All Episodes

September 12, 2025 28 mins

Keywords

OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, mental health, neurobiology, treatment, psychotherapy, exposure response prevention, SSRIs, anxiety, compulsions


Summary


In this episode of the Psych Studio Podcast, Dr. Tom Kiely delves into the complexities of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), exploring its classification, symptoms, neurobiology, and effective treatments. He emphasizes the importance of understanding OCD beyond stereotypes, highlighting its neurobiological roots and the impact it has on individuals' lives. The discussion covers the history and epidemiology of OCD, the brain circuits involved, and the evidence-based treatments available, including psychotherapy and medication. Dr. Kiely offers hope for those struggling with OCD, encouraging them to seek help and emphasizing that recovery is possible.


Takeaways


·     OCD is often misunderstood and misrepresented.

·     Obsessions are intrusive thoughts that cause distress.

·     Compulsions are behaviors performed to alleviate anxiety.

·     OCD is classified as a neurobiological condition.

·     The CSTC loop in the brain is crucial to understanding OCD.

·     OCD affects about 2.3% of the adult population in the U.S.

·     Effective treatment combines psychotherapy and medication.

·     Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard for treatment.

·     SSRIs are commonly prescribed for OCD.

·     Recovery from OCD is possible with the right support.


SUBSCRIBE:

🔔 Subscribe to access bi-weekly podcast episodes: 

[⁠PODCAST LINK⁠]


GET IN TOUCH WITH DR. KIELY:


⁠PRIVATE PRACTICE WEBSITE⁠

⁠PSYCHOLOGY TODAY⁠

⁠LINKEDIN⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY:

⁠https://www.psychologytoday.com/us⁠


SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE:

Dial 988

⁠https://988lifeline.org/⁠


OCD RESOURCES:

⁠https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/other-resources/⁠


MUSIC:

Rock Your Surfboard: Yeti Music

https://uppbeat.io/t/yeti-music/rock-your-surfboard

License code: 343U0UCD8ZHJYTR


Ambient Background: Overmusic

https://audiojungle.net/item/ambient-background/57790826

License code: 0f780fbf-fa9b-4f4f-a6f9-f728e17ae8b8


Summer Pop Lemonade: SonicMood

https://audiojungle.net/item/summer-pop-lemonade/53371178

License code: 14a92b7e-e924-4c82-9de5-f8aa3518b752


Pop Rock Logo: DmitriySimf

https://audiojungle.net/item/pop-rock-logo/27226150

License code: 5424026d-0261-4ca6-9c5d-019f56fe5116


Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.