People often think of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as involving compulsions related to excessively handwashing or flipping light switches on and off. Although those compulsions are not uncommon, OCD can take many forms. What is OCD? OCD is a mental illness that involves suffering from…

At times, life can be very busy. People often need to juggle work, family obligations, and a variety of other responsibilities. It can often be challenging for people to find moments of peace for themselves. In a recent article in The Washington Post, journalist Angela…

The International OCD Foundation recently launched a web series aimed at bringing awareness to the impact that OCD and anxiety has on the athletic community. The series will take the form of panel discussions including a variety of experts. The first episode in the series…

What do you do if you want to be vaccinated, but you have an intense fear of needles? What do you do if you have a phobia- an intense, excessive, persistent fear of an object or situation? In a recent article in the Los Angeles…

Who wants to get poked and prodded with needles? In reality, not many people actually enjoy getting a shot in the arm. However, many people are currently finding themselves in a dilemma. On one hand, they fear finding themselves infected by covid-19, or worse, a…

Most athletes experience anxiety in some form. Often it is helpful in motivating them to consistently train hard in hopes of performing their best. However, when anxiety impedes their daily functioning and impairs their ability to perform, it becomes a detriment to their mental health.…

Although the stigma surrounding mental health is subsiding, it is still commonly believed that elite athletes must be as mentally healthy as they are physically fit. However, just as it would be ridiculous to assume that an athlete was incapable of breaking a bone or…

Does Pure-O OCD really exist? Is it possible for someone with OCD to have obsessions but not compulsions? Although there are people with OCD who do not engage in physical compulsions, these same people are likely engaging in mental compulsions such as compulsively worrying or…

What was life even like before the pandemic? In many ways, we have grown accustomed to social and physical distancing, hand sanitizing, and Zooming or video chatting. As the pandemic is nearing its end, more and more restrictions will be lifted. CNN Health recently published…

Is anxiety just another habit? Dr. Judson Brewer discusses his book Unwinding anxiety in an online interview with the Friend’s of the Semel Institute. In their discussion, he lays out how anxiety, like other habits, can be identified, better understood, and adapted into something more…

What is the difference between stress and anxiety? According to a recent article by the American Psychological Association (APA), stress and anxiety are similar in many ways. They can both lead to similar outcomes such as insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, and irritability among other things.…

In May of 2020 Dr. Rheeda Walker, professor of psychology at University of Houston, published the book, “The unapologetic guide to Black mental health.” Dr. Walker recently joined The Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA to discuss the importance…