Unwanted Thoughts: Are They Really Dangerous?

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Sometimes, while waiting for the subway, I imagine someone getting pushed in front of the train.

Does this sound like someone with good mental health? A patient in need of medication or a good therapist?

Nope. The above quote comes from me -- a clinical psychologist!

It is a line that I often use with a number of clients seeking therapy -- particularly clients suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

There may be a few questions swirling around in your head at this point, such as "Why do you tell clients about your crazy thoughts?" or "Hey, should this guy have a license to work with the public?"

However, I bet there are readers who are thinking "Oh thank god, I am not the only one who experiences weird and random thoughts of violence."

Read the rest at Huffington Post here...

Do You Have Rejection Phobia?

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Psychologists often make a distinction between fears and phobias. A fear is an emotional response to a real or perceived threat. Fears are common in the population and are often normal -- or at least innocuous -- reactions to objects or events. For example, many people fear spiders -- they experience a mild to moderate anxiety reaction when they see one.

A phobia is similar to a fear with one key difference: the anxiety they experience is so strong that it interferes with their quality of life and/ or their ability to function. Whereas many people fear spiders, only a small subsection of the population will meet criteria for a spider phobia. People who have a spider phobia often spend considerable time worrying about spiders, spend an inordinate amount of time ensuring they do not come in contact with a spider, and will avoid places and activities in order to avoid spiders.

Read the rest at Huffington Post here.

Time to Stop Our Obsession with Positive Thinking

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My latest article with the Huffington Post on the downside to positive thinking. Click here.