Liz Trondsen doesn’t have OCD, but her son, Chris, does — and as is often the case, the disorder didn’t just affect him; it rippled through the entire family. Liz shares her deeply personal story in this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, opening up about the moment her son’s struggles nearly claimed his life and how that single event became a turning point for their entire family.
Liz talks candidly about the guilt and helplessness she felt as a parent, realizing she missed the signs of her son’s suffering. She also reflects on the steep learning curve of understanding OCD and the role she had to play in Chris’s recovery — one that he credits for saving his life.
This is a story of shock, guilt, hope, resilience, and breakthrough — a raw and inspiring conversation about what it takes to support a loved one with OCD.
Struggling to support someone with OCD? Need professional help? Consider visiting https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
1:39 How Liz became an OCD advocate
4:04 The role families play in OCD treatment
8:35 Feeling guilt as a parent
13:06 When Liz realized her son had a problem
15:05 The turning point in Chris’ recovery
16:29 Making a short film
17:57 OCD advocacy as a life’s purpose
19:04 Treating OCD takes time away from the whole family
23:36 Life after “recovery”
26:33 Watching a child go through therapy
31:04 Liz’s own therapy experience
34:22 Liz advice for parents feeling regret
38:09 Co-parenting a child with OCD
41:37 Educating others about OCD
42:48 Liz’ advice for parents
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