Ashley's Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Blog

Comedian, actor and writer Steve Martin published a novel entitled "The Pleasure of My Company". The book, published in 2003, depicts the life Daniel, who has debilitating OCD.

While not as well-known as Martin's earlier work "Shopgirl," "The Pleasure of My Company" is sad, humorous and worth a read.

_{Photo from www.bigfoto.com}

Celebrities can have mental health issues, just like anyone else. Many celebrities have been candid about their battles with depression, substance abuse and even OCD. Did you know that radio personality Howard Stern, comedian Howie Mandel, actress Roseanne Barr and TV host Marc Summers have all struggled with OCD?

Read a more complete list of celebrities and their reported psychiatric diagnoses, compiled by Eddy M. Elmer.

OCD is generally treated with medication and therapy. Unfortunately, about 20% of people with OCD do not respond to normal treatment. Luckily, researchers are investigating new types of treatment for these severe cases.

Deep brain stimulation involves surgically implanting two electrical stimulators in the brain, which are connected to a pacemaker-like device that turns them on and off. 25-50% of the patients who have undergone this procedure at Brown University have experienced improvement from it.

Gamma knife capsulotomy is another surgical procedure in which specific areas of the brain are cut with special device called a "gamma knife." 60% of the patients who have received this procedure at Brown have experienced improvement.

Both procedures are still being investigated, but the initial results certainly seem encouraging.

_{Source: Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences website.}

Staying politically informed and exercising your right to vote are so important, especially during this election year. To help familiarize you with the presidential candidates' positions on mental healthcare, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) posted information on their website.

NAMI sent a questionnaire to all of the presidential candidates, the results of which are posted online. Learn what Senators Clinton, McCain and Obama have to say on this essential topic.

I wrote about the TV series "Monk" in an earlier blog. This addictive program stars the Emmy Award-winning actor Tony Shalhoub, who portrays an obsessive-compulsive detective.

In an effort to widen the show's audience, the network powers-that-be have decided to air "Monk" Sunday nights on NBC. New shows will continue to be aired on USA. For those of you without cable, now is your chance to get acquainted with "Monk."

Children with OCD are much more likely to be bullied, says a report from the University of Florida. While only 9% of "healthy" children reported serious problems with bullying, 25% of children with OCD did, making bullying nearly three times as common for them.

People with OCD, including children with OCD, often have more difficulties with interpersonal relationships. Unusual behaviors and rituals can make these children easy targets for bullies. In addition, the stress of being bullied can actually worsen OCD symptoms and depression. Parents, teachers and healthcare providers should be aware of these potential hazards.

_{Source: "Kids with OCD bullied more than others, study shows," University of Florida News website, August 14, 2006.}

In addition to the one here, there are a number of other OCD blogs on the internet. A number of them are written by people suffering from OCD and do a great job of describing the disorder on a personal level.

Examples include The OCD Blog, Living With OCD, and OCD and More. Of course, feel free to tell people your own story on this site's forum too!

_{Photo from www.bigfoto.com}

Hoarding is thought to be a form of OCD, but research indicates that it may indeed be distinct from OCD. In a previous blog, I reported on the possible genetic basis to hoarding.

Another study examined patterns of brain metabolism using PET scans, which measure the brain's use of glucose (sugar). Hoarders were compared to people with other forms of OCD, and the patterns of brain metabolism differed significantly between the two groups.

_{Source: Saxena MD, S, Brody MD, A, Maidment RN MFT, K, Smith BS, E, Zohrabi BS, N, Katz BS, E, Baker BS, S, and Baxter MD, L "Cerebral Glucose Metabolism in Obsessive-Compulsive Hoarding." American Journal of Psychiatry, 161:1038-1048, June 2004.}

What is the difference between someone who is tidy and someone who is a "neat freak"? An article from MSNBC suggests that there is probably a spectrum of neatness, ranging from clutter-minimizing to obsessively clean.

Organization has its perks, but messiness may have some positive attributes as well. Waiting to clean everything up at the end of the day may actually save more time than cleaning up as you go, and cluttered desks may foster creativity.

_{Source: Schorr, Melissa. "Neatness a sign of godliness — or compulsion?" MSNBC website. Photo from www.bigfoto.com}

A new program through the University of North Carolina is focusing on couples where one partner has OCD. The program, led by psychology professors Jonathan Abramowitz and Donald Baucom, will use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to help both people in the relationship.

The treatment involves therapy sessions aimed both at reducing OCD symptoms and improving the relationship. This program is the first of its kind in targeting couples.

Source: "UNC study, a first, treats OCD patients and their partners." The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill website.