Dr. Oz and Dr. Jon Grayson Tackle Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Today's Oprah was absolutely fascinating, as much as the hoarding episode with Peter Walsh.  It was absolutely riveting.  The episode follows six people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as they go through a three-day OCD Boot Camp run by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dr. Jon Grayson, a leading OCD specialist. Dr. Grayson uses a technique called...

Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy, which means he repeatedly exposes the person to the thing that they fear, and then helps them break their default escape response to the stimulus, thereby breaking the cycle. It's not instant, but it's clearly effective. Dr. Grayson has a pretty "in your face" style, but not in a way that seemed over the top.

One of my favorite things about this episode was something Dr Oz said to Oprah at the beginning of the show. He said he believes OCD is an extreme example of  "not living in the moment".  He added, "You're so caught up in your own thoughts about why life isn't 100% the way it has to be, that it traps you. If you can understand how to live life by  embracing your biggest fears and turning those fears into your power source... To let go of them and to make peace with the world as it is around you... to realize that you're not your thoughts... that's one of the biggest lessons.  And we all have that same challenge."  Interesting.

Comments

[Lorie Marrero]

I agree, this episode was fantastic. I can really see how we are all on a continuum of this issue and these featured guests were just on the more severe end of it. I loved how Dr. Oz made it about living in the moment. One of my focuses in the last year has been conquering fear, and these people in the show were INCREDIBLY brave. They actually believed in their minds that they would DIE doing these exercises and they did them anyway, trusting the therapist. It's inspiring and I hope I can be that brave.

[Mara]

My brother is 4 years older than me. He has OCD in an even out way. It affects everyone he is around. Right now he doesn't even make a full day of school, not 1 yet since about 2 months ago when it got really bad. I just wish there was an easy cure for it but he also has terret syndrome. I wish it would go away. Man, jw if u have any suggestions, just email me.

[Mara]

Pleez if you have suggestions, email me at hattersw17@aim.com