In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we explore when and why OCD tends to peak across the lifespan — and why symptoms often intensify during moments of growth, change, and meaning rather than out of nowhere.
Drawing on clinical experience and developmental theory, this conversation looks at the predictable windows of vulnerability where OCD commonly emerges or flares: childhood and puberty, late adolescence and young adulthood, and major life transitions such as starting high school, exams, relationships, parenthood, grief, and identity shifts.
Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the discussion centres on formulation, psychoeducation, and normalisation — helping both clinicians and clients answer the critical question: why now?
💬 Key themes:
💡 “OCD often shows up when life matters most.”
🧠 “These thoughts tell us what we care about.”
💬 “Be alert, not alarmed.”
🔖 Chapters
00:00 Introduction: When does OCD peak?
01:30 Early onset and puberty
03:30 Adolescence, identity, and individuation
06:00 Hormones, emotions, and existential fear
08:00 Life transitions and meaning
10:00 New parenthood and responsibility
12:00 Why themes change over time
14:00 Using formulation to answer ‘why now?’
16:00 Anticipating flare-ups and building support
#OCD #MentalHealthPodcast #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #OCDRecovery #ClinicianSupport #LifeTransitions #PerinatalMentalHealth #AdolescentMentalHealth #TherapyTalk #MentalHealthAwareness
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