What People Living with OCD Can Teach Us About Surviving Coronavirus
by Jeremy Shuman, Psy.D. There is no reason to want to have OCD. It is an overwhelming extra burden to carry in an already difficult world. There is no reason to believe that OCD would be helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, and OCD makes navigating the choices we are all facing extra difficult. Rituals rarely […]
The Hidden Compulsions of OCD Many Therapists Miss
By Laura Chackes, Psy.D. Most people think of hand washing or checking compulsions when they imagine someone with OCD, but there are many other compulsions that are actually quite common that are not so obvious. Even therapists and doctors often miss these subtle signs of OCD, and misdiagnose the patient with an anxiety disorder. While […]
Efforts to Reduce Anxiety That Actually Increase It
Most people do not want to experience anxiety, yet I see people regularly doing things in an effort to reduce their anxiety that are actually making it worse. Here are three of the most common culprits, and what we can do instead.Reassurance seeking, or asking others to tell you that you look okay or that […]
Five Myths About OCD
By Laura Chackes, Psy.D. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the more commonly depicted mental health disorders in TV and movies. Unfortunately, most of the time these portrayals are quite inaccurate, and therefore have contributed to much misunderstanding about what OCD really is. Here are five misconceptions that I hear often, and the truth […]
