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perfectionism and - Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation

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6/14/13<br />

Treatment<br />

• Stop all compulsive avoidance behaviors <strong>and</strong> certainty<br />

seeking including doctor visits, internet searches,<br />

reassurance seeking, avoidance of masturbation<br />

• Cognitive experiment: “What if it’s not mental” Rx:<br />

Practice making pain worse for 5 minutes per day by<br />

intense focus upon it<br />

• Bibliotherapy: Mindfulness <strong>and</strong> Acceptance (ACT)<br />

• Cognitive defusion – creating distance from his<br />

thoughts (“mindful observer”)<br />

• Daily practice: mindfulness meditation – thought <strong>and</strong><br />

feeling watching; paying attention in the moment for 20<br />

minutes, twice per day<br />

• Attention Training (Wells, 2000) – practice in paying<br />

attention externally vs. internally during various<br />

activities including work, jogging.<br />

• Medication – SSRIs – helped with the depression <strong>and</strong><br />

puts a damper on the anxiety<br />

Outcome<br />

• Significant improvement in mood,<br />

lowered levels of anxiety <strong>and</strong> worry.<br />

More optimistic <strong>and</strong> cheerful.<br />

• Increased capacity to shift focus away<br />

from his groin pain for long periods of<br />

time during the day.<br />

• Sleep much better, interests increasing<br />

(joined novel writing club)<br />

• Not avoiding masturbation or dating<br />

Recommended Reading<br />

• Taylor, S., Asmundson, G.J. (2004) Treating Health<br />

Anxiety- A Cognitive-Behavioral Approach. Guildford<br />

Press.<br />

• Abramowitz, J., Braddock, A.E., (2011) Hypochondriasis<br />

<strong>and</strong> Health Anxiety. Hogrefe Publishers<br />

• Owens, K., Antony, M. (2011) Overcoming Health<br />

Anxiety: Letting Go of Your Fear of Illness. New<br />

Harbinger Publications<br />

-265-<br />

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