This week’s episode is sponsored by The Gateway Institute. They have locations in Orange County, San Francisco and Phoenix. Find out more here – GatewayOCD.com 

In episode 86 I interviewed Sheva Rajaee. Sheva is a psychotherapist at the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Sheva specializes in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and other related anxiety disorders. Sheva recently did a Ted Talk called “Addicted to the answer – anxiety in the age of information”.

In this episode I had a great chat with Sheva about many topics. We discussed the importance of giving yourself permission to have what you need, mindfulness, sleep, exercise and alone time. How increased access to information can cause anxiety, going on an information diet and learning to watch emotions until the urge decreases. We also discussed living with uncertainty, turning pain into growth, gratitude practices and dealing with intrusive thoughts. Enjoy!

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Show notes:

Sheva’s OCD story (4:17)

Sheva’s lifestyle changes in recovery (8:00)

How more information can mean more anxiety (12:20)

To make peace with it we must tolerate it (16:50)

How to go on an information diet (18:00)

Not having the answer can be the greatest solution of all (24:50)

Turning pain into growth (30:00)

HALTS – Hunger, Angry, Lonely, Tired, Stressed (34:40)

Gratitude practices (40:30)

The Happiness Trap (42:45)

What people with OCD could start doing (46:10)

Mindfulness tips (49:10)

What people with OCD could stop doing (52:00)

The elevator question (55:50)

Advice for living an amazing life (57:20)

The billboard question (58:40)

Find out more about the Sheva:

Sheva’s Instagram – @theshrinkwrap

Sheva’s clinic – caocd.com

Sheva’s Ted Talk – Addicted to the answer – anxiety in the age of information

Resources:

Dr Steven Hayes on the podcast

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (Amazon.co.uk/Amazon.com)

The OCD Stories book >>

Sponsors:

Today’s episode is sponsored by The Gateway Institute. They have Two locations in California, Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as Phoenix, Arizona. They treat children, adolescents and adults suffering with OCD and Related Disorders. They deliver therapy weekly and bi-weekly, as well as specialising in a 3-week intensive outpatient program for OCD. Gateway is used to clients coming in from all over the U.S. and internationally to take part in this 3-week treatment program.

If you are one of those areas and are looking for treatment, head over to gatewayocd.com. Don’t forgot to say you heard it on the podcast.

This podcast is also brought to you by nOCD. Download the app for free: http://m.treatmyocd.com/ocdstories

To your success,
Stuart and The OCD Stories team

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