ARP 427 How Do You Cope With Overthinking

When a person has OCD there can be a lot of questions. Sometimes there is overthinking which can lock you into a loop. 

This is part two on a few of the ways that people deal with problems with a resource that might help you to find your path to treatment.

Resources Mentioned: 

The International OCD Foundation website. has information about the different types of OCD, the treatment options and possibly connect to a therapist that has experience in treatment people with this condition.

TED-Ex has a lot of animation videos on mental health topics. If you are not a reading person, this is another way to get the information on basic concepts of OCD.

Dr. Ali Mattu has a video on OCD explained for beginners - how I wish I was taught  

Emergency Resources

The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community. 

Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options. 

National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 280 Quick Look at Skin-Picking Disorder

Some symptoms are hidden inside the body. And some symptoms are very visible. 

There are different reasons why people pick at their skin and not everyone that does. This has an anxiety condition. There are some skin conditions like acne that causes folks to pick at it. They shouldn't, but their skin condition is caused by an organic physical problem with.

And then there are those symptoms that cannot be ignored. It is a self-inflicted visualization of a problem.

This is a quick pebble in the road, just the facts and where you can find help and assistance. 

Resources Mentioned: 

The International OCD Foundation page on Skin-Picking aka Excoriation. This website has a lot of information about the various forms of OCD and OCD Spectrum disorders.

Pick Me Foundation has a skill management page to help folks learn skills and techniques on handing their symptoms.

Merck Manual has a patient accessible guide to the disorder that will give you a basic understanding of the disorder and how it can relate to anxiety and depression.

The TLC Foundation for Body Focus Repetitive Behaviors has a directory of therapists that have been trained on treating the disorder. They also have a resource page with help and support. You can download their booklet on BFRB on treatment guidelines.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

From ADAA - Roadmap for OCD Treatment Options Webinar

Almost ready to jump back into the saddle. Hopefully, with some changes and improvements. 

In the meantime, this is a webinar from  Anxiety and Depression Association of America about OCD treatment options. 

It about an hour or so but if you have the will to want to learn about your treatment options, you can find the time to watch it.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The ADAA.org page that I found the webinar. The full name is A Roadmap for OCD Treatment Options: Outpatient, Intensive, and Residential.

Also hippity hop over to the International OCD Foundation, they have a bunch of resources about the various forms of OCD and help you find qualified professionals experienced in treating the disorder.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 233 - More Emetophobia Resources

It is the fear of vomiting. That fear can be so strong that it dictates where you go, what you eat or who you trust to handle your food. 

Some mental health professionals think that it could be connected to obsessive compulsive disorder. 

In this episode, a look at some of the resources you can access about the phobia and what you can do about it.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The Emetophobia Manual is a guide to learning about the phobia and the steps necessary to move toward being healthy. 

Very Well Mind has an information page on Causes and Treatment for Emetophobia

From the International OCD Foundation Emetophobia: Fear of Vomiting as an Expression of OCD, a bit more information on how they are connected.

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? There is also a downloadable 24 page booklet on What You Need to Know About OCD and the many symptoms

2021 ADAA.org page to register/video on How to Free Yourself from the Fear of Vomit and Reclaim Your Life

2017 ADAA.org video on Fear of Vomiting.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 213 Anxiety Lessons from Fictional Detectives

I was viewing CBS Sunday Mornings Jane Pauley about her journey regarding depression and bi-polar depression. And how people will come up to her and start talking about their issues with the illness.

There are a lot of foot soldiers who are trying to do the right thing about sharing reliable information about mental health treatment. 

I make no secret that I am on the same journey as other people. There are weeks when I think I should shut it down. And sometimes I might miss an episode because life can get a bit too much. 

But I also know that telling folks that there is help, it is accessible in a variety of forms and that there isn't a quick fix is an important thing to do. 

With a medical diagnosis of anxiety or depression, you do have to make adjustments on how you go forward. You have to look at what you are putting in your body. 

You have to look at your environment - is it a healthy one for you? Do you want or don't want to take  medication? It is a choice. 

Honestly, you have to find what is right for you. I could list 1,000 things you could do. You might only need seven. Or the 1,001 that neither of us knows about. 

Treatment isn't the MacGuffin. It is the journey in claiming bits of yourself before you find it. That is hard for many people to accept. There is work involved.

There is much more to it and that is why there are a bunch of episodes on a variety of topics. Some you might resonate with and others are crap to you.

That is ok. Or you might just come to the blog and find something a resource you can use.  That works for me too.

In this episode, something a little different. This is a look at some of the famous detectives of fiction that may or may not have an anxiety condition.

Some are self-declared and others have things projected on to them. But it is interesting to look at how the detectives function with the anxiety MacGuffin in the closet.

Resources Mentioned: 

Jane Pauley via Sunday Morning on Recognizing Depression.

New York Times article,  At Talkspace, Start-Up Culture Collides With Mental Health Concerns

Talkspace Founders Respond to New York Times article on Medium.

PTSD Resources

Episode 161 - a list of therapy search databases to aid you in finding a therapist. 

ADAA.org brochure on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Psychiatry.org has an information page about PTSD as well.

Daylio Self-Care Bullet Journal app to help keep track of your moods, task and goals. It is available for iOS and Android devices.

OCD Resources

Helpguide.org information page on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

ADAA.org has a brochure on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The International OCD Foundation also has a resource page on the topic, including a page that evaluates apps for those trying to control their condition..

Grief Resources

The non-profit What's Your Grief has a resource section with solo learning courses about various aspects of the grieving process. 

From Psychology Today a post about Bereavement Anxiety Managing anxiety after the death of a loved-one.

Detectives Hook-Ups

On YouTube, you can find episodes of  1970s Lord Peter Whimsey performed by Ian Carmichael or the audio book versions. There are also some clips and episodes of the 1987 version performed by actor Edward Petherbridge.

Dr. Lucy Worsley talks about Sayers and also mentions Whimsey's PTSD condition.

Agatha Christie official website with listing of her books, plays and other materials.

For those hard core and closer to the canon text visit The Baker Street Irregulars.

Monk - The Television Series via Fandom.com

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 199 - Creativity In the Middle of Chaos

One of the things we might need to do is have a tighter grasp on our creativity.

In this short episode, a look at some of the resources you can use to understand how creativity can help you get an understanding about anxiety, or help you cope during isolation or remind yourself to have something to look forward to.

We all need that.

We really do.




If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

From Boing Boing, a trip back to the musical past of 1969 with Tom Jones wailing with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.

Céline Terranova post on "Don't let anxiety kill your creativity" from The Part-Time Artist.

Artist, author, dad and blogger Austin Kleon e-mail newsletter has pulled me out of a depressive dive or two.

There is a 2014 TEDxCharlotte talk from Sharon Dowell about Anxiety as Fuel for Artistic Creativity. There is also a 2015 TEDxProvidence talk from Jeffrey Sparr on Using Art to Combat Anxiety.

Felt Magnet How can I be more creative as an adult? There are ways to tap into that inner stream.

Austin Kleon, How to Make A Zine From A Piece of Paper, a very short video.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 166 Intrusive Thoughts for OCD and Symptoms of Anxiety

In this episode, a look at the website Intrusive Thoughts for OCD folks, lots of good information at the site that those of us with anxiety disorders should check out. Then a quick drive by on anxiety symptoms.

It is summertime where I live and I am going to be posting a wee bit less, probably once or twice a month during the summer. I need a break and I do want to work on some new ideas and refinements for the podcast. Not sure if it will be once a month or short episodes every other week. Don't know yet.





If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

The American Psychiatric Association page on Anxiety Disorders

Intrusive Thought.org is a non-profit website that provides information about the spectrum of OCD conditions.

The International OCD Foundation has an information page about Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and has page to help you find qualified professionals experienced in the disorders.

National Institute of Mental Health - page on anxiety symptoms by the specific disorder.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 068 Exposure Therapy - Can an AI Heal?

So maybe that spotless mind wipe is just around the corner. Or a few more years into the future. In this episode a look at a possible new variation of exposure therapy and a look at resources that can help provide you with information should you decide on this type of treatment.




,

Resources Mentioned: 

Nature.com journal of Nature Human Behavioral somewhat accessible version of Hacking the Brain to Overcome Fear

Academic version of the study in the journal Nature Human Behavior, Article 0006 (2016)

ADAA.org videos and webinars on anxiety and depression topics. 

Good Therapy.org has a full page on Exposure Therapy

The Conversation's article about What Is Exposure Therapy and How It Can Treat Social Anxiety?

Brainline Military has a post on Exposure Therapy with a focus on veterans that have PTSD.

If you're having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for immediate help: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Disclaimer: 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode 043 Resources, Brochures and Worksheets

Burning oil at both ends of the candle is never a good idea but until they make 72 hour weekends I gotta do what I can. But I got a great idea, I'm a PDF junkie so I got stuff.




This episode touches on anxiety, panic disorder, teen LGBTQ resources, hording and OCD portable document files that can be downloaded and read at your leisure.

You can download the episode to listen on your computer, smartphone or tablet.

Resources Mentioned:

Anxiety BC Panic Disorder Guide https://www.anxietybc.com/sites/default/files/adult_hmpanic.pdf

Mental Health America Self-Help Tools Page http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/self-help-tools

Every Mind Matters LGBTQ Brochure on Mental Health Myths and Truths http://www.eachmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/LGBTQ-Mental-Health-Booklet_FINAL.pdf

Hoarding Fact Sheet from International OCD Foundation https://iocdf.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Hoarding-Fact-Sheet.pdf

American Psychiatric Association Brochure on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder http://www.activeminds.org/storage/documents/2015_conference_docs/OCD_Brochure.pdf

National Institute of Mental Health Brochure on PTSD http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-easy-to-read/ptsd-etr-web_38054.pdf

Disclaimer:

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Episode 034 Compulsive Hoarding

Yes, compulsive hoarding is a mental health disorder. It use to shack up with obsessive compulsive disorder but got kicked to the curb. You will find resource in places that treat OCD conditions as well as hoarding specific resources.

One more thing; there is also obsessive discarding syndrome but that is a topic for another show.




You can also download the current podcast to your mobile or media device.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The American Psychiatric Association page on hoarding disorder. 

The International OCD Foundation

IOCD Information Fact Sheet about compulsive hoarding

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America has a basic information page about compulsive hording. 

The Mayo Clinic treatment page and ideas for about self-care.

 

Disclaimer:

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.