In this section of our website, we focus on mental health conditions (such as OCD and depression) and the latest advancements and treatment interventions in 2023.
How to recover from moral scrupulosity OCD in 5 steps: 1. Recognise that your brain works differently OCD is a serious brain circuit disorder. In fact, medical imaging shows that in OCD sufferers, the brain circuit that generates guilt and anxiety is abnormally hyperactive. This results in OCD sufferers experiencing significantly higher levels of these…
Quick Summary: According to the evidence presented, OCD may have a neural basis that makes the sufferer more susceptible to intense feelings of chronic guilt and anxiety. What the research says about guilt, anxiety and OCD Medical imaging shows that in OCD sufferers, the brain areas that generate guilt and anxiety (vmPFC and left amygdala)…
1. Fear of not being deserving of happiness, health and success People with morality OCD may wonder if even they deserve to be happy, which can cause anxiety and distress. They may feel guilty for enjoying life and may avoid pursuing goals or activities that they find enjoyable. They may also believe that they deserve…
What is Exposure and response prevention? Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a recovery strategy for anxiety disorders where the individual is gradually exposed to the feared stimulus, without engaging in the neutralising compulsion. This has been shown to help desensitise them to the fear which gradually lowers their anxiety levels after multiple exposures. The…
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. According to the World Health Organization, depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and it affects an estimated 280 million people worldwide. [1] Common myths and false beliefs about depression Depression is…
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images which create concern and distress about a feared scenario (obsessions). This compels the individual to engage in repetitive behaviours (compulsions) in order to cope with a neutralise the anxiety and distress. [1] This psychiatric disorder affects around…
In Western culture, a magical thought is believing an unrelated action caused an event. Magical thinking includes beliefs that defy the accepted cultural and scientific laws of causality. Magical thinkers may believe that their thoughts, words, or actions can cause things to happen in the world. What is Magical thinking OCD? Magical thinking OCD (obsessive…
People with obsessive compulsive disorder often tend to be perfectionists. They want everything to be perfect, and they are afraid of making errors. This can lead to excessive preoccupation with control, as they try to avoid any situation where they might make a mistake. They may also become obsessed with past mistakes, dwelling on them…
The term “religious OCD” comes from the Church of England, where it was characterized by the 16th-century minister John Moore. In a sermon, he described the struggle of scrupulosity as “religious melancholy.” He also described the torment of dedicated worshipers who have intrusive and unwanted thoughts. Although Moore’s description is somewhat extreme, it is an…
What is compassion fatigue in healthcare? The phrase “compassion fatigue” (CF) was created to explain the phenomena of stress brought on by being around a traumatized person. It is characterized as a decline in the caregiver’s capacity for empathy brought on by physical and mental exhaustion. Professionals who work in healthcare, emergency services, or community…
