Mental Health and Loneliness
As an advocate for mental health awareness, I have learned a lot about various brain disorders and illnesses. Of course each one comes with its own set of symptoms which…
Caregivers
Sarcasm on the Spectrum
Ever feel confused when others use sarcasm? Ever become frustrated by the expectation that you should understand sarcasm? Well you are not alone! While this article can be used to…
Music Training May Facilitate Memory Function in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has long been considered a detrimental form of dementia. With over 35 million individuals globally living with dementia and this number predicted to triple in the next…
Freedom from OCD
When he was dealing with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, my son Dan spent nine weeks in a world-renowned residential treatment program. During this time, he kept saying things such as “I’m…
A Systematic Approach to Understanding Learning Styles in Students with Disabilities
The way in which individuals perceive information and process it in different ways has an impact on learning. The understanding that each individual possess a unique set of biological and…
OCD is Messy
Since 2008 I have had the privilege of getting to know many people who deal with obsessive-compulsive disorder. We’ve connected through face-to-face meetings, email exchanges, telephone calls, and social media….
What If the ‘What Ifs’ Come True?
Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder typically realize their obsessions and compulsions are irrational and make no sense. There are times, however, that this belief can waver – especially when on…
When to Seek Treatment for OCD
Most experts agree that it is time to seek treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder when the illness “interferes with your daily life.” While “interfering” can mean different things to different people, it…
Have OCD? You Can Still Keep the Bar High
One of the main reasons I write about my family’s experiences is to get the word out that obsessive-compulsive disorder, no matter how severe, is treatable. Stories of recovery can give hope…
Book Review: Ending the Parent-Teen Control Battle
My mother, a loving mother dedicated to her children, used to say, “raising children is hard.” As I grew older and began working with children and adolescents, I recognized her…
Book Review: Behavioral Challenges in Children
Raising a child with special needs is a difficult thing. Not only does a parent or guardian need a high tolerance level, but also knowledge on how to cope with,…
Choosing Exposure Response Prevention Therapy
As I have mentioned in many of my articles, exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the front line treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder as recommended by the American Psychological Association….
Making Sense of Sensory Processing Disorder
Our bodies are wired for sensory input. Touch, (which includes temperature, texture and pressure), taste, sound, sight and smell are the ways in which we explore the world, from the…
Book Review: The Silenced Child
Oliver Sacks described listening as the only cardinal rule a practitioner must have. In her new book, The Silenced Child: From Labels, Medications, and Quick-Fix Solutions to Listening, Growth and…
Should OCD Be a Family Affair?
When my seventeen-year-old son Dan was first diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, I wanted details. What was he thinking, how was he feeling, is today better or worse than yesterday? The…