OCD and Anxiety Disorders with Kimberley Quinlan

In this episode of Being Well, Forrest Hanson interviews Kimberley Quinlan, a therapist specializing in anxiety disorders and OCD, and host of the "Your Anxiety Toolkit" podcast. They discuss the nature of OCD, distinguishing it from common misunderstandings and emphasizing the intense distress it causes. Quinlan shares her personal experience of being diagnosed with OCD after years of treating it, and they delve into Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as a gold standard treatment, including how to choose effective exposures and the importance of response prevention. The conversation covers the role of self-compassion, medication, and various therapeutic approaches like ACT and mindfulness in managing OCD, highlighting the significance of accepting discomfort and aligning actions with personal values. Quinlan offers insights into dealing with intrusive thoughts and encourages listeners to seek support and be kind to themselves, emphasizing that recovery is possible with brave steps.