Is OCD really an anxiety disorder? Are everyday rituals the same as compulsions? And what happens when treatment doesn't work?
In Part 3 of Figuring It Out, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates put some of the biggest misconceptions about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.
They explore how OCD is classified, why it's different from anxiety, and what treatment options exist for people who don't respond to the first approach.
They also look at how OCD treatment may need to be adapted for autistic people, what the research tells us about OCD and menopause, and why everyday routines and rituals aren't necessarily the same as compulsions.
You can find more information through the International OCD Foundation (https://iocdf.org/), Mind (www.mind.org.uk) and the National Autistic Society (https://www.autism.org.uk/).
No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.
We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.
Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.
Produced by Kathryn Bates
Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com.
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