I first did a Q&A with Minnesota-based OCD therapist Erin Venker in 2017, the year she started taking clients. Then recently, she got in touch and asked if we could revisit some of her answers because her thinking has evolved over the years. I loved that she wanted to come back and share what she’s…
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When OCD Is Misdiagnosed: Tracie Ibrahim
Ask Tracie Ibrahim—or “Taboo Tracie” on Instagram—to tell her OCD story, and you’ll likely walk away angry, sad, and in disbelief that she was treated so horribly as a kid and teen. And, you will be in awe of her. As she explains in more detail below, Tracie’s harm OCD was misdiagnosed, and she was…
Read MoreSpreading Awareness Through Film: Tyler Falcoa and Mitch Francis
If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you probably don’t always love how it’s portrayed in TV shows, movies, books, commercials, jokes, daily life—anywhere, really. Thankfully, representation has gotten better and more accurate in recent years, due in large part to people with OCD creating meaningful projects that are touching and beautiful as well as educational.…
Read MoreRemapping Recovery: A Study from Made of Millions
Earlier this year, Made of Millions—a nonprofit dedicated to helping the millions of people around the world who have a mental illness—published “Remapping Recovery: How Gen Z’s Quest for Better Care Is Pioneering New Paths Forward in Mental Health.” Why this study, and why now? Aaron Harvey, co-founder of Made of Millions, said, “When we…
Read MoreUnderstanding I-CBT: Mike Heady
Hello! It’s been a while. I’m back now because over the past couple of years I’ve been seeing and hearing more about a new-to-me type of therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), inferenced-based cognitive behavioral therapy (I-CBT). I’ll be frank: I didn’t get it. I can explain exposure and response prevention (ERP) in about a minute,…
Read MoreFinding Community: Michael Schramm
Please help me welcome Michael Schramm, one of the nicest and most positive people I know! He is truly a day brightener, and I’m so happy to host him today and learn more about his experience with OCD. If you live in the Wichita, Kansas, area be sure to see him—and other amazing advocates and…
Read MoreBook Review: At Last Count
My last Q&A was with Claire Ross Dunn, the author of the novel At Last Count, and I’m back to talk about the book! At Last Count was a fast read, but not in a light and fluffy way (although I love those books too!). Since the main character, Paisley, has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there…
Read MoreAuthor of At Last Count: Claire Ross Dunn
As varied as our OCD stories can be, it always amazes me when I relate with someone’s story as much as I have with that of today’s guest, Claire Ross Dunn. We both have a thing with the number eight, we both have obsessions around a fear of fire, and we both put our book…
Read MoreBalancing Multiple Diagnoses: Brooke Miller
Help me welcome Brooke Miller, who advocates for awareness of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders, bipolar II, and panic disorder. Brooke has been through many trials and has a lot of wisdom to share, so read on for her story and how she balances it all. Thank you, Brooke! Can you share a little…
Read MoreFinding New Ways to Advocate for OCD: Katy Marciniak
Help me welcome today’s guest, OCD advocate Katy Marciniak! As you’re about to read from Katy herself, she has dipped her toe into different kinds of advocacy and has found ways to spread awareness that work best for her and her life as a busy parent of two. I see so much of my story…
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Alison Dotson 