Show Notes
⚠️ Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts.
Depression and OCD show up together far more often than people realise, and when they do, everything can feel heavier. In this episode of Just Checking, Jess and Laura look at why OCD and depression so often co-occur, how depression symptoms interact with obsessions and compulsions, and how neurodivergence can shape the picture.
We talk honestly about suicide risk and what good safety planning looks like. Then we answer the big clinical question: should you treat depression or OCD first? We cover setting realistic goals for therapy, taking recovery bit by bit, adapting sessions when motivation and energy are low, and why compassionate approaches matter so much when you're living with both.
You'll also get Brain Spam, a Weekly Win, a listener question, and a new Exposure Lab challenge.
This episode is for anyone living with OCD and depression, their loved ones, and therapists who want to feel more confident working with comorbid presentations.
If you're struggling, please reach out. In the UK you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time. If you're in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. You can also access emergency mental health support by selecting option 2 after calling NHS111 in the UK.
Podcast by: Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist and Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist Edited by Christian Nickson
Time Stamps: 00:40 Introduction and trigger warning 01:48 Brain Spam 10:38 Depression and OCD comorbidity 13:00 Why does it co-occur? 16:00 Depression symptoms and OCD 19:00 Neurodivergence impact 20:02 How OCD and depression presents together 25:10 Suicide and risk 28:10 Safety planning 34:30 What does treatment look like? 34:50 Goals for therapy 38:20 Treatment order for depression and OCD 40:10 Bit by bit 43:40 Adaptions to sessions 45:00 Compassionate approaches 49:50 Laura's message to your voice 52:00 Plans for future episodes 54:40 Weekly Win 55:10 Listener Question 57:30 Exposure Lab 1:02:15 Laura's message to her mum 1:03:00 Goodbyes
Get in Touch: Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us: Email us at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd
Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing
Content Warnings: We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to.
Resources: Depression video: https://youtu.be/XiCrniLQGYc?si=Z0kS2IYsGJOKhjnT Body doubling app: dubbii | dubbiiSuicide safety plan: Email [email protected]
Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.
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