Obsessions: They're not what you may think!

The terms "obsessions" and "obsessed" have become such a big part of the vernacular. We frequently say we're "obsessed" with this or that in our daily conversations. However, what we really mean is that we are passionate about something or ruminating about something.

A true "obsession" is an intrusive, recurring thought, image or impulse considered to be inappropriate and/or irrational while most likely causing some degree of suffering. Obsessions are not typical concerns over stress in relationships or career. They can manifest in many different ways, but some common obsessions are fear of germs or of being contaminated, fear of causing others harm (stabbing someone, hitting someone with your car) or of harm coming to oneself, inappropriate sexual thoughts (ex. incest), violent images, numbers, fears of being gay, etc..

Obsessions are the hallmark of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The other is compulsive behavior meant to undo a specific obsession or anxiety.

Follow this link for more on obsessions and OCD treatment information

OCD can explode in times of stress!

OCD can explode in times of stress or even times of great change (most change, whether positive or negative, is stressful).

Although, for those neurobiologically set up with OCD, many have not experienced symptoms that have interfered with their daily lives until experiencing a stressful life event. Examples of stressful events often seen to trigger symptoms include major illness, childbirth and parenting a newborn (often called "Postpartum OCD"), a trauma or an accident, etc..

With a major stressor, OCD can truly explode creating the perspective that it "came out of nowhere". However, generally speaking, the OCD was merely lying dormant, waiting for the right trigger. It can be truly jarring and disrupt life with intense suffering.

Hence, public awareness of OCD is vital, so that those suffering in silence and lack of knowledge about this syndrome can get the help they need.

Follow this link for more on OCD treatment

Phobias Can Take Many Shapes

Phobias can take many shapes. This essentially means that fear and anxiety can attach themselves to any stimuli, so even if you think your fear has never been heard of - think again.

Here's a list of some rarely publicized phobias:

Coulrophobia = fear of clowns

Ophidiophobia = fear of snakes

Astraphobia = fear of thunder and lightning

Trypanophobia = fear of injections

Anthrophobia = fear of flowers

Atychiphobia = fear of failure

Barophobia = fear of gravity

Bibliophobia = fear of books

Ephebiphobia = fear of teenagers

Genuphobia = fear of knees

Octophobia = fear of the figure 8

Podophobia = fear of feet

. . . and there are so many more. So don't be ashamed over what you fear. Phobias can take many shapes based on conditioning and other factors. It's what you do about your fear that counts!

Follow this link for information on how to break free of phobias

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) requires CBT

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and other anxiety syndromes, including panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety, etc. require Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

So many people with OCD come to my center for treatment and share that they have had YEARS of prior psychodynamic therapy (often called "talk therapy") without any progress.

They are often amazed that sometimes within a few sessions of CBT they are seeing quick progress after years and years of suffering.

There is a terrific conference coming up focused on OCD. Copy and paste the link below into your browser for a news story focused on this conference and CBT treatment:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/07/23/ocd-conference/

Of course, you can also check out "Obsessed" on A & E Monday nights to see Dr. April and fellow colleagues providing CBT to the show's participants struggling with OCD, phobias and other anxiety disorders (Yes, I know this is a shameless plug, but this amazing show is educating millions about OCD and proper treatment).

And you can follow this link for more info on CBT

Support Groups and Anxiety Reduction

Support groups (specifically those with a cognitive-behavioral therapy focus) can be one of the most effective forms of treatment for anxiety disorders for a variety of reasons:

1.) They offer proof that you are not alone in your anxiety struggles, which can go a long way in reducing shame over your symptoms.

2.) They offer encouragement and support.

3.) Discussion in group can set you on the path towards freedom from your anxiety as you begin to face your fears.

4.) For some, group therapy can bring more commitment to completing anxiety reduction homework assignments.

Anxiety support groups can be a powerful and effective way to reduce your anxiety so consider joining one to make great progress!

Follow this link for more info on support groups

Fear of Driving - Here, There and Everywhere

Fear of driving is a consistently seen phobia.  But is it actually a fear of driving?  For some it is.  But there is often more to it than just that . . .

Fear of driving is often a fear of losing control, sometimes a fear of passing out and then getting hurt or hurting someone else, and sometimes . . . 

Fear of driving is not actually a fear of driving, but of being trapped in traffic, or at a light or on a bridge, with the feeling of not being able to escape.  

This driving phobia often starts with a panic attack, which subsequently leads to more panic.  The first panic attack may have occurred in a car or a setting where one felt trapped.  Once panic has been experienced, it generally leads to more panic based on avoidance around facing this anxiety provoking setting.  Hence, when one approaches this fear, they experience a huge rush of anxiety.

For those of you with fear of driving, just know that it is common and can be treated effectively.

If you do what is necessary to get past this phobia, you could be driving freely and enjoyably in a short while.

Follow this link for more on how to reduce phobias 

Extreme Anxiety Sufferer: Michael Jackson?

Anxiety certainly appears to have been a major struggle for Michael Jackson based on news of a "10 Xanax pills a night" habit.  Many anti-anxiety medications are addictive and only lead to more anxiety.   

A vicious cycle may have been created.  We may never know, but it is reasonable to assume that Michael Jackson began taking Xanax to control anxiety and insomnia.  This most likely led to addiction and a greater need for more to quell ongoing anxiety and continued sleeping problems.  

Did Michael Jackson ever seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to naturally help his anxiety struggles?  Probably not.  CBT is the only proven effective form of treatment for reducing anxiety.  Yet, there are many people who seek escape from anxiety through drugs and dangerous addictive medications.  It is so sad when someone dies from medication addiction when they may have been helped through natural therapeutic means.

We may never know the full story of anxiety and Michael Jackson.  However, one thing seems clear.  Although, at times, medication can be a helpful addition to CBT (for those unable to act on treatment strategies that reduce anxiety without it), escape through prescription medication is not the answer.  In fact, it can be a killer.

Follow the link to read more about how to reduce anxiety naturally