Breaking Free from Anxiety &Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.” Charles Spurgeon
About Anxiety
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.” Dana S. Nasser
Anxiety… I’m not talking about the kind of anxiety that you get when you’re waiting in line at the DMV or when you realize you left your phone at home. No, I’m talking about the real deal, the kind of anxiety that feels like a gremlin is sitting on your chest and won’t let go. Or, being trapped in your own mind, like you’re stuck in a bad episode of the Fear Factor.
Anxiety is no joke. It can make you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of worry and self-doubt. And the worst part is, it can come out of nowhere, like a ninja with a bad attitude. You could be chilling at home, watching TV, and then suddenly, BAM! Anxiety hits you like a ton of bricks. Let me tell you, Anxiety is exhausting.
But here’s the thing. There are so many resources out there to help you cope with your anxiety, from therapy to medication to meditation. You have choices.
So if you’re feeling anxious right now, take a deep breath, exhale slowly, and remember that you’re not alone. You’ve got this, and I am here to help you get through it. We all go through tough times, but we can come out the other side stronger and more resilient than ever.
And if you need a laugh, just remember this – even the gremlins on your chest need a break sometimes.
Anxiety Types
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
“What you resist, persists. What you accept, transforms.” – Carl Jung
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) presents itself in various forms, with individuals experiencing different types or themes of obsessions and compulsions to varying degrees of distress. Many of us casually throw around the term ‘OCD’ without truly understanding the depth of the condition.
Here are some common types of OCD:
- Contamination OCD, where individuals fear contamination and engage in excessive washing or cleaning
- Checking OCD, characterized by repeated checking behaviors due to persistent doubt and anxiety
- Symmetry and Orderliness OCD, where there’s an overwhelming need for things to be perfectly arranged
- Intrusive Thoughts OCD involves unwanted and disturbing thoughts that lead to distressing rituals
- Scrupulosity OCD involves obsessions related to religious or moral beliefs.
- Just-Right OCD manifests as an intense urge for perfection, often resulting in repetitive behaviors until satisfaction is achieved.
Life for someone with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can be challenging and disruptive. OCD is marked by obsessions—unwanted and distressing thoughts—and compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental acts meant to alleviate the distress, though they often lead to exhaustion rather than relief.
Unfortunately, there’s a stigma associated with OCD, which may prevent individuals from seeking counseling due to misconceptions about the condition. It’s that stigma which prevents Texans with OCD from seeking therapy. I’ll be honest, preconceived prejudice just does not sit well with me on so many levels. It’s crucial to understand that OCD symptoms can vary in severity and presentation among individuals.
Effective treatment, such as Exposure Response-Ritual Prevention (ERP), tailored to the individual’s experience, can help manage OCD symptoms. In fact, if you find yourself trapped in the OCD loop, know that help is available to interrupt this cycle. This is an evident based treatment approach that requires commitment to daily homework.
Together, we can work towards overcoming obsessions and compulsions, allowing you to live life to the fullest. After you give the idea of Exposure Response-Ritual Prevention therapy and the protocol of daily homework some thought, send me an email at InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
I’m looking forward to working with you.
General Anxiety Disorder
“Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” Benjamin Franklin
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition characterized by persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life, such as work, health, family, or finances. Individuals with GAD often find it challenging to control their worry, and the anxiety is typically disproportionate to the actual events or situations. The condition can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life if left untreated. Treatment for GAD may involve therapy, medication, or a combination of both.
The symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Excessive worry
- Restlessness or feeling on edge
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- Muscle tension or soreness
- Irritability
Generalized Anxiety is like having a constant, nagging feeling of unease that just won’t go away. You might think, “I can handle this by myself,” or “I don’t want to bother anyone with my problems.” But let me ask you something – if you broke your arm, would you try to fix it on your own? Of course not! You’d go to a doctor and get the right treatment. Well, your mental health is no different.
Now, picture this: You wake up tomorrow, and miraculously, all your anxiety is gone. Who cares why or how. It is just gone. Consider this:
How would you know? What would change? How would your life look different?
If you can imagine feeling better, then it’s possible to find relief from Generalized Anxiety. Seeking help means taking charge of your life and not letting anxiety control you. So, if you’re ready to talk, feel free to contact me via email, and let’s explore how counseling could help. InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
Panic Disorder
“You are not your anxiety. You are the one who experiences it.” – Chloe Brotheridge
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety characterized by recurring panic attacks. Panic attacks are often sudden, intense, and can occur without any apparent external trigger or in response to a specific situation or object.
Symptoms of Panic Disorder:
- Sudden and unexpected panic attacks that involve intense fear or discomfort
- Physical symptoms during panic attacks, such as sweating, trembling, chest pain, and heart palpitations
- Fear of having additional panic attacks or losing control during an attack
- Avoidance behaviors or changes in daily routines to avoid triggering panic attacks
- Persistent worry or concern about having another panic attack or the implications of panic attacks, such as embarrassment or feeling out of control
Let’s talk about panic disorder for a moment. Imagine being trapped in a terrifying movie, like a never-ending loop from Nightmare on Elm Street. You’re the protagonist, constantly on edge, glancing nervously over your shoulder, anticipating the next jolt of fear
Now, we all have worries that keep us up at night. But when those worries become all-consuming, disrupt your daily life, and lead to a constant dread of panic attacks in public places, while driving, or even at your best friend’s wedding – it’s time to take action.
Facing your fears takes courage. But there is hope! Counseling, medication, and lifestyle changes can all be effective treatments for panic disorder. Don’t let panic control your life any longer. Take that first step. I know reaching out for help can be nerve-wracking, but you deserve to live a life free from fear and panic. Let’s tackle this together! I’m here for you. Reach out to me at InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
Social Anxiety Disorder
“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” Susan Jeffers
Social anxiety, also known as social phobia, is an intense and persistent fear of social situations where individuals worry about being judged or scrutinized. This fear can impact various aspects of life, from everyday tasks like shopping to more significant events like public speaking or attending social gatherings.
Treatment for social anxiety typically involves therapy, medication, or a combination of both, aiming to help individuals manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Symptoms vary but commonly include intense fear of social scrutiny, avoidance of social situations, physical discomfort during social events, worry about embarrassing oneself, and impairment in various areas of life due to anxiety.
Attending social events may leave individuals with feelings of excessive self-consciousness, self-doubt, and shame, often leading to overthinking and replaying events in their minds afterward. Considering therapy for social anxiety can be intimidating, but the benefits far outweigh any initial discomfort. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space to explore fears and concerns, helping individuals break free from the constraints of social anxiety and live fuller lives.
Taking positive steps toward managing social anxiety is worth it in the long run. Embracing therapy as a tool for growth and healing sets individuals on a path to a brighter, more fulfilling future. I’m excited to embark on this therapeutic journey with you and provide support every step of the way. Please feel free to reach out, and let’s start working towards a life free from the limitations of social anxiety.
Object Phobia Related Disorders
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Charles R. Swindoll
Phobias evoke intense fear of a specific object, situation, or activity. When exposed to the phobic stimulus, individuals with a phobia often experience panic attacks, extreme nervousness, or a looming sense of dread. The anxiety, fear, and panic triggered by phobias can be overwhelming, making everyday activities challenging. Individuals with specific phobias go to great lengths to avoid situations, places, or objects related to their fears.
Here are the Top Adult Phobias:
- Arachnophobia: The fear of spiders
- Ophidiophobia: The fear of snakes.
- Acrophobia: The fear of heights.
- Claustrophobia: The fear of enclosed spaces.
- Aerophobia: The fear of flying or boarding airplanes.
- Trypanophobia: The fear of needles or injections.
- Glossophobia: The fear of public speaking.
Now, let’s tackle these troublesome phobias that seem to induce heart-attack-like symptoms. Phobias can leave you feeling utterly terrified and out of control, often stemming from past experiences or trauma. In counseling, we can navigate these experiences together, using effective treatments like Exposure Response-Ritual Prevention (ERP) and Written Exposure Therapy (WET), tailored to your unique needs.
You might fear being stuck with your phobia forever, but rest assured, the human spirit is stronger than any fear. Avoiding the phobic stimulus only strengthens it. With willingness and the right support, you can confront and challenge your fear. Imagine gradually approaching your fear, step by step. Therapy can equip you with the tools to manage your anxiety and face your fears with confidence.
So, why wait? Take control of your life and break free from the limitations of phobias.
Separation Anxiety Disorder in Adults
“Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is nothing at all. Just allow yourself to breathe and exist.” Kristin Nef
Separation Anxiety Disorder is excessive fear or anxiety about being separated from people to whom one is emotionally attached or from familiar environments. Symptoms impact day-to-day activities because of the preoccupation with thoughts of separation.
The symptoms of Separation Anxiety vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Persistent and excessive worry or fear about separation from home or loved ones.
- Reluctance or refusal to go to school or work, or to be alone without your loved one.
- Persistent and excessive worry or fear about harm befalling a loved one.
- Refusal to sleep away from your loved one or to sleep without physical proximity to them.
- Physical symptoms when separation is anticipated or occurs, such as nausea, vomiting, or headaches.
- Nightmares involving separation or loss of your loved one.
When you experience adult separation anxiety, it can feel like a part of you leaves with your loved one every time they depart. You sense that you’re missing an integral piece of yourself, and this can be profoundly unsettling and frightening. The thing is, you know the fear is unfounded, but it just won’t go away. You know that your loved ones are likely perfectly safe, that nothing ominous will befall them.
The good news is there are effective ways to manage and reduce adult separation anxiety. Don’t allow this anxious separation to continue hindering your life. Seek help and regain control over your reactions to put distance between yourself and this anxiety disorder. You can learn to break free from the clutches of fear and worry, and both your life and the lives of your loved ones can flourish.
If you’re going through a challenging time and need someone to talk to, I’m here for you. I’m looking forward to beginning our counseling partnership. Reach out by emailing InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
Agoraphobia
“There will be days when you struggle. Don’t let that define you. Take the step forward.” Unknown Author
Agoraphobia is an intense fear of being in open places or situations where escape might be difficult, or help unavailable. This fear significantly impacts a person’s self-sufficiency and well-being. The symptoms of agoraphobia can vary from person to person, but typically include:
- Fear of being in places with limited escape or help, such as crowded areas, public transportation, or wide-open spaces.
- Avoiding situations that might trigger a panic attack or other uncomfortable symptoms.
- Feeling scared or anxious about being alone, away from home, or without a trusted companion nearby.
- Experiencing physical symptoms like sweating, trembling, or heart palpitations in fear-inducing situations.
- Struggling to manage daily life due to avoiding specific situations or being unable to participate in certain activities because of fear or anxiety.
As agoraphobia progresses, social interactions may become severely limited, potentially leading to confinement at home. This isolation can cause loneliness and strain relationships with friends and family. Neglecting medical appointments and avoiding physical activity due to agoraphobia can eventually result in negative health consequences. For example, untreated medical conditions or a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to a decline in overall health and significantly reduce a person’s quality of life.
I understand how difficult it can be to deal with these challenges on your own, and I encourage you to reach out. Remember that seeking help is a brave and proactive step towards improving your mental health and overall well-being. You deserve to feel better and live your best life. Let’s get started using telehealth as a first option. Reach out to me at InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
You are the architect of your destiny. What would you like to be different ?
If you think you or a loved one is experiencing Anxiety or Obessive Compulsive Disorder, reach out to out Infinite Psychology at our Houston Texas based locations, at InfiniftePsychology101@gmail.com
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