Being an OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)/anxiety specialist and also the mom of a toddler has been an interesting experience to say the least. There have been plenty of times when my 5 year old, Eli, engaged in full on obsessive-compulsive behaviors. First, it was Eli lining up his toy cars and trucks in an absolute, straight…
If you have OCD, anxiety, fear, or panic, chances are, you’re ruminating. For a mental compulsion and safety behavior that quite literally affects everyone with these conditions, it’s surprising to me that some people are still unaware of what rumination is. Rumination, to some professionals, more generally describes any kind of mental engagement with a…
Many of us think we suffer from anxiety. What we really suffer from is our thoughts about people, events, conversations, and problems; not the actual things themselves. The Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus tells us “What upsets people is not things themselves, but their judgement about these things”. Most of our worry comes from the anticipation…
People-pleasing can be a difficult habit to break. It can be helpful to remember that pleasing others does not necessarily mean sacrificing your own needs and wants. It is important to create a balance between fulfilling the needs of others and also taking care of yourself. It can be beneficial to take some time to…
My husband likes to joke that there is no such thing as the right man, because if he was right, he’d be a woman. But of course, it’s not that easy, and I know how much pain and heartache lie underneath this question. You want to experience real connection and unwavering commitment, and you want…
The coexistence of two or more disorders is referred to as co-occurring disorders. It occurs, in other words, when one mental disorder causes another to develop. Despite the paucity of data on co-occurring illnesses’ treatment, it’s likely that alternatives will include medication and/or counseling. The phrase “co-occurring” denotes the presence of a different disorder in…
Does this happen in your home? Your child starts having a hard time with something; maybe they don’t like what you made for dinner, their brother took their toy, or they’re overwhelmed by a homework assignment. If your kid is anything like mine these things can lead to an immediate meltdown, and then your own…
Many people take months or even years to make up their minds and schedule their first counseling session. Once you have taken the big step and you are ready for your first appointment, it is natural to feel anxious or even intimidated. However, by preparing yourself better for the first appointment, you can manage your…
Stress is going nowhere. The global prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression increased by 25% during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. One reason why stress is increasing is the lack of stress management. Many people don’t know what stress is, let alone how they can start managing stress. If you want to figure out…
According to NAMI, 64% of people that have struggled with mental illness report the holidays as having a negative impact on their symptoms. Some of the biggest stressors reported include: finances, loneliness, unrealistic expectations and comparisons to the past. Navigating holiday stress can be hard but creating an action plan to get through it all…