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Get to know OCD
OCD, Uncertainty, And Finding Happiness In Life’s Hard Stuff | Get to know OCD Ep 29
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Living in the face of uncertainty is no small feat — especially when navigating life with a chronic condition or OCD. Dr. Ashley Smith, a psychologist and author of The Way I See It: A Psychologist’s Guide to a Happier Life, knows this journey intimately. In this episode of Get to Know OCD, she shares how she turned her own uncertain experience with vision loss into a powerful lesson in resilience and acceptance.
Through her blend of professional expertise and personal insight, Ashley explores the science of happiness, the myth of toxic positivity, and why understanding your mind’s quirks is a key to thriving. If you’ve ever felt stuck in self-doubt because of OCD or another condition, Ashley’s perspective will inspire you to embrace the hard stuff and find joy along the way.
Need help with OCD and the uncertainty it creates in your life? We’re here to help. Visit us at https://learn.nocd.com/podcast to learn about our best-in-care treatment options.
Show notes:
0:00 Intro
2:02 Ashley’s background
5:53 What is happiness
10:16 Patrick gets personal too
13:23 Nothing is good or bad
15:10 Accepting thoughts, images, and urges
18:26 A thought is not a fact
21:20 What “I feel like” actually means
24:46 Ashley’s book
27:42 Misconceptions around happiness
29:01 The importance of sleep
30:00 Overactive nervous system
34:47 Are we overworked in the United States?
39:40 What Ashley wants people to get out of the book
40:48 It’s not your fault
44:28 What’s next for Ashley
48:37 How to get more from Ashley
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