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Anxiety & OCD

Effective treatment for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal and often healthy emotion. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worry.

While some anxiety is normal, anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. These feelings can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Persistent and excessive anxiety about a number of different things, often without a specific cause.

Panic Disorder

Characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations and being judged or embarrassed by others.

Specific Phobias

Intense fear of specific objects, situations, or activities that pose little or no actual danger.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

OCD is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.

People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. These symptoms can interfere with all aspects of life, such as work, school, and personal relationships. OCD is treatable, and many people with OCD can lead full, productive lives with proper treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

Anxiety Symptoms

  • • Excessive worrying and fear
  • • Restlessness or feeling on edge
  • • Difficulty concentrating
  • • Irritability
  • • Muscle tension
  • • Sleep problems

OCD Symptoms

  • • Unwanted, intrusive thoughts
  • • Repetitive behaviors or rituals
  • • Need for symmetry or order
  • • Excessive cleaning or checking
  • • Hoarding behaviors
  • • Mental compulsions
Coping Strategies & Skills

In addition to therapy, we teach practical skills to help manage anxiety and OCD symptoms:

  • • Deep breathing and relaxation techniques
  • • Progressive muscle relaxation
  • • Grounding exercises for panic attacks
  • • Thought challenging and reframing
  • • Exposure hierarchy development
  • • Stress management and lifestyle changes

These skills are practiced both in and outside of therapy sessions to build confidence and independence in managing symptoms.

What to Expect in Treatment

Treatment for anxiety and OCD typically involves:

  • • Initial assessment and treatment planning
  • • Regular therapy sessions (weekly or bi-weekly)
  • • Gradual exposure to feared situations
  • • Homework assignments to practice skills
  • • Progress monitoring and treatment adjustments
  • • Relapse prevention planning

Most people begin to see improvements within a few weeks of starting treatment. The goal is to help you develop the skills and confidence to manage symptoms independently.

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.The content provided on this page is intended to offer general information about anxiety and OCD.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself or others, please seek immediate help:

  • • Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
  • • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-8255
  • • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

For proper diagnosis and treatment, please consult with a qualified mental health professional.The information on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.