Overview On Anxiety Disorders

Taken from NAMI  which is located   HERE.   What are anxiety disorders? Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses that cause people to feel excessively frightened, distressed, or uneasy during situations in which most other people would not experience these same feelings. When they are not treated, anxiety disorders can be severely impairing and [...]

William Fitzsimmons: From Mental Health to Music

I came across this article through NAMI and found it quite fascinating.  Read the story of a man who has battled mental illness, been a therapist, and now is a singer songwriter.  I’ve added a video to conclude the article.  This man’s talent is amazing!   Allan    P.S.  I ran this article initially in April of [...]

Jeff Szymanski Talks About Perfectionists

WHO Jeff Szymanski WHAT Szymanski, executive director of the International OCD Foundation, has just written a book, “The Perfectionist’s Handbook: Take Risks, Invite Criticism, and Make the Most of Your Mistakes,” which is coming out tomorrow. Q. In the book, you talk about how perfectionism can be both good and bad, helpful and a stumbling [...]

What Are Common Myths About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

    Taken from Everyday Health which is located   HERE.   Everyday Health: What common myths are attached to OCD? Jeff Szymanski, PhD (ocfoundation.org) That the compulsive behavior is just a personality quirk that a person has control over and can just stop. In fact, if a person tries to inhibit a compulsive behavior, he [...]

Do Neat Freaks Have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?

Taken from Everyday Health which is located   HERE. Everyday Health: “Neat freaks” are often mislabeled as having OCD. What’s the difference, and do all people with OCD like things excessively clean? Jeff Szymanski, PhD (ocfoundation.org) Some of the confusion has to do with the terms themselves. “Obsessive” refers to a personality trait describing someone who [...]

At What Age Does OCD Usually Begin?

Third in an ongoing series.  Taken from every day health which is located   HERE. Everyday Health: Does obsessive-compulsive disorder usually begin at a certain age? Can someone go through life without having OCD, and then suddenly start showing symptoms as an older person? Jeff Szymanski, PhD (ocfoundation.org) OCD can start at any time from preschool [...]

What Are Some Common Obsessions And Compulsions?

Second in a series taken from  every day health which is located   HERE. Everyday Health: What are some common obsessions and compulsions of people living with OCD? Jeff Szymanski, PhD (ocfoundation.org) Obsessions: Thoughts, images, or impulses that occur over and over again and feel out of the person’s control. The person does not want to [...]

How Is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Different From Typical Anxiety?

Taken from everyday health which is located   HERE. OCD and Hoarding: The Experts Weigh In OCD is a two-part anxiety disorder: Obsessions are unwanted persistent thoughts; the compulsions are actions people take to reduce their obsessions. The experts discuss OCD and its possible causes. Everyday Health: A little bit of anxiety is normal and even [...]

Poetry, Film Give Voice For OCD Sufferers

Taken from CNN which is located    HERE. (CNN) — “I’m edging towards being a recluse, but choose daily to fight for release from this crippling prison.” This is how Gemma Boyd describes her life with obsessive compulsive disorder, a mental illness marked by unwanted thoughts and repeated behaviors or rituals intended to reduce anxiety. She [...]

Dirty Secret: Daughter Of A Hoarder Writes A Memoir

When Jessie Sholl’s parents separated and divorced, she could see both of their houses from her elementary school: her father’s freshly painted with a yard full of flowers and her mother’s junk filled and crumbling with a rusty car or two parked out front. At 10, she chose to move in with her father and [...]