Anxiety, Depression & OCD Therapy
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 21 million adults (8.3%) struggle with depression, and over 40 million adults (19.1%) struggle with anxiety annually. What's concerning is that many of them might not receive the proper treatment they need. Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental health issues out there.
The journey toward managing depression, anxiety, and OCD involves finding the right help that fits your individual needs. We recognize that not all treatments or therapies are universally effective, and it may take some time to discover what works best for you. Clear Skies Counseling is here to offer the personalized assistance you require to improve your mental health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can stem from many things. It can come from a traumatic experience, a side effect from a medication, or even stem from an underlying medical condition.
Treating anxiety disorders is easier when they are caught early on. Therefore, knowing when to seek treatment is essential to an individual’s overall ability to break the cycles of second-guessing oneself, negative self-talk, and indecisiveness.
▪ Restlessness
▪ Avoidance
▪ Nervousness
▪ Irritability
▪ Sleep Disturbances
▪ Difficulty Concentrating
▪ Heart Palpitations
Depression
Depression is not the same as feeling temporary sadness as a result of a difficult life experience. Clinical depression, like dysthymia, is much more significant. It can cause individuals to feel more severe sadness over a longer period and can also occur without any clear reason or corresponding life event. Depression can also have many root causes and can vary from person to person.
Below are some common causes of depression:
▪ Stressful life changes
▪ Traumatic events
▪ Grief over the loss of a loved one
▪ Hormonal imbalance
▪ Genetic or hereditary factors
▪ Substance abuse
▪ Chronic illnesses
Below are some common symptoms of depression:
▪ Social Isolation
▪ Feelings of overwhelming helplessness
▪ Severe sleep disturbances
▪ Physical ailments
▪ Irritability
▪ Loss of interest or pleasure in preferred activities
▪ Fatigue or loss of energy
▪ Unexplained aches or pains
Obsessive-Compulsive Diosrder (OCD)
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder that causes people to have intrusive, unwanted thoughts that lead them to perform certain rituals or routines over and over. These rituals are called compulsions. People with OCD may have obsessions and compulsions at the same time, or they may have just one or the other.
Obsessions are defined as recurrent, persistent, and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that are unwanted and cause distress or anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled to do in order to alleviate the anxiety caused by their obsessions. In some cases, people with OCD are aware that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive or unreasonable, but they feel powerless to stop them. Our OCD treatment center in the greater Los Angeles area could help you take back control and manage your compulsions.
There are many different symptoms of OCD, and they vary from person to person. Some people with OCD have mainly obsessive symptoms, while others have mostly compulsive symptoms. Some people have both types of symptoms.
Obsessive symptoms of OCD may include:
▪ Fear of dirt or germs
▪ Excessive worry about order and symmetry
▪ Intrusive thoughts about harm happening to self or others
▪ Preoccupation with sex or religious themes
▪ Avoidance of objects, places, or situations that may cause anxiety
Compulsive symptoms of OCD may include:
▪ Excessive hand-washing or cleaning
▪ Checking things often
▪ Arranging things in a certain order
▪ Repeating actions
▪ Mentally reviewing events to prevent something bad from happening
▪ Constantly seeking reassurance