Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as simply being organized, particular, or detail-oriented. In reality, OCD is a mental health condition that can cause significant distress and interfere with everyday life.

OCD involves obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are recurring, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that can cause anxiety or distress. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental rituals a person feels driven to perform in response to these thoughts. These experiences can be time-consuming and difficult to manage.

OCD looks different for everyone. While some people experience fears related to contamination or a need to check things repeatedly, others may struggle with intrusive thoughts or internal rituals that are not immediately visible to others. Recognizing these differences is an important step toward challenging stigma and building understanding.

The good news is that effective treatments are available. Evidence-based approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), particularly exposure and response prevention (ERP), can help people manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

This OCD Awareness Week, Lake Behavioral Hospital encourages everyone to look beyond common stereotypes, approach mental health conversations with compassion, and remember that seeking support is a sign of strength. Greater awareness can help individuals feel understood and empowered to explore the care they need.

Source:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)

Source Links:

• nimh.nih.gov
• iocdf.org

Nearly $250 million in new federal funding is being dedicated to expanding mental health and addiction treatment services across the country. The funding will support initiatives focused on mental health care, addiction treatment, recovery services, overdose prevention, and community-based support.

The investment highlights the growing importance of accessible behavioral healthcare and continued efforts to ensure individuals and families can find the support they need. Expanding access to quality mental health and addiction services can help connect more people with care and support at critical moments.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

There are things you can count on, and each year, Groundhog’s Day is one of them. On the morning of February 2, Punxsutawney Phil, an actual groundhog, will emerge from his warren in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to predict a wonderful early spring or a dreaded 6 more weeks of winter. Last year, Phil saw his shadow, and a lengthened winter was ahead of us. Most of us don’t fully believe that Phil is the ultimate source for such a prediction, but even hearing the potential of a longer winter can cause those of us needing sun and warmth to feel blue and out of sorts. In mental health circles, that feeling can be referred to as SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder.

SAD is real. It is accepted as a defined disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, and it leads to depression and feelings of sadness. It is known that depression can be debilitating, leading to loss of interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of being stuck and unable to be productive, feelings of being hopeless, helpless, or worthless, anxiousness, weight loss or gain, and even thoughts of suicide.

If you already have depression or anxiety–related symptoms, you may have a higher risk of the winter impacting your mood. Some find that light therapy can improve symptoms, and others find that talk therapies and medication are helpful.

SAD is a diagnosable and controllable condition. Don’t let a groundhog impact your life! If you or a loved one are experiencing depression in any form, please allow the qualified professionals at Lake Behavioral Hospital to help by providing a free, confidential screening that will help determine the level of care for your symptoms. Call 855-990-1900, 24/7/365, to schedule a screening. Walk-ins are welcome.

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Our Lake Behavioral article will take a look at suicide among the Hispanic population and how culture plays a part in positive health and wellness.

Youth suicide in the Hispanic population is on the rise. To define “Hispanic/Latino”, this can refer to any 1 of the 62 million people who are from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central America or South America, or Cuba. It is the foundation of each of these Hispanic cultures that may increase the potential for health among those Hispanics who are challenged by mental illness.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness indicates that suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death for youth, ages 10-14, and the 3^rd leading cause of death for those ages 15-24. Nearly a quarter million Hispanic/Latinos attempt suicide. During the COVID crisis almost 5,000 of them died by suicide (CDC).

Non-culture oriented statistics indicate that although males complete the act of suicide in larger numbers (nearly 4 times as many as females), females attempt suicide more often. As reported by the Center for Disease Control’s, Youth Survey, 1 in 6 Hispanic/Latino teens experienced suicidal ideation. An astounding number, 1 in 4 females, have seriously considered suicide to eliminate mental health distress.

Hispanic/Latino groups may very well be at a mental health disadvantage with levels of stress related to marginalization, poverty in their country of origin, followed by poverty in a country chosen for a successful life, joblessness, and losses of family left behind. Faith and culture are often what lessens the burdens of new lives in a foreign land.

Connecting to peer networks through faith–based or Hispanic/Latino support organizations is healing. Utilization of familiar language with family and peers; sharing food, music and cultural rituals offer protective connections and create resilience and comfort. Places for safe communication and open discussion mean reduced anxiety, fear, stress, and depression; possibly heading off the distress that can lead to the hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness that can lead to suicidal thinking.

For Hispanic/Latino youth, school programs that offer solid ESL programs, peer activity groups like Hispanic heritage clubs and celebrations of culture are making a difference. For Hispanic/Latino youth who are needing mental health support, treatment programs that can change the course of mental illness are those who have cultural connections in language and understanding of needs of families and the youth.

Suicide, unfortunately, is universal. It crosses all socioeconomic groups and all cultures. It is important to understand both culture and mental health. In that regard, take any and all suicide talk seriously. Listen without judgment. Ask questions that are direct like “Are you thinking about suicide?”, and “listen” with all your senses. In all cases, do as NAMI asks; remind people that they are not alone and that recovery from mental illness is possible. A referral to professional help should occur and a call to Lake Behavioral Hospital can make a difference. Call 855-990-1900 for a free, confidential screening to determine the level of care that is best.

Program hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00am-2:00pm

The Lake Behavioral Hospital Partial Hospitalization Program for teens, ages 13-17, is a group-oriented program. Utilizing the framework of peer-based interactions, this evidenced-based program provides a safe and structured transition from inpatient support. Patients have also successfully found this program to help avoid hospitalization by entering when first experiencing behavioral symptoms that are interfering with home, school and community life. Patients and families can expect that the duration of the program, although individualized for each patient, would average about 2 weeks.

What makes this program so successful is that it is so behaviorally focused, helping youth understand what causes their feelings and behaviors. Coping skills, listening and communication skills help the adolescent maneuver through the triggers that, in the past, may have created a negative outcome. Because patients can leave the program at the end of the program day and practice skills, then report back to their peers and staff the next day, the learned skills are constantly being tweaked and individualized to accommodate communication styles and skill levels. It is amazing to watch the behavioral changes and improved self-esteem occur as the teens blossom behaviorally and in their confidence in managing their own behaviors.

As a parent, please consider our PHP program for your teen. It is an opportunity for positive peer interaction in a structured, proven, therapeutic setting. For a screening for the program, please call 855-990-1900. We look forward to working with your teen.