OCD: When should you worry about intrusive thoughts?

Kimberley Wilson, chartered psychologist, invites expert guests to join her on her mission to sift through all the information and misinformation that’s out there about our mental health.

In this episode of the psychology podcast, Kimberley explores obsessive compulsive disorder and the intrusive thoughts that are part of the condition. Most of us experience intrusive thoughts at some point in our lives, so how can we tell when they are a symptom of OCD, and what can we do to manage them? She asks psychology researcher Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney, who was diagnosed with OCD when she was 10 years old.

Please email [email protected] if there’s anything you would like Kimberley to explore. We might use what you tell us in the show, but we will do so anonymously. If you don’t want your email to be included in the podcast, then please remember to let us know. Kimberley is not able to answer emails personally so if you are concerned you have a medical or mental health issue, then please contact your GP or seek expert help. Please also take a look on the BBC Actionline page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ where you can find details of organisations offering information and support for common issues.

The Complex team:

Host: Kimberley Wilson

Guest: Dr Nina Higson-Sweeney

Producer: Kirsten Lass

Assistant Producer: Katie Chandler Clarke

Researcher: Grace Revill

Science Editor: Rami Tzabar

Tech Producer: Reuben Huxtable

Sound Designer: Ruth Rainey

Digital Lead: Richard Berry

Podcast artwork photography: Darren Skene

And for BBC Sounds:

Commissioning Producer: Izzy Lee-Poulton

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Complex is a Loftus Media production for BBC Sounds.