When the Mind Won’t Stop Checking: OCD and Mental Compulsions

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Schaefer unpacks the often invisible or overlooked side of OCD, mental compulsions. While many people associate OCD with visible rituals or checking behaviors, for others the compulsions happen largely in the mind: replaying conversations, analyzing motives, or mentally reviewing to find certainty and relief.Lauren explores how these silent loops can disguise themselves as problem-solving or “just being thorough,” yet quietly maintain anxiety and self-doubt. She explains how to begin noticing when a thought becomes a compulsion, how reassurance-seeking reinforces the fear cycle, and what healing looks like when you learn to let the uncertainty stay.Gentle, relatable, and deeply validating, this episode is for anyone who feels trapped in their thoughts and ready to start reclaiming their mental space. Relevant Links: Non-Engagement Responses https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/how-do-i-stop-thinking-about-this-what-to-do-when-youre-stuck-playing-mental-ping-pong/ and this https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/effective-ways-you-can-respond-to-unwanted-thoughtsInternational OCD Foundation: How to find the right therapist. https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/how-to-find-the-right-therapist/Read more on Lauren’s Substack: https://substack.com/@hiddeninplainsightpodcastRecommendations, Feedback, Comments? I’d love to hear from you!Support the showWith Care,Dr. Lauren Schaefer - Hidden in Plain Sight Podcast