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Personal Perspectives

The Dangers of AI Mental Health Misinformation

Fletcher Wortmann on December 22, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Artificial intelligence can cause tremendous harm because it can be both comically defective and dispassionately amoral.

A Personal Perspective: Artificial intelligence can cause tremendous harm because it can be both comically defective and dispassionately amoral.

OCD

Bad Data, Processing Problems, and Mental Illness

Fletcher Wortmann on December 10, 2024

The internet undermines our ability to distinguish good data from bad. It's provided mental illness with a new vector for infection—and it’s thriving.

The internet undermines our ability to distinguish good data from bad. It's provided mental illness with a new vector for infection—and it’s thriving.

Anxiety

Facing Down Election Anxieties

Fletcher Wortmann on October 30, 2024

For people with significant election anxieties, reducing political stress, or trying gradual exposure, might be the most appropriate approach during these stressful days.

For people with significant election anxieties, reducing political stress, or trying gradual exposure, might be the most appropriate approach during these stressful days.

OCD

Tinnitus and OCD: Why Are They Both So Hard to Ignore?

Fletcher Wortmann on March 21, 2023

A Personal Perspective: When they're present, both tinnitus and OCD intrusive thoughts feel constant and inescapable. But relief can be found.

A Personal Perspective: When they're present, both tinnitus and OCD intrusive thoughts feel constant and inescapable. But relief can be found.

OCD

How to Recognize and Respond to a Child’s OCD Scrupulosity

Fletcher Wortmann on March 8, 2023

Scrupulosity is insidious, with distortions so subtle and persuasive that it can effectively invalidate a young person's sense of self.

Scrupulosity is insidious, with distortions so subtle and persuasive that it can effectively invalidate a young person's sense of self.

OCD

OCD Scrupulosity in the Mind of a Churchgoing Child

Fletcher Wortmann on February 14, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Children with OCD scrupulosity can feel ceaseless, searching anxiety and guilt, but may lack the language to say what they’re experiencing.

A Personal Perspective: Children with OCD scrupulosity can feel ceaseless, searching anxiety and guilt, but may lack the language to say what they’re experiencing.

OCD

Why OCD Can Feel Logical

Fletcher Wortmann on December 21, 2022

While OCD may appear irrational, the disorder actually follows a rigorous—almost algorithmic—internal logic.

While OCD may appear irrational, the disorder actually follows a rigorous—almost algorithmic—internal logic.

OCD

Pascal's Wager: OCD and Scrupulosity

Fletcher Wortmann on December 20, 2022

No easy solution exists to the devilish arithmetic of obsessive scrupulosity. Religious rituals can seem neurotic, and believers must build their faith on (at least some) doubt.

No easy solution exists to the devilish arithmetic of obsessive scrupulosity. Religious rituals can seem neurotic, and believers must build their faith on (at least some) doubt.

OCD

Peace for OCD’s Anxious Mind at Christmas

Fletcher Wortmann on December 15, 2022

It’s inevitable. Holiday stress can trigger OCD. High expectations, reinforced by nostalgia, are inevitably disappointed when confronted with reality, and symptoms can erupt.

It’s inevitable. Holiday stress can trigger OCD. High expectations, reinforced by nostalgia, are inevitably disappointed when confronted with reality, and symptoms can erupt.

OCD

Surviving with OCD after COVID

Fletcher Wortmann on September 26, 2022

Personal perspective: Returning to normal life after COVID will be challenging—but every day with OCD is challenging. We can cope and survive.

Personal perspective: Returning to normal life after COVID will be challenging—but every day with OCD is challenging. We can cope and survive.

OCD

Managing OCD During the End Days of COVID

Fletcher Wortmann on September 23, 2022

OCD makes it hard to objectively determine risk and appropriate management strategies. This makes navigating COVID's end particularly challenging.

OCD makes it hard to objectively determine risk and appropriate management strategies. This makes navigating COVID's end particularly challenging.

OCD

Living With OCD as the Pandemic Wanes

Fletcher Wortmann on September 20, 2022

For those with OCD, these days of adjustment and uncertainty may feel even more oppressive than the worst days of quarantine.

For those with OCD, these days of adjustment and uncertainty may feel even more oppressive than the worst days of quarantine.

Health

College Choice Must Be More Than Just a “Best College” Ranking

Fletcher Wortmann on March 27, 2022

For some students, college can be an incubator for mental-health issues. Make sure the college you choose is prepared to prevent, anticipate, and respond.

For some students, college can be an incubator for mental-health issues. Make sure the college you choose is prepared to prevent, anticipate, and respond.

OCD

How to Stop Compulsively Confessing OCD Intrusive Thoughts

Fletcher Wortmann on March 25, 2022

Confessing intrusive thoughts is a uniquely pernicious OCD ritual, but once the practice is identified, it can be relatively straightforward to address.

Confessing intrusive thoughts is a uniquely pernicious OCD ritual, but once the practice is identified, it can be relatively straightforward to address.

OCD

Confessing Intrusive Thoughts

Fletcher Wortmann on March 24, 2022

The idea that forces that may reside within us beyond our control is too threatening to be entertained, not just by a child.

The idea that forces that may reside within us beyond our control is too threatening to be entertained, not just by a child.

Health

5 Practices for Healthier Internet Use

Fletcher Wortmann on December 15, 2021

With every click, we wager our time, attention, and mental well-being for a jackpot of intermittent neural rewards. Here are five ways to better manage our engagement.

With every click, we wager our time, attention, and mental well-being for a jackpot of intermittent neural rewards. Here are five ways to better manage our engagement.

Bullying

Righteous Bullying: How Online Harassment Corrodes the Soul

Fletcher Wortmann on November 12, 2021

On the internet, any crime can be brought to trial in the court of public opinion. But maybe you need to sit this one out. Here's why.

On the internet, any crime can be brought to trial in the court of public opinion. But maybe you need to sit this one out. Here's why.

Psychology

There Is No Red Pill

Fletcher Wortmann on November 4, 2021

People who brag about being red-pilled may be twisting their perception of reality to reinforce their preconceived notions and flatter their egos.

People who brag about being red-pilled may be twisting their perception of reality to reinforce their preconceived notions and flatter their egos.

OCD

The Obsessive Struggle with Intrusive Thoughts in OCD

Fletcher Wortmann on September 24, 2021

The lived experience of OCD with intrusive thoughts. It finds purchase in the unthinkable. It never spares you from a thought that’s too uniquely or intimately disturbing.

The lived experience of OCD with intrusive thoughts. It finds purchase in the unthinkable. It never spares you from a thought that’s too uniquely or intimately disturbing.

Anxiety

Tips for Writing With and About Mental Illness

Fletcher Wortmann on September 10, 2021

Facing a blank page is a formidable obstacle for any writer, and mental illness can make writing significantly more challenging, but it can be managed.

Facing a blank page is a formidable obstacle for any writer, and mental illness can make writing significantly more challenging, but it can be managed.