Living with OCD can be exhausting in ways that are hard to put into words. You may feel trapped in your own mind, caught between intense anxiety and an urgent need to feel “certain” or “safe.” You might know that what you’re doing doesn’t truly help in the long run, yet stopping feels impossible or even frightening. Many people with OCD worry they will be misunderstood, judged, or pushed too quickly. If that’s been your […]
Anxiety. Endless hours of worrying that can so easily consume you every single day. Anxiety is draining. It makes you tired, but then you cannot sleep because your brain won’t shut down. It makes you irritable and sometimes completely sick to your stomach. Your thoughts may race with “what ifs,” and even simple daily tasks can feel overwhelming. Anxiety is like that annoying little gnat that we can never get rid of. Or at least
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, also known as OCD is mental health condition that has two main components: Obsessions and Compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety. Some examples of obsessions are: Worrying about germs and getting sick. Worrying about eating something bad and throwing up. Worrying about hurting someone you love despite having no intention of doing it. Worrying that something bad will happen. Worrying that you will be responsible
The Big “C.” It is the terrifying word that we all dread to hear…. Cancer…. This word can send chills down someone’s spine, make them feel like they are going to pass out, or have an overwhelming fear of panic are just some of the many reactions we may have. Growing up, I was surrounded by cancer in my home, so the “C” word was sadly not a foreign one. I saw both my mother
The end of an era. Graduating from high school is such a huge accomplishment and it is so exciting, but to many teens, absolutely petrifying. I have worked with high school students, specifically juniors and seniors since 2008 (a long time, I know). As the end of senior year approaches, I have seen so many mixed emotions from both my students and my clients. They are excited, happy, sad, shocked, and sometimes indifferent. They are about
Anxiety is a word that is known to many, possibly too many. A common question I get is “Why do I have anxiety?” Sometimes it is not always clear. Anxiety can come from genetics, life stressors, environment, and even facing a traumatic event. Anxiety can, at times, be very crippling. Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety are struggling with sleep, struggling to concentrate, becoming irritable, and of course, constantly worrying. Many clients will
Depression comes in many forms and there are many different levels of depression. To start, I will explain the most common forms of depression to help you get a better understanding. Adjustment Disorder, with depressive symptoms: The onset of this depression is triggered by an adjustment such as loss of job, an unwanted move, or a breakup. The DSM 5 lists the following symptoms for a depression specifier: low mood, tearfulness, or feelings of hopeless
More and more often, both as a licensed clinician and as a high school counselor, I see so many teenagers plagued with anxiety. Since I started counseling over 10 years ago, I feel that the numbers of teenagers having symptoms of anxiety has increased. What I see even more are teenagers who do not have strong coping skills. When you mix these two characteristics, lack of coping skills and heightened levels of anxiety, you can
The holidays are upon us and they are known to be some of the most joyous times of the year, but not for everyone. Individuals who are grieving may find the holidays to bring sadness to them because they recently lost a loved one. When you lose someone dear to you, you face many changes, especially during the holidays you celebrated with them. The person who passed may have always made your favorite Christmas cookies
Social anxiety disorder affects many of our young adolescents and teenagers. Often times you will notice that your teen is very nervous about a presentation they have to do in class or reluctant to ask a teacher a question. Outside of school, you may realize that your teen will not order their dinner when out to eat or will not ask a store employee a question. At times, I have heard parents say that they
