This is what most people think obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) looks like: washing your hands excessively because you’re a germaphobe. Sometimes, people think it’s also needing to have a neat, orderly home, and checking to see if you locked the door way too many times. And while some of this is
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Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger November 2, 2018
There’s a prevailing belief that exploring your past in therapy is pointless. A complete waste of time. After all, talking about past circumstances doesn’t change them. It’s also self-indulgent and narcissistic, right? And it takes too darn long. You can talk about your childhood for years and not get anywhere.
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 31, 2018
Anxiety seems like a simple, straightforward topic. After all, it’s a common emotion—everyone feels anxious from time to time. And it’s a common condition. In fact, it’s the most common mental illness in the U.S. Anxiety disorders affect about 18 percent of adults every year. And yet there are many,
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 13, 2018
Parenting is an amazing adventure. It is an honor and a privilege to raise a human being. It is fascinating, and wonderful to witness your kids evolve, and to grow alongside them. But parenting also has many annoying parts—frustrating, challenging, and sometimes downright maddening parts. And sometimes it’s these annoying
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 6, 2018
One of the biggest challenges in treating bipolar disorder is actually accepting the diagnosis. Because, of course, if you don’t believe you have an illness, you won’t focus on managing it. Psychotherapist Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW, has run a group for individuals with bipolar disorder for over a decade.
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger October 4, 2018
As parents, there are lots of skills we need and want to teach our kids. Most of us focus on the basics, such as teaching our kids how to feed and dress themselves, how to tie their shoes, how to count, and read and write. After all, these are foundational
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger September 12, 2018
Bipolar disorder is a difficult illness. For Arden Tucker, an episode of depression can be especially debilitating. Like many who experience bipolar disorder, Tucker fears she won’t recapture the essence of who she really is, the person she was before the depression began. “My bipolar depression can feel insidious,” she
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger September 8, 2018
If you love what you do, it’s all-too easy for it to consume your identity—especially if your career is demanding and fast-paced. You find yourself checking email after hours, and thinking about work. All. The. Time. You find yourself falling asleep with a laptop in your bed. It’s also all-too
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger August 29, 2018
Parenting involves a lot of minutiae, and from sunup to sundown, the days can feel crammed. And amid all the details—changing diapers, potty-training, making meals, driving everywhere, helping with homework, doing bedtime—what can get lost is the bigger picture. Even if your kids are older and don’t need as much
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger August 25, 2018
You’re a sensitive person, and you’re not particularly proud of it. You’ve probably been told oh-so many times that you’re too sensitive and too emotional. You’re delicate and fragile, and you need to toughen up. You need to build thicker skin—or you’ll never survive in this world, or get anything done. Maybe
Read More Shared by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., Contributing Blogger August 4, 2018