Articles on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Page 2
OCD and Social Scrupulosity
Most people associate scrupulosity with religion, and indeed religious scrupulosity is often an issue for some people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Those with this type of OCD have unreasonable religious...
OCD, Worry, and Uncertainty — Then and Now
When I was a junior in college almost forty years ago, I spent the year studying abroad in England. Going overseas for college at that time wasn’t like it...
OCD and Black-and-White Thinking
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is often accompanied by some cognitive distortions, which are basically inaccurate beliefs that usually make us feel badly about ourselves. One of the more common cognitive distortions...
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...
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...
Book Review: Don’t Let Your Anxiety Run Your Life
Almost everyone who walks through my door seeking counseling is struggling with anxiety. For most, it has been a life long struggle, and often depression is there, too. The...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
The Rhyme and Reason of Rituals
Whenever my children travel, I always make sure to tell them to “have a safe trip.” Before my husband goes to sleep at night, he makes it a point to be sure all...
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...
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?...
Preventive Therapy for OCD?
The postpartum period is sometimes accompanied by anxiety, depression, and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Studies on preventive therapy for postpartum OCD have shown promising results. What a great idea! Stop OCD in...
Why Don’t I Have OCD?
I was an anxious child. The night before the first day of elementary school each year, I would sleep on top of my already made bed instead of getting...
