Author name: Tara Amanna

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Anxiety

The Emotional Cost of Masking Anxiety in Daily Life

Anxiety

Many people living with anxiety become experts at hiding it. They show up to work, attend social events, and carry out daily responsibilities while quietly struggling inside. Masking anxiety allows someone to appear calm and capable even when they are overwhelmed.  And often times when that person is alone, the mask is off, and they silently struggle. While masking can sometimes help people navigate stressful situations, constantly hiding anxiety can come with a significant emotional […]

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OCD

Harm OCD: Why Violent Thoughts Don’t Make You Dangerous

OCD

Many people feel frightened the first time they experience violent or disturbing thoughts. Thoughts about harming someone, losing control, or doing something terrible can make someone question their character or morality. For people struggling with Harm OCD, these experiences can be especially distressing. However, understanding what these thoughts actually mean is an important step toward reducing fear and stigma. What Is Harm OCD? Harm OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that involves intrusive fears

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OCD

Using Humor To Help Loosen the Grip of OCD Thoughts

OCD

If you live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you know that your brain can be a bit of an overzealous alarm system. It takes a tiny, “what if” seed and grows it into a full-scale psychological thriller before you’ve even finished your morning coffee. When you’re caught in a cycle of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, life feels heavy, rigid, and quite frankly exhausting. But what if I told you that one of the most effective

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Anxiety

Anxiety: Practices to Help Untangle Fear From Fact

Anxiety

Anxiety has a powerful way of blurring the line between what might happen and what is actually happening. If you struggle with generalized anxiety, you probably know this feeling well. Your mind moves quickly.  It scans for danger, predicting outcomes, replaying conversations, and preparing for worst-case scenarios. Even when there isn’t clear evidence of a problem, your body can react as if something is wrong. The heart races. Muscles tense. Sleep becomes harder. And over

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OCD, Uncategorized

Utilizing ERP and ACT Techniques for OCD Therapy

OCD, Uncategorized

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

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Anxiety

CBT for Anxiety

Anxiety

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

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OCD

ERP Therapy for OCD

OCD

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

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Breast Cancer

Coping with Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

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

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teens

Transitioning from High School to College

teens

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

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Anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What It Is and Ways to Treat It

Anxiety

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