Get to know OCD

Stop Trying To Make Bad Thoughts Go Away

Get to know OCD

Show Notes

The first instinct after an intrusive thought is usually to get rid of it. You tell yourself it isn't true. You try to prove it wrong. You replay it in your head, search for certainty, or avoid anything that might trigger it again. It feels like you're protecting yourself, but those reactions are often exactly what keeps OCD alive and thriving.

In this video, Dr. Patrick McGrath explains why some of the most common ways people respond to unwanted thoughts actually make them stronger. Instead of focusing on what you should do, he breaks down what NOT to do, including why learning to stop fighting your thoughts is one of the most important steps toward breaking the OCD cycle.

At NOCD, we specialize in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, the most effective treatment for OCD—a treatment that can help you live a fulfilling life. If you’re ready to take your first step, book a free 15-minute call with us at https://learn.nocd.com/YT

Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/ https://twitter.com/treatmyocd https://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Get to know OCD

Oct 23, 2026

The Cornell Seven sexual assault allegations have dominated headlines, but for some people with OCD, the story is triggering an entirely different kind of fear. What if something happened in my past that I don't remember? What if I hurt someone without realizing it? What if I'm somehow guilty by association?

Oct 22, 2026

What happens when you try exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, do everything you're told, and still don't get better? You might be facing your fears without realizing you're also doing things that keep your OCD alive.

Oct 18, 2026

Shanna Chappell was working in private investment research by day and volunteering as a therapist outside of work. She knew which career she wanted to pursue, but getting there wasn't exactly straightforward. In fact, her first attempt to join NOCD didn't work out.

Oct 15, 2026

Mia Mason spent most of her life worrying that she was secretly a terrible person. What if she hurt someone? What if she did something wrong? What if the thoughts she couldn't escape said something about who she really was? It wasn't until she was 23 that she finally learned those fears had a name: OCD.

Oct 11, 2026

Rainn Wilson describes his intrusive thoughts as “a shoe in the dryer”—relentless, loud, and impossible to ignore. Howie Mandel can relate.

See all episodes →