Your mental health ‘dictionary’.

Catharsis: This is basically emotional release. From a psychological point of view, the catharsis hypothesis maintains that releasing aggressive energy (through action or fantasy) relieves aggressive urges.

Chronic mental illness: This is a mental illness or disorder which is severe in degree and persistent in duration. The symptoms may be either permanent or episodic. There may also be a substantially lowered or diminished level of functioning in the primary aspects of daily living.

Client-Centered Therapy (also known as Person-Centered Therapy): A humanistic therapy which was developed by Carl Rogers. C.C.T. (or P.C.T.) involves the therapist using techniques such as active listening, within a genuine, accepting, empathic environment to facilitate clients’ growth.

Cognition: this is all mental activities which are associated with thinking, knowing, remembering, and communicating.

Cognitive disorder: A disorder in which the person demonstrates/exhibits decreased abilities in memory, problem solving etc.

Cognitive Therapy (C.T.): A therapy which is based on teaching people new, more adaptive ways of thinking and acting. This is based on the assumption that our thoughts intervene between events and our emotional reactions.

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (C.B.T.): A popular and widely-used therapy which combines Cognitive Therapy (altering self-defeating thinking) with Behavior Therapy (altering behavior).

Communication disorders: A grouping of disorders involving problems of communication either through difficulties in receiving language or in speech. A general medical condition such as brain injury or stroke, or a developmental problem in children generally relate to such disorders, and such disorders include Expressive Language Disorder, Mixed Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder and others.

Compulsive/compulsions: Irresistible impulsive behavior where a person feels compelled to do particular actions (for example, counting to a particular number). These actions are irrational, ritualistic and repetitive in nature. Also, imperative to the definition of compulsions, they are repetitive acts which are clearly excessive AND are performed in order to lessen the discomfort of an obsession.

Conduct Disorder:A repetitive or persistent pattern of aggressive behavior usually recognized in childhood or adolescence and can lead to an impulsive type of personality disorder. As described in the DSM4, the essential feature of Conduct Disorder is a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior in where the basic rights of others, or where major age-appropriate societal rules or norms, are violated (they violate rules or norms of behavior as to what is accepted or appropriate for their age as deemed by society).

Consciousness: our awareness of both ourselves and our environment.

Counsellor/counselor: A health professional who helps clients and families evaluate their patterns of problem solving and develop more effective ones.

Crisis: A turning point that results from a stressful event or a perceived threat to one’s well-being that con not be readily solved by methods that have been successful in the past.

Culture: Enduring behaviors, attitudes, ideas, and traditions which are shared by a large group of people and passed on from one generation to another.

Cyclothymic Disorder:A mood disorder with marked swings of mood from cheerfulness (or hypomanic symptoms) to depressive symptoms (these are not as severe as Bipolar Affective Disorder). The hypomanic symptoms are of insufficient number, severity, pervasiveness, or duration to meet a diagnosis of a Manic Episode, and depressive symptoms like-wise are insufficient (severity etc.) to constitute (or meet the full criteria of) a Major Depressive Episode.

References:

A.A.I. : Ashby Allan Institute.

DSM4: Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders.

One of the intentions of this site is to develop it as an on-line source of information that may aid the general public or individuals and their loved ones to expand their awareness and understanding of mental health problems in communities and therefore hopefully to foster a little more hope that individuals and their loved ones can better reach their potential or to gain the smallest ray of hope from this site which may assist those who are dealing with mental health problems to even slightly be able to live a more satisfactory life while living with such problems. You may have something very, very valuable that others may benefit from. You can remain completely anonymous if you wish. You may even send me a personal message via my email address at samast8818@yahoo.com if you wish, and be assured that I will only publish what you give full consent for. If so, please just make it clear that you would like something published.

One final topic for the moment is that I recently had an offer from a kind viewer to make a small donation. With very careful deliberation about this sensitive topic, I have decided to add a page  titled ‘Donate’. Please be aware that this was never the original intention to do this, however, due to the generosity of others and myself wishing not to deprive others the gift of giving with a good heart, I feel it is appropriate to offer an opportunity for those who wish to make a small donation, to be able to do so. Please note, it is most certainly not expected, but simply offered for those who feel that they would like to give just a little back in their own way. I understand how it feels, for me anyway, to be deprived the opportunity to give back, even if it may feel so little.

Yours Faithfully,

Paul Inglis.

Many other types of therapy are practiced and these include therapies such as Family Systems Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Play Therapy, Twelve-Step Programmes, Interpersonal Therapy, Integrative Psychotherapy, Systemic Therapy, Bionomic Psychotherapy and many others. We’ll take a closer look at some of these at a later stage.

An Introduction :

// ]]>
There are numerous types of psychotherapy available for people struggling with a mental health problem. Psychotherapy is employed as a useful helping aid in the field of mental health and has various techniques and approaches structured for use in helping those with emotional, psychological, psychiatric, social and behavioural problems. Therapy comes in different forms or variations and can be employed by various professionals. Some useful professionals that can help who are fully trained in various forms of therapy include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and counsellors ( along with others ). These professionals use different forms of therapy otherwise known as psychotherapy. Psychiatrists and psychologists are trained as competent psychotherapists. Many counsellors have in in-depth knowledge and have experience with psychotherapy, where-as other counsellors may not have quite the expertise as a counsellor specifically trained in psychotherapy. Most counsellors have at least some basic training in and have an understanding of psychotherapy, others are highly qualified and skilled in employing techniques, methods and approaches from various forms of psychotherapy. Psychologists in mental health basically are psychotherapists and are aware of and knowledgeable in such various forms of therapy. Generally, a psychotherapist must not only be trained, but must be certified and licensed to partake in such practice. Psychotherapy is a broad field including specific professional workers and arguably some who are not as professional as perceived by the general public. Competent workers such as psychologists often utilize techniques and methods from more than one approach or specific type of therapy. It can be known as using an Eclectic Approach which is seen by many other professionals as quite necessary to cope with the variations of problems that life entails and the fact that we all respond a little differently to any other person including how differently we may, do or can react to forms os psychotherapy even given the same clinical diagnosis. Psychotherapy can be such a critical part in overcoming mental health problems. There are many different approaches and different therapists will tend to have their chosen or preferred models that they work with and they employ these models to assist people who are struggling with mental health problems. So, whether it is depression, an anxiety problem, phobias or many many other issues such as psychotic illness, so much can be gained by “putting in the hard yards” in working with a therapist to beat the perceived insurmountable world of mental health disorders and illnesses. Sigmund Freud developed Psychoanalytic Therapy focusing on individual clients using very in-depth and specialist forms or techniques. Since Freud, many other therapies have evolved. Fruedian techniques are still very much alive today. However, since Freud there has been continual development of other specific approaches. Whichever approach may be performed by specific individual therapists, it is quite accepted that the practice of psychotherapy can have many short and long-term benefits for those struggling with mental health problems.

But, why else do we really need psychotherapy ? For so many mental health problems medication alone is simply not enough! Medication quite often needs to be administered in conjunction with psychotherapy and quite often this combination of medication and psychotherapy is recommended. Indeed it is so often needed for realistic hope for healing or improvement in various types of psychiatric problems. Speaking from my own experience of the past as a client working with my psychologist, it may have taken years of dedicated, hard work, but the rewards are nothing short of astounding. Psychotherapy can indeed be so helpful, providing it is employed sensitively, appropriately and with other important factors taken into consideration such as respecting your privacy (confidentiality issues) etc. For years I felt as though nothing was happening; no progress, but looking back now, what an amazing difference it has made. If you are battling with a something such as Anorexia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a personality disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Agoraphobia, or something such as a cannabis-induced disorder, or a mood disorder such as Dysthymic Disorder, it may really be worth reaching out and asking for some help.

I wish you the very best, and thank you for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com.

There are theories that state that situational or circumstantial elements can lead to a disorder such as depression. Many argue though that in many or even all cases of a mental health disorder (such as depression), numerous elements may contribute to the cause. However, in disorders (whether it is OCD, depression, dementia, schizophrenia or practically any disorder or illness) there is quite proven medical evidence that there are biological or neurobiological contributions or causes in relation to mental illness. So, by no means is acquiring a disorder anybody’s fault, and certainly not yours if you are battling with a psychiatric problem.

Genetic factors can strongly relate to any given person developing a mental disorder or illness. Are genetic factors anybody’s fault? Just as you were born with brown or blue eyes (or other, of course), or that you were born a baby girl or boy, so too did you have no choice as to genetic factors you received which can correlate with the chances of developing a mental health problem such as Schizophrenia.  There are odds of 1 on 100 that any person may have Schizophrenia, and this becomes 1 in 10 where the person has a sibling or parent with Schizophrenia, and close to 1 in 2  when one has an afflicted identical twin. Some may argue justifiably that life-choices can lead to particular illnesses such as how using cannabis may lead to psychosis, but there are also other factors involved where so often the development of a mental disorder or illness has nothing what-so-ever to do with any person’s choices.

According to the learning perspective, it explains particular disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder from principles of conditioning and observational learning (how anxiety is formed). Therefore, according to the learning perspective, factors such as fear can be learnt, but is this still anybody’s fault? A mental health diagnosis is not a sign of ‘personal weakness’. Unfortunately, still in today’s society, there are significant problems such as stigmatization, yet mental health problems completely surround us. Ten years ago, 450 million people in the world suffered psychological disorders according to the World Health Organization (WHO). On top of this, mental disorders accounted for 15.4% of the years of lost life due to death or disability, and this was only slightly below cardiovascular conditions, and it was actually slightly above cancer (Ref E.P.).

Mental health problems or disorders/illnesses are so often no ‘fault’ of the sufferer just as nobody (generally speaking, at least) would chose to develop a cardiovascular condition. Is anybody normally to blame for the development of a mental disorder? This may pose different opinions or points of view, however, there is clear evidence that factors such as genetics can influence mental health problems. Speaking along the lines of a particular disorder in OCD, it is now no longer doubted that it (OCD) is a distinct medical disorder. MRI ( magnetic resonance imaging) has proven this beyond doubt. MRI can depict brain structure in great detail, and in OCD, investigators have clearly observed anatomical irregularities in the brain ( the ventricular system, frontal cortex, and basal ganglia) in a person with OCD (Ref. TTSR, p 179,180).

Again, one may justifiably argue that people can make life-choices which can lead to or contribute to particular disorders, but there is also overwhelming evidence that in many cases, life-choices have nothing to do with one developing a mental health problem. Personally, I have distinct memories as a four or five year old child of symptoms of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in where I had battles with obsessions from such an early age. There is absolutely no way in the world that I learnt such things (for example, my counting compulsions which stemmed from obsessions); it was due to imbalances of serotonin ( a neuro-transmitter) in my brain; that was not my fault, and chances are that if you or somebody you know has a mental health diagnosis, it is not your or their fault either!

Thank you for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com

Anxiety; The Cool Way/Anxiety Secrets.  Have fun overcoming anxiety and depression. $39.00-$59.00. Click Here!

Cure Anxiety and Panic Attacks Fast. Regain control of your life. Click Here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  A video describing symptoms of OCD and diagnostic criteria:

An e-book from an

x-sufferer’s viewpoint

on how to beat OCD.

Click Here!

Thank you for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com, a free self-help web-site to help you or somebody you know to manage mental health issues.

Paul

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OCD in its severe form is a seriously disabling and crippling disorder, but it may not necessarily remain that way for the rest of the sufferer’s life. Nevertheless, OCD is recognised as one of the most misunderstood of any mental disorders. Apparently, Sigmund Freud admitted that OCD baffled him.

Throughout this site I will explain from my own perspective as a former sufferer of severe to extreme OCD (clinical diagnosis) what obsessions are, what compulsions are, the nature of this disorder, the prognosis of recovery and much, much more. I have an awareness of misunderstandings and myths about this disorder and throughout this site, it is intended that OCD can be explained from the reality of it and how it really is in the hope that others may understand OCD much better and perhaps that sufferers of this cruel disorder may find some comfort and hope that OCD can be managed.

So what is it? A very basic definition could be:
A debilitating disease characterised by recurrent, intrusive and totally unwanted thoughts which can cause immense anxiety and/or also characterised by ritualistic and totally irrational and repetitive behaviours or mental compulsions which one feels compelled to perform (Ref. AAI).

This is a very basic and general description. A more comprehensive description could be as follows:
A psychiatric brain disorder (neurotic/anxiety disorder) which can manifest itself through multitudes of obsessions and compulsions causing possible extremes of anxiety. OCD is characterised by uncontrollable, intrusive, recurrent, inappropriate and totally unwanted obsessive thoughts/ideas causing possible extremes of distress (the distress as a result of obsessions/compulsions). Obsessive thoughts/ideas can ofter be followed by either behavioural or mental rituals performed in accordance with the attempt to minimise the distress of the obsessive thoughts/ideas. Obsessions and/or compulsions interfere (possibly highly significantly and even to a disabling point) with daily, social and work related activities. The sufferer recognises that their thoughts do not make any sense, but do not lose touch with reality (Ref…added soon……)

Thank you for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com

Table-top water fountains: www.samastwaterfountains.com

Garden and outdoor water fountains: www.samastwaterfountains.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Introduction.

Perhaps you can identify with the following. Can you imagine doing something as simple as making a cup of tea, but wondering a hundred times or more if you put sugar or even water in it? Obsessions are thoughts or ideas which penetrate the foreground of the minds of its sufferers in which these thoughts or ideas are unable to be quenched or suppressed (stopped) and where the sufferer knows thay are not normal. Obsessions pierce the consciousnes and despite huge efforts to get rid of them, they just seem to remain. Obsessions are thoughts or ideas which have four (4) main characteristics. They are invasive or intrusive, recurrent, inappropriate and totally unwanted. The word ‘obsession’ seems to have a very different meaning in general society or public than what it does cliniacally speaking. Obsessions are thoughts in the mind that swamp and consume the sufferer in where they return again and again and again. As a former sufferer of severe OCD I used to wonder (or even believe) that I was a freak. Maybe you do too. I thought I was quirky. How could any normal person have such ‘stupid’ thoughts that keep coming back again and again? Maybe you question your sanity; I know I certainly did. Maybe you might think you are weird. I certainly thought I was (to say the least). So, is a person who is consumed by obsessions weird or quirky? Certainly NOT! In fact, people with OCD are quite normal. It is the fact that the brain sends faulty messages which all get ‘mixed-up’ as to what leads to obsessions and compulsions. There is nothing so bizarre about a person with OCD and anybody can have or experience intrusive thoughts, however a person with OCD has trouble controlling them.

The word ‘obsession’ comes from the words ‘to besiege’ (Ref. TTSR) and besiege means to surround somebody or something in large numbers in that it is unpleasant or annoying. Obsessions can be extremely unpleasant and can also be infuriating and incredibly frustrating to the sufferer. So, from the word ‘besiege’ we get the word “obsession’ and it clearly relates to surrounding or attacking something, or in the case of OCD of course it is a person. A person is attacked by obsessions; thoughts and ideas which come unwelcomed to the mind and in large numbers (hence, one of the properties of obsessions is that they are intrusive and another property of obsessions is that they are recurrent). Think of an army with a never-ending supply of troops which attack relentlessly and in huge numbers. A person flooded with obsessions could be likened to as an enemy like this who attacks again and again and doesn’t know how to stop or surrender.

Obsessions are recurrent and intrusive and this may not seem so strange to those who do not have or understand OCD. With OCD, it is the brain which shoots faulty messages and basically a person with OCD does not have an ability to process information in a normal or usual way (left untreated). Anyone can question whether they have put sugar in their tea or wonder if they remembered to turn the stove or oven off (among thousands and thousands of other hypothetical situations) or indeed even have thoughts that can be inappropriate such as stepping in front of an oncoming train, but a person without OCD has an ability to rationally process such thoughts and dismiss them. Obsessions are NOT easily dismissed by sufferers of OCD and it is due to ‘conflict’ in the brain (brain chemistry) in that it misfires. (More information about processes of the brain will be added later)

Because the brain misfires, obsessions just seem to remain or can in fact even come back stronger. As mentioned, obsessions are recurrent and intrusive. They can be very inappropriate also, but also an important facet of obsessions is that they are 100% unwanted. They are of a different nature to addictions and other problems that people can have. Obsessions are ALWAYS unwelcomed and they bring no pleasure or relief what-so-ever.

Checklist:

Obsessions are-
* Recurrent
* Intrusive
* Inappropriate
* Unwanted.

What types of things (thoughts and ideas) do sufferers of OCD have then in relation to obsessions? Obsessions come in different forms as per the content or theme of the thoughts or ideas. Different types of obsessions include obsessions relatimng to:

* Contamination or filth
* Aggression or harm
* Lustful or sexual obsessions
* Blasphemy
* Pathological doubt
* Disgust with bodily finctions or waste
* Symmetry or order
* Need for reassurance
* Thinking specific images, words, nonsensical phrases, numbers or sounds.
(Ref…PA….)

This topic will be expanded on much more in future posts

For now, here is something a little different to obsessions

Maybe you would like to buy a great looking clock for yourself or a friend. You can visit www.samastclocks.com

where you can take a look at a variety of fantastic clocks and other products available directly from merchants such as Home Living, Amazon and more

All the best for now,

Paul.

 Visit our Online Sidewalk Sale at BetterWorldBooks.com. Free Carbon Neutral Shipping on all orders in the USA, $3.97 Worldwide.

Bibliography :
Osborn, I. M.D. 1998, Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals, First Edition, Pantheon Books, New York.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Properties attached to obsessions:

There are particular specific types of properties attached to obsessions which set them apart from general worries and preoccupations of everyday life. Obsessions are recurrent, very invasive, totally unwanted, and inappropriate, which cause possible extremes of anxiety or distress. Unwanted obsessional thoughts or ideas just keep returning to the sufferer again, and again, and again. The mind seems to spin and be locked into top-gear. People with OCD generally have an over-active mind and this is evidenced through PET scans of the brain.

Obsessions include thoughts and fears associated with dirt and contamination, order or symmetry, hoarding or saving, constantly thinking about words, phrases, numbers and more, fears of unrealistically causing harm to others, fears of thinking evil or sinful thoughts and more, superstitious fears, religious obsessions, obsessions of repetitive rituals and nonsensical doubts (Ref. TTSR). Even more could be added to this list such as obsessions of food and weight. We need to be careful to discern the differences between OCD and other disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia, O.C.P.D. ( Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder ), phobias, habit disorders and so-forth. Obsessions can be intrusive to the extreme, and inappropriate (not necessarily meaning ‘moral’ here) that cause anxiety and/or distress. Obsessions are far more than excessive worries about real-life problems. It is important to be aware of the differences between excessive worries, addictions and the like, and the characteristics of obsessions. For example, a boy who is infatuated about a girl (including the presence of fantasies) is NOT obsessed by her (clinically speaking) (Ref. TTSR). OCD has major differences with many other disorders and illnesses, yet there can be similarities to a point. In my opinion, it is the true ritualistic obsessive demeanor’s that set OCD apart from any other mental health disorder yet other disorders such as depression (eg. Major Depressive Disorder) can go hand-in-hand with OCD (and many other disorders).Depression is actually quite common among sufferers of OCD (Ref. E.P).

Checklist:
Obsessions are-
* persistent ideas, thoughts, images or impulses
* distinctly different to other disorders such as phobias
* completely unwanted; 100% unwanted.

A very common consequence of having such inappropriate obsessions is GUILT. Many OCD sufferers carry a huge burden of guilt on their shoulders. Some types of obsessions do seem so inappropriate, that the sufferer experiences many feelings with guilt being one of the main one’s.

Why would somebody with OCD feel so guilty? Firstly, we need to understand the nature of some common obsessional thoughts and ideas. We have an idea now that obsessions are recurrent and so-forth. It helps to understand the types of ‘themes’ that surround obsessions. There are a number of main types and one of them is obsessions of blasphemy. Another type is obsessions relating to lust (Ref. TTSR). Obsessions DO NOT indicate that the sufferer wants to, or will do such inappropriate thoughts (act on them). Obsessions of filth may not lead to quite as much guilt for some people (even though each person is uniquely different of course) for a number of reasons including the less intense ‘moral’ issues surrounding various types of obsessions. They (obsessions of filth) may still, and indeed do, cause as much anxiety (in some people, even more) as obsessions of lust or other types.

All obsessions can be extremely time-consuming, and lead to overwhelming feelings of anxiety. Obsessions can be very vivid and occur instantaneously, then over and over again. NO part of any clinical obsession is enjoyable or brings any pleasure to the sufferer at all. There seems no defence against obsessions (while one is suffering/ experiencing such obsessions) and for the sufferer it only seems to be ‘managed’ by performing either mental or behavioural compulsions, which in turn really only feed the obsessions more and worsens them in the long run.

Checklist:
Obsessions are-
* recurrent/reoccurring
* invasive
* unwanted
* inappropriate.

Obsessions are not extreme perfectionism. Obsessions surpasses this type of thinking (in a clinical sense). There is no gratification or sense of even a small part of pleasantness or relief in obsessions. They ARE NOT addictions (differences between addictions, perfectionism, phobias and so-forth are discussed in different sections/post in the future). Obsessions are not a ‘desire’ to aquire any material, social, psychological or any other ‘possession’. They are not fantasies with any sort of pleasant connotation (even if they are totally unrealistic). One does not enjoy even point zero-one percent of ANY obsession (ref. TTSR.).

As stated, these topics will be expanded on much more in the furure. For now, thanks for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com

Bibliography :Myers, D.G. 1999, Exploring Psychology, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., New York.

Osborn, I. M.D. 1998, Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals, First Edition, Pantheon Books, New York.

DEPRESSION: www.depresionmentalhealth.com

An e-book from an
x-sufferer’s viewpoint
on how to beat OCD.
Click Here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When an obsession ‘hits’/ strikes, a person with OCD will often try to reduce the discomfort and anxiety of the obsession by performing either or both behavioural compulsions and/or mental compulsions. Compulsions certainly include acts that are not always observable, and these types of compulsions can lead to a high degree of tension in the sufferer. As with any disorder, it helps to understand such things as signs and symptoms, as it equips us better to know the ‘enemy’ we are facing yet it could be advisable not to try too hard in fighting this ‘enemy’ if we start to depreciate or derogate ourselves or the like. Strategies for fighting this awful yet surmountable disorder are to be found in other sections of this site and in future posts forthcoming.

There ARE ways to break the OCD chain, and even people who have a severe case of OCD can find assurance in people such as psychologists who understand how to cut our ‘enemy’ ( OCD ) by the knees, stand up to it, find ways how to beat it and live a much better and less stressful life. There is always hope and even more, there are ways to overcome or limit the hindrance of mental disorders.

Checklist:
* Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts
* Compulsions are performed/done to reduce anxiety or distress
* Compulsions can come in various forms including washing and cleaning, checking, counting, asking for or demanding reassurance, ordering and repeating actions (Ref. TTSR).

What are some common compulsions?

What are some common compulsions? Washing and cleaning are certainly very common symptoms of OCD. Checking is a very common compulsion, perhaps the most common.Compulsions of counting are also common, as is confessing and/or asking (or asking for reassurance). Symmetry/order is quite common as are repeating actions and tapping, with hoarding things being less of a common compulsion (Ref. TTSR). These compulsive acts can be very taunting, but are only the very tip of the ice-berg in really understanding what OCD is about. An enormous part of OCD is actually in the obsessions, and it is the obsessions that people can’t see. This is where (clinical obsessional thinking) absolute intense anxiety can generate.

Personally, I think many people interpret obsessions as specifically ‘mental’, and compulsions specifically as any repetitive behaviour that you can actually see. This is not the case. Compulsions can include repetitive mental acts. Therefore, compulsions include behavioural rituals and indeed mental acts. This topic will be covered in much more detail in posts to come, and at some stage through e-books which you will be able to download for free (please be patient)

Bibliography :Myers, D.G. 1999, Exploring Psychology, Fourth Edition, Worth Publishers Inc., New York.

Osborn, I. M.D. 1998, Tormenting Thoughts and Secret Rituals, First Edition, Pantheon Books, New York.

Thank you for visiting www.depressionmentalhealth.com, and have a nice day!

Regards,

Paul.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~