Counseling Services - Anxiety / OCD

Anxiety: abnormal apprehension, doubt and fear; uneasiness which can be accompanied by physical indications such as sweating, lightheadedness, and increased heart rate. OCD - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is the compelling need to do something that the patient cannot resist doing.

Some of the characteristics of anxiety disorders may include feeling emotional distress, physical problems, sleep and appetite disturbance and feeling "out of control". Coping skills are particularly affected when a patient is anxious. Types of treatment to help improve coping skills may be:

• Identifying the factors which increase anxiety
  
• Identifying patterns of behavior
  
• Developing daily structure/routine
  
• Teaching problem solving skills
  
• Using techniques that interrupt dysfunctional thinking and behaviors such as;
  
• Relaxation techniques
  
• Meditation
  
• Thought-stopping
  
• Exercise
  
• Positive self-talk
  
• Visual imagery
  
• Using stress management skills;
  
• Deep breathing
  
• Progressive muscle relaxation
  
• Visual imagery/meditation
  
• Time management
  
• Self-care
  

OCD symptoms include the following: Conventional knowledge is that there are four types of OCD: obsessions that are aggressive, sexual, religious or harm-related with checking compulsions; obsessions about symmetry that are accompanied by arranging or repeating compulsions; obsessions of contamination are associated with cleaning compulsions; and symptoms of hoarding.

Individuals with OCD are more likely to also develop chronic hair pulling (trichotillomania), muscle or vocal tics (Tourette's disorder), or an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. OCD sufferers are also predisposed to developing other mood problems, like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. OCD puts its sufferers at a higher risk of having excessive concerns about their bodies (somatoform disorders) like hypochondriasis, which is excessive worry about having a serious illness. People with OCD are more vulnerable to having bipolar disorder, also called manic depression.

Counselors at CCCC can evaluate individuals for anxiety issues with one-on–one counseling and can also refer on to a board-certified psuychiatrist for medication.

Contact us for more information or for an appointment by calling us at 281-357-4111 or e-mailing us at info@cccctomball.com.