The post contains an audio clip from a recent session with a client who – since she is unidentified – wanted to share her success with others who struggle with OCD or other forms of intrusive worry. She has struggled with OCD since childhood and has been in therapy several times in her life, including use of various medications. She has had periods of significant remission of symptoms but acknowledges she has never been entirely free of compulsive behaviors.
When I say, “act normal”, I mean: try to behave like a normal person in that situation. It condenses the cognitive work they have been doing especially with Step 1 Labeling of their anxiety and Step 2 Devaluing of the threat. The suggestion to “act normal” is a concise behavioral guide for how they need to implement Step 3 Refocusing/Replacing behavior…
Many people with a health anxiety can experience frequent fears about their health with a tendency to amplify a sensation and then catastrophize the…
A few days ago a client told me of an episode of anxiety she experienced in the prior week and how she responded to it and succeeded in eliminating it. Her story was so compelling I asked her to repeat the story after our session into her phone so I could post it for the benefit of others as an impressive example of effective use of the 1-2-3 method. The entire episode from onset of symptoms to resolution was brief which can give much needed hope to others who also struggle with anxiety. The following is the exact transcript of her recording:
Overcome fear and worry by understanding it, that is, you can’t fix a problem until you can identify the problem. You can’t defeat an enemy until you know who the enemy is. Likewise, you can’t fix an emotional or thinking …
The Devalue or Discredit step where one engages in a rational dialogue with the irrational idea or fear, talking back to the fear so to speak.