Disorders

As I mentioned, my clinical expertise in the cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder), unipolar mood disorders (e.g., depression, dysthymia), sleep disorders (e.g., chronic insomnia), and body focused repetitive disorders (e.g., trichotillomania, skin picking).  This section is intended to provide you with a description of each of these disorders as well as a brief summary of the evidence-based psychological treatment options.¹   

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is defined by the presence of either obsessions or compulsions (typically both occur). Obsessions are defined as recurrent thoughts, images, or impulses that are viewed by the person as intrusive or inappropriate and that invoke anxiety. Obsessions are not simply amplified worries about real life problems; in fact, the person may view them as silly or unrealistic. Examples include worries about being contaminated with dirt or germs, having something awful happen to a loved one, or having made a terrible mistake. The person attempts to ignore, suppress, or neutralize these obsessions, often through compulsions. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform. These may include actions such as counting, hand-washing, checking (e.g., locks), ordering, or hoarding things with no sentimental or monetary value.

• Evidence-based psychological treatment options:
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (strong research support)
  • Cognitive Therapy (strong research support)

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is characterized by unexpected periods of intense anxiety or fear that generally peak within 10 minutes (i.e., panic attacks). Physical symptoms characteristic of panic attacks include: racing or pounding heart, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, dizziness, nausea, feelings of unreality; individuals may report that they fear they are dying, losing control, or going crazy during panic attacks. Individuals with panic disorder experience persistent fear about subsequent panic attacks and/or the consequences of having a panic attacks. Treatments for panic disorder are appropriate regardless of whether the panic is accompanied by agoraphobia, or avoidance of places where panic attacks seem likely.

• Evidence-based psychological treatment options:
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (strong research support)
  • Applied Relaxation (modest research support)
  • Psychoanalytic Treatment (modest research support/controversial) 

Agoraphobia

Social Anxiety Disorder (also known as Social Phobia)

Specific Phobias (also known Simple Phobias)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Depression and Dysthymia

Insomnia

Trichotillomania

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¹ The information on this page was adapted from a page on the website for Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology) of the American Psychological Association.