Germs, illness, and contamination– the pandemic in many ways reinforced fears by justifying the need to take action to avoid infecting yourself or others. Since obsessions feeds on doubt, the uncertainty and unknows related to COVID has impacted the response of engaging in rituals to help reduce anxiety and prevent contamination for some individuals who are struggling with OCD. But WHAT IF there is a high probability of contamination? What if I was exposed to the germs of an “infected” person and contracted a deadly illness or worse yet…spread it to others? There may be excessive concerns related to “properly” sanitizing, cleaning, and washing to help protect self and others. Returning to “normal” life can be especially challenging. Going to the grocery store in person, returning to the office, using public transportation, flying on an airplane…these experiences may be avoided all-together even where it is determined “safe” to re-engage. One thing that has been particularly hard for those with OCD is that COVID was the third-leading-cause-of-death in the United States last year. Heart disease and cancer took first and second as the leading causes, which are significant fears for those with Somatic-OCD. You may take a COVID test multiple times “just to make sure” or check physical symptoms such as temperature and heart rate. You might wash your bedding daily. You may double glove, double-mask, or all-together avoid situations. Touching items that others have touched may create significant distress. Doorknobs is a classic example. Your cleaning routine may be quite time consuming and cause great anxiety if not done in a certain way. Here are some helpful guidelines specifically for OCD-symptoms that have been impacted by the pandemic.
https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Written By : Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/the-pandemic-has-led-to-an-increase-in-ocd/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/the-pandemic-has-led-to-an-increase-in-ocd
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Contamination OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder)While individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder (OCD) often struggle with obsessions and compulsions in a variety of categories, cleaning and contamination are one of the most well-known and common categories. Fear of germs can be categorized as part of “contamination” OCD. Coming in contact with contaminants such as dirt, germs, or bodily secretions and then getting an illness, contracting on illness, or spreading germs are examples of contamination OCD. In regard to coming into contact with contaminants, examples include fear of “cross-contamination” of products due germs, household cleaners, toxins, or being near animals/ animal products. There may be fears of contamination due things such as radiation, asbestos, or lead. Fears of getting a chronic medical condition or infectious disease such as cancer or a sexually transmitted infection are examples. OCD is a disorder of uncertainty. Fears of contamination are not connected in a realistic way; therefore, the individual engages in rituals to neutralize or make the distressing thoughts go away. Cleaning or washing rituals are time consuming for individuals with OCD (more than an hour a day) or cause impairment to important areas of functioning. There may be avoidance of coming near items such as bleach, food items past their “best by” date, or things not deemed as properly sanitized. Daily routines such as eating, and toileting can become quite ritualized. For example, fears of urine or feces can be rather common and lead to excessive wiping, changing clothes, showering, and/ or handwashing. Unwelcome and distressing ideas, thoughts, images, or impulses as part of OCD may not make sense. The individual may know that obsessions with germs/ contamination may be excessive but feel compelled to engage in behaviors such as washing, showering cleaning, and sanitation. They may be hyper-focused on researching statistics related to numbers of infection, rates of disease, etc. to find out if something is safe or unsafe. Those with contamination OCD may become extremely protective of their cleaned spaces to where others who are “contaminated” cannot touch or enter their space “decontaminated” space. Living with contamination OCD can be quite distressing–impacting one’s ability to go to work or school or socialize with others. The use of behavioral therapy such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) in additional to possible medication can help work with patients are they begin to encounter feared situations. Being able to thoroughly identify compulsions while refraining from these rituals of washing, checking, avoiding, etc. will gradually disconfirm erroneous beliefs that fuel OCD and provide long-term relief. Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/contamination-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/contamination-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder Examples of OCD Behaviors. Obsessions are unwanted and distressing thoughts, urges or images. They are not pleasurable or voluntary. In fact, the nature of the thoughts may contradict one’s personality or values which only contributes to the distress. Obsessive thoughts, urges, or images repeatedly enter one’s mind and are experienced as intrusive To find relief from the anxiety, individuals with OCD perform compulsions or “rituals”. These are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that one feels driven to perform to decrease anxiety, even though it may not make sense or be excessive. OCD is thought to be somewhat organic/hereditary and built through behavioral reinforcement. Here is a sample of a client experience: Scary thought: “What if somebody breaks into my home?” Feeling: Anxiety! Behavior (AKA compulsion, avoidance, safety behavior, compensatory behavior): I check the door to make sure it’s locked. Feeling: Relief (temporary) Now I’m back in bed, and I think: “Did I really check the door? Or am I remembering checking it yesterday?” Feeling: More anxiety! Now I want to check again in order to get relief… Thus, the compulsion/safety behavior is reinforced and the cycle repeats. The need to know for sure is what drives OCD. OCD is not logic based; therefore, rationalizing is not going to be effective. The acceptance/tolerance of uncertainty is the treatment for OCD which includes exposure as part of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). When people think of OCD behaviors, handwashing, cleaning, and being hyper-organized tend to come to mind. This is only a small percentage of compulsions that may be done in response to contamination, cleaning, perfectionistic, or “just-right” obsessions. Other common obsessions can be categorized into themes such as aggressive, sexual, religious, harm and doubt, hoarding, superstitious, and somatic. The OCD behaviors may include things like checking, repeating the same action over and over, counting, seeking reassurance, mental reviewing, and more. For more detail about what OCD may look like, check out this video: Written By Charlotte Johnson & Erin Appel We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/examples-of-ocd-behaviors/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/examples-of-ocd-behaviors Family Members or Friends – Supporting Those with OCD
Family and friends may be become quite involved in one’s rituals. When an individual is confronted on their behaviors, the range of experiences can include anxiety, panic attacks, disgust, and feelings of unsettledness. The time spent on compulsions are time consuming or cause significant distress. Avoidance of situations, disruption or delay of plans, and distress within relationships are a few examples. While trying to be helpful, friends and family may unintentionally continue to negatively reinforce OCD by doing things such as checking, repeating, and offering reassurance. This blog is full of resources that can help provide more information on how to support loved ones in addition to options for treatment. Educate Yourself Learn more about what-you-need-to-know about obsessive-compulsive disorder through finding a reputable source such as the International OCD Foundation. Reading books on OCD, talking to a mental health professional with specialized training in treating OCD, and asking questions are all great ways to help educate yourself. Many of the links below include lists of valuable resources. https://iocdf.org/ https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/co-occurring-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Pay Attention to Behaviors that Signal OCD or Worsening of Symptoms
Family and friends can help their loved ones recognize behaviors that may signal OCD such as excessive time engaging in rituals such as grooming or homework, repetitive behaviors, the need for excessive reassurance, increased concern over small details, avoidance, and irritability/ mood changes to things that are becoming a daily struggle. Being aware of family-guidelines can be helpful when living when sharing a space with a family member with OCD. Be Patient and Emphasize
It can be frustrating for friends and family to cope when their loved one is struggling. Imagine the distress of intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or impulses. These can be very uncomfortable, even repulsive depending on the content. Fear, shame, discomfort, panic, doubt, disgust…these are all common feelings. Some individuals may not be ready for treatment such as Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy and continue to struggle with symptoms, despite an awareness of the obsessions and compulsions. Being patient can be difficult, yet it is important to remember that everyone makes progress at their own pace. Recognizing small improvements can be very helpful since even the smallest changes with not engaging in compulsions can make a big difference over time. Learn how to Support Without Reinforcing Compulsions
Those who live with someone with OCD may find themselves avoiding situations that are upsetting to the individual. These can be especially true in families where it is easier to avoid the aftermath of anxious distress such as tantrums or panic attacks. Other situations include accommodating friends or family or engaging in behaviors such as providing reassurance. Behaviors can significantly impact families and friends who may be tempted to accommodate rituals to avoid distress. Learning how to support someone experiencing obsessions and compulsions without reinforcing the compulsion is important. Working with a therapist can be helpful to provide specific strategies that are tailored to your individual needs. Learn about Treatment Options and Available Resources
Learn more about effective treatment options for OCD, including providers who utilize CBT and have training in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy which is considered the “gold standard” in treatment. Find_an_Ex/RP Therapist.Finding therapists/ clinics who have therapists available can help make it easier to support family members or friends who are struggling. Knowing about local OCD support groups and resources can be helpful as well as medication options. Consider attending sessions or support group meetings with your loved one. OCD Support Groups & Virtual Support https://iocdf.org/support-groups/twin-cities-ocd-support-group/ https://www.ocdtc.org/resources/ https://iocdf.org/peaceofmind/ Books and Apps Local Therapy Options https://rogersbh.org/resources https://www.anxietytreatmentresources.com/ Written By : Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/family-members-or-friends-supporting-those-with-ocd/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/family-members-or-friends-supporting-those-with-ocd How does Therapy Help with Anxiety (“I don’t have time for therapy”)Did you know that the cost of untreated mental illness in the United States is $113 billion annually? The benefits of therapy outweigh costs and risk when it comes to untreated mental health.
With anxiety disorders being the most common mental illness, impacting approximately 18% of the adult population each year, psychotherapy “talk therapy” can be an effective treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective form of psychotherapy specifically for anxiety, and can include techniques such as exposure to gradually faced feared situations while you learn to tolerate or manage your anxiety. Medication can also provide relief from symptoms and can be especially effective when combined with psychotherapy. Although therapy does require an investment, the results are worthwhile. Here are several additional ways in which therapy helps with anxiety: Therapy helps maintain optimal mental health functioning.
Therapy helps work with anxious thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns.
Therapy helps you achieve goals around healthy lifestyle habits.
Therapy is more convenient than you might think!
Yes, time is precious (and so is your mental health!) We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/how-does-therapy-help-with-anxiety-i-dont-have-time-for-therapy/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/how-does-therapy-help-with-anxiety-i-dont-have-time-for-therapy Looking Behind the Lens of High Functioning Anxiety
Individuals with high-functioning-anxiety tend to do very well in work/ school and within interpersonal relationships and may not visibly appear anxious; however, the impact of anxiety can take a toll of one’s mental health due to “worry, stress, or obsessive thoughts on the inside”. According to the Yerkes-Dodson-Law there is an optimal level of stress for peak performance. Too little anxiety can contribute to feelings of boredom or apathy, while too much stress contributes to high anxiety. While individuals may still appear to be functioning well, worry and stress from anxious thoughts can begin to feel overwhelming. Common phrases that individual have used when seeking therapy includes the following: “I am beginning to feel paralyzed by my thoughts” “I don’t want to let others down” “I keep re-playing certain scenarios in my mind” “I can’t get over ______” The mind is constantly busy–over-thinking, over-analyzing, ruminating on the past, and worrying about the future. Self-talk can become quite harsh. Individuals with “high functioning anxiety” can become their worst critic and hold themselves to an extremely high standard. They may “beat themselves up” when making a mistake. Those with “high-functioning anxiety” may have underlying feelings of being unsettled, especially when not “productive”. It can be hard to disclose to others what one is really experiencing. Emotions may stay bottled up inside, due to difficulty being vulnerable and fear of judgement. Depressive symptoms are often commonly associated, including feeling of hopelessness and low self-esteem. Individuals may rely on external validation from others to feel good about themselves and have an overall fear of failure. They may directly tie self-worth to accomplishments and have difficulty finding meaning outside of other things, especially things outside of their control. Individuals with “high functioning anxiety” may set aside their own needs to please others. Saying no can be difficult. Unexpected changes in plans, uncertainty, and lack of control are hard. Letting others down or disappointing others can be devastating. Anxiety can be felt in the body such as insomnia, restlessness, and fatigue. While “high functioning anxiety” is not a mental health diagnosis, symptoms of anxiety can still cause clinically significant distress for the individual as measured by their self-reported levels of distress. Written By : Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/looking-behind-the-lens-of-high-functioning-anxiety/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/looking-behind-the-lens-of-high-functioning-anxiety Many Forms of Anxiety
Here is an overview of the many forms of anxiety-disorders: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) involves excessive worries present over a period of six months about generalized or “everyday” life events. Content often includes a variety of topics such as work or school, relationships, finances, health, etc. Associated symptoms can include difficulties sleeping and concentration, fatigue, irritability, and muscle tension. Panic attacks involve intense surges of fear along with intense discomfort. A wide variety of physical symptoms are present such as sweating, shaking, trembling, dizziness, shortness of breath, choking, nausea, and accelerated heart rate. Panic attacks can be present with a variety of anxiety-related disorders, especially those with a panic disorder. Individuals with panic disorder experience recurrent, unexpected attacks which is a source of anxiety.
Specific Fears/ Phobias include excessive or irrational fears to something that poses little danger or perceived threat. There may be fear related to specific objects, activities, situations, animals or people. Common phobias in the top 10 include:
Agoraphobia is also a type of phobia defined as “extreme or irrational fear of entering open or crowded places, of leaving one’s own home, or of being in places from which escape is difficult”. Anxious distress and avoidance of feared situations such as crowded spaces and public transportation is common in those with agoraphobia. Separation Anxiety involves intense fears of separating from a parent, caretaker, or major attachment figure. Excessive worries related to the safety and well-being and fear of loss due to an untoward event such as illness, accidents, or traumatic event are often present. Separation anxiety is seen in childhood but may persist into adulthood. Social Anxiety/ Social Phobia involved intense and persistent fears of being judged, humiliated or embarrassment in social situations. Those with social anxiety either avoid social situations or endure them with intense anxiety. Selective Mutism is relatively rare but involves failure to speak in which there is an expectation to do so and not due to lack of knowledge or comfort with the language. Anxiety is also commonly associated with significant life changes and other major categories of mental health such as neurodevelopmental-disorders, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use. It is important to note that not everyone who experiences anxiety has an anxiety disorder and that it is important to rule out medical causes since underlying health conditions can contribute to anxiety. Coordinating care with your medical doctor and a mental health professional is recommended to address both the physical and mental health symptoms of anxiety and formulate a customized treatment plan which may include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/many-forms-of-anxiety/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/many-forms-of-anxiety Three Month Goal Check-In
How would you rate your progress? Please choose one of the following:
For those who have considered therapy or not had optimal success with results in therapy, that is OK. Sometimes it can take months or even years before one is ready to make a committed action in an area they have been contemplating. The Stages-of-Change model can be helpful with understanding how people go through changes in behavior. The six states are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse. Depending on where one is at in their journey, sometimes goals are in progress or completed. It is exciting to reflect on progress on goals to where there are visible improvements and committed actions. Sometimes goals are not addressed. This may happen if one terminates therapy early. If you have ever met with a therapist for three sessions or less, then you likely did not make much progress in addressing goals. Goals may be deferred or put on hold. Regarding stages of change, contemplation is where many people stay. It is a comfortable spot but will not help you make progress with behavioral change. It is by taking “baby steps” such as the initial contact to scheduling an appointment that can help gain momentum. This is then followed up with action such as active engagement in the therapy process and taking steps outside of session to practice learned skills. It can be helpful to reflect on any barriers to change.
With behavioral change, it is important to maintain gains and avoid relapse. If or when a relapse does happen, don’t give up on your goals! Having an accountability partner can help provide support, encouragement, and motivation to get back on track. When something is not working, consider being open to trying something new. This could be a willingness to meet with a different therapist, try a new approach, and a renewed commitment to your goals. Written By: Charlotte Johnson, MA, LPCC We’re Here to helpOur wellness experts will be happy to take care of you. You can CLICK HERE to schedule an appointment now or call (612)223-8898. Meet CliniciansWe’re united by our commitment to providing effective, relevant, and innovative mental health support at all stages of your journey. Click Here to find out more about who we are, where we come from, and how we live out CARE’s mission every day. The professionals at CARE are actively collecting and creating resources to help with what you need. We’re Here for You. from https://care-clinics.com/three-month-goal-check-in/ from https://careclinics.weebly.com/blog/three-month-goal-check-in |
AuthorHello its me Lisa Johnson i am 32 years old from Mission, TX. I am professional family therapist and i also deals in adult therapy and children’s therapy. Archives
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