Blog | Bio Behavioral Institute

Explore our blog posts and educational resources.

Learn more about research, disorders, treatments, and the Bio Behavioral Institute approach

Featured Blog Posts

October 4, 2025

What is IOP Therapy?

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured mental health treatment where individuals live at home while receiving intensive care. IOPs are effective for those needing structure and are shown to reduce symptoms quickly.

September 9, 2025

OCD and School Refusal

School refusal is an anxiety-driven avoidance symptom of OCD in students, often mistaken for defiance. Combatting it requires understanding the cause, home and school collaboration, and seeking specialized OCD treatment.

August 30, 2025

The Long Goodbye: A Parent’s Guide to Separation Anxiety

Going back to school can cause separation anxiety in both children and parents. To help, prepare the child by visiting the school and practicing separation, then keep goodbyes brief and stay consistent during drop-off.

July 30, 2019

Motivating Family Members and Friends to Participate in Treatment

Since those with BDD often see the problem as physical, encourage them to seek help by focusing on treating associated depression or anxiety. Be patient, empathetic, and supportive.

July 23, 2019

Sleep Troubles or Sleep Disorder

Insomnia is difficulty sleeping, often caused by stress and poor habits. The best treatment is CBT-I, which uses techniques like Stimulus Control and Sleep Restriction to develop healthy sleep patterns.

July 9, 2019

Tackling Your OCD ~ Fugen Neziroglu, PH.D

OCD has two parts: obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (behaviors). The primary treatment is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), which involves gradually confronting fears and preventing compulsions.

July 6, 2019

What Am I Going To Do with all This Stuff ~ Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D

Hoarding disorder is the excessive saving of items with distress at parting, cluttering living spaces. It's treated with CBT, which focuses on improving insight and challenging the patient's emotional attachment and beliefs about their possessions.

July 2, 2019

Do We Really Know What We Look Like? ~ Fugen Neziroglu Ph.D.

BDD is a serious psychological preoccupation with a minor flaw. Since surgery fails, therapy must convince the client to change their thoughts instead of their body. ERP is used to align behavior with client values, leading to reduced anxiety and recovery.

June 30, 2019

Do You Suspect that a Loved One is Suffering from BDD?

For BDD, watch for excessive checking or avoidance of mirrors, social withdrawal, and intense distress over a perceived flaw. Seek a professional immediately.

September 23, 2016

How Can I Practice Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is practiced formally (exercises) or informally (daily tasks). A check-in uses senses to focus on the surroundings and internal state, labeling emotions and thoughts without judgment.

ADAA CONFERENCE 2019

THE HEALING POWER OF VALIDATION

October 4, 2025

What is IOP Therapy?

September 9, 2025

OCD and School Refusal

August 30, 2025

The Long Goodbye: A Parent’s Guide to Separation Anxiety

August 9, 2025

Mental Health Activities for College Students

College can be stressful, so students must prioritize mental health. Students can improve well-being by socializing, using the Pomodoro Technique for tasks, exercising, journaling, and using campus counseling services.

June 28, 2025

Panic Attacks: How Can I Recognize One?

A panic attack is a sudden, intense episode of anxiety with physical and psychological symptoms, peaking within minutes. To manage one, use breathing exercises and grounding techniques; afterwards, seek support or clinical help.

September 11, 2024

Suicide Warning Signs & Prevention

Suicide rates are rising, making it vital to recognize warning signs like hopelessness and withdrawal in at-risk groups, including older men and young adults. In a crisis, individuals should call 988 or 911 and create a safety plan to manage distress and secure their environment.

July 11, 2024

Helping Children Cope with Bullying: A Therapist's Approach

Therapists help children affected by bullying, whether they are victims or perpetrators. They assist victims by building self-esteem and teaching coping skills. They work with perpetrators by developing empathy and teaching better communication. Early intervention is vital for positive long-term change.

June 7, 2024

Understanding and Addressing Bullying

Bullying is a serious school issue, addressed in New York schools by the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA). The process involves mandatory reporting, prompt investigation, and providing both support/interventions and consequences. Parents must actively support their child and work with the school.

May 18, 2024

Did You Know These 5 Behavioral Therapies for OCD Actually Work?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), specifically with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is the most effective treatment for OCD. Other options include SSRIs (medication), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Mindfulness-Based Therapies. Professional help and support are essential for managing symptoms.

May 7, 2024

The Myth of The "Carefree Childhood"

Children, especially adolescents, experience distress that appears as mood changes, sleep issues, and withdrawal. Parents can help by normalizing the stress conversation, modeling coping skills, using mindfulness techniques, and providing support and routine.

April 23, 2024

OCD Clinical Trial at Bio-Behavioral Institute

OCD is an anxiety disorder with obsessions and compulsions. The Bio-Behavioral Institute is conducting a clinical trial in New York for a new OCD medication. Participants must be 18–65 and currently taking SSRIs. They will receive no-cost medication, professional care, and compensation.

April 3, 2024

Autism: A Tik Tok Trend or a Missed Diagnosis?

Many adults question a missed ASD diagnosis due to difficulties with social cues, humor, and routine rigidity. Seeking a professional diagnosis offers better self-understanding and access to support services to improve social and personal functioning.

February 28, 2024

Benefits of Altruism: Helping Others Is a Way to Help Yourself

Altruism benefits both the giver and receiver by increasing happiness and reducing stress. This "Contributing Skill" in DBT should be balanced and planned using the SMART strategy (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure sustainability.

January 30, 2024

Differences Between Eating Disorders and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Eating Disorders (ED) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) both involve distress over appearance, but BDD focuses on specific perceived flaws, while ED is focused on weight and size. Both are treatable with CBT and SSRIs, though ED often requires nutritional support.

January 8, 2024

Tips on New Year's Resolutions

To make New Year's Resolutions easier to keep, set specific, measurable goals connected to your personal values. Also, find supportive accountability, focus on progress over perfection, and maintain a positive mindset to manage setbacks.

November 29, 2023

Being Okay With Yourself and Your Body During The Holiday Season

The holidays are difficult for those with body image or eating issues. To cope, set boundaries against comments on appearance, view food neutrally as an open experience, limit social media comparisons, choose engagement over isolation, and actively seek joy.

June 13, 2023

Sitting With the End of Our World

The core fear of OCD is dread, which is addressed by Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP involves exposing the individual to anxiety triggers while preventing the compulsion, which slowly "retrains" the brain and reduces anxiety.

January 10, 2023

Saying Goodbye to Just Right Feeling

The continuous search for the "just right feeling" is futile because life is inherently imperfect. Confidence comes from accepting this, letting go of the need for perfection, and having the courage to live effectively in an imperfect world.

August 11, 2022

The “Positive” of “Negative” Feelings

Negative emotions are normal and serve to motivate and communicate. They are only unhelpful when their intensity leads to maladaptive coping or blocks problem-solving.

January 4, 2022

Ain't No World But This World

Regret involves fantasizing about a better life in a possible world, but the actual world is the only reality. Use these thoughts only to identify what is missing now, motivating you to accept what you can't change and take action in your current life.

March 10, 2021

How Little We Know

We can't control the future, as much of life is unknown. True confidence comes from engaging effectively with the present moment and prioritizing action over speculating about outcomes.

May 23, 2020

OCD DURING COVID-19: CAUTION VS. COMPULSION

Many people with OCD are not experiencing increased symptoms from the pandemic. However, look for OCD-related signs like excessive reassurance seeking, extra precautions beyond guidelines, persistent doubt, and a sense of panic.

May 15, 2020

The Final Word

To cope with major challenges, adopt heroic defiance: find value in the experience and growth, which takes back power and stops the hardship from defining your life.

May 1, 2020

Dr. Neziroglu interviewed by Overachiever Magazine

Depersonalization (detachment from self) and derealization (disconnection from environment) are common. Persistent detachment, characterized by numbness and unreality, may indicate Depersonalization Disorder.

April 24, 2020

Enjoying the Flowers

Use Cognitive Therapy to manage crisis emotions by focusing on facts. Use a thought record to identify and question distorted thoughts. If feelings conflict with facts, use Opposite Action.

April 20, 2020

Tips for Home Schooling During Covid

April 15, 2020

Radical Acceptance

Radical Acceptance means embracing an undesirable reality without judgment or approval. The key is choosing acceptance to prevent inevitable pain from escalating into self-created suffering.

April 13, 2020

Keeping The Coronavirus in Mind

Manage anxiety by using mindfulness to distinguish facts from catastrophic thoughts. Only respond to concerns with real evidence to achieve a measured response.

April 13, 2020

Trichotillomania

TTM (hair pulling) is managed by building awareness of internal (emotions, fatigue) and external (situations, time) triggers. Strategies include keeping hands busy, using barriers (gloves), modifying the environment, and addressing emotions (e.g., meditation).

March 7, 2020

The Path to Self Acceptance

REBT promotes Unconditional Self-Acceptance (USA): choose to live happily regardless of your flaws or others' judgment. Instead of rating your worth, only rate your actions based on how they align with your goals.

January 2, 2020

Positive Clinical Psychology - Part III

P.T. Wong defines four paths to happiness: Hedonic (pleasure), Prudential (engagement), Eudaimonic (meaning), and Chaironic (awe). This helps people find joy even during suffering.

December 26, 2019

Positive Clinical Psychology - Part II

Happiness is defined as Subjective Well-Being, which combines affect balance (more pleasant moments) and life satisfaction (overall positive beliefs). This is subjective, so happiness can exist despite difficult circumstances.

December 16, 2019

Positive Clinical Psychology - Part I

Psychology's original goal was to foster happy, meaningful lives, but post-WWII, it shifted to focusing heavily on treating disorders. The field is now rediscovering its mission to help people thrive, not just survive.

December 12, 2019

Misophonia: The Hatred of Sound

Misophonia is extreme rage and sensitivity to specific sounds (e.g., chewing), causing major distress and avoidance. Treatment uses CBT and systematic Exposure Therapy to increase sound tolerance.

November 6, 2019

Participating in Life

Mindfulness has three parts: observe (creates space for choice), describe (labeling thoughts/feelings as what they are), and participate (fully engaging with reality to cope and live).

September 16, 2019

Introduction to Mindfulness

Mindfulness means simply paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This practice shifts you off autopilot and gives you the choice to respond to reality, not impulses.

August 20, 2019

Why Should I Get Treatment? ~ Fugen Neziroglu, PhD

For BDD, the issue is psychological, not physical; surgery fails. CBT and medication help by changing negative thoughts and feelings about your appearance to achieve your life goals.

August 13, 2019

Anxiety, Avoidance, and Self-Sabotage Oh My!

Last-minute behavior stems from anxiety and self-sabotage (avoidance, perfectionism). To overcome this, organize, set realistic goals, and use CBT.

August 6, 2019

Motivating People with BDD to Participate in Treatment

Treating BDD requires compassion and flexibility. Focus on how the preoccupation negatively impacts life goals, not disputing the perceived flaw.

July 30, 2019

Motivating Family Members and Friends to Participate in Treatment

Since those with BDD often see the problem as physical, encourage them to seek help by focusing on treating associated depression or anxiety. Be patient, empathetic, and supportive.

July 23, 2019