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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fca on May 3, 2006, at 20:06:02
therapist on my OCD and my tendency to obsess about obsessing--supposedly one of the most difficult forms. It was not reassuring, in fact plain scary. but at least I do have a plan--much much work on exposure--will take two to three hours a day plus--loop tapes, index cards, worry time, etc. Plus meds. Interested if any one else has had experience with Pure obsessing and particularly obsessing over obsessing where relatively neutral stimuli become the object of the obsession (they change from time to time, day today or hour to hour). Actually looking for some honest reassurance, direction or suggestions.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 3, 2006, at 23:48:12
In reply to Obsessing about obsessing--I started with a CBT, posted by fca on May 3, 2006, at 20:06:02
I don't have personal experience with what you are working on, but it does sound difficult. I do know something about CBT treatment in dealing with obsessions, and what you describe seems spot on. It's a lot of work, both in sessions and on your own, but there is evidence showing that this approach can be helpful.
Good luck with it.
gg
Posted by fca on May 4, 2006, at 8:03:23
In reply to Re: Obsessing about obsessing--I started with a CBT » fca, posted by gardenergirl on May 3, 2006, at 23:48:12
Gardengirl--thanks for the reassurance--I know as a MH professional that this is probably right but confronting it personally is a bit overwhelming--Thanks Again
Posted by pseudoname on May 7, 2006, at 13:05:16
In reply to Obsessing about obsessing--I started with a CBT, posted by fca on May 3, 2006, at 20:06:02
> Actually looking for some honest reassurance, direction or suggestions.
A lot of OCD people have benefitted from therapy, so I know there's hope for you. I also have a couple other suggestions.
• The book "Brain Lock" (1997) by UCLA neuroscientist Jeffrey M Schwartz has some raving endorsements. People with obsessional thinking talk about it saving their sanity. His approach to compulsions & obsessional thoughts is the Four Steps: Relabel, Reattribute, Refocus, Revalue. It's a straightforward, easy-to-follow technique, slightly more focused on compulsion than obsessions, but it applies to both and you can quickly give it a try.
(I originally added my own review of Schwartz here, but if you're interested in his strategy, I think I should just keep that to myself. Despite my criticisms, “Brain Lock” is worth a look for anyone suffering from OCD.)
• Another suggestion is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which I think does a better job than Schwartz does at using mindfulness. As far as I know, there's no OCD-specific ACT self-help stuff yet. "Get Out of Your Mind" (2005) is a general ACT self-help book, but it also discusses obsessional thinking.
Most OCD therapy is directed toward eliminating, ignoring, reducing, or changing obsessional thoughts. Clients may turn to ACT when these methods have failed. The ACT therapist's OCD manual says “[ACT] is based on the idea that instead of helping you win the struggle you have been in, it might work better to help you step out of that struggle. [ACT] is focused on the things that have kept you struggling, and it seeks to change those things. It is pretty fundamental work, dealing with the relationship between you and your psychological experiences…”
If you're interested, there's even an ACT patient forum (like Babble, but smaller) that the clinicians participate in, too.
Anyway, fca, I hope your work with your new therapist goes well. I'm sorry that your first session with him/her wasn't reassurring. Best wishes.
Posted by fca on May 10, 2006, at 12:15:02
In reply to obsession treatment alternatives » fca, posted by pseudoname on May 7, 2006, at 13:05:16
Thanks for the input--I have ordered a couple of books on OCD--trying to stick to one plan. I have the good fortune of having an appointment in June with the leading therapist for OCD and anxiety disorders in Michigan and Ohio. I am going to have him evaluate my current plan--he is willing to see me on an ongoing basis if he feels he can be more helpful--regardless this is going to be a much more difficult process that I expected and at age 64 it seems daunting--but hey, I have done triathalons and still run--lets see
Posted by pseudoname on May 10, 2006, at 14:27:53
In reply to Re: obsession treatment alternatives, posted by fca on May 10, 2006, at 12:15:02
This is the end of the thread.
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