PURE OBSESSION: A CHAT WITH ZACHARY GITTELMAN  In today’s conversation, Zachary Gittelman, a 29-year-old living in Manhattan, shares his experience with Pure O, a form of OCD marked by distressing thoughts (obsessions) without visible compulsions. His OCD symptoms became pronounced in his early 20s after moving away from his twin brother, with his obsessions often involving self-harm thoughts. Through years of therapy, including ERP (Exposure Response Therapy), Zachary has learned to manage his OCD and now helps others via his website, themangohealth.com, which provides OCD resources and self-guided ERP tools. Zachary’s website: themangohealth.com Zachary’s email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected] My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].      

MID-WEEK MOTIVATION - GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q  You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].

Managing OCD During COVID: My First Experience and Key Lessons Learned Today, I discuss my experience of having COVID for the first time and how I managed my OCD during that period. I explored the challenges of balancing pandemic-related health anxieties with my OCD tendencies and the coping strategies I used, such as mindfulness and self-care. I also reflect on what I learned about myself, including my resilience, the importance of accepting uncertainty, and developing self-compassion. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].

MID-WEEK MOTIVATION - MY HAPPY PLACE My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: JOSH KIRSCHENBAUM'S JOURNEY WITH OCD AND SELF-HEALING In today's episode, I speak with Josh Kirschenbaum, a 39-year-old from Philadelphia who was diagnosed with OCD in his mid-30s. Big trigger warning here! Josh shares that he has experienced suicidal thoughts since the age of 6 and these are discussed throughout much of this episode. He discusses the compulsive behaviors he developed, particularly while driving, and the challenges he's faced in relationships. Despite these struggles, Josh has worked through much of it using self-directed cognitive ehavioral therapy and is currently in a positive place in his life. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].  

Mid-Week Motivation - The Story of Nick Vujicic In this week’s motivation, I will be telling you the story of Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker who was born without arms or legs. I think you will find his story very inspiring. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].

Unwelcome Guests: Navigating the Chaos of Intrusive Thoughts I have been managing my OCD very well for the past few years without the assistance of medications and now without monthly therapy sessions. But that doesn’t mean things are perfect around here. This week I talk about some of the recent obsessions I have been having and how I’ve dealt with them, also how I could have handled things differently to keep these thoughts from creeping in. Let me know in the comments some of your recent intrusive thoughts and what you did about them. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].

Mid-Week Motivation - Erma Bombeck I hope you enjoy these quotes by Erma Bombeck and that they help you with your mental health and life struggles. Erma Bombeck was a beloved American humorist and writer known for her witty and relatable take on the everyday experiences of suburban life, particularly from the perspective of a housewife. Born in 1927, she started her career as a newspaper columnist, and her humor columns, often centered around family life, quickly gained popularity. Her writing was characterized by a sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and a deep understanding of the joys and frustrations of domestic life. Bombeck had an incredible knack for turning the mundane into something hilarious, whether she was writing about the trials of raising children, the challenges of marriage, or the absurdities of housework. She authored several best-selling books, including "The Grass Is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank" and "If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?" Her humor resonated with millions of readers who found comfort and laughter in her honest portrayal of the ups and downs of life. Despite her humor, Bombeck also touched on serious topics, often with a poignant twist that revealed her depth of empathy and understanding. She was widely appreciated not just for making people laugh, but for helping them feel seen and understood. Erma Bombeck's legacy lives on as one of America's most cherished humorists, and her work continues to be enjoyed by readers who appreciate the timeless humor and wisdom she brought to everyday life. Today, I’m speaking with a young woman named Kaur. Her family is from India and she is in her 20’s. She has an amazing story to tell. Struggling with depression, OCD and a diagnosed of Borderline Personality Disorder, she is taking control of her future by switching to a new treatment center. I was very impressed with this young lady’s resilience and hope for her future. Let’s take a listen. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].  

How to Deal: Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a Young Adult Today, I’m speaking with a young woman named Kaur. Her family is from India and she is in her 20’s. She has an amazing story to tell. Struggling with depression, OCD and a diagnosed of Borderline Personality Disorder, she is taking control of her future by switching to a new treatment center. I was very impressed with this young lady’s resilience and hope for her future. My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].  

MID-WEEK MOTIVATION - OUR PLACE IN THIS WORLD I hope you enjoy this week’s mid-week motivation. We can begin and continue our healing process by recognizing our special place in this world and what we have to offer. I know it’s hard. When you are depressed or anxious, it’s hard to think about something positive about urselves, but we are in control of our own healing. I have no doubt that you can do this! My blog and current social media links are listed below: Facebook Group Page -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/1006937163975152 Blog – aroundandaroundtheocdcircle.blogspot.com Tik Tok - theocdcircle Twitter-- @aroundocdcircle Instagram - @aroundandaroundtheocdcircle YouTube- Around and Around – The OCD Circle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbyTz1V6a5hinyl4z9Ft09Q   You are welcome to contact me via e-mail at [email protected].