Do you feel like you need to make the best decision and maximize every single experience? Maybe you've felt like you're living life "wrong" and need to "get the most" out of everything...

In this solo episode, I talk about Optimization OCD, which as a reminder, is not a formal clinical term or separate diagnosis. It's simply a term used to describe how OCD can latch onto a desire or need to optimize multiple aspects of our lives.

From everyday decisions and routines to relationships, career choices, and major life milestones, OCD can create a sense of urgency and make it feel like we need the "best" answer before moving forward. These thoughts may also latch onto therapy, "healing," and self-development, leading to even more guilt, anxiety, and distress.

I share some examples of what this may look like, including an example of a thought train related to these thoughts and associated compulsions.

As always, this episode is not a replacement for therapy and is for educational purposes only. This episode does not reflect everyone's experience with OCD.

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Tom Smalley is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Employee Success Manager for North America at NinjaOne, and founder of Struggle Into Strength Performance. His work focuses on performance psychology, leadership development, and helping individuals and teams build confidence, resilience, and mental skills.

Diagnosed with OCD at age 16, Tom became passionate about raising awareness and breaking down mental health stigma. He received the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award and became a Lead Advocate for the International OCD Foundation in 2021, where he co-founded the Anxiety in Athletes initiative. He regularly speaks about OCD and mental health advocacy and is also a three-time USA Weightlifting Adaptive Division Gold Medalist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitor.

In this episode, Tom shares about his personal experience living with OCD and his journey with OCD advocacy. We discuss the importance of OCD treatment, building resilience, navigating family dynamics, and understanding how OCD can impact both individuals and their loved ones. Tom also shares how his own experiences have helped influence his passion for breaking down stigma and openly speaking about OCD.

We explore the power of community, the importance of meaningful support, and what it can look like to embrace authenticity while navigating the challenges of OCD. We hope this episode can help you feel less alone.

*This episode is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not replace professional support.*

FOLLOW TOM:

INSTA: @s2s_smalls
WEBSITE: www.struggleintostrength.com
Struggle Into Strength x IOCDF Scholarship Fund

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
THREADS: @trustandthrive
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont
EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com

Rev. Dr. Katie O’Dunne (she/her) is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and founder of Stick with the Ick, a virtual inclusive interfaith community app for those navigating faith and OCD, offering resources across traditions. She spent seven years as Academy Chaplain and Chair of Religious Studies at Woodward Academy in Atlanta while consulting on interfaith programming nationwide.

Katie now educates clinicians and clergy on culturally responsive treatment across religious/spiritual contexts, leads the IOCDF Faith & OCD Leadership Circle, and consults with OCDI Texas on Religion & OCD. She received Vanderbilt’s Doctor of Ministry Award for Distinction in Integrative Care Practices.

In this week's episode, we discuss how OCD attaches to faith, values, religion, and morality. Katie shares her experience with OCD as an ordained minister and chaplain, her involvement with the Internal OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and her journey navigating OD alongside her faith.

We discuss how moral and religious OCD can contribute to guilt, shame, and distress, how certain behaviors may be reinforced or praised from a young age, and the grief that can accompany OCD. We also explore religious trauma, ERP related to moral OCD, integrating faith into OCD recovery, and support resources.

We hope this conversation can be a reminder that faith and OCD treatment can coexist, and that navigating OCD does not have to mean abandoning your personal beliefs or values.

FOLLOW REV. DR. KATIE O'DUNNE:

INSTA: @stickwiththeick
WEBSITE: www.stickwiththeick.com
FAITH AND OCD CONFERENCE

STAY CONNECTED:

INSTA: @trustandthrive
TIKOK: @trustandthrive
THREADS: @trustandthrive
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FBtaramont
EMAIL: trustandthrive@gmail.com