Guest guest Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Because the iPad auto-correct is camouflaging " exposure " as " ensure " . I believe the whole thing is an experiment by aliens designed to test my frustration coping skills.... D " ensure " Darrell? Why can't I find that word?Helena To: " ACT for the Public " <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Saturday, July 7, 2012 3:36:04 PM Subject: Re: OCD Thanks for this, Steve. The parts about ensure were especially interesting. DOn Saturday, July 7, 2012, wrote: Regarding Hi, If the part of the brain , which some say controls levels of Anxiety malfunctions, OCD ? Some reactions a) we don't know that brains are malfunctioning in OCD. Brains are part of everything we do of coursebut there is precious little evidence that " brain malfunction " is involved in any of the major mental health problems out there. even if brain malfunction was involved, so what? The medications available for OCD can be beaten by best of breed psychotherapy, and behavior changes genetic expression and brain functioning quite well. So other than a rationale we'd end up in the same place as we started, c) given " a " and " b " we have to classify this thought as what it is: a thought, that currently has no empirical answer and no current implications for gross answers such as " yes " or " no " So let's restructure the question. " I struggle with OCD. What if my worried thoughts are true? Shouldn't I follow them in order to deal with my OCD? " Now back off to the side and look at that question in context. Doesn't it seem more likely that this very pattern of entangling " what if " rumination is a part of OCD? I apply defusion and acceptance with some gains , but it is still overwhelming with obsessions and compulsions. Is there further techniques for OCD in act model .Any ideas. We, let's be clear of what the techniques are for. They are not designed to reduce anxiety. They usually do, unfortunately,just because removing the escape and avoidance function of anxiety reduces anxiety in the same way that not eating breakfast for months at a time eventually eliminates morning hunger. Emotion is part of action. Hunger is part of " now I'm going to eat " -- it is not a simple CAUSE of eating (if food deprivation = hunger pure and simple, no matter how regularly and long you skipped breakfast you'd be famished in the morning). So if you do a lot of acceptance and defusion, yes, anxiety usually goes down. But it is no more the purpose than someone would say " hey I know how to eliminate hunger! I won't eat! " The effect is unfortunate because the freakin mind is a one trick pony problems solving machine and it cannot understand the idea of using acceptance and defusion to become present and have more response flexibility. Said another way, the purpose of acceptance and defusion is freedom. Its liberation. Its greater consciousness and awareness. It's living. It's NOT " down with anxiety! " Anxiety is a feeling and you want your feelings. If you are using acceptance and defusion for what they are good for, then the answer to your question is pretty clear. " Are there further techniques for OCD? " Hell yes. The rest of the ACT model. Work on being present. Work on your perspective taking sense of self. Clarify and choose your values. And start living. Start doing what works and letting go of what does not. When you start living, that quickly becomes " exposure " and I would especially encourage looking for step by step ways to push your own buttons under conditions in which you will not do the same old thing. Instead of rituals sing, dance, eat, create, talk of a friend ... anything so long as it is values based and expands your behavioral range In the traditional (and I believe incorrect) model of exposure it is defined as systematic contact with previously anxiety producing events for the purpose of reducing anxiety. Why is it incorrect?Well because reduction in anxiety during exposure does not predict long term gains.That's not just ACT. That is a conclusion from my CBT colleagues including Barlow (one of my two major mentors and probably the king of expo -- Darrell G King, RN, CASAC-TRochester, NY, UShttp://darrellking.comDarrellGKing@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Oh, that's hilarious! I was racking my brain, trying to figure it out!HelenaTo: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 9:40:06 AMSubject: Re: OCD Because the iPad auto-correct is camouflaging "exposure" as "ensure". I believe the whole thing is an experiment by aliens designed to test my frustration coping skills.... D "ensure" Darrell? Why can't I find that word?Helena To: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Saturday, July 7, 2012 3:36:04 PM Subject: Re: OCD Thanks for this, Steve. The parts about ensure were especially interesting. D Regarding Hi, If the part of the brain , which some say controls levels of Anxiety malfunctions, OCD ? Some reactions a) we don't know that brains are malfunctioning in OCD. Brains are part of everything we do of coursebut there is precious little evidence that "brain malfunction" is involved in any of the major mental health problems out there. even if brain malfunction was involved, so what? The medications available for OCD can be beaten by best of breed psychotherapy, and behavior changes genetic expression and brain functioning quite well. So other than a rationale we'd end up in the same place as we started, c) given "a" and "b" we have to classify this thought as what it is: a thought, that currently has no empirical answer and no current implications for gross answers such as "yes" or "no" So let's restructure the question."I struggle with OCD. What if my worried thoughts are true? Shouldn't I follow them in order to deal with my OCD?"Now back off to the side and look at that question in context. Doesn't it seem more likely that this very pattern of entangling "what if" rumination is a part of OCD? I apply defusion and acceptance with some gains , but it is still overwhelming with obsessions and compulsions. Is there further techniques for OCD in act model .Any ideas. We, let's be clear of what the techniques are for. They are not designed to reduce anxiety. They usually do, unfortunately,just because removing the escape and avoidance function of anxiety reduces anxiety in the same way that not eating breakfast for months at a time eventually eliminates morning hunger. Emotion is part of action. Hunger is part of "now I'm going to eat" -- it is not a simple CAUSE of eating (if food deprivation = hunger pure and simple, no matter how regularly and long you skipped breakfast you'd be famished in the morning). So if you do a lot of acceptance and defusion, yes, anxiety usually goes down. But it is no more the purpose than someone would say "hey I know how to eliminate hunger! I won't eat!" The effect is unfortunate because the freakin mind is a one trick pony problems solving machine and it cannot understand the idea of using acceptance and defusion to become present and have more response flexibility. Said another way, the purpose of acceptance and defusion is freedom. Its liberation. Its greater consciousness and awareness. It's living. It's NOT "down with anxiety!" Anxiety is a feeling and you want your feelings. If you are using acceptance and defusion for what they are good for, then the answer to your question is pretty clear."Are there further techniques for OCD?" Hell yes. The rest of the ACT model. Work on being present. Work on your perspective taking sense of self. Clarify and choose your values. And start living. Start doing what works and letting go of what does not. When you start living, that quickly becomes "exposure" and I would especially encourage looking for step by step ways to push your own buttons under conditions in which you will not do the same old thing. Instead of rituals sing, dance, eat, create, talk of a friend ... anything so long as it is values based and expands your behavioral range In the traditional (and I believe incorrect) model of exposure it is defined as systematic contact with previously anxiety producing events for the purpose of reducing anxiety. Why is it incorrect?Well because reduction in anxiety during exposure does not predict long term gains.That's not just ACT. That is a conclusion from my CBT colleagues including Barlow (one of my two major mentors and probably the king of expo -- Darrell G King, RN, CASAC-TRochester, NY, UShttp://darrellking.comDarrellGKing@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Thanks for pointing it out, Helena. I never even noticed-great lesson in the way we filter what we see!D Oh, that's hilarious! I was racking my brain, trying to figure it out!Helena To: " ACT for the Public " <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Sunday, July 8, 2012 9:40:06 AM Subject: Re: OCD Because the iPad auto-correct is camouflaging " exposure " as " ensure " . I believe the whole thing is an experiment by aliens designed to test my frustration coping skills.... D " ensure " Darrell? Why can't I find that word?Helena To: " ACT for the Public " <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Saturday, July 7, 2012 3:36:04 PM Subject: Re: OCD Thanks for this, Steve. The parts about ensure were especially interesting. DOn Saturday, July 7, 2012, wrote: Regarding Hi, If the part of the brain , which some say controls levels of Anxiety malfunctions, OCD ? Some reactions a) we don't know that brains are malfunctioning in OCD. Brains are part of everything we do of coursebut there is precious little evidence that " brain malfunction " is involved in any of the major mental health problems out there. even if brain malfunction was involved, so what? The medications available for OCD can be beaten by best of breed psychotherapy, and behavior changes genetic expression and brain functioning quite well. So other than a rationale we'd end up in the same place as we started, c) given " a " and " b " we have to classify this thought as what it is: a thought, that currently has no empirical answer and no current implications for gross answers such as " yes " or " no " So let's restructure the question. " I struggle with OCD. What if my worried thoughts are true? Shouldn't I follow them in order to deal with my OCD? " Now back off to the side and look at that question in context. Doesn't it seem more likely that this very pattern of entangling " what if " rumination is a part of OCD? I apply defusion and acceptance with some gains , but it is still overwhelming with obsessions and compulsions. Is there further techniques for OCD in act model .Any ideas. We, let's be clear of what the techniques are for. They are not designed to reduce anxiety. They usually do, unfortunately,just because removing the escape and avoidance function of anxiety reduces anxiety in the same way that not eating breakfast for months at a time eventually eliminates morning hunger. Emotion is part of action. Hunger is part of " now I'm going to eat " -- it is not a simple CAUSE of eating (if food deprivation = hunger pure and simple, no matter how regularly and long you skipped breakfast you'd be famished in the morning). So if you do a lot of acceptance and defusion, yes, anxiety usually goes down. But it is no more the purpose than someone would say " hey I know how to eliminate hunger! I won't eat! " The effect is unfortunate because the freakin mind is a one trick pony problems solving machine and it cannot understand the idea of using acceptance and defusion to become present and have more response flexibility. Said another way, the purpose of acceptance and defusion is freedom. Its liberation. Its greater consciousness and awareness. It's living. It's NOT " down with anxiety! " Anxiety is a feeling and you want your feelings. If you are using acceptance and defusion for what they are good for, then the answer to your question is pretty clear. " Are there further techniques for OCD? " Hell yes. The rest of the ACT model. Work on being present. Work on your perspective taking sense of self. Clarify and choose your values. And start living. Start doing what works and letting go of what does not. -- Darrell G King, RN, CASAC-TRochester, NY, UShttp://darrellking.com DarrellGKing@... -- Darrell G King, RN, CASAC-TRochester, NY, UShttp://darrellking.comDarrellGKing@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Hi, thanks for that great advice, have taken valuable pieces from the post, press my buttons on purpose to make anxiety rise and other notes e.t.c., hope it gradually helps , in the past exposure type work action has helped ,with the help of a good psychologist at that time, long ago, but relapse has come , with stressful events. Act therapy has helped starve ocd for some time now ,and with no medication, and its a matter, as you note ,for back to the basics, of act, re- reading things one forgets as a novice, for renewed help once again, hopefully with a therapist to guide. From: ; To: ; Cc: hbbr@... ; Subject: Re: OCD Sent: Sat, Jul 7, 2012 6:34:08 PM Regarding Hi, If the part of the brain , which some say controls levels of Anxiety malfunctions, OCD ? Some reactions a) we don't know that brains are malfunctioning in OCD. Brains are part of everything we do of course but there is precious little evidence that "brain malfunction" is involved in any of the major mental health problems out there. even if brain malfunction was involved, so what? The medications available for OCD can be beaten by best of breed psychotherapy, and behavior changes genetic expression and brain functioning quite well. So other than a rationale we'd end up in the same place as we started, c) given "a" and "b" we have to classify this thought as what it is: a thought, that currently has no empirical answer and no current implications for gross answers such as "yes" or "no" So let's restructure the question. "I struggle with OCD. What if my worried thoughts are true? Shouldn't I follow them in order to deal with my OCD?" Now back off to the side and look at that question in context. Doesn't it seem more likely that this very pattern of entangling "what if" rumination is a part of OCD? I apply defusion and acceptance with some gains , but it is still overwhelming with obsessions and compulsions. Is there further techniques for OCD in act model .Any ideas. We, let's be clear of what the techniques are for. They are not designed to reduce anxiety. They usually do, unfortunately, just because removing the escape and avoidance function of anxiety reduces anxiety in the same way that not eating breakfast for months at a time eventually eliminates morning hunger. Emotion is part of action. Hunger is part of "now I'm going to eat" -- it is not a simple CAUSE of eating (if food deprivation = hunger pure and simple, no matter how regularly and long you skipped breakfast you'd be famished in the morning). So if you do a lot of acceptance and defusion, yes, anxiety usually goes down. But it is no more the purpose than someone would say "hey I know how to eliminate hunger! I won't eat!" The effect is unfortunate because the freakin mind is a one trick pony problems solving machine and it cannot understand the idea of using acceptance and defusion to become present and have more response flexibility. Said another way, the purpose of acceptance and defusion is freedom. Its liberation. Its greater consciousness and awareness. It's living. It's NOT "down with anxiety!" Anxiety is a feeling and you want your feelings. If you are using acceptance and defusion for what they are good for, then the answer to your question is pretty clear. "Are there further techniques for OCD?" Hell yes. The rest of the ACT model. Work on being present. Work on your perspective taking sense of self. Clarify and choose your values. And start living. Start doing what works and letting go of what does not. When you start living, that quickly becomes "exposure" and I would especially encourage looking for step by step ways to push your own buttons under conditions in which you will not do the same old thing. Instead of rituals sing, dance, eat, create, talk of a friend ... anything so long as it is values based and expands your behavioral range In the traditional (and I believe incorrect) model of exposure it is defined as systematic contact with previously anxiety producing events for the purpose of reducing anxiety. Why is it incorrect? Well because reduction in anxiety during exposure does not predict long term gains. That's not just ACT. That is a conclusion from my CBT colleagues including Barlow (one of my two major mentors and probably the king of exposure) and Craske at UCLA (who did a post doc with years ago and is moving into ACT research). What does predict long term gains? ACT people love the answer: greater willingness to feel anxious and greater ability to act in its presence. Here is what the ACT community think exposure is: systematic contact with previously repertoire narrowing events for the purpose of increasing response flexibility in the presence of those events. That little geeky formulae gives you a clear focus if you are willing to take it. Catch your self in consciousness inside anxiety and do anything values based and new for you in terms of its purpose You say you are "overwhelmed" With what? "Whelm" is from an old English word meaning to be covered and later in middle English it meant to turn upside down and then in the 15 c to be submerged. Be "over" - whelmed meant being washed over; flipped over; overset, as in a boat; dunked. I think when you say "I'm overwhelmed" you mean "I'm dunked in anxiety" That's not a problem -- its an opportunity. You could not possibly broaden your range of possibilities in dealing with anxiety if you did not have anxiety, could you? That would be like learning to hit a ball without a ball. Hard as hell to do that. So welcome your old friend Mr. Anxiety and practice your liberation skills. use a reverse compass: pick something you really want to do that would make you anxious. Pick one that is strong enough to matter -- and one where you are willing to be anxious in the service of life and liberation. Then walk up to that situation on purpose and do everything you've learned in ACT but not to get anxiety to go away. The purpose is to be with yourself and with anxiety in a different way that gives you greater behavioral freedom. "Techniques" -- even ACT ones -- will abandon you if the goal is reducing anxiety. Even if that happens (and unfortunately it often graaaadually does) that is not the goal. You will stop feeling anxious when you are dead. "No anxiety" is hardly the great outcome your mind tells you it is. The goal is liberation. The goal is life. WITH anxiety when anxiety is here. Use acceptance and defusion for that; then expand into the rest of the model and exposure as you expand your life - S C. Foundation Professor Department of Psychology /298 University of Nevada Reno, NV 89557-0062 "Love isn't everything, it's the only thing" hayes@... or stevenchayes@... Fax: Psych Department: Contextual Change (you can use this number for messages if need be): Blogs: Psychology Today http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/get-out-your-mind Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steven-c-hayes-phd If you want my vita, publications, PowerPoint slides, try my training page: http://contextualpsychology.org/steve_hayes or you can try my website (it is semi-functional) stevenchayes.com If you have any questions about ACT or RFT (articles, AAQ information etc), please first check the vast resources at website of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS): www.contextualpsychology.org. You have to register on the site to download things, but the cost is up to your own values. If you are a professional or student and want to be part of the world wide ACT discussion or RFT discussions, join the ACT list: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy/join or the RFT list: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/relationalframetheory/join If you are a member of the public reading ACT self-help books (e.g., "Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" etc) and want to be part of that conversation go to: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join Hi, If the part of the brain , which some say controls levels of Anxiety malfunctions, OCD ? for whatever reason and then you apply defusion and acceptance with some gains , but is still overwhelming with obsessions and compulsions. Is there further techniques for OCD in act model .Any ideas. From: hbbr ; To: ACT for the Public ; Subject: Re: Examples of Values..Ranking values.. Sent: Sat, Jul 7, 2012 9:22:20 AM Are you saying that money itself is a value for you? Money is valuable, of course, because we need it to live - to have a roof over our heads, to eat, to be clothed, etc. Much of what money is used for, however, is for things we want but don't really need. So, in thinking of what you truly value, you may want to think of the things money can acquire for you, rather than money itself, as the value. Do I need a brand new car? No. Do I want one? Sure. Do I need a place to live? Yes, I both need and want a place to protect me from the elements, a place I can call home. But I don't need a mansion or a house close to to the ocean, although I would like that. I want enough money to meet my needs and, hopefully, fulfill some of my wants, but I do not consider money itself a value. Making my own money rather than mooching off others is a value of mine that I call independence. Having enough money to buy nourishing food serves a value I call living healthy. A lot else goes into living healthy that doesn't require money; e.g., exercising, connection with others, practicing mindfulness, etc. Setting aside some money for future needs instead of spending in all on things I want right now is in service of a value I call financial security and, again, independence. That said, there are also many times in which values can conflict with one another. Those times require making a choice after careful thought and consideration, or re-thinking and tweaking your values. We may not always be able to live according to one value without trampling on the toes of another. We may need to re-think our values to determine what is really the most important value in a given moment. An example that jumps to my mind at this moment is wanting to visit friends who live in California - way across the country from Pennsylvania where I live - but not wanting to spend the money for the trip, which will cut my financial resources dangerously low. I can't have both - a visit with friends, which serves my value of connection with others, and money in the bank, which serves the value of financial security. So I compromise; I connect with my friends by phone and email, and I continue to save money for a future trip. That resolution is fairly easy, but some things are not that cut and dried. Sometimes it even seems that if you live according to one value, you not only give up another in the moment, but you actually negate the other value completely. Such is life and the dilemmas it dishes out to us at times! Helena From: "loqqy" yahoo.com> To: "ACT for the Public" , "jim ryan" gmail.com> Sent: Friday, July 6, 2012 10:59:08 PM Subject: Re: Examples of Values..Ranking values.. Hi, how do you know what values are important to you,or if they conflict ,example , if you value money and someting which costs a lot, but if you purchase you have little money, how do you do both, values without diminishing the other. From: JAMES P RYAN gmail.com>; To: ; Subject: Re: why does/doesn't this work? Sent: Sat, Jul 7, 2012 12:47:01 AM Smells like a scam to me. Keep walking. http://www.mindpowernews.com/BrainswitchDepression.htm Anybody? And thank you very much for your answer, Helena. Håkon Jim Designer | Developer http://www.jryanportfolio.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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