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Recording // Mental Health Recovery Webinar // OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Recording // Mental Health Recovery Webinar // OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and reduced to clichés about being ‘neat’ or ‘fussy’. In reality, OCD is a complex mental health condition experienced in many different ways. For some, it’s linked to trauma and can involve intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviours and overwhelming anxiety.

In this 60-minute community webinar in recognition of OCD Awareness Week (12–18 October 2025), Anu Dhingra, Manager – Peer Led Programs, SANE Australia, will share his lived experience with OCD, how this can relate to trauma, and the stereotypes attached to OCD. This webinar is a safe and welcoming space where you will have the opportunity to hear valuable insights about:

  • Common misconceptions about OCD.
  • The connection between OCD, anxiety and experiences of trauma.
  • Realistic support and strategies for people who have or support someone with OCD.

About Anu

Anu Dhingra is the Manager of Peer Led Programs. Anu is a Lived Experience Leader and has been working in the Mental Health not-for-profit sector for over 8 years. At SANE, he currently oversees the Lived Experience and Diversity & Inclusion portfolios. His own lived experience of mental ill-health, OCD, Childhood trauma, Suicidality and recovery has led him to develop a passion for improving mental health service outcomes, be a voice and advocate for those that cannot speak on their own behalf. Anu is also on the Committee of Management at the Victorian Mental Illness Awareness Council (VMIAC), the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic); and volunteers his time as a Crisis Support worker at Lifeline.

Prior to joining SANE, Anu has worked at Lifeline Australia as a Trainer, Paid Crisis Support Worker and Centralised In-shift Supervisor, part of the National Operations Team supporting Lifeline Centre's across the nation. He was also a member of the Self-Stigma Technical Advisory Group, at the National Mental Health Commission, responsible for informing the development of the National Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Strategy.

Watch the recording here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb-FN8t0JtM

21 replies

11 - 20 of 21

In response to: Recording // Mental Health Recovery Webinar // OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

I have registered @AuntGlow 😊

@Emelia8 , @Rovja , @creative_writer , @Kashmina , @rav3n @NightFury

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

I’ve registered

In response to: Recording // Mental Health Recovery Webinar // OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Hey everyone,

Here are some links to some previous threads and resources about OCD!

SANE's OCD Factsheet

Topic Tuesday 29th of March 2021 - OCD: Behind the mask

Follow up to the OCD Discussion Event - OCD: Behind the mask

SANE's We're People Like You podcast episode with Anu

We're looking forward to having you come along to the webinar tomorrow!

Remember, if you can't watch the webinar live, it will be recorded and posted in this thread ✌️

@AuntGlow @NightFury @Kashmina @Emelia8 @creative_writer @Rovja @Shaz51 @Former-Member @NatureLover @Adge

In response to: Recording // Mental Health Recovery Webinar // OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

It absolutely is - your presence in the space will be so valuable @creative_writer 💖

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Looking forward to tonight and seeing you all there!! 🫶

@0ddsidian @Former-Member @Shaz51 @Emelia8 @Rovja @creative_writer @NightFury @Kashmina

@Adge @NatureLover

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Thank you to everyone who tuned in tonight!! I would love to share Kimberely Quinlan's work with you. She is an Aussie gal, but currently works in America. She has some wonderful free/affordable OCD resources, including her podcast: https://kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com/category/podcast/

And OCD workbook: https://kimberleyquinlan-lmft.com/self-compassion-workbook-for-ocd/

Let me know how you go and if you have any questions. So proud of you all for being there and for sharing bits of your story with us. 🥰

@0ddsidian @Former-Member @Shaz51 @Emelia8 @Rovja @creative_writer @NightFury @Kashmina @Adge @NatureLover

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Yes @AuntGlow I was there. But when I logged in it came up with my real name. So I did not contribute in any way. I found it quite good though. I had a particular interest in the link between trauma and OCD, which is the case with me. I will have a look at the podcast and workbook you just posted.

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Thanks @AuntGlow listening to Anu, for me anyway, shows you OCD presents in so many different ways for different people

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Anu was great to listen to and explained so many things very clearly. Helped clear up confusion I’ve had @AuntGlow

Years ago I queried possible OCD and was totally dismissed. Came up in discussion with psychologist earlier this year. Her comment was it’s not OCD unless thoughts about disasters eg if clothes out of order, roof will fall in.

various things I have are kept in a specific colour order. New items must be placed into that colour order as soon as home to prevent panic attack and tension headaches. If not in ‘correct’ colour order, my thoughts go to fears of inability to find and keep things ‘in order’. Empty hangar in wardrobe generates fear of having lost item.

In response to: Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Re: OCD - Beyond the Stereotypes - Webinar

Very interesting @AuntGlow

@tyme

11 - 20 of 21