It’s Not What You Think

For the last episode of season 3, Penny and Ange are joined by Alison Cosker. Together they discuss:
What’s next for the podcast
Why they decided to run an event in Melbourne and what happened when they did
Whether they think stigma around mental illness, and OCD in particular, has lessened now that more and more people are talking about it
Their favourite lesson or moment from this season 
Links:
 
Help us record another season! 

There is a real buzz surrounding a treatment method originating in Norway. Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Melbourne Mindcare, Nathan Dowling joins Penny and Angie to talk about this intensive but gentle method, which is now being piloted in Australia.
They discuss:
What the Bergen 4 Day Treatment (B4DT) method is and how it differs from other methods of treatment
The origins of the treatment method in Norway  
How Nathan and others in Melbourne were trained by the Norwegian specialists
Why Nathan and others are so excited about the promising results of the pilot program in Melbourne 
What the four days look like 
Some of the initial results of the program 
What the future of the B4DT looks like in Australia 
Melbourne Mindcare
OCD program at Melbourne Clinic
More info about the B4DT

Paediatrician Dr Leila Masson joins Penny and Angie to talk about PANS/PANDAS, a medical condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks brain cells and can lead to sudden, severe symptoms of OCD. 
Doctors often mistake PANS/PANDAS for other conditions and it can be extremely difficult for parents to get a diagnosis for their kids. 
Dr Masson, a medical doctor who also specialises in environmental and nutritional health discusses:
- Why kids get PANS/PANDAS
- what the signs and symptoms are 
- how it is diagnosed 
- why it can be so hard to receive a diagnosis 
- how it can be treated 
- how to look after your kids’ immune systems to try to avoid conditions like PANS/PANDAS 
 
LINKS 
Dr Masson’s online parents course for PANS/PANDAS
Children’s Health A to Z by Dr Leila Masson
PANDAS Network
Family media plan

A few years ago, Jo’s OCD was so crippling that she needed to be hospitalised and completed two stints at The Melbourne Clinic. OCD had completely taken over her life in every way. 
Jo joins Penny and Angie for a beautiful conversation about what she found the most helpful in her recovery and how she ended up turning her pain into a way to help so many others, through her counselling practice called Living Proof Therapy.
 
The Melbourne Clinic OCD Program 

Tess very generously talks to Penny and Angie about:
when her hair pulling symptoms began
her religious upbringing and the intense feelings of shame and perfectionism
the various treatments she’s tried in order to stop pulling out her eyelashes
accepting how life pans out (regardless of the condition)
what she wishes people knew about trich
what she'll do if her kids show signs

In this episode Penny and Ange are joined by young emerging performer and theatre-maker, Gryff Connah. He talks to them about how intrusive thoughts and compulsions have woven their way throughout his life and how his dad helped him to identify what was really going on. Together they discuss:
the early signs of OCD as a young kid
the obsessive thoughts intensifying during lockdown when Gryff was a teenager
the validation and relief that came with a diagnosis
some of the more taboo themes of OCD that are so common but rarely talked about
the play ‘Flicker’ that Gryff is involved with producing for the Melbourne fringe festival, which delves into the complex themes of OCD

Do you find it tough to parent whilst drowning in OCD overwhelm? Well, Penny and Ange do, so they sat down for a candid chat about it. 
They talk about their own experiences as parents to young kids and read out anonymous comments that listeners sent in describing what parts they find the toughest. They also talk about some of the silver linings and include some practical tips for parents who might be struggling with their mental health. 
 
Shownotes: 
This Way Up: https://thiswayup.org.au/
The Brain Forest https://www.dymocks.com.au/the-brain-forest-by-sandhya-menon-and-kushla-ross-9780646856094
 
 

Penny talks to acclaimed contemporary painter, Emily Ferretti about her experience with magical thinking OCD.
Em talks so generously about: 
- Some of her early OCD symptoms that arose when she was at primary school
- Seeing a counsellor early on but not receiving the right treatment until she was an adult
- Having certain obsessions triggered by specific life moments 
- How OCD can wax and wane throughout someone's lifetime 
- Going on medication and finally seeing a psychologist who had experience with treating OCD
- The catharsis of group therapy 
- Becoming a mum who has OCD 
 
Shownotes:
Up - documentary
 

Alison steps in for Angie today and joins Penny in welcoming back Dr Andrea Wallace to discuss EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).EMDR is an evidence-backed therapy that uses bilateral stimulation (for example side to side eye movements) alongside the recollection of memories to help the brain reprocess memories of events or feelings.
Penny and Alison discuss:
How the body/mind is wired to heal itself
What EMDR is and how it started
How and why it can be useful to help treat people with OCD
What EMDR sessions might look like
How it’s been helpful for Penny
How it can help people who might be resistant to trying ERP

Leading Australian TV producer, Chris Walker talks to Penny and Angie about the devastating intersection of OCD and childhood trauma. When Chris was a young kid he witnessed a devastating event which left him and his family reeling. A few years later, Chris experienced OCD symptoms which started to take over his life. 
In this very raw and honest episode, Chris talks so generously about:
The role religion and moral scrupulosity played in his OCD
The exhaustion of dealing with OCD at school when it’s so often invisible/hidden
The continuing misunderstanding around OCD and mental illness in general
Getting treatment for PTSD and ocd and how ERP therapy helped his compulsions
Seeing OCD symptoms in one of his children and his optimism for early intervention.