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How to Help Someone with OCD

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
how to help someone with OCD

Interested in learning how to help someone with OCD? Helping someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves learning more about the mental health disorder, including recognizing the signs, symptoms, causes or risk factors, and various treatments available. You learn how to replace enabling behaviors with helpful support. You can also learn how to help them find the right type of treatment, which may include medication, therapy, alternative therapies, and self-care. People with OCD often struggle silently, feeling trapped by their thoughts and rituals. Acknowledging this challenge is the first step toward offering meaningful support. By learning about OCD and engaging in open, nonjudgmental conversations, you can encourage them to explore the benefits of seeking professional psychiatry and therapy in Los Angeles. This article explores how to help someone with OCD. How to Help Someone with OCD Supporting someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be challenging, as it requires a delicate balance …

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Categories OCD

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week 2024

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National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week 2024 The Drug Enforcement Administration supports the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) during their annual National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW®) which has been held since 2010. NDAFW brings scientific experts and teens together to discuss the scientific facts about drugs, as well as their potential health effects on teen bodies and brains.  The week-long observance will be held March 18-24, 2024. Substance Use and the Teen Brain “As adolescents mature, they undergo complex developmental changes, especially in their brains. The widespread changes in the organization and functioning of the brain—which continue into a person’s mid-20s—bring about the cognitive, emotional, and social skills necessary for adolescents to survive and thrive. The nature of these rapid changes may also increase the adolescent brain’s vulnerability to alcohol exposure” (U.S. Department …

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PTSD Treatment for First Responders

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
PTSD Treatment for First Responders

PTSD treatment for first responders offers support for those on the front lines. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment for first responders often includes trauma-focused psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These treatments aim to help individuals process and manage their trauma-related thoughts and feelings, providing them with coping strategies to deal with triggers and reduce PTSD symptoms effectively. First responders are exposed to dangerous and traumatic emergencies that can, over time, impact their mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms can make it difficult for first responders to do their jobs, strain personal relationships, and lead to other mental health symptoms. PTSD treatment is available and involves multiple evidence-based trauma-focused therapies to help first responders understand and cope with their symptoms. This article explores PTSD treatment for first responders. The Prevalence of PTSD Among First Responders The prevalence of …

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How to Break the Cycle of Obsessive Thoughts

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
woman looking outside, wondering how to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts

To break the cycle of obsessive thoughts, practice mindfulness techniques, focusing on the present moment rather than intrusive thoughts. Engage in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to challenge and reframe negative thinking patterns. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, and seeking support from mental health professionals can also be effective strategies for managing and reducing the frequency of obsessive thoughts. Almost everyone, at some point, has had thoughts about something that they can’t seem to get out of their minds. Research shows 94% of participants had at least one intrusive thought in the three months before the study. Most of the intrusive thoughts center on doubting themselves. In this article, we define obsessive thoughts and discuss ways to break the cycle of obsessive thoughts, like working with a mental health professional, medication, therapies, and self-care. What Are Obsessive Thoughts? Obsessive thoughts are unwanted, unusual, bothersome thoughts that can feel hard to …

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Self-Harm Awareness Month 2024

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self-harm

By Ashley Barnes, M.S.   What is Self-Harm Awareness Month? Self-Harm Awareness Month spans the month of March with the purpose of spreading awareness, breaking the stigma, and providing support and hope to those who have or currently self-harm. Self-Harm Awareness month is observed in the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe.  What is self-harm? Self-harm is also known as nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Self-harm describes the act of purposely harming oneself; this act is often done by burning, cutting, pulling out hair, or picking at wounds to prevent healing. Self-harm indicates emotional distress and can lead to injury as severe as broken bones (NAMI, 2021).  Self-harm urges a need for healthier coping skills for emotional distress, and though it isn’t a mental illness in and of itself, self-harm is often associated with mental illness such as depression, trauma-related disorders, and borderline personality disorder (NAMI, 2021). It is also …

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