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What if the thoughts that torment you don’t have to define you anymore?
In this eye-opening episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with Jon Hershfield, MFT, director of the Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt. From his own lived experience with OCD to becoming a leading voice in evidence-based treatment, Jon unpacks what OCD really is, looking beyond the stereotypes. He shares how obsessions and compulsions hijack your life, why diagnosis matters, and how exposure therapy and mindfulness can help you reclaim control. Whether you're struggling with intrusive thoughts, supporting someone with OCD, or just want to understand this widely misunderstood condition, Jon's wisdom offers clarity, hope, and a roadmap forward.
How do you distinguish between quirky habits and a diagnosable condition, and what does true healing look like?
Understanding the difference between personality and pathology is the first step toward compassionate, effective treatment.
(00:00) From Lived Experience to Leading Expert
● Jon's 20-year battle with OCD
● Finding community in online support groups
● Why he decided to pursue a career helping others with OCD
● The power of treating the whole person, not just compartmentalized diagnoses
(08:00) What OCD Really Is: Beyond the Stereotype
● Breaking down the difference between being "quirky" and having a disorder
● Obsessions: unwanted intrusive thoughts that violate your values
● Compulsions: ineffective strategies to relieve distress from obsessions
● The "psychic damage" of mental rituals: ruminating, analyzing, and seeking certainty
● Recognizing when the "D" (disorder) part matters
(16:00) Diagnosis, Identity & the Modern Mental Health Landscape
● Navigating multiple diagnoses in a world of one-hour evaluations
● The danger of letting diagnoses become your identity
● How OCD can coexist with other conditions like autism, ADHD, and personality disorders
● Why specialization matters when seeking OCD treatment
(25:00) ERP, Mindfulness & Doing the Work
● Why Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard for OCD treatment
● How mindfulness helps you observe thoughts without attaching to them
● The importance of homework in therapy
● Facing your fears until your brain realizes you can survive the uncertainty
● Meditation and being present with discomfort
(33:00) Finding Help, Resources & What Brings Joy
● Where to start if you think you might have OCD
● Why working with an OCD specialist is crucial for effective treatment
● Jon's upcoming book: Being a Parent with OCD (2026)
● The privilege of helping people expand their world when OCD has made it small
Reconnect with yourself and your community: We start the New Year, New TI-YOU Challenge January 5th in the Tone It Up App. Just download the Tone It Up App at ToneItUp.com/app and we will see you January 5th!
Episode Resources
● Watch The Big Silence and Karena Dawn at the Not Alone Summit
● Learn More: Not Alone Summit & Not Alone Challenge
Guest Resources
● Visit the Center for OCD and Anxiety at Sheppard Pratt
● International OCD Foundation
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