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FearCast Podcast

FearCast Podcast

#276- Academic Real Event OCD, Or Maybe Just False Guilt?

Jun 23, 2026 · 41 min · 14 segments

!https://i0.wp.com/fearcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FearCast-Podcast-Episode-94.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 Marianne reached out with her question about some academic rumination…

!https://i0.wp.com/fearcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FearCast-Podcast-Episode-94.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 Marianne reached out with her question about some academic rumination that’s been plaguing her lately. She’s fixated on her time in college and whether or not she was dishonest in her academic performance. But, things aren’t so easy sometimes. The question flips between whether there was anything genuine that happened that brings her to this obsession, or whether it is just an obsession about whether something happened but really didn’t. It’s an obsession as old as time. So, I try to handle it from both angles and offer her some ideas on how to consider the obsession and how to tackle it through acceptance, compassion, and exposure. **For more on Real Event OCD, check out this four-part blog series from The California OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center** The post #276- Academic Real Event OCD, Or Maybe Just False Guilt? appeared first on FearCast Podcast.

!https://i0.wp.com/fearcastpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/FearCast-Podcast-Episode-94.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 Marianne reached out with her question about some academic rumination…

Speakers: Kevin FossHost

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Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈2k followers

Reading Marianne’s Academic OCD Struggle8:38 – 11:05

8:38

Marianne says, suffering from OCD purely around academic events.

8:44

They go on to say, hello, Kevin, massive fan of your work in the podcast.

8:49

I am in my early 20s and from the UK.

8:52

And last year, I completed my degree with a first class.

U

UnknownUnknown

8:57

I don't

8:57

know what that means.

8:59

As an American, it sounds good.

9:01

It sounds very good.

9:03

But is it one of those like public school, private school sort of things where it's kind of flippity-flopped and like first class is bad? I don't know.

9:11

Either way, it sounds good.

9:13

So congratulations, Marianne.

9:14

All right, so I completed the first class.

9:17

It should be a really proud moment for me, but since I got my results, life has been a struggle.

9:23

I am plagued by thoughts from real events that happened during school, college, and university.

9:29

I was never a smart kid.

9:31

I don't know about that.

9:31

I don't know about that.

9:32

I don't know about that.

9:33

I was never a smart kid, but always did okay in school.

9:36

When the pandemic hit, I felt lost.

9:38

All of my friends were in college and doing well with their goals for their futures, and I felt like I had missed out.

9:45

Jump forward to late 2020 and I finally got a place on a college course I loved.

9:52

I was a good student, no cheating, no plagiarism, and always handed my work in on time.

9:57

cut forward a year later to early 2022, and I was at risk of failing a compulsory course.

10:06

I did fail it, but so did everybody else.

Society
Self-CompassionPersonal Development
Stigma of Mental IllnessSociety > Mental Health Awareness
Support SystemsSociety > Mental Health Awareness > Stigma of Mental Illness
Community ResourcesSociety > Mental Health Awareness > Stigma of Mental Illness > Support Systems
Academic AchievementEducation
Mental HealthPsychology
Anxiety DisordersHealth > Emotional Well-being
Emotional Well-beingHealth
Mental Health AwarenessSociety
Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderPsychology > Mental Health
Personal Development
Health
Education
Psychology
Real Event OCDPsychology > Mental Health > Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Coping MechanismsPsychology > Mental Health > Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder > Real Event OCD
University ExperienceEducation > Academic Achievement
Student Mental HealthEducation > Academic Achievement > University Experience
Coping with Academic PressureEducation > Academic Achievement > University Experience > Student Mental Health
ForgivenessPersonal Development > Self-Compassion
Guilt and ShamePersonal Development > Self-Compassion > Forgiveness
Overcoming MistakesPersonal Development > Self-Compassion > Forgiveness > Guilt and Shame
Cognitive Behavioral TherapyHealth > Emotional Well-being > Anxiety Disorders
Exposure and Response PreventionHealth > Emotional Well-being > Anxiety Disorders > Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Reading Marianne’s Academic OCD Struggle8:38 – 11:05

8:38

Marianne says, suffering from OCD purely around academic events.

8:44

They go on to say, hello, Kevin, massive fan of your work in the podcast.

8:49

I am in my early 20s and from the UK.

8:52

And last year, I completed my degree with a first class.

U

UnknownUnknown

8:57

I don't

8:57

know what that means.

8:59

As an American, it sounds good.

9:01

It sounds very good.

9:03

But is it one of those like public school, private school sort of things where it's kind of flippity-flopped and like first class is bad? I don't know.

9:11

Either way, it sounds good.

9:13

So congratulations, Marianne.

9:14

All right, so I completed the first class.

9:17

It should be a really proud moment for me, but since I got my results, life has been a struggle.

9:23

I am plagued by thoughts from real events that happened during school, college, and university.

9:29

I was never a smart kid.

9:31

I don't know about that.

9:31

I don't know about that.

9:32

I don't know about that.

9:33

I was never a smart kid, but always did okay in school.

9:36

When the pandemic hit, I felt lost.

9:38

All of my friends were in college and doing well with their goals for their futures, and I felt like I had missed out.

9:45

Jump forward to late 2020 and I finally got a place on a college course I loved.

9:52

I was a good student, no cheating, no plagiarism, and always handed my work in on time.

9:57

cut forward a year later to early 2022, and I was at risk of failing a compulsory course.

10:06

I did fail it, but so did everybody else.

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