OCD & Anxiety Disorder Specialist

By: Fred Penzel, Ph.D. originally posted on socalocdprogram.org Over the years, I have written a number of articles about the treatment and acceptance of OCD and related disorders. These are all very practical issues, to be sure; however, another practical issue I would like to inform you about has to do with getting your insurance company […]

On average, 28 to 44 percent of adults get less than seven hours of sleep on a daily basis. When substance use disorder and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are added to the mix, the chances of sleep problems become five to ten times more likely. Unfortunately, poor sleep can compound symptoms and behaviors related to both disorders. The development […]

If you find yourself: looking in the mirror, fixating on what you think is a physical appearance flaw, And then you are: preoccupied with thoughts that all other people will see are your flaws, And you start to: feel embarrassed, ashamed, or self -critical, And this leads to: engaging in compulsive behavior like mirror checking, […]

In the video below you get a crash course on anxiety spectrum disorders and OCD. Key elements to take away are that there are several factors that are at play: biology, genes, brain chemistry and conditioning. Fears and how a person with an anxiety disorder or OCD responds to those fears is what determined reinforcement […]

What does worry, fear, elevated heart rate or any other physical symptoms have in common? These are all signs of anxiety. Anxiety is a normal response when we are facing something that is uncertain and a potential threat/ danger. When anxiety becomes un-useful is when we feel a sense of threat where real danger is […]

OK, let’s get into something. I have a couple people who will keep talking about their fears, insecurities, beliefs that they are confused and just can’t. When I question these and ask them what if you didn’t believe it is impossible what would you do, they just keep reverting to that comfort blanket of I […]

So I posted this (http://johnpavlovitz.com/2017/07/21/please-stop-calling-suicide-selfish/) link and I have someone reply with “is the word cowards better?” and that made me stop and think. It is 2017. Yet suicide is still seen as “selfish” or “cowards.” Interesting. This reminded me that in my choice to be a therapist, coach, and trainer, I have taken a […]

I am often asked how do I get outcomes? And I ask depends what you are willing to put in. If you are all excited but only willing to put in maybe 50% of your time, sweat, blood, and tears, then you will maybe get 50% outcomes. Working as a CBT coach, I see people […]

Simple doesn’t mean it is easy. Simple means there is a system, a process, a protocol to follow that can get you results you want. Easy? Probably not. If it was all easy, we would all be going to the gym like we said we would. We would all be completing our new years resolutions. […]

What if you didn’t believe it was impossible, what would you do? When we ask this question over and over, you will be surprised to find that you will have an idea come to mind because you will position your mind to be in a state of openness and creativity. Mindset is so critical to […]