Health Phobia

By Brian Robinson. Many people who suffer from general anxiety also develop worries about their health. The tendency for this to emerge is a common characteristic of GAD (General Anxiety Disorder) and panic. When this happens, this could be no more than raised health concerns. Or, it could be that the person has developed a … Continue reading Health Phobia →

Anxiety: The Problem With Resistance.

By Brian Robinson. Punching makes sense when there is something to punch. There is nothing more natural than to resist the things we dislike or fear. That's the way we're wired. And most of the time it works. Resistance is our friend: it's not our enemy. But what if the things we are trying to … Continue reading Anxiety: The Problem With Resistance. →

Anxiety Symptoms: Depersonalisation: Derealisation

By Brian Robinson. Blurred vision Anxiety sufferers can experience a host of troublesome symptoms. This is a characteristic which often makes it a difficult condition to manage. Generally speaking, however, symptoms only arise due to high levels of stress or the fight or flight response having been activated. However, as anxiety sufferers we may believe … Continue reading Anxiety Symptoms: Depersonalisation: Derealisation →

OCD: The Power of Pictures

By Brian Robinson. The power of pictures If there was no such thing as language, would there be such a thing as OCD? I ask this question, because apart from a few cases where the the intrusive thoughts take the form of images, the vast majority of OCD intrusions come in the form of words … Continue reading OCD: The Power of Pictures →

Understanding OCD

By Brian Robinson. Almost always OCD has two main characteristics i.e. compulsions and intrusive thoughts. Compulsions are what they say on the tin: you have to do them. Intrusive thoughts are difficult too, not only because they are troublesome and uncompromising, but because the sufferer may believe the thoughts represent the absolute truth. The absolute … Continue reading Understanding OCD →

Anxiety: Two Tensions

By Brian Robinson. Anxiety can be a confusing experience. But the better we understand it: the less confusing it becomes. The critical thing to remember, is that the underlying cause of anxiety is stress or tension within the body. If our body, our emotions and our minds are relaxed, then we cannot possibly be anxious. … Continue reading Anxiety: Two Tensions →

Shamanic Cave: Relaxation and Visualisation Exercise.

By Brian Robinson. Colours: reflections: thoughts. Visualisation can take a thousand forms and can be used towards a variety of ends. When it is used to help with anxiety, it serves as a means of escape to a safe place; as a distraction from troublesome thoughts; and a means to relax the mind. Visualisations work … Continue reading Shamanic Cave: Relaxation and Visualisation Exercise. →

Anxiety Recovery Course. Module 5: Thoughts.

By Brian Robinson. Thoughts: the cause of tension If a recovery program from anxiety is to be both profound and sustained, it vital to deal with the cause of tension. And we know that what goes on in the mind is a significant contributor to high tension levels. If the person's thinking is healthy and … Continue reading Anxiety Recovery Course. Module 5: Thoughts. →

Anxiety in a Nutshell

By Brian Robinson. Anxiety happens when a system in our body becomes energised inappropriately. This system is commonly referred to as fight or flight and can only be aroused in two ways. Firstly, our brain can bring this system into play if it believes we are in danger. For example, if we walk out of … Continue reading Anxiety in a Nutshell →

Exposure Therapy Explained

By Brian Robinson. Exposed Exposure Therapy is an approach used in the treatment of various anxiety disorders, and particularly, in the treatment of phobias and OCD. But in one sense, Exposure Therapy isn’t a therapy at all. It is just something that happens naturally given the right circumstances. What we have to do, is create … Continue reading Exposure Therapy Explained →