#intrusive thoughts 888

[gurugirl]

Can you please write something where Harry comes home and finds y/n working out. She’s all sweaty and he just finds her absolutely sexy. So he fucks her. Plain and simple.

Summary: Stepdad!harry comes home to see you all sweaty after a run. He can't control himself.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to get to but here it is!! 888 words

Warning: Smut, cheating, inappropriate relationship between a stepdad and a stepdaughter - this is stepdad!harry x reader so if this isn't your thing turn away now XX

You enjoyed an afternoon run most days. It made you feel alive and wiped all of your worries away for a little while. And today you got a really good one in. You were a bit sweatier than normal but your whole body tingled from the increased blood flow as you walked into the kitchen to pour a glass of water.

You hadn’t heard Harry coming in as you guzzled half your glass in one go. But you nearly dropped it when you felt his hands land on your hips and his voice vibrated off your ear, “Your mom is coming home soon. You can’t be walking around here like this in front of me, Y/n.”

You laughed as you turned, “Like what, Daddy?”

You knew what he meant. You were wearing a crop shirt and your spandex shorts, which were quite short. The gray spandex was darker where you’d been sweating which you hated about them but Harry seemed to love it.

He moved his hands up to your low back and ran a finger up your slippery, sweaty spine, “Dripping wet, barely wearing anything. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

You laughed as Harry practically dragged you into your bedroom, “Thought you wanted me to get cleaned up? The bathroom is over there,” you gestured across the hall from your room.

Harry grunted as he unbuckled his pants and walked toward you. He took your shirt in his hands and pulled it off over your head and continued walking you backward toward your bed.

When Harry pulled his own shirt off he nudged you into your bed and then turned you to face down with your bottom up, “Hands and knees,” he spoke in finality.

You propped yourself up so you were on your hands and knees as he commanded and turned to watch him behind you as he pushed his pants down and then pulled his big cock out of the front of his briefs. You were still wearing your sweaty tiny spandex shorts as Harry squared up behind you and grasped your ass cheeks with his hands.

He squeezed and massaged before slowly bringing his fingers under the fabric at your thighs and pushing it to the side. His tongue slid against your wet pussy and he moaned when he tasted you, “So dirty, Y/n. Gonna clean you up now.”

You gasped and panted as Harry’s tongue lapped at your drenched and sweaty folds. You honestly didn’t know it could be so hot to have him licking at your sweat but it was, and Harry seemed to like it. He kept his hand on the material pulled away from you so he could access your pussy. Luckily the material was stretchy enough for him to keep it on you because he clearly wanted to have you while you were wearing the shorts.

You pushed your bum against him as he sucked and licked into you and Harry sat back so his cock was lying over your bum. He continued pulling at the material as he used his free hand to swipe his tip through your pussy lips and he moaned at the sight of you.

When he suddenly pushed in, you had only sort of been prepared for it. But he was extra hard and the intrusion had your legs feeling wobbly.

Harry slid himself into and out of your wet little pussy quickly, the material of your shorts was now not only wet from sweat but from the arousal which was coating Harry’s cock and getting smeared onto your shorts.

You braced yourself with each roll of his hips. He worked himself in deeply, grinding into you when his hips met your ass. You cried out when his pounding didn’t let up and your body was being jolted forward at each plunge. Your squeaky mattress was bouncing under your knees and Harry’s own groans were slowly getting louder as he was finding his own orgasm closing in.

Reaching between your legs you sighed when you felt your fingers slip against your clit. You immediately started to shiver with pleasure from his cock splitting you open and pressing in deep.

Harry enjoyed the view of his cock disappearing into your pussy and the way your shorts were covered in your cream where the material was closest to the action. The bit of friction from the fabric on his cock felt good and he gasped when he finally began to unload himself into you.

You felt him pumping into you and squeezing your eyes closed you increased the speed of your fingers and began to come right after him, clenching around his thick shaft and shaking with ecstasy.

Harry was lazily thrusting into you, his orgasm finally waning, the wet and sloppy noises still dirty and obvious between your bodies when you both heard the front door close. Your mother had come home.

Harry quickly withdrew and pulled his pants up and then threw his t-shirt on before leaving your room.

You fell flat to the bed and sighed as you closed your eyes with a small smile on your face. You hated that he had to rush away but you were happy he couldn’t resist you and awarded you with an indulgent quickie before your mom came home.

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[thecaduceusclay]

Hello!! I hope it's not intrusive, but I'd love to hear more about your spooky ocs? They sound absolutely delightful + very up my alley hehehe

It took me a bit to get to this since I'm on a mini vacation rn but I'm more than happy to tell you about them >:3

It's under a read more since I know I'll be longwinded. (Also so Mika doesn't read this if she looks at my blog, there's spoilers here about Wilde)

tl;dr: Daniil is a spiderverse OC. He's a scientist with a special interest in the black plague, he spends his free time being a villain and is usually weird and obsessed with Spider-Man.

Wilde is a Curse of Strahd PC from a Victorian-inspired world. He's a necromancer and heavily inspired by Victor Frankenstein and the Re-Animator films.

This is Wilde! (Currently going by Dr. Wilde Cadaveric). He's one of the three PCs in our Curse of Strahd game. He's an amnesiac reborn who's desperately trying to hide that he's undead and doesn't know who he is. He's autistic in the way where he doesn't always get that he should have tact and grace, but he's somehow still the most socially aware in the party at times...

Before ending up in Barovia he was named Victor Wilde. He was working on a master's degree in Necromancy at a university in London. He and his mentor were working on ways to reverse death, but when the Ethics Board came down hard and quashed their plans things went bad. After a night of drinking his mentor and friend killed him and resurrected him. Wilde woke from the attempted resurrection with very few memories, very confused, and physically changed.

He's in the uncanny valley, he's Scottish, he let someone do experimental top surgery on him, he has a girlfriend and a boyfriend he left behind. What can't he do?

Then there's Daniil Reznik!

Daniil is a little complicated. He was made in the height of the Spider-Sona craze after Across the Spider-Verse. The original Daniil (Spider-Vamp) was the Spider-Man from Earth-888, a world where instead of Covid they got hit with a Vampire Virus (as it's known colloquially, it has a real scientific name and scientists are firmly refusing to call it vampirism). He was a forensic pathologist on the Os-Corp team working on the cure.

Most of his schtick is that he's obsessed with Peter Parker (who is still Spider-Man, I have a whole complex plot for how Daniil ends up in that position).

Me and my husband ended up making a ton of multiverse variants of him though (a straight up villain with radiation powers he sees as a gift from God, his pre-transition self who went full Carrie on everyone, a disturbingly normal guy, etc.) Our favorite is Dr. Plague.

Dr. Plague is a villain from Earth-1610. He went to high school and (totally coincidentally) the same undergrad as RIPeter. He's a plague doctor themed villain in his off-time and has been since he was like 16 (you know how it is with teenage crushes 🤷‍♂️). Up until Peter died he was a kind of intense, cryptid-like, silent villain who maybe fought a little too viciously.

After Peter's death (and a few months being despondent and depressed, you know how it is with maladaptive obsession) he ended up eventually teaming with Miles. He's kind of ended up de-fanged by the overwhelming fact that the new Spider-Man is a literal child holy shit.

I have way too many AUs for this guy, way too much lore, and way too much investment.

If you wanna see occasional in-character ramblings from him @leech-fluincer is Dr. Plague's blog.

Other random fun facts: He's from North Dakota originally, he was emo when he was a teenager, he's devoutly Russian Orthodox (and kinda has religious OCD, oops), his favorite movie is Saw 3d (because the reverse bear trap goes off), and my husband and I have an AU we're very attached to where he and Uncle Aaron end up having to fake date to save Miles' ass from a poorly thought out lie.

[paulisded]

The Ledge #629: New Releases Pt. 1

We may be heading to the end of summer but it's not the end of great music. Once again, the new release episode for this month has been expanded into a two part extravaganza. Tonight's first part features a number of "friends of the show", including monthly singles by White Rose Motor Oil and Rob Moss & Skin-Tight Skin. There Realpunkradio's Greg Lonesome with his Intrusive Thoughts project, a teaser from Tamar Berk's upcoming record, a couple of new tracks from Big Stir Records, and plenty of others that so graciously keep me on their mailing list!  

Of course, that's not all. We have the return of X with reportedly their final album. There's the first new Kaisers album in 246 months! Jack White is also represented with his surprise new release that I'm not afraid to say is his best music since the demise of The White Stripes. Plus so much more!

Along with these releases are the usual mix of punk, garage, power pop, and much more! Also, please head to YouTube and subscribe to our channel - Public Domain Classics 888. We have close to 500 classic films from over 110 years of releases! 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE SHOW!

1. White Rose Motor Oil - Nowhere Fast

2. Rob Moss and Skin-Tight Skin - Basement Party

3. Intrusive Thoughts - Obsessive (w/ Terminal Gagger)

4. Speedfossil - She's Doing Fine

5. Numb Surprise - Soul Kitchen

6. Tamar Berk - Good Impression

7. Deer Tick - Sacrosanct

8. Deer Tick - The Last Book on the Shelf

9. American Aquarium - Crier

10. The Half-Cubes - Jet Lag

11. Blake Jones & The Trike Shop - Used Record Stores

12. X - Ruby Church

13. X - Flipside

14. Love Fiend - Jimmy (is an Agent)

15. Love Fiend - Just For Eddie

16. Jack White - Old Scratch Blues

17. Jack White - Bless Yourself

18. Dinosaur Jr. - Start Choppin (London, 10.17.2022)

19. Dinosaur Jr. - Freak Scene (London, 10.17.2022)

20. The Fastbacks - Come On

21. The Courettes, La La Brooks - California

22. Grazia - Speed Freak

23. Vista Blue - No Baseball at the Summer Olympics

24. Vista Blue - Help Me, Ron

25. Vista Blue - Our Catcher's Back

26. The Fadeaways - (I've Got) Levitation

27. The Fadeaways - Rack My Mind

28. REAL REJECTS - I'm Not Allowed

29. Twisted Teens - Twisted Teen

30. The Follow Ups - Mugging At The Walmart

31. Sharp Pins - Every Time I Hear

32. The Well Wishers - Here We Go

33. The Kaisers - That Kind Of Fun

[nosycop-blog]

and hop's intrusive thoughts :))))

unformatted because I’m literally at school rn buT OKAY HOP AND HIS INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS HERE WE GO! this is a subject that feels very personal and legit to me as a sufferer of intrusive thoughts so these headcanons are really important and central to my chARACTERIZATION JUST … KEEP THAT IN MIND

so, intrusive thoughts. Hop has had them for literally ever, but way back in middle and high school he never really had a name for it. This effected him by worsening his depression periods and kinda making his self deprecating feelings worse? Like the fact that he never knew that those thoughts were a product of mental illness and not his fault kinda made him grow up thinking he was just a really, REALLY fricked up person?

And sometimes his thoughts would get really violent or suicidal and it would just lead him to feel like he was the absolute scum of the earth. Jim had trouble trusting his own mind and instincts A LOT when he was younger, honestly, just because he saw how destructive he could be and it really freaked him out. Going to war definitely didn’t help this considering the already-violent atmosphere he was constantly enveloped in. He considered doing self destructive things A LOT in those days, considering his anxiety and paranoia were heightened. It never got to that point, though, thankfully.

And as a final note, while Jims intrusive thoughts are very lessened around the times that ST takes place, they still occur. His thoughts are often suicidal, especially before he meets Eleven, but he doesn’t visibly let those things effect him and just trudges on. And again, after Jane becomes his daughter, while they’re lessened considerably it still happens sometimes. Despite that, She helps to make his life a little clearer, and he’s grateful for that.

[chiinoiserie]

callous [drabble]

fandom: 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù pairing: Lán Zhàn | Lán Wàngjī/Wèi Yīng | Wèi Wúxiàn tags: fluff, some spoilers for the novel  word count: 888 rating: T (?ish) AO3: posted @ gusu bunbun summary:  entwined with his husband and suspended in cool moonlight, Wei Ying remembers

He lay, sated and boneless, nestled in the arms of his husband. The leftover sweat from Lan WangJi’s earlier amorous attention has started to cool down on his skin. He was too tired to bother with drawing a bath and instead snuggled his face into the crook of Lan WangJi’s neck, breathing in the scent of sandalwood mixed with their mingled musk. He exhaled a happy and contented sigh.

Lan WangJi paused in combing his hair and he gave a couple of pitiful whines until his husband resumed his tender ministrations of his locks.

“Bath, Wei Ying.”

His response was to burrow his nose further into Lan WangJi’s skin, his hands tightly gripping the toned muscles at his husband’s back. Right now, he heavily resembled a squirrel tightly gripping his precious treasure.

Lan WangJi seemed to acquiesce to his stubbornness, if just for the time being. The gentle strokes resumed and if Wei Wuxian could purr, he would have done it then and there.

His contented bliss only lasted for a short moment though. Even the soothing scratches at his scalp could not distract him from the maze of scars under his palms—lashes of varying thickness that have long healed, leaving behind a intricate crisscross of marks—one of the only two things marring what is otherwise a perfect specimen of a man.

He heard his name whispered with worry. He must have stiffened up and alerted Lan WangJi to his clamoring thoughts. He swallowed the heavy knot of emotion in his throat and pushed against the warm body against him, taking the other man by surprise.

Now on his back, Lan WangJi peered at him through those ridiculously thick eyelashes and Wei WuXian had a sudden urge to kiss them.

He crawled half on top of Lan WangJi, their chests flushed together and did exactly that. Lan WangJi closed his eyes and let his spouse pepper quick kisses all over his face, and down his neck.

Wei WuXian stared, transfixed, at the bob of Lan WangJi’s throat as the man swallowed heavily. Curious, he trailed the kisses lower, lower, and followed the sharp jut of his husband’s collarbone until his lips rested against the red scar on that pale chest.

He kissed the entirety of the scar, lips whispering silent love words against the mottled skin. He could feel the quick beat of his husband’s heart and he snuck a quick glance to see that yes, indeed, Lan WangJi’s earlobes were pink and betrayed the smooth and unperturbed expression on his face.

“Hahahaha!”, his laughter broke the beginnings of a heavy mood and Lan WangJi’s eyebrows perked up in question.

“Hey, Lan Zhan, do you know? Sometimes I still can’t believe that the cool beauty that is HanGuang Jun is mine.”

In the room saturated in moonlight, Lan WangJi’s ears seemed to blush a deeper red.

At times like this when Wei WuXian is reminded of all the things that cold, expressionless and seemingly unfeeling Lan WangJi has done for him, he feels his stomach drop and his feelings threaten to burst out from his chest and spill from his eyes and mouth—words, tears, promises, kisses—he couldn’t contain it all.

Wei WuXian blinked away the moisture from his eyes and straddled his husband’s waist. He grabbed Lan WangJi’s hand and brought it to his face and snuggled his cheek against it for long minutes. Once satisfied, he kissed the center of the palm and skimmed the length of each finger with his lips, paying careful and loving attention to the hardened fingertips.

Lan WangJi lay silent and watching, letting his husband do as he wanted.

“Lan Zhan, you know, right? If I could have answered all your “Inquiries”, I would have.”

He suckled lovingly on each callous, his tongue memorizing every hard ridge of toughened skin.

Lan WangJi gave a small, pained sound and pulled Wei WuXian on top of him, clashing their mouths together in a feverish kiss full of tongue and teeth and love words.

“Lan Zhan,” Wei WuXian moaned when Lan WangJi suckled on his lower lip.

“Love y—”, the words disappeared into his husband’s mouth.

“Love you,” Lan WangJi murmured into each bite into the sensitive neck.

“Wan—Want you, ahhh!” Wei WuXian arched his chest into the hot suction of Lan WangJi’s mouth.

“Want you.” Lan WangJi whispered against his temple as he spread his spouse’s legs open for him.

Wei WuXian held Lan WangJi’s gaze and the familiar intrusion sought entrance in his body and he welcomed it, opening further for his Lan Zhan.

“Only you.”

He was unsure if it was a teardrop or was it sweat that fell on his cheek, but Lan WangJi had quickly licked it away and Wei WuXian was too lost in his husband’s lovemaking to even be bothered analyze anything else save for the mounting pleasure in his belly and Lan WangJi’s muted moans.

~

“Wei Ying?”

Person in question was draped on top on Lan WangJi and couldn’t summon enough energy to even mutter a reply.

“Bath, Wei Ying.”

Shamelessly, he just clung on to Lan WangJi’s neck and refused to let go.

Lan WangJi cradled him in his arms and carried him, princess style, to the wooden tub behind the partition.

“Join me?” Wei WuXian whispered.

“Of course, Wei Ying.”

[synergyresearchsd]

When Does OCD Develop?

New Post has been published on https://www.synergyresearchcenters.com/when-does-ocd-develop/

When Does OCD Develop?

The term “OCD” gets thrown around quite a bit these days. Someone might claim to be “so OCD” because they check their locks twice before leaving the house or because they like their dishes placed in the dishwasher in a specific way. But in truth, OCD is not a heightened sense of caution or a casual preference for symmetry. It is a real and debilitating mental health disorder that negatively impacts daily life. 

  What is OCD?

OCD, more formally known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, a mental illness that involves persistent intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) and uncontrollable ritualistic behaviors (compulsions) intended to counteract the discomfort of the unwanted obsessions. Only a trained therapist can diagnose OCD, but one of the key factors of an OCD diagnosis is that these uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors negatively affect the person’s work, school, and social relationships. 

  When does OCD develop?

Symptoms of OCD can develop at any time in a person’s life, but research has pinpointed two distinct time periods when the disorder is most likely to appear:

Between 8 and 12 years of age

Between the late teens and age 25

There are rare cases where an infant or a mature adult may show signs and symptoms of OCD. In most cases, OCD develops gradually, but it can come on abruptly. When this happens, it may be the sign of infection-triggered autoimmune encephalitis, a rare type of brain inflammation that causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy cells and tissues in the brain spinal cord, resulting in symptoms that mimic OCD and other mental health disorders. 

  Common obsessions and compulsions

Every person who struggles with OCD has their own experience that may differ slightly or drastically from another person who also suffers from the disorder. But there are some common obsessions and compulsions that tend to appear more frequently. 

  Common obsessions include:

Contamination (by dirt, body fluids, etc)

Loss of control (harming others, blurting insults, etc)

Perfection (unevenness, losing things, etc)

Forbidden or perverse sexual thoughts or impulses 

Fear of harm (responsibility for fire, burglary, etc))

Concern with offending God

Lucky or unlucky numbers, colors, etc

  Common compulsions include:

Excessive washing and cleaning

Checking and rechecking for mistakes (unlocked doors, burners left on)

Arranging and rearranging items until it “feels right”

Repeating routine activities in multiples

Repeating body movements (tapping, blinking)

Mental review of events to prevent terrible consequences

While everyone has intrusive and unwanted thoughts at some point, people who suffer from OCD struggle with obsessions and compulsions that are time-consuming, bring enormous distress, and interfere with their daily life and relationships. 

  The importance of continued research

The exact cause or causes of OCD are still unknown, though research points to several risk factors, including genetics, brain abnormalities, and childhood trauma. While there are treatments available that can minimize or alleviate the symptoms, they don’t work for everyone, which is why the importance of continued research cannot be overstated. There is still so much we don’t know about obsessive-compulsive disorder, and the more we can learn about the disease, the closer we get to developing effective treatments and therapies for those who need it most. 

  OCD clinical research study in San Diego

At Synergy Research Centers in San Diego, we’re currently enrolling participants in an OCD clinical study.  If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with OCD and you live in the San Diego area, give us a call at (888) 619-7272 or fill out our contact form today. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 65. 

[synergyresearchsd]

Experimental OCD Treatment

New Post has been published on https://www.synergyresearchcenters.com/experimental-ocd-treatment/

Experimental OCD Treatment

Clinical research takes time. Although researchers work tirelessly to learn more about certain physical or mental health conditions, it can be decades before any promising new treatment developments emerge. But then when a breakthrough occurs, several possibilities for treatment may emerge at once. Today, we’re seeing exciting new research and experimental OCD treatment that may just change the way we understand and treat OCD forever. 

  What is OCD? 

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by:

Unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that are accompanied by intensely uncomfortable feelings (obsessions)

Repeated ritualistic behaviors or thoughts intended to counteract or eliminate the discomfort created by the obsessions (compulsions)

The cycle of obsessions and compulsions differ from person to person, but examples include:

Disturbing thoughts of contamination followed by excessive hand washing

Obsessive fear of burglary followed by repeated checking and rechecking of the locks

There are any number of combinations of obsessions and compulsions, and everyone experiences some level of worry or intrusive thoughts at some point. But people with an OCD diagnosis are those whose obsessions and compulsions become time-consuming and interfere with their daily functioning and participation in the activities they enjoy. 

  What is the best treatment for OCD?

  OCD treatment often involves a combination of medication and some type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The most effective type of CBT involves exposing the patient to the obsession or trigger, and then helping them learn to deliberately delay their response, and control the compulsive behavior. This is known as Exposure and Ritual Prevention (ERP) therapy (also known as Exposure and Response Prevention), and it gradually dissipates the anxiety as the patient learns that nothing bad happens when they’re exposed to the obsession and the compulsive behaviors are not performed. It does take time, but ERP also equips patients with a step-by-step process for coping whenever the obsessive thoughts begin to take hold again. 

In some cases, a more general stress management therapy (SMT) approach works by helping patients to keep their stress levels in check and learn healthy problem-solving skills, which in turn improves their response to triggers and keeps the obsessions and compulsions at bay.  

As with most mental and behavioral health disorders, there is no one-size-fits all treatment for OCD.  Many people try a couple of different medications before they find one that works, and while one person may have more success with a general SMT program, another may find ERP more effective. When treatment doesn’t work, it can cause frustration and a sense of hopelessness, which is why the importance of continued research cannot be overstated.

  New research and experimental OCD treatment

New research in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder shows promise for improving the odds that a person with OCD will receive a personalized treatment that works for them the first time around.  Brain scans of participants revealed that those with more activation in brain circuits for processing cognitive demands and rewards were more likely to respond to OCD-specific therapies, whereas those with less activation in those same circuits were more likely to respond to general stress management therapies. This is a huge step forward, as it can allow for a more personalized therapeutic approach as well as potential intervention during key periods of brain development in younger patients. 

Currently, there is also a new drug for the treatment of OCD that’s in phase 3 of a clinical trial. No new medications have been approved for the treatment of OCD in 20 years, and researchers are excited about the possibility that this new medication will help provide relief for those who are not adequately responding to currently available medications and therapies. 

  OCD clinical research study in San Diego at Synergy Research Centers

At Synergy Research Centers, we’re committed to doing our part to advance the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder and other mental and physical disorders. If you or someone you love suffers from OCD, you may be eligible to participate in our OCD clinical research study in San Diego. You’ll gain access to medications or other treatments not yet available to the general public, and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing that your participation is leading to the relief for countless others who suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder.  For more information, or to find out if you’re eligible, give us a call at (888) 539-0282 or fill out our contact form today. 

[synergyresearchsd]

Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

New Post has been published on https://www.synergyresearchcenters.com/does-ptsd-ever-go-away/

Does PTSD Ever Go Away?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by trauma. Sometimes it’s triggered by a single life-threatening event, such as a natural disaster or a violent incident. Other times it’s the result of long-term stressors, such as emotional abuse or neglect. The symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks and intrusive memories, avoidance of people and places associated with the event, and negative changes in mood, thought, and physical/emotional reactions.  

  Not everyone who suffers from trauma develops PTSD. We have yet to understand exactly why, but there are certain risk factors associated with the development of PTSD as well as resilience factors that reduce the risk. For example, a family history of mental health problems can increase the risk of developing PTSD, and a strong support network can reduce the risk.  

  How long does PTSD last?

  Anyone who lives through a traumatic event can experience symptoms of PTSD. For most people, however, they go away within a few weeks. To be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the symptoms must last for more than a month and negatively impact daily functioning. For those who do develop PTSD, when left untreated, the symptoms can intensify and worsen over time. The main reason for this is that PTSD changes the brain structure and functionality. And the only way for PTSD to go away completely is to rewire the brain.

  PTSD and the brain

  Research has shown that trauma can have a significant impact on the structure and functioning of the amygdala, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex, all of which play a role in triggering the symptoms of PTSD.   

  Amygdala – Also called the reptilian brain, the amygdala (brain stem) is responsible for threat-identification. It monitors situations for danger and decides when to react.  When we have a strong fear response associated with an event, that event gets stored in our amygdala for the long-term. Traumatic events can result in an enlarged and overstimulated amygdala, causing the individual to see threats everywhere.

  Hippocampus – The mid-brain processes emotions and stores and retrieves memories. It is part of the limbic system, and it regulates memory, motivation, and how we experience fear and anger. The hippocampus regulates our ability to overcome the fear response when danger is not present by consolidating the memory into the past tense. When high levels of stress hormones are present, it can set off a series of chemical reactions that damage the hippocampus and interfere with the ability to distinguish between past and present memories.

  Prefrontal cortex – The prefrontal cortex is responsible for much of our high level functioning, which includes our ability to predict consequences, anticipate events in the environment, determine meaning and significance, and regulate emotional responses triggered by the amygdala. In cases of PTSD, the overactive amygdala usually goes hand-in-hand with a decreased volume and functional ability of the prefrontal cortex. This makes it difficult for the individual to manage stress responses to stimuli. 

  The good news is that the human brain can be re-wired. With proper treatment, many people are able to manage or even eliminate the symptoms of PTSD. Certain drugs and behavioral therapies have been shown to increase the volume of the hippocampus, for example. As with most mental health disorders, available treatments help some people but not others. Researchers continue to work toward more effective treatment methods that will enable all people with PTSD to find relief, heal, and maximize their quality of life.

  Synergy is currently enrolling participants for paid PTSD research studies 

If you or someone you know suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, you may be eligible to participate in a paid PTSD research study at Synergy Research Centers in San Diego. Participants can gain access to cutting edge treatments and receive compensation for time and travel expenses. For more information on our PTSD clinical research trials, give us a call at 888-539-0282 or fill out our enrollment form today.

[synergyresearchsd]

OCD Alternative Treatments And Therapies

New Post has been published on https://www.synergyresearchcenters.com/ocd-alternative-treatments-and-therapies/

OCD Alternative Treatments And Therapies

Living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be frustrating and discouraging. Intrusive, unwanted thoughts and irrational, uncontrolled urges associated with OCD interfere with your daily routine and can put your career, relationships, and self-esteem at risk.

Proper treatment can alleviate your symptoms and allow you to regain control over your behavior, significantly improving your life. Unfortunately, conventional OCD treatment options have their limitations. Cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response therapy, and medications such as SSRIs may work for some patients, but many others only experience partial relief from their symptoms. Some people may encounter unwelcome side effects as well – and according to a report from Harvard Medical School, roughly 10% of patients with OCD will get worse despite these treatments.

The good news is, there are some alternative OCD treatments available for those who are having difficulty finding relief. Here are a few commonly used alternative therapies that may help reduce your OCD symptoms and raise your quality of life.

Herbal Remedies

St. John’s Wort is a flowering plant with natural antidepressant qualities. It’s been used for centuries in the treatment of anxiety and depression, and some studies have shown it may lead to a reduction in OCD symptoms, as well. To avoid the risk of harmful drug interactions or dangerous side effects, though, it’s important to seek the advice of your medical provider before taking any herbal supplements, including St. John’s Wort.

Lifestyle Changes

Proper self-care positively impacts a person’s physical and mental wellbeing, and it can potentially help minimize OCD symptoms as well. Exercise is key to reducing anxiety and regulating cortisol levels. Some studies have shown a regular yoga practice can be an effective strategy for managing OCD. Changes to your diet, such as reducing caffeine intake and eliminating alcohol, may also help. And incorporating mindful meditation into your daily routine brings awareness to your thoughts, encouraging detachment from compulsive behaviors.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

When medication and psychotherapy fail to work, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or rTMS, may improve OCD symptoms for some patients. rTMS is a non-invasive procedure involving an electromagnetic coil placed against your forehead. The coil sends magnetic pulses through your skin to stimulate areas of your brain that regulate mood. Many studies show rTMS has a positive effect on patients struggling with depression, anxiety, and OCD.

Deep Brain Stimulation

In cases where OCD is highly resistant to treatment, deep brain stimulation may be suggested. Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, involves the surgical placement of electrodes in specific areas of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a pulse generator by wires implanted beneath the skin. These pulses are used to send electrical signals that help regulate abnormal activity in the brain cells. Because of the serious nature of this surgery, DBS is only recommended for people with severe OCD symptoms.

Clinical Research Studies

New medications and therapies to treat OCD are being developed every day. Before they become available to the general public, these treatments must undergo thorough evaluation from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to ensure both safety and effectiveness. These evaluations often take the form of clinical research studies, in which people suffering from OCD participate in highly regulated and monitored trials run by medical professionals. By participating in a clinical trial, you can gain access to cutting-edge OCD treatments while contributing to the advancement of OCD research.

Synergy Research Centers Offers OCD Clinical Trials in San Diego

If you’re struggling with the symptoms of OCD, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study at Synergy Research Centers in San Diego. We offer the latest treatments for OCD, free to those who qualify. Our highly experienced medical staff will oversee every aspect of your treatment, providing you with close oversight to ensure your health and safety.

The treatment you receive during an OCD clinical trial could have the potential to dramatically improve your life. For more information on our current trials, call us at (888) 539-0282.