What is OCD?

On October 27, 2012, in OCD, OCD - General, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

OCD is a malevolent advisor that wants to deceive us about the fundamental nature of the world.

It wants us to believe that the world shouldn’t have any sharp edges and that our experience should be as smooth and snag-free as possible.

If snags are apparent, it tells us that we should exchange our current experience for …  (read more)

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Scary Thoughts as Costumes: The Illusion of Danger

On October 14, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, OCD - General, Sexual Symptoms, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

It’s nearly Halloween, and kids around the country are digging through dusty closets and plundering the aisles of local Halloween shops in search of the perfect costume.

Halloween is the one night of the year when we give ourselves permission to be silly, scary, or fantastical. We can act a little weird, and nobody will …  (read more)

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OCD Awareness Week

On October 9, 2012, in OCD, OCD - General, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) is sponsoring OCD Awareness Week, which means that organizations around the world are hosting special OCD-related events this week.

South Floridians, we invite you to join us for our monthly support group meeting tonight (10/9/12) at 6:30pm in our Palm Beach Gardens, Florida office.

You might also want to check out some …  (read more)

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Vomit Phobia – Fear of Vomiting (Emetophobia)

On August 25, 2012, in Agoraphobia, Contamination/Health-Related Symptoms, Health Anxiety, OCD, Panic, Phobias, School Refusal, Social Anxiety, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Flu season will be quickly upon us and with it comes an unfortunate increase in the likelihood of experiencing fevers, coughs, runny noses, vomiting, and the like.

Although no one enjoys being sick, this time of year poses particular challenges for individuals suffering from “vomit phobia”, or emetophobia, the fear of throwing up.

The …  (read more)

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Postpartum OCD – Fear of Harming Your Baby

On August 7, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, Sexual Symptoms, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Parents brace themselves for many changes when a new baby comes home. As new routines replace old, life quickly becomes a confusing jumble of cherished memories, bottles, and dirty diapers.

Parenting can be joyful, but it can also be terrifying.

Parenting comes with many important responsibilities, and it can be intimidating–if not downright frightening–to be …  (read more)

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Suicide Obsessions: Fear of Killing/Harming Yourself

On July 20, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Thoughts of death, dying, and suicide are an unfortunate reality for many individuals. In the U.S. alone between 2008 and 2009, approximately 3.7% of adults (8.3 million Americans) reported having suicidal thoughts (Crosby et al., 2011).

During that same time frame, approximately 2.2 million U.S. adults reported making specific plans to commit suicide. …  (read more)

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Fear of Hurting Other People

On June 26, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

The fear of harming others can be a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a neurobiological condition that is associated with repetitive, intrusive, distressing thoughts that can’t easily be dismissed.

Fear of Harming Other People On Purpose

Some aggressive obsessions involve the fear of harming others intentionally. In my last post about the fear …  (read more)

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Aggressive Obsessions: Fear of Harming or Killing Others

On June 23, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Aggressive obsessions go by many names. Harm obsessions, violent obsessions, morbid obsessions…the list goes on…

These symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involve the fear of harming or killing other people. In other cases, aggressive obsessions are directed at the self, such as when individuals experience unwanted, intrusive, and recurrent thoughts about hurting or killing …  (read more)

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Harm Obsessions & Violent Obsessions

On June 22, 2012, in Harm-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Imagine that you’re leaning down to kiss your young daughter goodnight, when BAM! You are jolted by an image of yourself stabbing her to death.

Alternatively, picture yourself as a young child who is intensely afraid of playing with your new puppy…not because you’re afraid of dogs but because you are afraid that if you …  (read more)

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OCD Books & OCD Websites

On May 21, 2012, in OCD - General, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

This is a recommended list of OCD books and OCD websites that I consider to be essential reading for individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition to my formal training in OCD treatment, these OCD books and websites have had a profound impact on how I conceptualize and treat OCD.

This list is not intended to …  (read more)

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