The CBT Psychologist

Depression
At any one time almost 10% of the general population is suffering from depression. Several subcategories of depressive illness can be differentiated, such as mild, moderate, severe, bipolar (with manic episodes) etc. Some of the most common symptoms of which usually are present in some degree are depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, fatigue, loss of energy, feeling of worthlessness or guilt, diminished concentration, and disturbed sleep patterns. In more severe types of depression suicidal thoughts or behaviour are often present as well.
When treating depression through CBT, it is important to attend to all the components: the emotional, the behavioural/motivational and the physical component, respectively. In some cases it will also be necessary to include the expertise of the person's GP or a Psychiatrist in order to ensure that the biological dimension of depression is treated. Through consistently monitoring and planning activities, many of the behavioural symptoms of depression can be targeted effectively. Identifying and testing patterns of negative thinking and the underlying assumptions and core beliefs are another important component of the treatment. By gradually reducing symptoms, learning more about depression, creating more positive circumstances, and improving your coping skills, you can begin feeling more in charge of your life and break the vicious cycle of depression.
OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder)
OCD is characterised by the occurence of intrusive and upsetting thoughts (obsessions) which the person usually reports as senseless, but are accompanied by a strong urge to 'put right' or neutralise (compulsions). When obsessions and/or compulsions occur to a severe and disabling degree, a person can find it very difficult to function in everyday life. OCD can manifest itself in quite many ways, but common for people suffering from OCD, is that the content of the obsessions is related to a strong anxiety, which also occurs when the person is prohibited from carrying out the compulsions.
It is important to understand that obsessions are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems. Rather, they are experienced as alien and out of one's control. The most common obsessions are about being contaminated, doubts about one's actions, aggressive or horific impulses, and about the need to maintain things in a certain order or system.
The nature of compulsions can vary as well, some examples being handwashing, cleaning, checking, ordering, mental activities). Compulsions are clearly excessive and are mostly unconnected in any realistic way with what they aim to neutralise or prevent (e.g. switching the lights on and off ten times or arranging something symmetrical to prevent accidents from happening).
An essential part of the treatment is to make an individual case formulation and exposure plan in order to gradually explore and challenge the beliefs and behaviours that underlie the OCD. In time, the person will start trusting his/her own logic and rational thinking and learn to withstand and cope with unpleasant sensations and anxiety from not carrying out the compulsions, and then the OCD will slowly fade and lose its powers.

Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is characterised by the presence of panic attacks - discrete periods of intense discomfort including several of the following symptoms: sweating, trembling, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilating, increase in pulse and blood pressure, fear of dying or losing control, numbness or tingling sensations etc. Panic attacks are due neither to a general medical condition nor to any ingested substance (coffee, drugs, food allergies etc.). It is commonly said that panic disorder is like a 'phobia of anxiety' where natural and harmless symptoms of anxiety are perceived as dangerous and therefore the person tries to avoid and/or prevent them in numerous ways. Taking actions in order to avoid and prevent panick attacks can be defined as 'safety behavour', since the person gets a sense of safety or comfort from this type of behaviour. The problem is that the safety behaviour maintains and perpetuates the notion of fear and danger and makes the person think that it is necessary to carry out the behaviour in order to deal with anxiety. Treatment of anxiety - however - is not about avoidance or prevention, but all about actively confronting the thoughts, feelings and behaviours related to anxiety in order to change the core beliefs about the 'danger' and one's ability to cope. During the treatment course the person will learn how to identify and in a focused and gradual way challenge the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours that are feeding the panic disorder. Treatment response for panic disorder is usually very positive and with permanent results.