Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Blogs This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Antidepressant " Withdrawal " : Why Aren't Psychiatrists Seeing this " Common " Problem?
Over onTheNew York Timeswebsite, there is an article titled, "Many People Taking Antidepressants Discover They Cannot Quit." Benedict Carey and Robert Gebeloff write about how long-term use of antidepressants is increasing, and some people have difficulties coming off the medications with symptoms that constitute a discontinuation syndrome. I ' ll let you read the article rather than quote it, because there was a lot wrong with the piece. It doesn ' t feel like a new idea that there are people who have protracted and miserable discontinuation syndromes--distinct from a recurrence of symptoms-- after stoppi...
Source: Shrink Rap - April 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Unknown Source Type: blogs

Can Artificial Intelligence Predict Success with OCD Treatment?
In some interesting research on obsessive-compulsive disorder, researchers at the University of California Los Angeles have developed an artificial intelligence system that predicts whether patients with OCD will benefit from Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). The February 2018 study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used a functional MRI machine, or fMRI, to scan the brains of 42 people with OCD before and after four weeks of intensive, daily cognitive behavioral therapy. Researchers specifically analyzed how different areas of the brain activate in sync with each other — a property...
Source: World of Psychology - March 20, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: OCD Research Technology Treatment Artificial Intelligence Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Technological Advancements Source Type: blogs

OCD and Identity
I’ve previously written about some of the factors involved in recovery avoidance in OCD. Often those with the disorder are fearful of giving up rituals they believe keep them and their loved ones “safe.” Even though people with OCD usually realize their compulsions do not make sense, the terror that comes with losing what they perceive as control over their lives can be so real that they choose not to fully engage in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. They are afraid of getting better, of living a life without the “safety net” of OCD. There are those with obsessive-compulsive diso...
Source: World of Psychology - March 18, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: Caregivers OCD Authenticity Avoidance Control Exposure and Response Prevention exposure response prevention therapy identity Identity formation Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Recovery Source Type: blogs

Psychology Around the Net: March 17, 2018
Happy Saturday, Psych Central readers! How’s the time change treating everyone? Personally, it’s kicking my butt (which is unusual, as time changes normally don’t affect me much), but I am absolutely thrilled with the extra daylight — and all the mental health perks that have come along with that! This week’s Psychology Around the Net takes a look at writing and self-esteem, how a lack of federal funding could be contributing to a lack of psychiatrists, the mental health care benefits California is seeing thanks to a tax on millionaires, and more. Self-Esteem Sways Benefits of Expressive Writ...
Source: World of Psychology - March 17, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Alicia Sparks Tags: Celebrities OCD Psychiatry Psychology Around the Net Research Self-Esteem Christianity Education federal funding fixed mindset growth mindset Journaling Joy Behar Khloé Kardashian Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Pence Propos Source Type: blogs

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Hope for stubborn depression
Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15 to 44. While there are many effective treatments for depression, first-line approaches such as antidepressants and psychotherapy do not work for everyone. In fact, approximately two-thirds of people with depression don’t get adequate relief from the first antidepressant they try. After 2 months of treatment, at least some symptoms will remain for these individuals, and each subsequent medication tried is actually less likely to help than the one prior. What can people with depression do when they do not respond to first-line treatment...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - February 23, 2018 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Adam P. Stern, MD Tags: Anxiety and Depression Behavioral Health Brain and cognitive health Mental Health Source Type: blogs

OCD, Learning, and Memory Problems
This study provides concrete evidence that those with OCD can present to others to help advocate for themselves. I also find this study exciting because it shows we are making progress. Slowly but surely, hard-working researchers are chiseling away at the mysteries of obsessive-compulsive disorder, helping those with OCD along the way and giving them hope. (Source: World of Psychology)
Source: World of Psychology - February 21, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: Books Caregivers College Memory and Perception OCD Personal Cognition Cognitive Decline learning disability Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Source Type: blogs

Best of Our Blogs: February 20, 2018
Thank you Sunny Hostin for expressing what I haven’t heard many people in the media say. If you watch The View, you might have caught the co-host’s response to the Florida shooting. She said we can’t continue to blame the shootings on mental illness and contrary to what many believe, mentally ill people are often victims of crime. Thank you Sunny and all the other people in the media including this blogger and all our bloggers this week for promoting truth. If we want to spread awareness and understanding, start with posts that provide an accurate picture of mental illness like our top posts this week o...
Source: World of Psychology - February 20, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Brandi-Ann Uyemura, M.A. Tags: Best of Our Blogs Source Type: blogs

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Brain Disorders?
In this study published in July 2017, researchers looked at the vitamin D levels and cognitive function in patients who experienced psychosis. They found an association between low levels of vitamin D and decreased processing speed and verbal fluency. The authors suggested the next step should be randomized controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in those with psychosis and vitamin D deficiency. Another study, published in Psychiatry Research in August 2017, looked at whether vitamin B12, homocysteine folic acid, and vitamin D might be connected to childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Fifty-two children an...
Source: World of Psychology - February 17, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: Alternative and Nutritional Supplements Brain and Behavior Health-related Memory and Perception Mental Health and Wellness Brain Disorder Mental Illness Vitamin D Vitamin Deficiency Source Type: blogs

NHS Choices helps improve brain health and science literacy by reporting findings in context — as seen in this brain training & schizophrenia example
Conclusion offered by NHS Choices) This study showed some promising initial findings for a new way of managing auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia. It may be possible for people to be able to learn how to better control and cope with the sounds they hear by using a process of computer feedback. But this was only a pilot study and wasn’t designed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. To do this would require: A much larger number of participants to see whether the effects could be consistently detected and not down to chance. A control group. It may be helpful to compare the results with ...
Source: SharpBrains - February 13, 2018 Category: Neuroscience Authors: SharpBrains Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Health & Wellness Technology auditory auditory hallucinations Brain-Training fMRI fMRI neurofeedback literacy neurocognitive neuroimaging NHS NHS Choices schizophrenia video-game Source Type: blogs

Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective for Children and Adolescents with OCD?
There is no question that having a child with obsessive-compulsive disorder affects the whole family. I’ve written before about how pediatric OCD results in disrupted routines, stressful social interactions for children, and poor job performance for parents. Elevated stress and anxiety levels, as well as feelings of frustration, anger, and sadness become the norm in a household dictated by OCD. I’ve also written about how important it is to get the right help as soon as possible. Even if parents or other caregivers think things are “not that bad,” the situation is likely worse than they imagine. Because children (a...
Source: World of Psychology - February 12, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: Children and Teens OCD Psychology Psychotherapy Research Treatment Adolescence CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Comorbidity Exposure and Response Prevention Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tic disorder Source Type: blogs

How to Ditch Perfectionism
I was sitting in a coffee shop with my friend, watching her scroll through Facebook. “I don’t want to deal with another summer. I can’t handle the bikini selfies.” Summer is still several months away, but I understand the sentiment. On Facebook, everyone seems perfect. Even the photographs themselves are perfectly lit with photo editing software or phone apps that let you clear blemishes or play with exposure. Whether my friend and I are uncomfortable because of seemingly unattainable ‘yoga bodies’ or because destination weddings are a trend, perfection seems not only achievable, but expected. Being a perfect...
Source: World of Psychology - February 2, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Rebecca Lee Tags: Anxiety and Panic Habits Happiness Mindfulness Motivation and Inspiration Perfectionism Personal Personality Ambition Organization Self Consciousness Worry Source Type: blogs

When Therapy Changes a Life
There are many forms of art that can be used in therapy. Finger painting is one of the mediums that is fun and entertaining as clients explore their emotions through paint. While art does not always require a prompt, it can often serve as a means for helping client’s see their progress in therapy. One theme that can be used is before and after. Clients are asked to paint a picture of what their anxiety felt like before they began therapy. Most often they are experiencing a lot of distress. They often feel like something is wrong with them. They feel shame and/or embarrassment that they are unable to handle life’s chal...
Source: World of Psychology - January 28, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Nancy Larsen, MSW, CSW Tags: Creativity Inspiration & Hope Motivation and Inspiration OCD Psychiatry Psychology Psychotherapy Psychotherapy Stories anxiety External locus of control Intrusive Thoughts Metaphor Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Symbolism Source Type: blogs

MKSAP: 22-year-old woman with abnormal involuntary movements
Test your medicine knowledge with the MKSAP challenge, in partnership with the American College of Physicians. A 22-year-old woman is evaluated for a 2-year-history of abnormal involuntary movements. She describes these movements as a quick elevation of the left shoulder followed by a rolling movement of the neck from side to side. The patient is able to suppress the movements completely for brief periods but then feels pressure building at the left shoulder and the urge to release it. She has experienced no other abnormal movements recently but reports uncontrollable blinking 5 years ago and occasional facial grimacing ...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - January 27, 2018 Category: General Medicine Authors: < a href="https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/post-author/mksap" rel="tag" > mksap < /a > Tags: Conditions Neurology Source Type: blogs

OCD and Obsessive Thoughts About Another Person
Albert Wakin, a professor of psychology and expert on limerence, defines the term as a combination of obsessive-compulsive disorder and addiction — a state of “compulsory longing for another person.” Professor Wakin estimates that five percent of the population struggle with limerence. Limerence involves intrusive thinking about another person. It is often confused with love addiction but there is a fundamental difference. In love addiction, people want to replicate the feeling of falling in love again and again, while those experiencing limerence are focused on feelings for a specific individual. Limerence is no...
Source: World of Psychology - January 25, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Janet Singer Tags: OCD Psychology Relationships Infatuation Intrusive Thoughts limerence Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Source Type: blogs