Gaps in Maternal OCD Being Addressed Through New Partnership Perinatal OCD is a relatively common maternal mental health condition, impacting up to 5% of those who are pregnant and postpartum; yet symptoms, like intrusive thoughts, often confuse patients and providers alike. To bring this conversation to the forefront, 2020 Mom and the International OCD Foundation… Read more »
Some common misconceptions about BDD treatment — and why you can still get help
By Fanny Alexandra Dietel, PhD, and Ulrike Buhlmann, PhD I have worried about my appearance for several years. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has ruined my jobs, my relationships, my life. Still, it took me such a long time to seek help. This scenario — and the long journey of suffering attached to it — is… Read more »
As 2020 OCD Awareness Week concludes, we leave you with a message regarding advocacy.
What is advocacy? It is defined as ‘public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.’ Many individuals in the OCD community believe that to be an advocate, they have to publicly share their story about OCD in a large forum, including opening up about personal details. However, OCD Awareness Week is designed… Read more »
From Struggle to Success: My BDD Journey from Childhood to Today
PLEASE NOTE: The following blog post contains discussion of topics that may be upsetting, including suicide. Please take care of yourself as you read this article. If you are in crisis, know that help is only a call or click away at 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org. by Chris Trondsen Recently, I went through a box filled with… Read more »
Exercise and recovery from body dysmorphic disorder
by Eva E. Fisher, PhD I am writing this post while gazing out the window at a beautiful Colorado landscape. Today is the first time in almost a month that the temperature is moderate (in the low 80s), and the sky is clear of smoke. I am looking forward to taking my cat for a… Read more »
Una conversación con Dr. Carlos Rivera Villegas
Hola amigos! Me llamo Linda Carolina Olmos y soy la autora de OCDBilingue o TOC Bilingüe, un blog para hispanohablantes enfocado en psicoeducación sobre Trastorno Obsesivo Compulsivo. La semana pasada, tuve la oportunidad de entrevistar al Dr. Rivera, un experto de TOC! Pienso que esta charla es importante porque puede ayudar a gente con TOC… Read more »
The other side of fear: reclaiming the life I lost to body dysmorphic disorder
by Kellie Smith I will never forget the first time I looked in the mirror and thought that I no longer resembled a human being. When I looked at my face I saw something atrocious, something that needed to be hidden. I was 16 years old and was unaware that I was experiencing my first… Read more »
Is seeing believing?
by Dr. James Claiborn People with BDD struggle with what they see when they look at themselves. They often report seeing aspects of their appearance that are distorted, deformed or perhaps just ugly. What any of us see when we look at anything is the product of perceptual processing. Understanding what is involved in perceptual… Read more »
Make peace, not love
by Dr. Ryan Kaplan Often when people with BDD first come to see me for treatment, they describe their struggles with their appearance and how they hate what they see when they look in the mirror. They talk about feelings of disgust, anxiety, and shame about their appearance, and a deep desire to one day… Read more »
Body dysmorphic disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
by Roberto Olivardia, PhD Although not yet recognized in the scientific literature, the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is worthy of attention. As a specialist in treating patients with BDD, as well as an ADHD expert, I have observed how ADHD can have a negative impact on body image…. Read more »