Hit-and-Run OCD

On February 18, 2012, in Checking-Related Symptoms, Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

“Hit and run” OCD involves the fear of accidentally hitting a pedestrian while driving.  In most cases of hit-and-run obsessive-compulsive disorder, fears focus on unintentionally killing, injuring, or maiming a victim.  Other individuals worry about causing car accidents or causing other vehicles to swerve and hit pedestrians.

Fear of Driving

Hit-and-run OCD, or motor …  (read more)

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Scrupulosity

On February 8, 2012, in OCD, OCD - General, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.
What is Scrupulosity?

Scrupulosity is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by religious and/or moral obsessions. Scrupulosity can sometimes be difficult to recognize because even within a single faith community, religious beliefs and practices vary widely. There is no singular belief or behavior that is diagnostic for scrupulosity.

Instead, scrupulosity is best regarded as …  (read more)

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Scrupulosity & OCD: Religious/Moral Symptoms

On February 5, 2012, in ERP, OCD, OCD - Treatment, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Question: I have scrupulosity (religious/moral obsessive-compulsive disorder), and I am triggered by religious posts on Facebook.

When I see a religious post, I feel like I have to repost it or God will be mad at me. I also worry about what other people think about these reposts, which then leads me to fear that …  (read more)

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Exposure and Response Prevention: An Analogy

On January 31, 2012, in ERP, OCD, OCD - Treatment, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is just like a fitness program for your brain. However, instead of shaking up your fitness level, it’s designed to shake up stubborn OCD symptoms. Let’s expand on this analogy.

Reasons for Doing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

People don’t adopt fitness routines for no …  (read more)

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Starting Exposure Therapy: What’s it Like?

On January 26, 2012, in ERP, OCD, OCD - Treatment, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

For anyone new to exposure-based therapy, such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), there is often much anticipatory anxiety about starting treatment.

“What is it? What will it be like? How bad will it be? Can I handle it? Will I be forced to do things I’m unwilling to do?”

These uncertainties are …  (read more)

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Treatment of Unwanted Thoughts & Sensations in OCD

On January 18, 2012, in OCD, OCD - General, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

In my post about the treatment of sensorimotor OCD, a reader asked about the ultimate goal of treatment. Should the goal of treatment be to never notice an unwanted thought or symptom?

Suppressing Unwanted Thoughts & Sensations in Pure-O & Sensorimotor OCD

Let’s explore this idea in detail. Suppose I adopt the goal of …  (read more)

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Thought Control & OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

On January 14, 2012, in OCD, OCD - General, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.
OCD & Thought Control

Can I learn to eliminate my OCD thoughts?

I hear this question all the time from new patients who are searching for ways to suppress their unwanted thoughts. When I answer this question with a resounding “no”, there is often much surprise and grief. After all, this is why they’re …  (read more)

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Fear of Saliva Swallowing & Choking: Treatment & Symptoms (OCD)

On January 10, 2012, in Body-Focused/Sensorimotor Symptoms, ERP, OCD, Social Anxiety, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Question: I have sensorimotor OCD, and I’m suffering from conscious swallowing. My main fear is that I’ll choke or swallow my own saliva whenever I’m speaking or singing. Any tips for how to tackle this fear via exposure and response prevention (ERP)?

Great question. Consistent with general exposure and response prevention (ERP) principles, your …  (read more)

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Reassurance Seeking in OCD

On January 7, 2012, in Contamination/Health-Related Symptoms, OCD, OCD - General, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Although contamination OCD and washing rituals often go hand-in-hand, many rituals in this domain do not actually involve cleaning or disinfecting. These more subtle rituals are often based around reassurance seeking behaviors that become ingrained in everyday habit. In the context of exposure and response prevention (ERP), reassurance seeking OCD rituals are just as …  (read more)

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OCD & Contamination: Washing & Cleaning Compulsions/Rituals

On December 16, 2011, in Contamination/Health-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

OCD: Common Compulsions

In my last post about OCD, I discussed reasons why people do rituals. This time, I’ll identify specific rituals that are common in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by a fear of germs, contamination, diseases, and other health-related ills.

OCD: Hand-washing Rituals/Compulsions

Hand-washing is a very common ritual and typically involves prolonged …  (read more)

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