Alegra Kastens' world was turned upside down at 19 when a single taboo thought —pedophilic in nature — triggered the onset of her OCD. That one thought spiraled into thousands each day, overwhelming her to the point where she avoided sleep, fearing the torment her dreams might bring.
Now, a decade later, Alegra is 97% better and isn’t shy about sharing her incredible story. In this episode of the Get to Know OCD podcast, Alegra details her transformation from silent suffering to outspoken advocate. As a therapist and social media voice, she’s breaking the stigma around taboo thoughts, offering hope and insight for those navigating similar struggles.
If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn more.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
2:24 Alegra’s OCD started suddenly at 19
7:31 Alegra didn’t want to treat other’s OCD initially
8:53 Treating taboo thoughts remains touchy
11:03 Link between OCD and eating disorders
14:04 Doubting whether it’s OCD or you’re actually a bad person
16:22 Alegra lived a “double life” with OCD
17:08 Not all OCD is created equal
23:55 OCD makes you question your character
24:45 Why OCD feels so real
30:28 Treating OCD with personal experience
32:29 Lifestyle habits to help with OCD
35:59 Difference from when Algeria’s started to now
37:25 “I have a little OCD too”
38:11 Correcting Dax Shepard on his podcast
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