Purely Obsessive: Is It a Diagnosis or a Distraction?
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on May 20, 2013
Is it possible to be obsessive without being compulsive? For a number of years, persons studying Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) raised that question when subjects who were diagnosed as obsessive did not exhibit overt compulsive behaviors such as repetitive hand-washing, checking door locks, or other visible actions. Further study, however, has suggested that purely obsessive behavior, or “Pure O” as it used to be called, is very rare, if it exists at all.
As a clinical disorder, OCD is marked by obsessions that cause extreme anxiety. While this may appear to suggest the diagnosis of “Pure
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Getting Help for Our Children
Posted by Janet Singer on May 06, 2013
I follow a lot of blogs written by OCD sufferers. I find them interesting and educational, and they often provide me with a firsthand glimpse into the world of someone who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. As a parent of an OCD sufferer, I am particularly drawn to posts that deal with family matters.
These blogs are written by adults of all ages, and many of them acknowledge having had OCD since they were children. They wonder, sometimes bitterly, why their parents didn’t seek out help once they realized something was wrong. Even if they didn’t know
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College Stress Can Worsen OCD Symptoms
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on Apr 26, 2013
Stress is a major trigger for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptoms and few events in a young person’s path to adulthood are more stressful than going off to college. Fortunately, there are things an OCD-suffering teen can do to help minimize, or even eliminate, its effects.
Anticipating OCD triggers is a good first step. At the minimum, college presents a whole new set of challenges, even if the student lives at home. The familiar routine of going to school and returning at the same set time each day is gone. The safety net of a school administration that
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Recognizing OCD in Your Child
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on Apr 16, 2013
Kids can be downright confusing. Trying to make sense out of their behaviors can test even the most patient and understanding parents. When does the fear of the monster under the bed or worrying that daddy is never coming back go from normal childhood anxiety to a serious problem.
If obsessions and compulsions begin to interfere with your child’s functioning in relationships with their family, friends, or schooling, they may have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
About one child in 100 develops OCD. Their brains process information differently from other children, resulting in uncontrollable worries and doubts (obsessions) that
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Spring Into Action
Posted by Janet Singer on Apr 01, 2013
April brings the promise of spring, as the earth awakens and comes back to life. While it is a time of rebirth, many of those stuck in the vicious cycle of obsessive-compulsive disorder are so consumed by their illness that they can’t appreciate, or perhaps even notice, this beautiful time of year.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Unlike so many other illnesses, OCD is treatable. I will even go so far as to say those with obsessive-compulsive disorder are lucky, as they have successful treatment options to pursue. Even if you live in an
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Study Shows OCD Higher in New Mothers
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on Apr 01, 2013
Did I turn the baby on its back to sleep? Will I know what to do if she starts choking? What if I trip and fall while I’m holding him? Did I get the bottles clean enough? Some new mothers, especially first-time moms, constantly worry about how-tos and what-ifs. Is it just a normal reaction caused by mothering instincts, or is it a sign of a more serious underlying problem? Researchers at Northwestern University wanted to know.
They recruited 461 women who delivered babies at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and tested them for anxiety, depression and OCD two weeks after
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HBO Program Offers Rare Look at OCD Reality
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on Mar 26, 2013
When the entertainment media sees OCD, it sees comedy. A more accurate portrayal would be a dark drama by Alfred Hitchcock. That’s why the recent HBO episode of “Girls” in which Hanna (portrayed by Lena Dunham) confronts her OCD is remarkable.
Rather than playing for cheap laughs, Dunham (who besides being the lead actor in the series is also its creator, director, writer, and executive producer) offers a realistic look at OCD, its causes, its manifestations, and its treatment.
As can happen in real life, Hanna had her disorder under control until a “triggering event
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Speak Out
Posted by Janet Singer on Mar 01, 2013
Have you noticed that more celebrities than ever seem to be announcing they have obsessive-compulsive disorder? While normally I would applaud their openness, I am concerned after reading details of some of these admissions, that they do not give an accurate portrayal of what OCD really is. While some of these stars undoubtedly suffer from the disorder, others admit to not having been officially diagnosed. It seems to me that OCD has become somewhat of a “trendy” disorder, and this misrepresentation of the illness can do more harm than good.
Unfortunately, OCD is one of the most
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OCD and FAME are Not Mutually Exclusive
Posted by Danielle Yuthas on Feb 28, 2013
Her name is Joanne Rowling and she struggled as a teen with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). You might know her as J.K. Rowling, mega success as an author of the Harry Potter series. In 2000, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the fastest-selling book in history. The seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series was the largest ever pre-ordered book at Barnes + Nobel, Borders and Amazon.com in 2007. She is now ranked as Britain’s 13th wealthiest woman, richer even than the queen.
Having OCD does not preclude becoming a success.
Rowling became aware of
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What’s a Parent To Do?
Posted by Janet Singer on Feb 01, 2013
Enabling OCD adds fuel to the fire
Being a parent is hard. We all want what’s best for our children, and we want them to be happy. Sometimes these two basic truths collide. Our three-year-old wants a toy she sees in the store. She already has too many toys, and needs to learn she can’t have everything she wants. We know the right thing to do is say, “No.” So we do, and of course a tantrum follows, but soon everything returns to normal. We did what was best for our child, even though
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Making Sense of the Senseless
Posted by Janet Singer on Jan 01, 2013
Mental illness stigma and seeking help
I, like everyone else, am still trying to somehow make sense of the horrific massacre that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We want to know why, because if we know why, then we have something to focus on, something to fix. Once we do that we can move on, confident that nothing like this will ever happen again.
Oh, if only it were that easy. But it rarely is, especially in this unimaginable scenario we are dealing with. Easy answers? No. Any answers? Who knows? At this writing, little is known about
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OCD and Thankfulness
Posted by Janet Singer on Dec 01, 2012
Moving beyond obsessive-compulsive disorder
Here we are, in the midst of another holiday season, and it’s at this time that I usually find myself taking stock of the year that has almost passed; there is always so much to reflect upon and be thankful for. Most recently, I am thankful that my husband and I were able to host a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at our home, and even more thankful that our son Dan wasn’t there. Yes, you read it right. I am thankful that Dan was not with us for Thanksgiving.
The road to OCD
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OCD and Uncertainty…for Everyone
Posted by Janet Singer on Nov 01, 2012
“The doubting disease” and the ironic quest for control
As many of you might already know, obsessive-compulsive disorder is often referred to as “the doubting disease.” This is because doubt and uncertainty fuel the fire for OCD, as sufferers feel the need to have total control over everything in their lives; to be certain that everyone and everything are okay. While it is human nature to seek answers, those with OCD take it too far. They are obsessed with being certain; certain that everything looks right, or is completely safe, or totally germ free. There
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Teens and OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on Oct 01, 2012
“Normal” teen behavior might be anything but
I think we can all agree that once a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder is made, it is important to get the right help as soon as possible. A therapist who specializes in treating the disorder using Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy is the way to go. The path to follow is clear.
But what is not always clear is whether or not you or a loved one even has OCD. In particular, if you are the parent of a teenager, it may be hard to distinguish “normal teen behavior”
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Taking OCD to College
Posted by Janet Singer on Sep 04, 2012
Build a Support System of Therapists, Academic Leaders and Family
With students heading off to college this month, I can’t help but think back to when my son Dan was a freshman, fifteen hundred miles from home. He had been diagnosed with OCD about four months before leaving for school, and the therapist he’d been seeing assured us that “Dan was fine,” and would need no accommodations or additional therapy while away. Fast forward seven months, and I had a son so disabled by the disorder that he couldn’t even eat.
OCD
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Beyond OCD: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Posted by Janet Singer on Aug 01, 2012
Where There's a Will, There's a Way
While OCD is a neurologically based anxiety disorder with the potential to destroy lives, the good news is it’s treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy, is the treatment of choice for those with the disorder.
ERP Therapy is difficult, as it forces sufferers to face their fears head-on, and then requires them to refrain from performing compulsions. This process initially evokes intense anxiety, and this anxiety is one of the main reasons sufferers postpone, or even avoid treatment.
I believe this is a big
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Beyond OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on Jul 09, 2012
What's in a Name?
OCD Chicago recently changed its name to Beyond OCD to better reflect its current scope and mission. I love the new name, as it conjures up a vision of moving past obsessive-compulsive disorder into a life of freedom not dictated by the illness. Beyond OCD conveys hope, and to me, there’s nothing more inspiring than that.
Mental health stigma
This name change brings to light how powerful words can be. It works both ways, however, and, unfortunately, stigma has been wrapped around so many words for so long that it’s hard
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Getting Past OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on May 01, 2012
OCD and Transitions
May, a month of transition for many, is upon us. In my own family, we have two upcoming graduations: high school for my younger daughter, and college for my son Dan. While my husband and I are very proud of both of them, Dan’s graduation is especially poignant, as during his struggle with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, his strong desire to complete his education at his dream college was a powerful motivator to get well. Now here he is, achieving the goal he set for himself. What a wonderful reason to celebrate!
OCD: The doubting disease
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Curing OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on Apr 01, 2012
Is OCD Curable?
When sufferers are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, one of the first questions they might want answered is, “Is it curable?” This question certainly was at the top of my list when my son Dan was diagnosed with severe OCD five years ago. We received the standard answer: While OCD is not curable, it is highly treatable. At the time, my son was almost completely debilitated by severe OCD, so “treatable” was good enough for me. With the proper therapy, Dan recovered, and his therapist now classifies his OCD as mild.
Defining OCD
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OCD Therapy
Posted by Janet Singer on Mar 03, 2012
Recovery Apathy
At the age of nineteen, my son Dan spent nine weeks of his summer at a world-renowned residential treatment program for those suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder. We didn’t force him to go; in fact it was just the opposite. He couldn’t wait to get there as he was determined to free himself of OCD, which at the time was severe.
Exposure Response Prevention Therapy
It all made sense to me. My son had a debilitating illness that was fortunately treatable. So off he went to get treatment. That was four years ago and
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Helping OCD sufferers
Posted by Janet Singer on Feb 01, 2012
How Do We Help Those We Love?
As Valentine’s Day approaches, many of our thoughts turn to celebrating love. But what about those of us whose loved ones are suffering? How we can we help our spouses, parents, children, or friends who are struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
When Someone You Love Has OCD gives practical suggestions for helping loved ones. First and foremost, we need to learn all we can about OCD. Knowledge is power, and the more we understand this often confusing disorder, the better position we will be in to help those we care
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Conquering OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on Jan 03, 2012
New Year’s Resolutions: We Need a Plan
I have never been a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. The few times I actually made them I gave up by the end of January, with only frustration and a sense of failure to show for my efforts (or lack thereof).
I think the problem is I never really thought these resolutions through. They were just proclamations: “I’m going to eat better. I’m going to exercise more. I’m going to worry less.” I resolved to do these things, but I
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OCD and Holiday Giving
Posted by Janet Singer on Dec 01, 2011
“I will never forget that feeling of being completely lost and alone, not knowing who to listen to or where to turn for help.”
This quote is from my first post on Connections, where I talk about my son Dan’s journey through severe OCD. Though this nightmare transpired almost four years ago, the fear I felt back then is still palpable, and is what fuels my advocacy for OCD awareness and proper treatment.
If you’re reading this, you are likely either an OCD sufferer or care about someone with OCD, and so there
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Recognizing OCD
Posted by Janet Singer on Nov 01, 2011
Acknowledging OCD Symptoms is the First Step
Let’s say you wake up one morning and your leg hurts. You hobble around on it for a few days, but the pain gets worse. You tell yourself you’ll give it “one more day” and if it’s not better, you’ll call your doctor. Most of us can relate to this scenario where we’ve had a medical issue, we’ve kept an eye on it for a little while, and then we sought help, and a diagnosis.
Seeking help for OCD
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Fighting OCD - No More Secrets
Posted by Janet Singer on Oct 03, 2011
No More Secrets
With the help of the Internet, my son Dan diagnosed himself with OCD at the age of seventeen. He had known something was wrong for at least a few years, but never told anyone. Wanting to get help before he left for college that coming fall, Dan mustered the courage to tell me his secret. We were in the car when he anxiously announced he had something really important to tell me. But he just couldn’t seem to get the words out.
“Just say it, Dan. You’ll feel better once you do,
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OCD Connections
Posted by Janet Singer on Sep 06, 2011
Connections: A New Beyond OCD Blog
Welcome to Connections, Beyond OCD ’s new blog! My name is Janet Singer and I will be blogging about anything and everything to do with OCD -- obsessive compulsive disorder. My posts will include current topics of interest to OCD sufferers and their families, and I also hope to connect with readers by sharing my own thoughts and experiences. So whether you are an OCD sufferer or you care about someone with OCD, this blog is for you.
Severe OCD
Three and a half years ago I flew fifteen hundred miles to be
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