‘Taboo’ intrusive thoughts: the unspoken aspects of OCD

You've probably experienced intrusive thoughts — bizarre, fleeting, sometimes inappropriate thoughts that cross your mind without warning. Although these can be weird to experience, they're totally normal. But for people with obsessive compulsive disorder these thoughts can become inescapable — leading to worry, compulsions and shame. Today we're talking about OCD, because it's often quite different from the stereotype of handwashing and lining up pencils. It can venture into taboo and dangerous thoughts, from paedophilia to violent harm.  So what does living with these unwanted thoughts feel like? And how much can treatment improve OCD symptoms? This episode covers some heavy topics from sexual abuse to suicide. There are also a few swear words. Please take care while listening. Guests: Uma Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS Neuroscience PhD student, University of Wisconsin-Madison Science communicator Mental health advocate Martin Ingle Writer and filmmaker Professor Vlasios Brakoulias Psychiatrist Sydney Medical School, Westmead Hospital Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Producer: Rose Kerr Senior Producer: James Bullen Sound engineer: Timothy Jenkins You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Support: Lifeline 13 11 14 SANE Australia ARCVic Helpline 1300 269 438 More information: You Can't Ask That - OCD episode