24. Welcome to the Free Me From OCD Podcast! In this insightful episode, Dr. Vicki Rackner shares her profound wisdom and personal experiences accumulated over a decade of navigating life with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in her family.Join Dr. Rackner as she unveils her number one lesson that has made a significant impact on her son's journey and her family's well-being while managing OCD. Through candid storytelling and expert guidance, Dr. Rackner delves into the complexities of OCD, offering a unique perspective as a mother, surgeon, and certified life coach.Discover the power of being an empathic witness and learn practical strategies to support loved ones with OCD effectively. Dr. Rackner emphasizes the importance of managing one's own "bus" while providing compassionate and empowering support to those navigating the challenges of OCD.This episode is filled with valuable insights, including understanding OCD's impact, effective support strategies, fostering resilience, and empowering individuals to take control of their lives. Whether you're new to the OCD journey or seeking advanced insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by OCD.Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of OCD, access practical tools for support, and embark on a journey of empowerment and resilience. Subscribe to the Free Me From OCD Podcast for more empowering episodes and join our community dedicated to saying YES to life by saying NO to OCD.

This is the second of three episodes exploring how you can respond to pain more effectively. Why is this important? OCD is associate with pain. The way you respond to pain makes a huge difference.In the last episode, you learned to identify your pain personality.In this episode, I'm distinguish between two kinds of pain: primary pain and poisonous pain. In the next episode you'll learn the Connection Prescription—how you can make a positive difference to someone in pain.

OCD is associated with different kinds of pain. Your experience is shaped by your Pain Personality. In this episode, you will:Learn Dr. Vicki's 5 Pain PersonalitiesDiscover how your Pain Personality shapes your experience with OCDUnderstand how you can modify your innate response to. pain so you get a better resultSee how different Pain Personalities contribute to family conflict about OCD.

Do you flaunt your perfectionism as a badge of honor? This podcast episode might change your mind, whether or not you have OCD!You'll hear about the "On-purpose Mistakes" exercise. ResourcesRead the Gifts of Imperfection  Read MindsetWatch the TED talk What I learned from 100 days of rejection. Get a copy of the Explore Perfectionism worksheet.

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.

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.The Article:  Letting Naomi Die.Send in an OCD Confessions PostcardJoin the "Get Unstuck from OCD" Challenge Learn about ERPReach out to NOCD to find an ERP practitioner

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 

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.

Feeling unsafe is woven into the fabric of OCD. AND feeling unsafe makes it harder to manage OCD.In this podcast, you'll get some tips for avoiding the dangers of the danger response, and seeking safety more safely.

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! 

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 register for the upcoming webinar OCD, Neuro-divergent Brains and Money: How to Head to Financial Health Sunday , November 26th at 1 PM PacificClick here to share your money story with the Free Me from OCD community..

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 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! 

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.

Our brains are obsessed with answer to a singular question: Right here and right now, am I safe?  In this podcast episode you'll hear a story about how the brain works,  and how and why being safe is still a top priority.

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.

Do you feel uncomfortable when your kids are disappointed? You are not alone!In this  podcast episodes you will find:Insights into why our kids' disappointment tends to be such a problem for us parents.The high cost of an unwillingness to live with the discomfort of disappointment.What you CAN do when your child is disappointed.

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 effectiveLay 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. 

By the time parents of adult kids with OCD find me, they are almost uniformly burned out. In this podcast episode, you'll find:A working definition of burnoutThe most common and most commonly overlooked cause of burnoutWhat one thing you can do TODAY to break through burnout.

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. Click here to learn more about ERP.Listen to Jenna's podcast All The Hard Things. Join Jenna's Facebook mom's support group Lake Country Moms of Wisconsin.

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.Click here to watch the basketball challenge. 

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

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.

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. 

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. Click here to listen to the first in the series.

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.

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.

I would like to nominate OCD as one of the 5 most misunderstood condition in medicine.Lack of information can lead to suffering as the OCD diagnosis and treatment are delayed. In this podcast episode I will debunk the top 5 myths.Click here to visit the International OCD Foundation.Click here to listen to the podcast about ERP.Click here to visit NOCD and find an ERP therapist.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.

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 Here's the mailing address:OCD ConfessionsDr. Vicki Rackner 2355 Fairview Ave N #219Roseville, MN 55113   Can't wait to share them with you!  

It's the ultimate taboo topic---OCD sexual themes.  Listen to this podcast conversation with NOCD therapist Tracie Ibrahim . You will find:Unpleasant and disturbing sexual thoughts and images are very common with OCD.OCD thoughts are often lies.Sexual OCD obsessions are managed in the exact same way any other obsession is managed.Would you like to break the conspiracy of silence about your OCD sexual thoughts?  Send an anonymous postcard toOCD Confessions2355 Fairview Ave N #219Roseville, MN 55113Click here to listen to my conversation with Tracie about ERP.Please feel welcome to leave your thoughts or comments.