BINGE EATING DISORDER (BED) Binge Eating Disorder may also be referred to as “Compulsive Overeating” or “Emotional Overeating,” and it is now the most common form of eating disordered behavior in the United States. BED is characterized by consuming a large amount of food within a very short period of time (for example, 3-4 meals-worth … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER (BDD) People with BDD suffer from the obsession that a part of their body is defective, deformed, or flawed. All parts of the body are susceptible, but common sites include hair, skin, nose, and legs. Clients with BDD engage in a number of safety behaviors to relieve their distress including body camouflaging … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD) Individuals with GAD experience excessive worrying about multiple different things, more days than not, to the point that it may interfere with their physical and mental health. The chronic worry creates significant anxiety and physiological sensations (e.g., stomach distress, muscle tension, fatigue, heart palpitations, irritability, etc.). Individuals with GAD typically worry … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

HEALTH ANXIETY Individuals with health anxiety have an excessive fear of illness and/or death. Frequently, these individuals engage in excessive health safety behaviors such as scanning their body for symptoms or seeking excessive reassurance from loved ones and health professionals regarding their health status. Despite these efforts, they rarely find relief. While some individuals with … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

IMPULSE CONTROL DISORDER Clients suffering from impulse control disorders experience a strong uncontrollable urge in their body and relieve it by engaging in repetitive body behaviors. One out of 20 people report engaging in repetitive body-focused behaviors including scab picking, nail biting, and knuckle cracking. However, clients with Repetitive Body Focused Disorders (RBFD) report weak … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (MDD) Individuals with MDD experience either loss of interest in pleasurable activities and/or persistent sadness for at least two weeks. Almost 15% of U.S. adults report that they experienced a major depressive episode at some point in their lives. Typical symptoms of MDD include fatigue, concentration difficulties, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD) People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder suffer from repetitive unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges. These obsessions tend to cause high levels of distress, discomfort, and anxiety for the person. It is common for people suffering from OCD to engage in compulsive acts or "rituals" to reduce the distress and guilt associated with … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

PANIC ATTACKS AND PANIC DISORDER WITH AGORAPHOBIA Panic attacks are common in all anxiety disorders and in the general public (approximately one-third of the population has had a panic attack in the past year). However, those who suffer from panic disorder have persistent fear of having a panic attack in a situation in which they … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop following a traumatic event (i.e., exposure to a threat to the physical safety of self or others–either experiencing the threat directly or witnessing the threat to another). The traumatic event is experienced with a sense of intense fear, horror, or helplessness. In children, … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

SEPARATION ANXIETY DISORDER Children, teens, and adults with separation anxiety typically fear being away from loved ones and/or home. Common worries of separation include harm to themselves or loved ones as well as fears of having uncomfortable sensations associated with anxiety (e.g., stomach distress) or illness while away. While the worry of separating can occur … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

SOCIAL ANXIETY (OR SOCIAL PHOBIA) Individuals with social phobia are excessively concerned with the negative judgment of others. While they remain interested in social connections, they tend to avoid social interactions to reduce their distress and discomfort. The vast majority of adults with social phobia report having experienced this worry for as long as they … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →

SPECIFIC FEARS/PHOBIAS A specific phobia refers to the excessive and persistent fear of specific objects or situations that is understood as out of proportion to any actual danger. The fear causes life-interfering distress and/or impairment. Common types include: Animals (e.g., dogs, cats, spiders, insects, rats, birds, and snakes) Natural Environment and Weather (e.g., heights, storms, … Continue reading Signs and symptoms of Anxiety and OCD →