Blog
Motivational Interviewing for OCD
Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be a tremendously helpful technique for people experiencing OCD who may be stuck in their treatment. MI acknowledges the ambivalence people might feel about changing their behaviors or thought patterns in OCD. It helps explore both the reasons for wanting to maintain current habits and the desire for change. This can help individuals understand their conflicting feelings and motivations.
Avoid these top 10 parental accommodations of childhood OCD
Parental accommodations in the context of childhood OCD refer to actions or behaviors that parents may unintentionally engage in to ease their child's distress or accommodate their OCD rituals. While accommodations are often well-intentioned, they can reinforce and perpetuate OCD symptoms. It's essential for parents to work with mental health professionals to reduce these accommodations gradually.
What are the most commonly prescribed SSRIs for OCD?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). These medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in regulating mood and anxiety, in the brain.
Best Supplements for Skin Picking Disorder
Skin picking disorder, also known as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania, is a condition characterized by the repetitive picking of the skin, often resulting in tissue damage and scarring. It's important to note that while supplements can play a role in promoting overall skin health, they are not a primary or sole treatment for skin picking disorder. This condition typically requires a comprehensive approach involving therapy, behavioral interventions, and, in some cases, medication under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Skip the Benzodiazepines for OCD
Benzodiazepines are a class of medications commonly used to treat anxiety and related disorders due to their calming and sedative effects. While they can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, they are generally not considered a first-line treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and there are several reasons for this.
The most notable and influential OCD studies
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition, and numerous studies have contributed to our understanding of its causes, mechanisms, and treatment approaches. Here are some notable and influential studies that have contributed to the field of OCD research.
TMS Coil Specialized for OCD
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique used in the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). TMS involves delivering focused magnetic pulses to specific areas of the brain to modulate neural activity.
What to tackle first for Concurrent Diagnoses: Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD
Deciding whether to tackle OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) or anxiety first depends on the severity of each condition, how they interact, and your individual needs. It's important to note that OCD is actually classified as an anxiety disorder, as it involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors driven by anxiety.
How to crack a plateau in OCD recovery
Experiencing a plateau in OCD recovery is not uncommon and can be a frustrating and disheartening phase. A plateau refers to a period where progress in managing OCD symptoms seems to stall, and individuals may feel stuck or unable to make further improvements in their recovery.
How to Distinguish Irreality OCD from Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder
Irreality OCD, also known as Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder (DP/DR), is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive and distressing obsessions related to feelings of unreality or detachment from oneself or the surrounding environment.
Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)
The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Instructions: The following questions should be answered about your use of the internet for private purposes. This assessment can help you determine your level Compulsive Internet Use.
What defines Compulsive Internet Use?
People can become compulsive with internet use due to various factors and underlying psychological mechanisms. Here are a few common reasons.
What exactly is Perfectionism and is it always harmful?
Perfectionism is a personality trait or mindset characterized by striving for flawlessness, setting excessively high standards, and demanding perfection in one's own performance, achievements, or outcomes. Individuals with perfectionistic tendencies tend to be highly critical of their own work and have an intense fear of making mistakes or falling short of their own or others' expectations.
Chronic People-Pleasing and OCD Treatment
Chronic people pleasing, a term that has entered into popular jargon (and thus been diluted), refers to a persistent pattern of behavior where an individual consistently prioritizes the needs and desires of others over their own, often at the expense of their own well-being and personal boundaries.
Is Perfectionism OCD or Anxiety?
Perfectionism can be associated with both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, but it is not synonymous with either condition. Unfortunately, perfectionism can be truly difficult to treat, especially because it has a tendency to be ego-syntonic (ie. the person and their perfectionism are fundamentally in congruence).
Common Myths about Hoarding Disorder
Unfortunately, the recent rise to fame of the concept of hoarding has led to many societal misconceptions. Just as many people make unhelpful comments such as “I’m so OCD” on social media, the use of “hoarding” as a verb has really affected the widely held understanding of what hoarding actually is.
How can Restricted Eating relate to OCD?
Restricted eating refers to a pattern of highly selective or limited food intake that goes beyond typical dietary preferences or restrictions. It is often associated with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, but it can also be observed in individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who have specific food-related obsessions and compulsions.
Dungeons & Dragons as a tool for OCD and Anxiety Treatment
At Kairos Wellness Collective, we use creative and fun interventions to work with OCD and anxiety disorders. One of our most popular group interventions is Dungeons and Dragons (D&D).
Useful Apps to Support Anxiety and OCD Treatment
There are numerous apps available that aim to support anxiety treatment by providing tools, resources, and techniques to help individuals manage their anxiety symptoms. Here are some popular apps that have received positive reviews for their effectiveness in anxiety treatment:
Pediatric Skin-Picking: Parent Do's and Don'ts
Pediatric excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder or dermatillomania, is a condition characterized by recurrent picking at one's own skin, leading to tissue damage. It typically begins in childhood or adolescence, but can also occur in adults. Here are some key points regarding the onset and distinct features of pediatric excoriation disorder.