OCD
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PTSD
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by repetitive behaviors or mental acts ('compulsions') performed in response to recurrent, persistent thoughts, impulses, or images ('obsessions'). The pattern of obsessions and compulsions causes marked anxiety or stress. While subtypes such as Contamination OCD and Checking OCD have been portrayed in popular culture and are familiar to many people, obsessions can vary widely and can involve fears about health, religion, sexuality, relationships, causing harm, symmetry, or many others. Obsessions can evolve over time, frustrating recovery efforts as new fears may arise as others are conquered.
OCD is commonly misunderstood, even among healthcare professionals, and it is not uncommon for it to take a decade or more from symptom onset for individuals to receive a proper diagnosis and begin receiving effective treatment. Historically thought to be relatively rare, the lifetime prevalence of OCD among U.S. adults has been estimated to be 2.3%. An estimated 1.2% of U.S. adults - roughly equivalent to every resident of Los Angeles - had OCD in the past year.
Although OCD symptoms can arise at any age, initial onset is commonly between the ages of 8 and 12 or between the late teens and early adulthood. Children and adolescents with OCD sometimes receive incomplete or ineffective treatment for other conditions such as ADHD, trauma, or other anxiety disorders before accurate diagnosis and treatment is secured.
Common symptoms of OCD may include:
While OCD is among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide, it is a widely misunderstood and highly treatable condition with accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention. A remarkable 83% of patients respond favorably to a specific type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) (as compared to 60% with medication alone) with 76% maintaining gains long term.
Indy OCD has successfully treated difficult OCD cases of all subtypes: checking OCD, contamination OCD, death OCD, existential OCD, health anxiety OCD, hit and run OCD, just right OCD, POCD, perinatal / postpartum OCD, 'pure o', relationship OCD, religious OCD (moral scrupulosity), retroactive jealousy, sensorimotor OCD, and suicidal OCD. Contact us today to start treatment.
OCD is commonly misunderstood, even among healthcare professionals, and it is not uncommon for it to take a decade or more from symptom onset for individuals to receive a proper diagnosis and begin receiving effective treatment. Historically thought to be relatively rare, the lifetime prevalence of OCD among U.S. adults has been estimated to be 2.3%. An estimated 1.2% of U.S. adults - roughly equivalent to every resident of Los Angeles - had OCD in the past year.
Although OCD symptoms can arise at any age, initial onset is commonly between the ages of 8 and 12 or between the late teens and early adulthood. Children and adolescents with OCD sometimes receive incomplete or ineffective treatment for other conditions such as ADHD, trauma, or other anxiety disorders before accurate diagnosis and treatment is secured.
Common symptoms of OCD may include:
- Anxiety
- Repetitive, intrusive thoughts
- Compulsive behaviors
- Feeling the urge to perform certain tasks
- Avoidance
- Seeking reassurance
- Isolation
- Depression
While OCD is among the top 10 causes of disability worldwide, it is a widely misunderstood and highly treatable condition with accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention. A remarkable 83% of patients respond favorably to a specific type of CBT called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) (as compared to 60% with medication alone) with 76% maintaining gains long term.
Indy OCD has successfully treated difficult OCD cases of all subtypes: checking OCD, contamination OCD, death OCD, existential OCD, health anxiety OCD, hit and run OCD, just right OCD, POCD, perinatal / postpartum OCD, 'pure o', relationship OCD, religious OCD (moral scrupulosity), retroactive jealousy, sensorimotor OCD, and suicidal OCD. Contact us today to start treatment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that originates from a terrifying experience involving physical harm or the threat of physical harm. A person who develops PTSD may have been harmed directly or witnessed firsthand harmful events such as rape, assault, child abuse, combat, motor vehicle accidents, or natural disasters. While some people who go through traumatic events may recover over time and with good self-care after a difficult coping period, those who develop PTSD struggle to progress in their recovery during the months or years following trauma.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
People with PTSD may feel anxious or fearful, emotionally numb (especially with those close to them), lose interest in activities, struggle with affection or intimacy, or become easily irritable, aggressive, or even violent. They avoid triggers or situations that remind them of the disturbing incident, and individuals or anniversaries associated with the incident can be distressing. Most people with PTSD experience intrusive thoughts about it or repeatedly relive the trauma while awake or in dreams. These flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street, or an encounter with a stranger that reminds the individual of their abuser.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based, highly efficacious treatment for chronic PTSD and related depression, anxiety, and anger. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is designed to be flexible in helping clients process their unique traumatic experiences and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances. Through a carefully-designed progression of in vivo (real-life) and imaginary exposures, individuals learn to challenge erroneous associations between their traumatic memories and present-day life. During this process, relaxation techniques are also practiced to help regulate distress and calm the body when the fear response kicks in.
In addition to reducing symptoms of PTSD, PE develops the ability to discriminate safe and unsafe situations, improves various aspects of daily functioning, and increases the ability to cope with confidence rather than fearfulness when facing stress. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Common PTSD symptoms may include:
- Intrusive memories, flashbacks, or dreams of the traumatic event
- Severe distress or physical reactions to reminders of the traumatic event
- Avoiding thinking or talking about the traumatic event
- Avoiding places, activities or people that remind you of the traumatic event
- Memory problems, including not remembering elements of the traumatic event
- Negative thoughts about oneself, other people, the world, or the future
- Feeling detached or struggling to maintain close relationships
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Overwhelming guilt or shame
- Being easily startled or maintaining vigilance for danger
- Difficulty regulating sleep, concentration, or feelings of anger
- Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking, drug use, or reckless driving
People with PTSD may feel anxious or fearful, emotionally numb (especially with those close to them), lose interest in activities, struggle with affection or intimacy, or become easily irritable, aggressive, or even violent. They avoid triggers or situations that remind them of the disturbing incident, and individuals or anniversaries associated with the incident can be distressing. Most people with PTSD experience intrusive thoughts about it or repeatedly relive the trauma while awake or in dreams. These flashbacks may consist of images, sounds, smells, or feelings, and are often triggered by ordinary occurrences, such as a door slamming or a car backfiring on the street, or an encounter with a stranger that reminds the individual of their abuser.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) is an evidence-based, highly efficacious treatment for chronic PTSD and related depression, anxiety, and anger. Based on the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, it is designed to be flexible in helping clients process their unique traumatic experiences and reduce trauma-induced psychological disturbances. Through a carefully-designed progression of in vivo (real-life) and imaginary exposures, individuals learn to challenge erroneous associations between their traumatic memories and present-day life. During this process, relaxation techniques are also practiced to help regulate distress and calm the body when the fear response kicks in.
In addition to reducing symptoms of PTSD, PE develops the ability to discriminate safe and unsafe situations, improves various aspects of daily functioning, and increases the ability to cope with confidence rather than fearfulness when facing stress. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Anxiety
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) experience excessive anxiety and worry, often about health, family, money, or work. This worrying goes on every day, possibly all day. It disrupts social activities and interferes with work, school, or family.
Symptoms of GAD may include the following:
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an intense fear of being judged or rejected in a social or public situation. Individuals with social anxiety disorder may worry about appearing anxious or being perceived as awkward, boring, or stupid. This often leads to the avoidance of social situations, or the experience of significant anxiety and distress when such situations cannot be avoided. Many people with social anxiety disorder also experience strong physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating, and may experience panic when confronting a feared situation. Although they recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, people with social anxiety disorder often feel powerless against their anxiety. Common stressors may include:
Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks and are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, sometimes even during sleep or upon waking. They can be caused by a wide range of fears that often include an element of losing control, fainting, going crazy, having a heart attack, or dying. A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense discomfort or fear that reaches a peak within minutes and may include symptoms such as:
Exposure therapy is particularly effective in treating Panic Disorder. Interoceptive exposure is an important element of treatment. Anxiety problems commonly involve a fear of bodily sensations, feeding a vicious cycle. Interoceptive exposure is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that refers to exposure to bodily sensations. Exposure to these sensations is necessary for the brain to learn that these signals, though uncomfortable, are not dangerous or catastrophic.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy are well-established, highly effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Symptoms of GAD may include the following:
- restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
- being easily fatigued
- difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
- irritability
- muscle tension
- sleep disturbance (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless, unsatisfying sleep)
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an intense fear of being judged or rejected in a social or public situation. Individuals with social anxiety disorder may worry about appearing anxious or being perceived as awkward, boring, or stupid. This often leads to the avoidance of social situations, or the experience of significant anxiety and distress when such situations cannot be avoided. Many people with social anxiety disorder also experience strong physical symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, nausea, and sweating, and may experience panic when confronting a feared situation. Although they recognize that their fear is excessive and unreasonable, people with social anxiety disorder often feel powerless against their anxiety. Common stressors may include:
- Meeting new people
- Going on a date
- Attending parties or other social gatherings
- Being the center of attention or watched while doing something
- Speaking up in class or in a meeting
- Being teased or criticized
- Talking with strangers or authority figures
- Making phone calls
- Using public restrooms
- Eating or drinking in public
Panic disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks and are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Panic attacks often occur unexpectedly, sometimes even during sleep or upon waking. They can be caused by a wide range of fears that often include an element of losing control, fainting, going crazy, having a heart attack, or dying. A panic attack is the sudden onset of intense discomfort or fear that reaches a peak within minutes and may include symptoms such as:
- Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
- Feelings of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint
- Chills or heat sensations
- Paresthesia (numbness or tingling sensations)
- Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
Exposure therapy is particularly effective in treating Panic Disorder. Interoceptive exposure is an important element of treatment. Anxiety problems commonly involve a fear of bodily sensations, feeding a vicious cycle. Interoceptive exposure is a cognitive behavioral therapy technique that refers to exposure to bodily sensations. Exposure to these sensations is necessary for the brain to learn that these signals, though uncomfortable, are not dangerous or catastrophic.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure Therapy are well-established, highly effective treatments for generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Phobias
Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder which cause intense and extreme fear of an object or situation, which may include public spaces, vomiting, driving, flying, insects, injections, blood, and more. Individuals with phobias will go to great lengths to avoid the distress associated with feared stimuli. When untreated, phobias can severely impair school, work, or social functioning.
Symptoms of specific phobias may include:
There are many different types of specific phobias, based on the object or situation feared, including:
Situational phobias: These involve a fear of specific situations, such as flying, riding in a car or on public transportation, driving, going over bridges or in tunnels, or of being in crowded or enclosed places.
Medical phobias: These involve a fear of being injured, seeing blood, or invasive medical procedures such as injections.
Animal phobias: Examples include the fear of snakes, dogs, mice, etc.
Natural environment phobias: Examples include the fear of water, heights, or storms.
Other phobias: These include a fear of falling down, loud sounds, costumed characters such as clowns, vomiting (emetophobia) or others.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective, evidence-based treatment for phobias. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Symptoms of specific phobias may include:
- Excessive or irrational fear of a specific object or situation
- Avoiding the object or situation or enduring it with great distress
- Anticipatory anxiety, which involves becoming nervous ahead of time about being in certain situations or coming into contact with the feared object; for example, a person with a fear of vomiting may avoid food prepared by others out of concern for becoming ill.
- Physical symptoms of anxiety or a panic attack, such as a pounding heart, nausea or diarrhea, sweating, trembling or shaking, numbness or tingling, problems with breathing (shortness of breath), feeling dizzy or lightheaded, feeling like you are choking
There are many different types of specific phobias, based on the object or situation feared, including:
Situational phobias: These involve a fear of specific situations, such as flying, riding in a car or on public transportation, driving, going over bridges or in tunnels, or of being in crowded or enclosed places.
Medical phobias: These involve a fear of being injured, seeing blood, or invasive medical procedures such as injections.
Animal phobias: Examples include the fear of snakes, dogs, mice, etc.
Natural environment phobias: Examples include the fear of water, heights, or storms.
Other phobias: These include a fear of falling down, loud sounds, costumed characters such as clowns, vomiting (emetophobia) or others.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective, evidence-based treatment for phobias. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Depression
Although anxiety disorders and depression are not the same, individuals often experience many of the same symptoms:
Anxiety and depression can sometimes feel like opposite sides of the same coin. Although research has much yet to discover about the relationship between the two, it is clear that anxiety can occur as a symptom of depression; so too, can depression be triggered by an anxiety disorder. Depression can make us anxious, and anxiety can make us depressed. This can seem like an endless cycle – but it doesn't have to be.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based, effective approach recommended by the American Psychological Association for the treatment of depression. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
- Constant, irrational fear and worry
- Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, fatigue, headaches, hot flashes, sweating, abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing
- Insomnia
- Changes in eating, either too much or too little
- Trouble with memory, decision making, and concentration
- Constant feelings of sadness or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Feeling tired and cranky
- Inability to relax
- Panic attacks
Anxiety and depression can sometimes feel like opposite sides of the same coin. Although research has much yet to discover about the relationship between the two, it is clear that anxiety can occur as a symptom of depression; so too, can depression be triggered by an anxiety disorder. Depression can make us anxious, and anxiety can make us depressed. This can seem like an endless cycle – but it doesn't have to be.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an evidence-based, effective approach recommended by the American Psychological Association for the treatment of depression. Contact Indy OCD to start treatment.
Take the next step forward.
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Indy OCD
9465 Counselors Row, Suite 200 Indianapolis, IN 46240 |