These past few weeks have seen the stock market crash, the stores empty of staple goods, bars and restaurants close, schools and workplaces go online. It’s unprecedented in our lifetime and many of us are unsure of how to respond or what to do that will make our families safer. As we make choices, we…
Read MoreVery often during my first interaction with potential patients on the phone, I’ll hear them say something like “I’m sure you’ve never heard this one before” or “I’m really embarrassed, but I’m really scared of…” I can understand the embarrassment and shame of different fears and worries, especially with OCD. However, after years of clinical practice…
Read MoreThere has been a significant increase in the interest in CBD oil in the past few years. At least once a week we field a question about its use for anxiety, the most common of which is “Should I use CBD for my anxiety?” The short answer is “Maybe”. It should be noted that there…
Read MoreFinals and AP exams are around the corner, so here’s a few pointers to remember. Some of these you’re thinking “I already know that” – and you may, but if you understand the science behind it, it’ll actually help you more as you use them (and maybe get a few more points on the Psych…
Read MoreFrequently we hear about people who say their worries snowball, followed by fears of the catastrophic outcomes or unsolvable future problems: What if I never get a job, can’t pay back my student loans and get stuck at home forever? If no one wants to be my friend, and because I’m undatable, never get married…
Read MoreDoes what I do make me less anxious, or actually make a change for the better? The second most common specific phobia we treat is fear of flying (the first is emetophobia – fear of vomiting). Not surprisingly, anxious flyers engage in many behaviors to decrease their anxiety: Distractions such as reading books, talking with…
Read MoreObsessive Compulsive Disorder can be very frustrating for a number of reasons: No one seems to understand what I’m experiencing My obsessions are embarrassing and I don’t want to tell people what it is. I can’t seem to get rid of the thoughts for very long. It is important to be able to have a…
Read MoreNot unsurprisingly, people with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders do have real issues just like everyone else: • Relational issues with friends and family members • Work and school stressors • Health and financial concerns What is different for those with anxiety and related disorders, however, can be the inability to differentiate between the issue,…
Read MoreRecently I was at a park in Irvine with my son and observed a group of young boys trying to capture a squirrel. At first they tried running after it, then tempting it with food, and finally designing a trap using leaves, twigs and sand. During this time the boys were excited and swiftly running…
Read More“If I can distract myself by playing on my phone, then I can make it through a panic attack.” “When I drink enough alcohol, I can get on a plane.” “I have to turn up the radio and crank the A/C any time I hit traffic.” “There’s no way I can sit…
Read MoreRecently we’ve been asked more often about CBD oil (cannabidiol) in the treatment of anxiety disorder, particularly for pediatrics. On the surface it may seem like a reasonable approach, but I would suggest that it depends on what the goal of using it is. CBD oil may be useful for short term relief of anxiety,…
Read MoreWe often have individuals engaging in driving exposures for both panic disorder and fear of driving. From our office in Mission Viejo, we have people driving locally south to San Clemente, north through Newport Coast, Irvine, and east to Rancho Santa Margarita. As they head farther afield, they are driving to Los Angeles, the Inland…
Read MoreSafety Behaviors: what not to do “If I can distract myself by playing on my phone, then I can make it through a panic attack.” “When I drink enough alcohol, I can get on a plane.” “I have to turn up the radio and crank the A/C any time I hit traffic” “There’s no…
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 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 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 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 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 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