Do you ever feel stuck in your own head, replaying the same thoughts over and over? Or maybe you find yourself turning to food when anxiety hits, only to feel worse afterward? 😩 If you’re nodding along, then this episode is for you! 

In this episode,  I’m joined by the incredible Jenna Overbaugh, a licensed professional counselor specializing in OCD and anxiety. We dive deep into the connection between OCD and disordered eating, as Jenna shares her own personal journey with OCD, from childhood to motherhood. Get ready to learn about the cycle of OCD, mental compulsions, and practical tips for navigating these challenges. 

OCD: More Than Just Clean Freaks and Light Switches

Let me tell you what I used to think OCD was: people washing their hands a lot, or needing their canned goods perfectly lined up. (And let’s be honest, that’s what TV shows us too.) But Jenna set the record straight. OCD is way sneakier than that. It’s intrusive thoughts and compulsions that can latch onto literally anything. Including food.

For me, it wasn’t about handwashing; it was the constant internal dialogue of “If I eat this, I’ve ruined everything.” Sound familiar? Jenna explained that OCD loves to prey on our fears and doubts, like a really annoying backseat driver. Thoughts like, “If I eat one fry, I’ll eat 100,” or “This muffin is definitely the beginning of the end” are classic OCD material.

The Glitter Jar: My New Favorite Analogy

Jenna hit me with an analogy that’s forever changed how I think about my brain. Picture your intrusive thoughts and anxiety as glitter in a jar. When you shake it, the glitter swirls around like a chaotic storm. Naturally, you want the glitter to settle ASAP, so you start frantically shaking the jar, hoping that somehow fixes it. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t. The only way to calm the glitter? Set the jar down and let it settle on its own. Translation: sit with the discomfort. Yes, it’s awkward, but it works.

Food and OCD: A Plot Twist I Didn’t See Coming

Here’s where it gets real. OCD has this cycle: intrusive thoughts (like “I ate a carb; I’m doomed”), followed by compulsions (punishing yourself by eating an entire cake because “the diet starts tomorrow”). Sound familiar? The problem is, every time you give in to those compulsions, you’re teaching your brain that the intrusive thoughts were valid. And let me tell you, they’re about as valid as my toddler’s bedtime negotiations.

Small Wins, Big Changes

Recovery doesn’t mean flipping a switch and suddenly being fine. It’s about baby steps. Jenna’s advice? Start small. Skip calorie-counting your condiments. Yes, ranch dressing, I’m looking at you. Gradually challenge those compulsions, like weighing yourself every morning or refusing to eat out unless the restaurant posts calorie counts. Trust me, life’s too short to skip spontaneous brunches.

What’s Next: Glitter Therapy and Food Freedom

The biggest lesson I’ve learned? It’s all about trust. Trusting yourself around cookies. Trusting that you can wear jeans without spiraling into a muffin-top meltdown. Trusting that your thoughts don’t define you. So, the next time your brain tries to shake up your glitter jar of anxiety, take a deep breath. Set it down. Let the glitter settle. And for heaven’s sake, eat the damn cookie.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Whether it’s food, OCD, or just life being life, we’ve got this. Cheers to food freedom and a little glitter therapy!