“Isn’t going to a psychologist a sign of lack of faith in God?” As we noted last week, there are parallels to this that don’t make sense: Isn’t going to a medical doctor a sign of lack of faith in God? Isn’t going to a personal trainer to lose weight a sign of lack of…
Read MoreReligion and psychology have had an interesting history, often marked with contempt, misunderstandings and misinformation from both sides. In the next few blogs, we hope to address some of these issues. While we are not expressed experts in religions, will consult with pastors (e.g., current leaders of churches who have at least a Master’s degree)…
Read MoreIt would be horrible if my parents died. What if this time I really do lose control the car? I worry that I worry this much. These statements are common cognitions for those who suffer from an anxiety disorder. Individuals will spend time agonizing over catastrophic outcomes of events: imagining how life would be without…
Read MoreAt our office, your first appointment will involve an in-depth intake session where we’ll go over various symptoms you experience. After reviewing the material, your psychologist will have formulated a diagnosis that fits your symptoms in the current moment. Why do we do this? Isn’t a diagnosis just a label? Does it really matter? When…
Read MoreIn much of our modern lives, we find it acceptable to move away from situations that make us uncomfortable, and move towards ones that we enjoy. While this fits for many situations (leaving an unfulfilling job for one that I enjoy), it can also be counterproductive. When our lives are dictated by the concept of…
Read MoreThe OC Anxiety Center is currently looking to hire a psychology assistant or psychologist to work with children through adults in the area of anxiety and related disorders. Areas of responsibility include treatment of anxiety, OCD, and impulse control disorders using CBT and ACT as primary modalities, with an emphasis on ERP. Exposures can include…
Read MoreLast week I was in Washington DC for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) annual conference. The conference attendance was one of the highest in recent years, and it was a good opportunity to see what new research and clinical skills have been developed. Here’s a few of the things I learned this…
Read MoreEverything is great! So why am I worried and depressed? “Objectively I know my life is good, but why do I always find something to complain about?” “I finally got the promotion at work, so why am I feeling anxious about…
Read MoreDr. Hsia will be speaking at the 2018 Anxiety and Depression Conference in Washington D.C. This is an annual conference hosted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) and is focused on the integration of research and practice. Dr. Hsia will be participating in a round table discussion regarding the “Paradoxical Impact of…
Read MoreDoes your son or daughter have an anxiety disorder? Usually if this is the case, their anxiety may affect their experiences in school. The question then becomes, how can the school and I work together to help my child? Talk to the Teacher The first steps most parents take is to talk to their child’s…
Read MoreIt is normal to feel a wide array of emotions: scared, happy, nervous, sad, disappointed, mad. As empathetic human beings, a helpful goal is to meet people in their emotional experience rather than try to take away what they’re feeling. A developmental theorist, Robert Kegan, wrote about how parents have the opportunity to respond to…
Read MoreWe’re excited to announce two new groups forming at the OC Anxiety Center. We’re created these groups for three primary reasons: Decrease the wait list time to treatment time from two weeks to immediate service. Be able…
Read MoreThe OCD Southern California Conference is coming up on Saturday March 24th. Dr. Hsia and Dr. Davis will be participating in a panel about various subtypes of OCD. They will be focusing on scrupulosity, a form of OCD where individuals are afraid they’ve done things that are immoral or offensive, usually as it relates to God, salvation,…
Read MoreMy five year-old is in a phase of being afraid of monsters in his room (conveniently only when he has to put away his laundry, but that’s another matter). He wants his mom or dad to go with him upstairs…
Read MoreIf you have interest in learning about how anxiety affects adolescents, you’re invited to attend the screening of a new documentary “Angst” Raising Awareness Around Anxiety“. After viewing the movie you’ll be invited to stay and ask questions to a panel of anxiety experts from the Orange County area, including Dr. Curtis Hsia. Date: Monday…
Read MoreNot infrequently we will have people ask us about the efficacy and use of essential oils, exercise and nutrition on anxiety. While these may be all good things in of themselves, their effects are somewhat limited. When we examine the research literature, what we find as being effective include: Cognitive behavioral therapy…
Read MoreVery often in the beginning stages of treatment, we’re asked by a spouse, parent or caretaker, “How do I help without enabling?” Usually this is a good start, because there’s a realization that there’s a difference between the two. Generally speaking, enabling…
Read MoreAre you interested in learning more about OCD either for yourself or for a family member? You may be interested in attending the OCD Southern California Annual Conference. This conference is unique because it was developed both for professionals and for those affected by OCD. It’s a wonderful chance to get questions answered and learn…
Read MoreIn a previous post we talked about learning to tolerate strong physical sensations. When we have a strong sensation it’s valuable to sit with the feeling rather than avoiding it or fighting it. It provides evidence that a feeling alone is not dangerous. Interoceptive work takes us to the next level. It’s proactive feeling. Instead…
Read MoreOftentimes for people who are anxious, when something doesn’t go just the way they intended, the thought that follows is “What did I do wrong?” In personalization, the thoughts are similar: “What did I do to offend that person? …
Read MoreNot infrequently we’re asked about the effects of medication on anxiety. While medication has a place in treatment, it should not be seen as a magic bullet that will erase all anxiety symptomology. In fact, for some issues medication may inhibit…
Read MoreChanging behaviors is all about noticing what you tend to do in anxiety provoking situations and learning to do something different. The more you can learn to tolerate anxiety provoking situations without avoiding or running from them, the less anxious you’ll be.…
Read MoreHave you ever felt anxious and you have no idea why? You’re not alone in that. You may have dug around trying to figure out why you feel anxious and maybe you couldn’t identify it. Here’s the thing, you don’t have to behave or define thoughts on how you feel. Imagine if you decided whenever…
Read MoreTo change your thoughts, you need to identify automatic thoughts and core beliefs. An automatic thought is what you say or think automatically like “that bee is going to sting me”. That thought alone doesn’t inevitably lead to anxious feelings and avoidance behaviors. You need to break your thought down and figure out what…
Read MoreIn a previous post we talked about the 3-Component Model which explains how your thoughts-feelings-behaviors work together to increase anxiety. The next few posts are about actively addressing the three components to help lessen anxiety. That means going all…
Read MoreFrequently we find the people we work with at OCAC predict future events negatively without considering other, more likely outcomes. A common phrase we hear is “I just know that this isn’t going to work” – and this even before we begin…
Read MoreIt’s flu season, which means for us it’s also emetophobia season. Typically around this time is when we see an influx of patients who have a fear of vomiting. Often it’s school-aged kids, but not infrequently we have adults with this issue…
Read MoreEvery year around this time my family looks forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, celebrating time with family and friends, the birth of Christ, and the hope associated with the beginning of a new year. While November through January are often…
Read More“If you ever become a teacher, do NOT give out lots of homework-I hate homework. Homework is so bad. I have a life, and homework is not fun. If you do have homework make it like Mad-Libs. -Real entry from Dr. Davis’s 7th grade journal Well, I hate to ignore the pleas of my 7th…
Read More“I just know he hates me.” “They all think I’m an idiot.” “She’s just doing that because she feels sorry for me, not because we’re friends.” “He using me because he thinks I have money.” When we examine metacognitions, one we…
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