The fear that you’ll lose control, cause an accident, or panic while driving can have severe effects. Learn about why some people have a fear of driving and what helps improve the problem. Fear of Driving Driving is a daily activity for many people in most of the United States. So, if you are suffering……
Are you a germophobe? Typically, a fear of germs is actually not a phobia. Often, it is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known informally as “contamination OCD.” with contributions from Gabrielle Ilagan What is Contamination OCD? OCD comes in many forms, and contamination OCD is one of them. People with contamination OCD experience obsessions about……
Updated June 14, 2025 Rumination is a common experience. If you have OCD, rumination can be a problem that makes your symptoms worse. Learn about this problem and what you can do about it. OCD and Mental Compulsions Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a distressing condition in which people experience obsessions or compulsions, and often both.……
Last updated: June 14th, 2025 The relationship between OCD and depression can be difficult to sort through. Understanding these two conditions and how they affect each other can help you get the help you need. With contributions from Paul Greene, Ph.D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) There are a lot of misconceptions about what OCD is. OCD is not……
Last updated: May 20th, 2025 Swallowing is something that everyone does, many times per day. How does something so familiar become a source of anxiety? Bodily Functions and Conscious Control The human body relies on several important functions every day to keep it going. Many of these are totally outside your control. For example, your……
Many people experience intrusive thoughts, often in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or anxiety disorders. They can be very disturbing. Read on to learn about the different types of intrusive thoughts and some helpful strategies. There Are Multiple Types of Unwanted Thoughts Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that you wish you didn’t have.……
If you suffer from anxiety, you may have moments when you wonder if you’re losing your grip, or “going crazy.” For some people, this is just a passing thought. For others, however, it can become a major fear. The more the idea dominates your thought process, the more it can seem like you really are……
If you find yourself preoccupied and fearful about having a serious illness, you may suffer from health anxiety. Fortunately, there are concrete steps you can take to (eventually) feel less anxious. What Is Health Anxiety? Health anxiety is worry or concern about having a medical condition that is disproportionate to the actual risk. Sometimes health……
Do you or someone you know seem overly preoccupied with rules, regulations, and orderliness? Do things often need to be done “a particular way” or “the perfect way?” If so, it may be Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, or “OCPD.” What Is OCPD, Exactly? OCPD is a personality disorder. A personality disorder is a characteristic style that……
Stress and anxiety are closely related, but they are not the same thing. Stress is usually a response to external pressure or demands, while anxiety involves fear, worry, or apprehension that may persist even when no clear threat is present. Both can affect your mind and body, causing symptoms like muscle tension, irritability, trouble sleeping,……
It used to be easier to determine how much hand washing was excessive — but the COVID pandemic changed that. So what makes sense now? In the early months of COVID in the United States, health authorities constantly reminded the public to wash their hands often, and well. Indeed, the CDC still reminds us that……
Intrusive thoughts about violence, one’s sexual orientation, gender, and other topics can lead to severe anxiety. Learn about common myths that can actually make intrusive thoughts worse. “Intrusive thoughts” are thoughts or images that a person experiences as unwanted. Intrusive thoughts are normal and unproblematic for most people. However, when experienced frequently, these thoughts can……