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Breaking the Rules: A Clinician's Guide to Treating OCDBreaking the Rules is a show for mental health professionals designed to help you build confidence in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Author: Dr Celin Gelgec and Dr Victoria Miller
Breaking the Rules is a show for mental health professionals designed to help you build confidence in treating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Effective treatment of OCD requires commitment, creativity and the recognition that things can sometimes get a little messy. And on the show, youll hear from a range of leading professionals and learn everything there is to know about OCD and other related mental health concerns. This podcast is brought to you by Melbourne Wellbeing Group, a psychology practice based in Melbourne with a special focus on treating OCD. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Science, Social Sciences Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Developmental Patterns in OCD Onset and Flare-Ups
Episode 72
Monday, 9 March, 2026
In this episode of Breaking the Rules, we explore when and why OCD tends to peak across the lifespan — and why symptoms often intensify during moments of growth, change, and meaning rather than out of nowhere.Drawing on clinical experience and developmental theory, this conversation looks at the predictable windows of vulnerability where OCD commonly emerges or flares: childhood and puberty, late adolescence and young adulthood, and major life transitions such as starting high school, exams, relationships, parenthood, grief, and identity shifts.Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, the discussion centres on formulation, psychoeducation, and normalisation — helping both clinicians and clients answer the critical question: why now?💬 Key themes:The two most common ages of onset for OCDPuberty, hormones, and emotional intensityIndividuation, identity formation, and existential anxietyWhy OCD spikes when life becomes meaningfulNew parenthood, responsibility, and fear of harmHow values drive OCD themes during transitionsUnderstanding symptom “shape-shifting” across life stagesUsing developmental context to reduce fear and shameAnticipating flare-ups and planning support proactively💡 “OCD often shows up when life matters most.” 🧠 “These thoughts tell us what we care about.” 💬 “Be alert, not alarmed.”🔖 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: When does OCD peak? 01:30 Early onset and puberty 03:30 Adolescence, identity, and individuation 06:00 Hormones, emotions, and existential fear 08:00 Life transitions and meaning 10:00 New parenthood and responsibility 12:00 Why themes change over time 14:00 Using formulation to answer ‘why now?’ 16:00 Anticipating flare-ups and building support#OCD #MentalHealthPodcast #BreakingTheRulesPodcast #OCDRecovery #ClinicianSupport #LifeTransitions #PerinatalMentalHealth #AdolescentMentalHealth #TherapyTalk #MentalHealthAwareness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
