People with social phobia have a strong persistent fear of being with or associating with unfamiliar people or complete strangers. They will go out of their way to try to avoid situations where they might meet new people at business or social events. They would rather not be required toContinue Reading
Antidepressant drugs that are used to treat Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) help to reduce obsessions and compulsions. (Fineberg & Craig, 2010; Simpson, 2010) These drugs increase brain serotonin activity but they also help produce more normal brain activity. Studies have shown these antidepressant drugs help improve symptoms for between fifty andContinue Reading
Excoriation, also classified as an Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorder, is a disorder in which a person repeatedly picks at their skin, causing signficant sores or open wounds to appear. (APA 2013) Most people who pick at their skin do so by centering on a specific area, usually the arms, legs, scalp,Continue Reading
The disorder of Hair-Pulling has become classified as an Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorder. Individuals with hair-pulling disorder (also known as trichotillomania, derived from the Greek term for frenzied hair-pulling), repeatedly pull hair out from their scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes or other parts of their bodies. (APA, 2013, 2012). Typically, people with thisContinue Reading
People suffering with Schizotypal Personality Disorder generally exhibit a range of problems marked by extreme discomfort involving relationships, and odd patterns of thinking and perceiving, along with eccentric behaviors (APA 2013). They tend to have few close friends, are anxious and distrusting around strangers and are comfortable when in isolation.Continue Reading
There are many types of defense mechanisms (Sigmund Freud referred to these as self-deceptions) that we use to help us deal with anxiety. They can be very rewarding in reducing stressful feelings. Once we learn how to use them and see how well they work, these defense mechanisms can beContinue Reading
Anxiety, said Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), is the price we pay for civilization. As we engage with social groups, we must control our sexual and aggressive impulses, not act them out. But sometimes, The Ego fears losing control of this inner war between the demands of The Id and The Superego.Continue Reading
Orgasmic Disorder, now referred to as Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD), is the difficulty or inability for a woman to reach orgasm during sexual stimulation. According to Psychology Today, this disturbance must cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty in order to be diagnosed. The diagnosis given to men is not orgasmicContinue Reading
You might ask yourself “why do I have such a short fuse?” You can get angry at the drop of a hat, and it accelerates so quickly that you’re stomping around slamming doors before you even know it. Some of your friends may even question why you act this way.Continue Reading