Hoarding disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are closely related conditions but are considered distinct diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, there is a significant overlap between hoarding disorder and OCD, and hoarding is recognized as a specific subtype or symptom dimension of OCD.

Trichotillomania treatment studies have explored various therapeutic approaches and interventions to address the symptoms and challenges associated with this condition. Many who experience this condition feel that it has been understudied (and certainly, clinicians are under trained in its treatment).

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a mental health disorder characterized by a preoccupation with perceived flaws or defects in one's appearance. Individuals with BDD are overly concerned about their physical appearance, often focusing on specific body parts, such as the skin, hair, nose, or weight. They engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts, such as excessive grooming, seeking reassurance, comparing themselves to others, or checking their appearance in mirrors or other reflective surfaces.

Distress tolerance is an important component of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) treatment because it helps individuals with OCD learn to cope with and manage the distressing emotions and discomfort that arise when they resist engaging in their compulsions or when they are exposed to anxiety-provoking situations.

It's important to note that these factors are not definitive and may vary among individuals. Trichotillomania is a complex disorder, and its development is likely influenced by a combination of factors that interact with each other.

Research on Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), which include excoriation disorder (skin picking), trichotillomania (hair pulling), nail biting, and other similar behaviors, has been ongoing to better understand their causes, effects, and effective treatment strategies. Here are a few areas of research in BFRBs.

Emetophobia, or the fear of vomiting, can be challenging to treat because it is a complex anxiety disorder that often involves multiple factors, including past experiences, negative beliefs and thoughts, and physiological symptoms. Here are some reasons why emetophobia may be difficult to treat.

At Kairos Wellness Collective, we have several clinicians trained to treat BFRBs. However, we want clients to know at the outset that these behaviors can be very treatment resistant, even with the best care.

Treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and self-help strategies. BFRBs are a group of disorders characterized by repetitive self-grooming behaviors that can cause physical damage to the body, including hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), and nail biting.

Excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder, is a condition characterized by recurrent and compulsive picking at the skin, resulting in skin damage. The behavior often begins as a way to alleviate stress, anxiety, or boredom, but can become a habit or addiction that is difficult to control.

While using Snapchat, the most used social media app for young Americans, can be a fun and entertaining experience, but can also trigger obsessive-compulsive behaviors in individuals with OCD. In this blog, we will discuss some of the behaviors on Snapchat that may be triggering for individuals with OCD and provide some tips on how to manage these behaviors.

TikTok is a social media app that has taken the world by storm in recent years. With over a billion active users worldwide, TikTok has quickly become one of the most popular apps in the world, and it's not hard to see why. The app is designed to be incredibly addictive, and this is no accident. In this blog, we'll explore how TikTok is designed to be addictive and what this means for its users (especially those with OCD).

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive, ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) that are performed in an attempt to alleviate anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. While OCD can manifest in many different ways, some individuals with OCD may experience compulsions related to their use of social media, such as Snapchat.

TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with millions of users sharing short videos on a wide range of topics. While many of these videos are entertaining or informative, some TikTok content has raised concerns among mental health professionals, particularly in regards to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

The diagnosis and understanding of OCD has evolved significantly over time, from ancient civilizations' descriptions of obsessive-compulsive-like symptoms to the current understanding of the disorder as a distinct and treatable mental health condition. Ongoing research and treatment developments continue to improve our understanding of OCD and provide effective treatment options for those who suffer from the disorder.

Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), formerly known as Selective Eating Disorder, is an eating disorder that prevents a person from eating certain types of food or enough food to sustain proper nutrition. It can also cause the individual to restrict their intake of specific food groups or textures due to fear of choking, vomiting, or other negative reactions. ARFID often begins in childhood and may persist into adulthood if left unaddressed.

Doubt is a form of advanced thought that can be a healthy asset of human experience. Sometimes the seed of doubt might sprout into intuitive knowing that guides us to safety. Sometimes doubt comes accompanied with an uptick in anxiety, which can lead to a more alert state. This hyper-vigilance can lead us to discover otherwise missed details, and overall, improve our life outcomes.

Postpartum depression and anxiety affect women differently. Postpartum depression is a feeling of overwhelming sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. It may also include feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness – the culmination of so many months of preparation have instead left the woman feeling empty and disconnected from herself.

TikTok has become one of the most popular platforms for users to share short-form videos – but for those with OCD it can present a less than pleasurable experience which feeds into compulsive tendencies.

Journaling is a powerful tool which can help to increase self-awareness and improve mental health. However, for those of us with OCD, it can present a unique set of challenges despite its many potential benefits.