While most people have accidentally bitten the inside of their cheek before, some people bite their cheek compulsively over a long period. Chronic cheek biting is a body-focused repetitive behavior that has an association with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Cheek biting and the biting of other areas in the mouth affect 750 out…
What to know about Celexa (citalopram)
Celexa is the brand name of a generic drug called citalopram, which is an antidepressant in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class. Doctors prescribe Celexa to treat major depressive disorder. Some doctors may also prescribe Celexa for other conditions that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not yet…
What to know about skin picking
People may pick their skin occasionally. For example, they might itch a scab or pop a pimple. However, occasional skin picking can develop into a chronic behavior called skin picking disorder, or excoriation disorder. The exact cause of skin picking disorder remains unknown. That said, it may develop alongside other…
Anxiety in the West: Is it on the rise?
According to some observers, anxiety is now snowballing in the United States. So, in this Spotlight, we ask whether anxiety truly is becoming more prevalent in the West and, if so, what may be causing it. For many, anxiety is an ever-present uninvited guest; in our circle of friends, among family members,…
OCD: Why living in a sunless region can increase symptoms
Sunless skies can bring down a person’s mood and decrease motivation, but do they also have an impact on the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms? A recent study suggests that indeed they do, and it explains why that might be. Individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors…