psychauthors.com » Anxiety

OCD and families

Charles H. Elliott — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:23:33 +0000

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a often a disorder that frustrates the sufferer as well as the family. People with OCD frequently ask for reassurance from those who care about them. Unfortunately, reassurance actually can make the obsession or compusion worse. Why? Because telling someone with OCD that everything is going to be okay gives that person a temporary sense of relief. It feels good. Whenever something feels good we all tend to do it again. So, the reassurance asking increases, becomes a repeated pattern, and can even turn into part of the OCD cycle. LS

Counting, colors, and VW bugs

Charles H. Elliott — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:17:23 +0000

Did you ever spend hours in the car as a kid and make up games to pass the time? We used to count white cars or VW bugs. There was some predetermined number to reach for the winner. These games filled up the long hours prior to video equipped cars or personal IPODS, gameboys and such. It is interesting that many people with OCD have colors or cars or happenings that they must count. The OCD reason is something like “I must count or something bad will happen.” The function of the car game is more I am bored so I must do something to distract myself. Both feel some distress (boredom or anxiety). Interesting.

Ego and I

Charles H. Elliott — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:06:08 +0000

When I read about psychology a million years ago, Freud talked about three parts of a person, the EGO, ID, and SuperEgo. I was pretty sure that my superego was well developed. Basically the Id was considered the primitive desires that we all have, the Super Ego was the ways we are socialized so as not to express the Id. The Ego was the balanced portion, acting in a manner that served the Id but took care not to offend the Super Ego. Since Freud, lots of other psychologists and philosophers have changed the nomenclature but most remain consistent with a three factor approach. People tend to be over controlled or under controlled or balanced. What do you think?

Applied relaxation

Charles H. Elliott — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:17:36 +0000

The ability to relax on command is called applied relaxation. It successfully helps people with anxiety disorders, fears, phobias, and chronic pain. The key to this approach is to find a method (such as progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training) that you find helps you relax. Practice the technique for a week or so then try to get that same feeling with a couple of deep breaths or a word or two. For more information see our book Overcoming Anxiety for Dummies.

Stressed? Body-mind connections

Charles H. Elliott — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:12:51 +0000

So the unemployment rate hits a 16 year high. Feeling worried, who isn’t? Stress and worry not only cloud your thinking but take a toll on your physical condition. Even if you don’t normally have problems with depression or anxiety today’s economy puts every one on edge. Take a little time out of your busy week to do nothing. Basic relaxation techniques have been shown to decrease blood pressure and reduce muscle tension. Relaxation is easy to learn. You don’t have to buy any equipment of a gym membership. The key is regular practice. Google progressive muscle relaxation and breathe.

How to say no

Charles H. Elliott — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:39:18 +0000

If you have a problem with anxiety or OCD you may have trouble standing up to others when they ask you to do something. There is an art to saying no. Here are a few hints. 1) repeat what the person is asking–this will give you a chance to think. For example say, “You’re asking me to drop off these clothes at the laundry?” 2) Look the person in the eye and pause. 3) Have a preplanned response in mind like, “I’d like to but it won’t work for me,” or “I can’t do that,” or “Sorry, but no.” 4) Don’t be easily swayed by the unhappy response of the person asking. You have every right to say no. No explanations required.