Getting a deeper understanding Can we find a common denominator amongst the large number of manifestations of OCD and anxiety disorders?

What is the driving force? Why would someone be so worried? Why would someone repeat behaviors numerous times? Why do they feel the need to quell such unlikely fears?

The need to get rid of uncertainty!!! We can never be 100% certain !

We All Enjoy Security But… Security has a price to pay But… Security has a price to pay

Security usually entails avoidance of comfort or expense If I never fly a plane – I will never die from a plane going down over the Atlantic Security = I am safe Price = I cant fly ******* If I insure everything in my house - I don’t have to worry about losing my fortune in a fire Security = can’t lose my fortune Price = pay high monthly fee for years

There are many levels of security Bike only with a helmetWont hurt headNo helmet no bike Stop at every corner and walk the bike across Cars wont run into me Takes longer, more effort, friends laugh Never ride at nightWill be seen by drivers Can’t ride at night even when need to Only ride at slow speedsWill be able to stop easily Takes longer NO headphones so that you can concentrate Wont do dangerous moves Boring ride, can’t use time Always use two handsI will have better control More effort, can’t keep up with other children Never ride on streets where cars drive fast Stay away from high collision accidents More difficult route, more time.

There are many levels of security Always have two hands on the wheel Will be in control no accident Could add a little bit of tension Never talk on the phone while driving Will not get distracted no accident Lose the time Never drive above the speed limitStay safeLose the time Do not drive at nightAlways be more visible, No accident Lose the opportunity of getting places at night No driving on highwaysAt least I will not have any serious accident Avoid anywhere which requires highway driving Have your car inspected by the mechanics weekly My brakes wont failMoney and time Never ride, with other driversThis way I can be sure that the driving is safe Limited’s driving yourself where to go

There are many levels of security Look inside the SiddurI will not skip any words I am not davening, I am busy getting clear sounds from my vocal chords. It becomes increasingly difficult to do enough to feel comfortable Davening starts taking longer and longer It starts infringing on my schedule I lose any חשק to daven since it has become such a עול and a pain. go to a quiet place that you can hear yourself I will notice if I make a mistake Put your fingers in your earsI can hear the sounds even better Put your finger on the placeI will not skip any words Clear your throatNothing will get in the way of the soynd Read slowlyI will be able to read it carefully Repeat the words until you are sure that it came out right I will be sure that I was יוצא

How does one pick his level of security

What is this decision based on? Usually it will be based on the calculation of how much risk and how much price. (if something means a lot to me, I will be willing to risk more.) We make these decisions without major calculations. This is the NORMAL way of living

Why do not we just play everything super-safe and do what ever it takes to be 100 percent safe

Let us apply this to some of our examples: The fellow who only uses a helmet, stops at every corner, never rides at night, always rides slowly, never uses headphones, never uses one hand, never drives on a high-speed roads – can he be 100 percent sure that he will never get into an accident?

Anxiety disorders are fueled by:

Understanding the frustration

The source of the error you are defying your own understanding and acceptance of the world as it is.

A few thoughts… 1) הקב " ה made us extremely fragile. 2) Need for בטחון. 3) There are so many sources of danger, how can anyone avoid all of them. 4) See how many people tried securing themselves and were still unsuccessful. 5) You will never escape mass dangers. 6) מצוות were given to be a source of enjoyment not a pain.

A prerequisite for recovery

THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE TO STAY ALIVE. Avoid riding in autos because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. Don’t get out of the house because 17% of all accident occur in the home. (that’s 37% already) Avoid walking, because 14% of all accidents involve pedestrians. (now we’re up to 51%) Avoid traveling by air, trains or buses. 16% of of all accidents involve these forms of transportation. (that’s 67%) Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in hospitals. Above all, avoid hospitals. You will be pleased to note that only 1% of all deaths occur in a synagogue, and these are usually related to some previous health condition. Therefore, logic tells us the safest place to be at any given point of time is in a synagogue. Torah study is even safer. The number of deaths during Torah study is too small to register. So, for safety sake, go to shul as often as possible, and attend Torah study. It could save your life.

Goal of recovery