Vomit Phobia – Fear of Vomiting (Emetophobia)

On August 25, 2012, in Agoraphobia, Contamination/Health-Related Symptoms, Health Anxiety, OCD, Panic, Phobias, School Refusal, Social Anxiety, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Flu season will be quickly upon us and with it comes an unfortunate increase in the likelihood of experiencing fevers, coughs, runny noses, vomiting, and the like.

Although no one enjoys being sick, this time of year poses particular challenges for individuals suffering from “vomit phobia”, or emetophobia, the fear of throwing up.

The …  (read more)

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IOCDF Conference, IOP for OCD Program, & Group Therapy for Panic…

On July 21, 2012, in General, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Just a few quick announcements:

1) The 2012 meeting of the International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation (IOCDF) is just a week away.

The IOCDF conference marks the perfect convergence of all things OCD-related. In attendance are some of the best clinicians and researchers in the field.  Many of these individuals will be presenting talks related to OCD …  (read more)

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Starting Exposure Therapy: What’s it Like?

On January 26, 2012, in ERP, OCD, OCD - Treatment, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

For anyone new to exposure-based therapy, such as exposure and response prevention (ERP), there is often much anticipatory anxiety about starting treatment.

“What is it? What will it be like? How bad will it be? Can I handle it? Will I be forced to do things I’m unwilling to do?”

These uncertainties are …  (read more)

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Does Non-Avoidance = Exposure? No! Anxiety Disorder Treatment Principles for OCD, Panic, Social Anxiety, & Phobias.

On November 29, 2011, in CBT, ERP, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Anxiety Principle of the Day: Non-Avoidance is not equivalent to exposure.

Although exposure is predicated upon the purposeful non-avoidance of anxiety-related stimuli, non-avoidance of anxiety triggers is not equivalent to exposure.

What is non-avoidance?

I liken non-avoidance to being in a particular place at a particular time. Essentially, it involves being in a situation in …  (read more)

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Exposure Therapy’s Most Common Mistake: All Eggs in the Habituation Basket

On November 4, 2011, in CBT, ERP, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Many people have an incomplete understanding of exposure therapy…

…be it exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD, intentional mistake practice for social anxiety, or interoceptive exposures for panic disorder…

This is true for exposure newbies, seasoned exposure veterans, and even some good CBT therapists.

This limited understanding is based on the following flawed …  (read more)

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Health-Related Anxiety: Symptoms, Disorders, & Treatment

On September 9, 2011, in Health Anxiety, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Think about the most significant health scare you have ever experienced. Then multiply this experience by a factor of about 10. Unfortunately, this is a daily reality for many individuals suffering from health-related anxiety, a debilitating condition that can have devastating effects on one’s mood, relationships, and ability to function in academic and professional …  (read more)

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Agoraphobia – Symptom Attacks, Triggers, Panic, & Avoidance Behaviors

On September 7, 2011, in Agoraphobia, Panic, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Let’s dispel a common misconception about agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is not a fear of the outdoors. Many people mistakenly believe this myth, due to the word’s Latin roots.  Because agoraphobia can be broken down into the roots agora (“marketplace”) and phobia (“fear of”), many people assume that agoraphobia is a “fear of the marketplace” or a fear …  (read more)

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Fear, Doubt, Uncertainty, ERP, & the Monster Under the Bed

On September 1, 2011, in CBT, ERP, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Everyone I know has, at some point, had to deal with the monster under the bed.

Some do it with grace. Others falter.

I’ve always been clumsy.

I can vividly recall many terrified nights from my childhood, when I would lie rigidly in my bed, utterly paralyzed by fear. Afraid to make the slightest movement, …  (read more)

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School Refusal & Parental Stigma: Am I a Bad Parent?

On August 17, 2011, in School Refusal, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

Like any other behavior, school refusal does not have a singular cause. This is pretty self-evident, but in the heat of the moment when your child is having a tantrum, this fact is quickly forgotten. It is simply too easy to conclude that you have raised a “bad child.” Sadly, much of society might wrongly …  (read more)

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School Refusal Causes (Social & Anxiety-Related Factors)

On August 16, 2011, in School Refusal, by Steven J. Seay, Ph.D.

With the summer quickly fading to black and the academic year looming largely, we will soon be entering the season of school refusal. When I use the term “school refusal,” I’m not talking about that once-in-a-blue-moon occasion when a child forgets about an important test or project and decides it’s easier to feign illness …  (read more)

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