All articles tagged with #ocd
Howie Mandel disclosed on Hoda Kotb’s Joy 101 podcast that his OCD and ADHD contributed to self-medicating with prescription meds and gummies to sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, with times when his wife feared for his health; he later escalated to smoking and drinking to escape, but is now sober, medicated, and in therapy, using distraction to cope with persistent anxious thoughts.
Early romantic love activates brain patterns similar to OCD, with serotonin dropping and dopamine surging, creating an intense phase that research places at roughly 12–18 months. The chemistry fades toward baseline, but that isn’t a betrayal—it's part of a transition toward lasting bonding and cooperative, long-term connection that goes beyond what scans can capture.
Jim Parsons reveals that his ascent to stardom came with emotional misery, driven by OCD-like discipline and relentless stress that left him unhappy even at career peaks. He says the approach paid off professionally but cost him happiness, and he wouldn’t repeat it for any amount of money, though he concedes it shaped who he is today. He also doubts a Big Bang Theory reboot and notes he still carries traits of Sheldon while continuing work in film, TV, and Broadway.
New mothers can face several mental health conditions in the year after birth beyond postpartum depression, including adjustment disorder, OCD, PTSD, bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, and suicidal thoughts. Screening and a multimodal treatment approach (psychotherapy plus medications like SSRIs) are tailored to symptom severity, with sleep and social support playing key roles in recovery. Early mood optimization during pregnancy lowers risk, and credible resources such as Postpartum Support International and womensmentalhealth.org are recommended to counter misinformation and guide care.
Howie Mandel reveals that as a child a sand fly laid larvae under his skin, an ordeal that was worsened when doctors publicly displayed him at a Toronto dermatology convention. The traumatic experience and painful treatments contributed to his lifelong OCD and germophobia, highlighting the need for empathetic, patient-centered care and self-advocacy in medical settings.
Moral OCD, or moral scrupulosity, is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder where intrusive thoughts center on being immoral or a “bad person,” causing guilt, rumination, and distress. People may engage in reassurance-seeking, “undoing” behaviors, or thought-action fusion to quell the fear, and it can disrupt daily life. Treatment typically involves exposure and response prevention (ERP), sometimes with medication, and finding a provider trained in OCD is crucial since regular talk therapy alone can worsen OCD.
Moral OCD is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder centered on intrusive worries about being a 'bad' person. It drives compulsions like reassurance-seeking, rumination, and undoing behaviors in a bid for certainty, often disrupting daily life and social belonging. Effective treatment typically uses exposure and response prevention (ERP), sometimes with medication, and requires a mental-health professional with OCD expertise.
Noah Kahan discusses his new album The Great Divide, produced with Aaron Dessner, as a personal chronicle of fame, mental health, and creative renewal. After a difficult Joshua Tree period and an OCD diagnosis, he and collaborators shaped a record rooted in Vermont life and intimate storytelling; the album features Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 as he navigates balancing public life with private boundaries and his Busyhead Project.
Kobe University researchers mapped a thalamus-to-insular pathway linking the basal ganglia to the insular cortex in mice, a circuit that could explain why Tourette's tics overlap with OCD and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Blocking this thalamus-to-insular connection reduced tic-like movements, suggesting a potential target for less invasive treatments such as ultrasound neuromodulation, though results in humans are not yet established and deep brain stimulation remains a current option.
The piece explains that intrusive thoughts—unwanted, distressing mental images or ideas—are common, but for some people they can become obsessive and lead to compulsions characteristic of OCD, which often begins in puberty. It notes potential genetic and early-life stress links, underscores that most people can dismiss these thoughts, and offers coping tips like labeling thoughts, visualizing OCD as separate, maintaining self-care, and seeking professional help when thoughts become persistent or disabling.
A review indicates that psychedelics, especially psilocybin, show promise for treating OCD, while cannabis does not, due to differences in how they interact with the brain. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown positive results, but research faces legal and methodological challenges.
A woman shared her experiences living with a partner with OCD, highlighting the challenges and the importance of understanding, proper treatment, and setting boundaries in relationships affected by OCD. The article emphasizes that while OCD can strain relationships, with support and professional help, fulfilling partnerships are possible.
The number of young people aged 16-24 reporting OCD symptoms in England has more than tripled over the past decade, making OCD the second most common mental health disorder in this age group. Despite increased awareness and some government efforts to improve services, many face long waits and limited access to effective treatment, with some families resorting to private care or experimental procedures. Experts warn that societal pressures, social media, and the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the rise, highlighting a significant mental health crisis among youth that requires urgent attention and better funding.
McLean clinicians are developing a new model to address childhood OCD, inspired by personal stories and increased awareness of mental health issues, aiming to improve diagnosis and treatment for young patients.
A study by Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that acute trauma from the October 7 massacre can trigger or worsen OCD symptoms, with nearly 40% of survivors showing OCD signs, highlighting the need for holistic treatment approaches that address both trauma and OCD.