Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz applies Buddhist teachings to his work with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bucks the mainstream belief that the brain is a static organ that dictates our actions. So it is no wonder that he is a controversial figure.
Get Started for FREE
Sign up with Facebook Sign up with X
I don't have a Facebook or a X account
Your new post is loading...
Your new post is loading...
|
Meditation and/or mindfulness seems to make sense for OCD clients because OCD is usually tied to anxiety. Meditation may help these clients learn to control that anxiety and allow obsessions to be present and pass without acting out compulsive tendencies. The problem I see with this treatment is that it may be really difficult for some to learn to relax enough (with all that is happening in their minds/thoughts) to see gains from this type of treatment. But, Dr. Schwartz's work seems to be promising, especially his thoughts about "self-directed neuroplasticity" and helping clients with OCD reclaim their free will by saying, "It's not me, it's my OCD!" The video at the end of this article is worthwhile if any of you are interested in hearing more on Dr. Schwartz from a man who wrote a short book about him.