OCD

Barak Hagler
Barak Hagler is an Elizabeth, New Jersey native who recently graduated Yeshiva University with a B.A. in Economics. Professionally, he is an aspiring actuary but loves creative activities like reading as writing (as incongruous as that may sound). Barak is also a huge sports fan (Yankees and Nets in particular) and in a parallel universe would be a sports broadcaster. He writes on mental health because he wants to help people realize that grappling with mental health is as normal and human as breathing.
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The following poem was selected as one of the winners of this year’s Refuat Hanefesh Creative Expression Contest. Age group: College and Up. Message from the Author: While the inspiration for this piece was someone who deals with obsessive thoughts and compulsions, the message is universal. We all want to get better, and we all want Read More …

anonymous
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The following piece was selected as one of the winners of this year’s Refuat Hanefesh Creative Expression Contest. Age group: High School. It has been lightly edited.      I look just like you.   But I am living in a different world than you. I live in the world of OCD.   You sit next Read More …

anonymous
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Editor’s Note: This is part two of a two-part post. The first part discussed the tribulations of the author making it through a night with anorexia, OCD and suicidal ideation. The second part, below, discusses the author’s experiences in superficial Jewish culture as a demonstration of how Jewish society fosters self-image challenges and prioritizes the Read More …

Dr. David Lefkowitz
Dr. David Lefkowitz is a clinical psychologist in Brooklyn, NY. He is co-director of the Family Crisis Intervention Program for the Bikkur Cholim Hesed organization and was a psychologist at Ohel Tikva, which provides culturally sensitive services for the Jewish community.

You can learn more about him on his website https://brooklynpsychologist.org or contact him at 917-865-0904.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder that is difficult to cope with on a daily basis. The need to perform an action repeatedly until it feels right or being unable to stop obsessing over irrational fears can interfere with your life, leading to extra stress in both your life and the lives of those closest Read More …

anonymous
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Editor’s Note: This is part one of a two-part post. The first part, below, discusses the tribulations of the author making it through a night with anorexia, OCD and suicidal ideation. The second part, which can be found here, discusses the author’s experiences in superficial Jewish culture as a demonstration of how Jewish society fosters Read More …

anonymous
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It surpasses ironic. The Connor Project: A fictitious movement based on a fictitious story conceived by the minds behind the fictitious Broadway play Dear Evan Hansen. For many, however, this project enabled the most real feelings they have experienced in a long time. Children, teens, and adults alike – who have felt overlooked for much Read More …

Sarah Last
Sarah Last is a passionate 21-year-old from Plainview, New York. She is currently attending Stern College for Women, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. Sarah has been diagnosed with anxiety, Depression, OCD and BPD and wishes to use her experience with mental illness to help others and break the stigma.
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I’m embarrassed. I have been embarrassed for a long time because of the stigma surrounding mental health, and I still am even though I am writing about it. I am writing to break the stigma and show myself –and hopefully others– that there really is nothing to be ashamed of. I was embarrassed about my Read More …

It’s the season of guilt for past misdeeds with the day of atonement quickly approaching. But, is this actually helpful for repentance?

Do TV shows accurately depict mental illnesses? Do they help defeat stigma? Maybe. Here are three examples.