What Is Social Anxiety? Do you get anxious when you have to give a talk? How about before work meetings or parties or other types of events? Do you notice apprehension, worry, or even dread? How about the physical manifestations of anxiety, such as a sweating, an increased heart rate, or stomach trouble? If theseContinue reading Coping With Social Anxiety
Child OCD: An Introduction for Parents
Does your child engage in repetitive behaviors such as counting, washing, or checking? Do they insist on lining up their shoes or toys? Do they ask you the same questions over and over, seeking reassurance? Do they get stuck in certain patterns of action, distraught when unable to perform the action the “right” amount ofContinue reading Child OCD: An Introduction for Parents
What-If Thinking and Anxiety
A while back, I ended up at an IHOP with my kids for our Second Breakfast. It was pouring rain, and the restaurant’s parking lot was full. After circling a couple of times, I ventured over to the lot next door, a tiny strip mall with plenty of open spots, as none of those stores wereContinue reading What-If Thinking and Anxiety
Externalizing OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder You’re fine one moment, and the next moment, panic sets in. You must go back and check that you locked the door, even though you checked several times before. Or you have a growing sensation that eventually dominates your consciousness, a fear that you’ll blurt out something inappropriate at a work meeting. OrContinue reading Externalizing OCD
Intrusive Thoughts – Coping Tips
What Are Intrusive Thoughts? We all have involuntary thoughts and they might be disturbing or distressing at times. Think of the flash you have of a family member’s funeral or an unwanted “what-if” thought, such as “What if I just took my foot off my brake and ran into that car?” Intrusive thoughts are upsetting,Continue reading Intrusive Thoughts – Coping Tips
Are You Suffering from Meta-Depression?
Do you struggle, or have you been diagnosed, with depression? The DSM-5 criteria for a major depressive episode include: Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritableContinue reading Are You Suffering from Meta-Depression?
Fighting Insomnia with Reverse Psychology
Do you have trouble falling asleep? Does bedtime create significant stress for you? You might be struggling with insomnia. According to the American Psychiatric Association, more than 50 million adults experience chronic insomnia, while even more have periodic bouts of difficulty falling asleep. Insomnia can have various causes and may be related to other mentalContinue reading Fighting Insomnia with Reverse Psychology
Rejection Therapy and Social Anxiety Disorder
Meet Jia Jang. He’s an entrepeneur, author, and TED Talker. He’s also the owner of Rejection Therapy, a game designed to help people overcome their fears of rejection. A couple of years back, Jia sought to conquer these same fears by participating in a 100-Day Rejection Therapy Challenge. According to his TED Talk, Jang enduredContinue reading Rejection Therapy and Social Anxiety Disorder