Biobehavioral Institute - Hope, Support, Innovative Treatment http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/ Copyright Biobehavioral Institute 2009 Symptoms of depersonalization include subjective feelings of unreality, feeling detached from your mental or physical activities, feeling mentally “foggy,” experiencing “numb” feelings for people and subjects you previously had passion for, and being very distressed by these experiences. No one thing will bring about depersonalization.... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=40 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=40 Most people are familiar with contamination fears in OCD.  Typically sufferers are fearful of commonly known sources of contamination, such as dirt, germs, feces/urine, household chemicals, and respond by rituals aimed at de-contamination, such as hand washing, showering etc..   But there is another form of contamination we see quite frequently in our practice referred to as "emotional contamination."  In this form of OCD, individuals&n http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=39 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=39 Asperger’s disorder (AS) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) are both neurological disorders characterized by obsessive and repetitive behaviors, however many significant differences are observed.  AS, one of five pervasive developmental disorders, involves impairments in language,... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=38 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=38 5 Tips for Effective Parenting   1.      Be Consistent http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=37 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=37 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) as a persistent pattern of orderliness, perfectionism, and/or control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. Persons with this condition typically tend to resist the authority of others, while simultaneously demanding that others conform to their rigid way of doing things.&nb http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=36 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=36 Neziroglu, F., Khemlani-Patel, S., & Veale, D. (2008). Social learning theory and cognitive behavioral models of body dysmorphic disorder. Body Image, 5, 28-38. Abstract Contemporary cognitive behavioral models of body dysmorphic disorder are reviewed, whereby the first by Neziroglu and colleagues emphasizes conditioning processes and relational frame theory and the latter by Veale emphasizes information processing. A brief review of the existing... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=29 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=29 Neziroglu, F., Henricksen, J., & Yaryura-Tobias, J. (2006). Psychotherapy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Spectrum: Established Facts and Advances, 1995–2005. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 29, 585-604.   http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=30 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=30 Neziroglu, F., Khemlani-Patel, S., & Yaryura-Tobias, J.A. (2006). Rates of abuse in body dysmorphic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Body Image, 3, 189-193. Abstract Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) continues to challenge professionals due to symptom severity, co-morbidity, suicidal ideation, and overvalued ideation. Despite the disorder's severity, little research exists. Clinical observation suggests a noteworthy history of... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=31 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=31 Rabinowitz, D., Neziroglu, F., & Roberts, M. (2007). Clinical Application of a Behavioral Model for the Treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 14, 231-237. Abstract Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is characterized by an obsessive concern over a perceived flaw in bodily appearance. If a minor flaw does exist, the... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=32 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=32 Neziroglu, F., Pinto, A., Yaryura-Tobias, J.A., & McKay, D. (2003). Overvalued ideation as a predictor of fluvoxamine response in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Research, 125, 53-60.   Abstract The presence of overvalued ideation (OVI) in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) has been theoretically linked to poorer treatment outcome. OVI has recently been shown to predict treatment... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=35 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=35 McKay, D.a, & Neziroglu, F. (2009). Methodological issues in the obsessive–compulsive spectrum. Psychiatry Research, 170, 61-65. a - Dean McKay - Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Bronx, NY Abstract The obsessive–compulsive spectrum is a heterogeneous class of conditions. Recently, expert consensus has emerged regarding possible candidate disorders [Mataix-Cols, D., Petrusa, A., Leckman, J.F.,... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=34 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=34 Almost everyone has some packrat tendencies, but not everyone is a compulsive hoarder. Take this quiz, adapted from Dr. Neziroglu’s book “Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding” to help identify if you may suffer from hoarding.   SCORING GUIDE: Add up the responses to all 20 questions to earn a total score.  The higher your total score, the more likely it is that you may be... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=28 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=28 Many people are lovers of animals, wanting to rescue them, care for them, feed them, and love them. Not only do we often have close emotional bonds with our pets, but often receive unconditional love from them. When does a lover of animals become a hoarder of animals? Take this Quiz to see if you may have shifted from a lover/rescuer of animals to a hoarder of animals.   http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=27 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=27 WHO SUFFERS FROM BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER? BDD may affect up to 2% of the United States population. The ratio of males to females appears to be equal. BDD seems to begin in adolescence. Research at our Institute and other centers indicates that the age of onset is between 14 and 20. Cases that begin at an earlier or later age are not uncommon. Since BDD has only recently gained the attention of researchers, no one specifically knows what causes it.... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=25 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=25 WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BDD? Current research conducted at our Institute indicates that techniques used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are also effective for BDD. Cognitive therapy and exposure and response prevention (ERP) combined with medication are the current treatment of choice. One study conducted at the Institute found that four out of five patients showed significant improvement after undergoing a combination of... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=26 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=26 WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR OCD? A combination of cognitive, behavioral, and pharmacological treatment has been shown to be the most effective combination for OCD. The form of behavior therapy found to be the most effective for OCD is called “exposure and response prevention.” WHAT IS EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION (ERP)? Our Institute is one of the few facilities in the country that specializes in intensive ERP... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=23 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=23 WHO SUFFERS FROM OCD? According to recent research, OCD has a lifetime prevalence rate of about 2.5%. It is probably higher because individuals with OCD are secretive about their symptoms. The male to female ratio is about 1:1. The age of onset is usually between ages 10 to 30, although it is our experience that children younger than 10 can suffer from OCD. Based on... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=22 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=22 Jessica is a sixteen-year-old teenager who is overly concerned about the size of her head. She believes that her head is larger than the average individual’s head. Jessica goes out of her way to camouflage the size of her head, by wearing her hair down and wearing glasses. When in public she is convinced that others are staring at her head and reacting with disgust. As a result of her... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=21 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=21 Could you suffer from a common OCD symptom called scrupulosity? Scrupulosity is a common OCD symptom in which the individual is overly concerned with morality and religion.  SCORING GUIDE: Add up the responses to all the questions to earn a total score.  The higher your total score, the more likely it is that you may be suffering from scrupulosity.&nb http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=18 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=18 Depersonalization can be a disorder in of itself but is also present as a symptom in many other conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, panic disorder, and major depression.  An individuals whith depersonalization feels "unreal" or detached from one's body or environment.   SCORING GUIDE: If... http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=19 http://www.biobehavioralinstitute.com/viewarticle.php?id=19