What is ERP? Exposure Response Prevention, abbreviated to ERP, is a type of therapy designed to target, reduce and eliminate the compulsions (rituals) that occur within OCD. The cornerstone of ERP is two related learning processes called habituation and extinction. The treatment affords you the chance to change your reaction to your fears by lowering […]
Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is being conscious of what is taking place in your environment, your thought processes, feelings and sensations in your body, in the present moment, without judging yourself or the situation. Mindfulness is not part of any religion, it does not require special clothes or equipment. You do not have to clear […]
HOCD – unwanted thoughts questioning my sexual identity
What is HOCD? HOCD stands for Homosexual Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and is a term that is used to describe having unwanted intrusive thoughts in relation to your sexual preference. Also known as Sexual Orientation OCD; a form of OCD where the individual experiences doubt and mistakenly thinks their sexual preference is changing. This type of OCD does […]
Sleep and the ability to cope with coronavirus
Yesterday was unusual for me in that I struggled a bit with lockdown and felt lonely. That was unusual for me as the older I get, the more content I am spending time alone, and am naturally quiet as a person. This post is one of a series that were updated and can help you […]
Cognitively Reframing Coronavirus
Cognitive reframing, also known as cognitive restructuring is a psychological technique that is used to help you look at a situation differently. In light of the current global pandemic, I thought it would be useful to help you to use cognitive reframing with coronavirus. This post is one of a series that were updated and […]
Online Tests
These online tests are free to use and do not require you to input your email address to get results.
Coronavirus and OCD
I have been updating some articles on MoodSmith, relating to OCD; specifically contamination, and decided it would be more helpful if I write my thoughts on the implications of the coronavirus and OCD. I think the most significant difficulty with the coronavirus and OCD, is that proper handwashing and being aware of cross-contamination is necessary to […]
Thinking Errors in OCD
If you have OCD, your thoughts and images that cause you so much distress are more than likely not correct. You are probably making mistakes in your thinking; known as thinking errors or cognitive distortions. Correcting these mistakes in your thinking is part of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a good first step to helping you with your OCD. Your […]