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)

34 Comments

OCD & Checking: Part 2 (Mental Checking)

On May 4, 2012, in Checking-Related Symptoms, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Behavioral Checking (Overt Checking)

Many examples of compulsive checking rituals in OCD involve direct inspection of a target stimulus by sight, sound, or feel.

Common OCD checking behaviors include relocking doors, visually examining the position of one’s parking brake, or holding one’s hands above stove burners in order to detect warmth.

Behavioral checking is often …  (read more)

13 Comments

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)

17 Comments

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)

15 Comments

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)

0 Comments

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)

14 Comments

OCD: Screaming, Blurting Out Obscenities/Cursing/Profanity, & Other Unwanted Impulses

On December 2, 2011, in ERP, OCD, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Question: I’m a teenager and keep having OCD symptoms related to impulse control. I often worry that I’ll lose control and scream or blurt out obscenities. I am especially triggered in quiet public places like classrooms, churches, and movie theaters. I have never actually acted on my impulses and cursed in public, but I still …  (read more)

1 Comments

OCD Triggers in Daily Life? Don’t Ritualize. Be Strategic! 3 Tips for Fighting OCD.

On November 20, 2011, in ERP, OCD, OCD - Treatment, “Pure-O” Symptoms, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Question: I know about ERP, and I understand that OCD symptoms can be reduced by resisting rituals and then habituating to the anxiety brought on by obsessive thoughts. However…what if an obsessional thought requires no ritual? Confused!

Great question. I think that in all cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), there is some type of ongoing …  (read more)

12 Comments

Sensorimotor OCD & Social Anxiety Differential Diagnosis: “Obsessive Swallowing”

On November 1, 2011, in Body-Focused/Sensorimotor Symptoms, ERP, OCD, Social Anxiety, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Reader Question: For the past year, I have been dealing with OCD-related sensorimotor obsessions focused on swallowing. My symptoms started during a class discussion in which I noticed myself swallow. Since then, whenever I am in a lecture or quiet place surrounded by people, I become deeply focused on my own swallowing and worry that …  (read more)

22 Comments

Treatment for Body-Focused Obsessions & Compulsions in OCD (e.g., Swallowing, Breathing, Blinking)

On October 14, 2011, in Body-Focused/Sensorimotor Symptoms, ERP, OCD, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

This post is the last in a series of posts discussing body-focused obsessions and compulsions (aka, sensorimotor, somatosensory, or somatic obsessions and compulsions) in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This series was inspired by an original article written by Dr. David Keuler for Beyond OCD. You can access Dr. Keuler’s excellent article here.…  (read more)

192 Comments

« Previous Entries
Go To Top »
WordPress Blog