What Is Relationship OCD?

As the name implies, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves obsessions (e.g., intrusive thoughts) and compulsions (rituals designed to ease the anxiety caused by obsessions).In a recent post, I discussed that OCD is chronic, with symptoms coming and going throughout somebody’s life. It does not have a cure, but there are approaches that can manage it.

OCD has several subtypes, for example, relationship OCD (R-OCD). As you might imagine, this variation is marked by severe anxiety within the realm of one’s relationship. This anxiety centers around self-doubt and typically triggers the obsession-compulsion cycle. Let’s explore some of the signs and symptoms of R-OCD. 

R-OCD Behaviors 

Everyone has dating quirks and concerns. But R-OCD is much more than that. It can even manifest before a relationship starts, e.g., people who refuse to date because they don’t think anyone is a good match. That said, R-OCD behaviors are more common and identifiable within the context of an existing relationship.

Here are a few of the fixations you might see in someone with R-OCD:

• Needing to know if there is something wrong with their partner constantly.

• Precisely how much their partner loves them or is attracted to them.

• Being reassured that a break-up is not imminent.

• Comparing their relationship to other couples.

Despite such anxious concerns, they may feel incapable of initiating a conversation about them. Hence, the anxiety creates obsessions and compulsions which dominate their life.

Common R-OCD Obsessions

The behavior list above is a good place to start. People with R-OCD may feel obsessed with the “knowledge” that their relationship is doomed. They may obsess over a strange look their partner gave them. Or, they may obsess over the occasional disagreement and feel as if it means their relationship is doomed to end.

These types of obsessions can become all-consuming and cause someone to develop compulsive responses in the hope of experiencing at least some temporary relief. 

Common R-OCD Compulsions

To ease some of the distress they feel, people with R-OCD may spend a lot of time scrolling. For example, they might type something like this into the nearest search engine, “Signs of a cheating partner.” Compulsions can provide a respite from intrusive thoughts, and they can take the form of:

• Comparing: Social media makes examining a wide range of carefully curated couple’s photos and videos possible. Do they look happy? How long have they been together? Do both partners participate equally in the online interactions? These relentless observations can be used to “prove” whatever feels more calming.

• Clinginess: As touched on above, the need for reassurance can become suffocating.

• Making Lists: Depending on which obsession is loudest at the moment, someone with R-OCD can compile a list to silence it or reinforce it. With enough ink and lines on the paper, convincing ourselves about anything is entirely too easy.

But How Do We Really Know If It’s Relationship OCD?

Everyone doubts or compares themselves to other people or situations. However, maybe you have read through the post and are wondering if this also applies to you.

What makes R-OCD different is the intense amount of time it takes up. Daily functioning takes a back seat. Someone will allocate major chunks of their day — often every day — to obsessing over their relationship. In cases of R-OCD, this is a pattern that is often repeated in every single relationship someone has been in.

If the information above resonated with you, the wisest move is to speak with a professional. I encourage you to reach out for more information about OCD treatment.

What is Complex Trauma?

Most likely, you’ve heard of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). You probably know about causes like living in a war zone or enduring a major disaster. But there is a parallel condition that is similar in some ways while remaining quite different. Complex PTSD is the result of complex trauma. In a nutshell, this term describes a chronic form of trauma usually endured during childhood. 

When a therapist talks about “complex trauma,” they are using a term that describes both the repetitive events and the long-term effects. This is not a form of ranking trauma vs. complex trauma. Instead, it’s about identifying clear differences between the two experiences. 

Symptoms and Causes of Complex PTSD

The symptoms often intersect with the symptoms of PTSD, e.g., flashbacks, nightmares, and more. But with complex trauma, the survivor is more likely to also experience:

• Inability to regulate their emotions 

• Intense feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame

• A sense that no one understands what they feel

• Unwillingness to fully trust others 

• Trouble connecting with others on a deep level

• Dissociation and other challenges in recognizing reality

• Loss of one’s belief system 

What Can Cause Complex PTSD?

Again, the type of terrible experiences that are endured and/or witnessed is ongoing. For example: 

• Emotional, sexual, and physical abuse

• Neglect and abandonment 

• Growing up in a home in which substance abuse is the norm

• Living in a war zone

• Domestic abuse

• Kidnapping

• Being trafficked, prostituted, or enslaved

• Any scenario in which you feel trapped and unable to escape your abuser

The impact is heightened if this happened to you in childhood — especially when the abuser was someone you trusted. 

What Can Trigger Complex PTSD?

People with Complex PTSD quickly learn that their symptoms can be triggered by situations, places, or emotions that feel related to the original trauma cycle. 

Common Complex PTSD triggers include:

• Sensory input via sound, taste, smell, etc.

• Any abrupt ending to a situation (like divorce or leaving a job)

• Consuming any kind of content that reminds you of the trauma

• Specific anniversaires 

• Anything that sparks fear or anger can be triggering 

What Does Complex PTSD Happen So Often During Childhood?

When the victim is a young child, they can be left not understanding what is happening. The people they depend upon to attend to their basic needs are behaving in a way that is painful. They feel powerless to stop it and frequently blame themselves. This sets up complex interpersonal dynamics that can shape their cognitive development well into adulthood, e.g.:

• They may not trust themselves while believing others know what is best for them 

• A trauma bond can be created by which the victim strives to please the abuser in the hope that the negative treatment will stop 

• They learn how to say and do what is expected of them to lessen the abuse

Complex PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Complex PTSD and BPD present with many similar symptoms. These include:

• A sense of worthlessness

• Impulsive behavior

• Inability to connect with others

BPD can also be caused by childhood trauma. Thus, it is crucial to connect with a therapist who is experienced in differentiating between these two disorders. 

Getting the Help You Need and Deserve

Considering that as many as eight percent of the world’s adult population struggles with complex trauma, any treatment options exist. In addition, there are self-help steps (like healthy eating, relaxation techniques, and more) you can incorporate into your life. Hence, a powerful first step is to reach out to a mental health practitioner who understands your situation. With that in mind, I invite you to set up a free and confidential consultation at your earliest convenience. 

Learn more about Trauma Therapy.

Ketamine vs. Esketamine: What Gives?

The mental health field is currently undergoing a significant evolution with the reintroduction of psychedelics into the psychotherapeutic landscape. Ketamine, while not a traditional psychedelic (working on the glutamate pathway rather than on serotonin), stands out as a notable treatment offering hope to individuals struggling with depression, especially those who haven't found success with conventional methods.

When integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan, ketamine can act as a catalyst for profound change, assisting individuals in breaking free from ingrained patterns. However, navigating the plethora of ketamine treatments, often aggressively marketed through social media, can be challenging. It's crucial for individuals seeking treatment to understand their options and find ethical, informed providers. A common area of confusion is discerning the differences between ketamine and its relative, esketamine. This post aims to clarify these distinctions, providing a clearer understanding of these two treatments.

Ketamine vs. Esketamine: Key Differences

Ketamine and esketamine, while chemically related, differ in their applications and effects:

1. FDA Approval and Use:

   • Esketamine (Spravato) is FDA-approved specifically for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), targeting patients who have not adequately responded to at least two different antidepressant treatments during their current depressive episode. This response is evaluated through a specific approval process before insurance coverage is granted and clinicians can prescribe it.

   • Generic ketamine is used off-label for various depressive conditions and can be administered through IV infusions, intramuscular injections, or lozenges.

2. Effectiveness, Rapid Action, and Neuroplasticity:

   • Both esketamine and generic ketamine are recognized for their rapid action in alleviating depressive symptoms for some and increasing neuroplasticity, which is key in facilitating long-term psychological change.

3. Side Effects and Risks:

   • Common effects include changes in perception, drowsiness, and high blood pressure, with risks such as addiction and tolerance requiring careful medical supervision.

Treatment Options and Considerations:

• Esketamine Nasal Spray: Suited for TRD patients, usually covered by insurance following the approval process, and administered under medical supervision.

• Generic Ketamine Treatments: Offer a range of administration methods for a broader spectrum of depressive conditions, with variable insurance coverage.

Cost Considerations:

• Esketamine: More likely to be covered by insurance due to FDA approval, but can be expensive without insurance.

• Generic Ketamine: May incur high out-of-pocket expenses if not covered by insurance.

Not a Magic Bullet

It's important to recognize that treatment with ketamine or esketamine is not suitable for everyone. While some individuals may find these therapies incredibly helpful in managing their depression, others may not experience the same level of benefit. The effectiveness of these treatments can vary greatly from person to person. This variability underscores the importance of working closely with healthcare providers to determine whether ketamine or esketamine is an appropriate option. Healthcare professionals can assess individual health histories, current mental health status, and overall treatment goals to decide if these treatments can play a beneficial role in one's mental health journey. It's crucial for patients to have open, informed discussions with their providers about the potential risks and benefits, ensuring that any treatment decision is made with a comprehensive understanding of their personal health needs.

Final Thoughts:

As we navigate the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, it's clear that ketamine and esketamine hold significant potential in transforming lives. However, their use is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The decision to incorporate ketamine or esketamine into one's treatment plan should be made with a deep understanding of personal health needs and in alignment with the broader goals of therapy. Above all, these treatments underscore an important message: while the path to healing is varied, hope and help are available.

Note: This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and to evaluate what treatments are appropriate for your specific mental health needs.

Learn more about Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy.

What is Grief-Induced Anxiety?

Grief is a multifaceted response to loss, extending far beyond the realm of physical death. As a psychotherapist, I encounter various forms of grief, including grief-induced anxiety, which is a complex emotional state that often follows significant life changes. This post will illuminate the various life events that can trigger grief and the accompanying anxiety, as well as strategies for managing these emotions.

The Spectrum of Grief-Inducing Events

Grief is traditionally associated with the death of a loved one, but it can actually be triggered by a wide array of life events. These include:

1. End of Relationships: The breakup of a romantic relationship, divorce, or a falling out with a close friend can evoke intense grief.

2. Health-Related Issues: A personal diagnosis or a loved one's health crisis, such as chronic illness or disability, often triggers grief.

3. Career Changes: Losing a job, retirement, or even changing careers can lead to a sense of loss and subsequent grief.

4. Relocation: Moving to a new city or country, while often exciting, can also bring grief over lost familiarity and connections.

5. Life Stages: Transitions such as children leaving home, or the realization of one’s own aging process can evoke grief.

Symptoms of Grief-Induced Anxiety

Grief-induced anxiety presents a range of symptoms that can be both emotional and physical:

1. Persistent Worry and Panic: Excessive worry about the future or recurrent panic attacks that cause distress and impairment.

2. Fear of Further Loss: An intense fear of losing more, whether it be relationships, health, or security.

3. Physical Symptoms: These may include insomnia, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal issues, muscle tension, fatigue, and changes in appetite.

4. Concentration and Memory Problems: Difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, and a general sense of being mentally “foggy” or overwhelmed.

5. Mood Fluctuations: Rapid shifts in mood, from sadness to anger, or feeling emotionally numb.

6. Avoidance Behaviors: Steering clear of places, people, or activities that remind you of the loss or change.

7. Heightened Irritability: Increased irritability or agitation, often triggered by minor issues.

8. Social Withdrawal: Pulling back from social interactions and preferring to be alone.

9. Existential or Deep Reflective Thoughts: Engaging in profound contemplation about life, death, or the meaning of certain experiences.

Coping Strategies for Grief-Induced Anxiety

1. Acknowledgment and Acceptance: Recognize and accept your feelings as a normal response to your situation.

2. Support Networks: Seek support from friends, family, support groups, or a therapist.

3. Self-Care Practices: Engage in mindfulness, physical exercise, and maintain a balanced diet.

4. Routine Creation: Establishing a routine can provide a sense of control and predictability.

5. Avoid Unhelpful Coping Mechanisms: Use caution with substances like alcohol or drugs that can provide short-term symptom relief but may worsen anxiety.

6. Allow Time for Grieving: Understand that grieving is not linear and give yourself time to heal.

Professional Help

If you find your anxiety overwhelming or persistently interfering with your life, it may be beneficial to seek professional help. Therapy can offer a safe space to explore these feelings and develop strategies to cope with them.

Remember that grief and accompanying anxiety are natural response to loss or significant change. Recognizing the broad spectrum of events that can trigger grief is crucial in understanding and managing this manifestation of anxiety. Remember, each person's experience with grief is unique, and seeking support, whether through personal networks or professional help, is a strong and positive step towards healing.

Learn more about Anxiety Treatment.

How are Insomnia and Depression Connected?

When it comes to emotional health, the relationship between sleep and depression is both intricate and significant. This post will explore this connection, shedding light on how insomnia and depression interact and influence each other. Understanding this link is not just crucial for therapists but also for anyone struggling with either or both of these challenging conditions.

The Bidirectional Relationship

Firstly, it's essential to recognize that the relationship between insomnia and depression is bidirectional. This means that not only can persistent sleep problems lead to depressive symptoms, but depression can also exacerbate or even trigger insomnia. This cyclical nature makes it difficult to determine which came first – the sleep disorder or the mood disorder.

Insomnia Leading to Depression

Research has consistently shown that people who experience chronic insomnia have a higher risk of developing depression. Insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, can lead to various negative outcomes such as irritability, fatigue, and a decrease in concentration. Over time, this can escalate into a more persistent mood disturbance. The lack of quality sleep disrupts the brain's ability to regulate emotions and stress, thereby increasing the susceptibility to depression.

Depression Leading to Insomnia

On the flip side, depression can significantly impact sleep patterns. A core symptom of depression is a disrupted sleep cycle, which might manifest as insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleep). The hormonal and neurochemical imbalances that accompany depression can wreak havoc on the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, making it harder to get restful sleep. This disruption in sleep can, in turn, worsen depressive symptoms, creating a vicious cycle.

The Role of Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Understanding the connection between insomnia and depression also involves a look at neurotransmitters and hormones. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation, is also crucial in sleep regulation. Imbalances in serotonin levels can lead to both mood disturbances and sleep problems. Similarly, cortisol, the stress hormone, is often elevated in individuals with depression, and high cortisol levels can lead to sleep disturbances.

Treatment Approaches

Addressing the complex interaction between insomnia and depression requires a nuanced and individualized approach.. A range of treatments has been found effective in treating insomnia, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and other psychodynamic and mindfulness based therapies. These methods, among various others, underscore the diversity and adaptability of treatment options, emphasizing the importance of a personalized strategy in tackling these intertwined challenges.

Lifestyle Modifications

In addition to professional treatment, certain lifestyle modifications can be beneficial. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness can help manage both insomnia and depression. However, these should complement, not replace, professional treatment.

A Tailored Approach to HEALING

When addressing the intertwined issues of insomnia and depression, a personalized and multifaceted treatment approach is key. Therapy may include a blend of cognitive strategies to manage thought patterns, psychodynamic insights to explore deeper emotional influences, mindfulness practices for stress reduction, and other techniques suited to the your unique experiences and needs. This holistic perspective ensures comprehensive care, targeting both mental health and sleep quality for overall well-being.

Learn more about Depression Treatment.

Signs of OCD in Adults

This post is not about someone who places their books in size order on a shelf. It’s also not about that person you know who practices good hygiene. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is not what pop culture tells us it is. You see, there’s nothing unusual about feeling anxiety and getting uncomfortable about it. Such feelings come and go in everyone’s life. 

With OCD, however, feelings like this are chronic and can feel relentless. They manifest in unusual ways that often serve to heighten anxiety. Your everyday life — relationships, work, school, etc. — is impacted, and you need relief. Fortunately, with proper treatment, OCD can be managed.

The Basics of OCD

It’s a disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety. In the name of reducing that anxiety, a person with OCD will experience obsessions and address them with compulsions. This cycle offers temporary relief, but soon enough, the intrusive thoughts return.

During this cycle, you may encounter some of the signs that have become shorthand for OCD, e.g., counting, washing, and more. Left unchecked, the OCD cycle can hamper anyone’s ability to function daily. 

Signs of OCD in Adults

Before we get to the outward signs — the compulsions — it’s helpful to offer a brief description of the obsessions that get things started. Even if they realize that their intrusive thoughts are irrational, someone with OCD still has the understandable need to resolve them. Some of the most common OCD obsessions involve: 

• Fear of contamination — by other people or inanimate objects 

• A desire for everything in their vicinity to be symmetrical and orderly 

• Concern that they will suddenly harm someone, someone will harm them, or some random harm will come to anyone

• Worrying that they have not completed a task, e.g., turning off an appliance or locking a door

• Fear of misplacing something important or minor 

• Disturbing thoughts related to religion or sex

• In some cases, the intrusive thought can be patently meaningless yet still anxiety-inducing 

Next come the signs and symptoms. When an adult with OCD performs compulsions, they are most often noticeable by others.

Compulsions

The anxiety caused by OCD obsessions can be overwhelming. They leave the person to conjure up anything to relieve the tension. Thus, the compulsions they perform are personal, and they feel necessary. However, if compulsions offer fleeting relief, they can result in days filled with repetitive rituals. Here are some OCD compulsion examples: 

• Cleaning: Hand-washing is most commonly associated with OCD, but this compulsion can also manifest in toothbrushing or taking many showers. In addition, it can involve cleaning objects instead of yourself. 

• Checking: What they check often includes locks and appliances. Also, it could mean relentlessly checking to be sure you brought whatever items were required for your destination. 

• Arranging: You need items in your line of sight to be laid out in a particular way. 

• Counting: These are compulsions related to numbers. 

• Avoidance: Sometimes, it can be a person or place that feels like it’s the source of distress.

• Approval: A person with OCD may need and seek reassurance regularly. 

In other words, when looking for signs of OCD in adults, it typically comes down to identifying compulsions in action. However, this isn’t a green light to make assumptions or accusations. As you can certainly imagine, this cycle is unpleasant. No one wants to be there. They feel shame about it. 

Hence, if you or someone you know is displaying behaviors like those listed above, it makes sense to reach out for help. An experienced mental health professional can help guide you in your quest to help a friend or loved one.

Learn more about OCD Treatment.

Trauma and Physical Health: Understanding the Connection

Trauma isn't just a memory that fades with time; it's an experience that echoes through various aspects of life, including our physical health. Recognizing the deep-seated connection between traumatic experiences and physical well-being is an important step in understanding the comprehensive impact of trauma. This post will explore the connection between trauma and physical health, shedding light on why addressing trauma is crucial for overall well-being.

Decoding Trauma's Signal

Trauma is the body's response to an overwhelming situation, where the normal coping mechanisms are unable to function. It might be a single event or a series of events that leave a person feeling helpless and fearful. Trauma can manifest from various events, and its footprint extends beyond emotional and mental health, imprinting itself onto physical well-being.

The Body's Alarmed State

When faced with traumatic stress, the body activates the "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. While this response is crucial for immediate survival, its prolonged activation can lead to significant health problems. Chronic stress from unresolved trauma can disrupt nearly every system in the body, leading to increased susceptibility to several conditions:

1. Cardiovascular Health: Trauma can lead to an increased heart rate and higher blood pressure, escalating the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. The persistent strain on the cardiovascular system under chronic stress can have long-lasting effects, making it critical to address and mitigate these risks.

2. Immune System: Constant stress weakens the immune system, reducing its efficiency and making the body more prone to infections and slower to heal. This weakened state can lead to frequent illnesses and may aggravate autoimmune conditions.

3. Musculoskeletal Issues: The body's muscles and joints are constantly tensed as a result of the stress response, leading to conditions such as headaches, back pain, and general muscle stiffness. Over time, this can evolve into chronic pain conditions that affect quality of life.

4. Gastrointestinal Problems: Chronic stress impacts the gut-brain axis, leading to a range of gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and other digestive problems.

5. Mental Health: The psychological impact of trauma deeply intertwines with physical health, leading to conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. These conditions further exacerbate physical health problems, creating a feedback loop of worsening health.

Beyond the pain

The path to healing after trauma is both a personal and collective journey, involving a range of strategies and supports. Seeking professional help from therapists specializing in trauma can provide invaluable guidance and strategies for coping and healing. Incorporating mind-body techniques such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness helps regulate the body's stress response and promotes healing. Building resilience through coping strategies and supportive networks enhances the ability to handle future stressors. Additionally, integrating traditional medical treatments with holistic practices ensures a comprehensive approach to healing, addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of trauma.

Embracing your future

Understanding the physical repercussions of trauma is an important step toward transforming pain into a pathway for healing. With informed care, resilience, and support, you can start reclaiming your vitality and well-being. The healing process is more than just surviving; it's about teaching the body to recognize safety again, allowing the nervous system to reset to a calmer state, and setting a course towards not just functioning, but thriving. Learn more about trauma therapy or visit my contact page to schedule a consultation.

6 OCD Symptoms in Adults

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a frequently misunderstood condition. People casually associate OCD with anyone who is orderly or organized. But what we’re really talking about here is a diagnosable mental health condition that can severely hamper a person’s daily functioning. As the name implies, this is due to a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. 

OCD is chronic and has no known cure, but it can be managed. Symptoms may come and go throughout a person’s lifetime. With proper treatment, obsessive-compulsive disorder can be less disruptive to your life. But a big first step is understanding and recognizing OCD symptoms as they typically present in adults. 

OCD Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions

We all get intrusive thoughts at times. With OCD, such thoughts and images cause extreme anxiety. They feel out of control even if they are demonstrably irrational. We’ll flesh out specifics below, but some common obsessions center on germs, self-harm, sex, perfectionism, symmetry, and reassurance.

Compulsions 

To soothe the anxiety caused by obsessions, someone with OCD engages in ritualistic, repetitive actions they believe will prevent the feared outcomes from occurring. Typically, the relief is short-lived, and the cycle returns. Some of the most common compulsion categories are:

• Counting 

• Arranging

• Cleaning (yourself or objects)

• Checking

• Hoarding 

• Seeking reassurance

• Repeating certain words

All of the above blends into the following six symptoms:

6 OCD Symptoms in Adults

1. Severe Discomfort With Asymmetry 

Symmetry can be defined widely — from lining things up to brushing an equal number of times on each side of the mouth — but in all its guises, it can be present as an OCD compulsion. This is not to say being organized is a red flag. But if it becomes something you need to do, it may warrant closer examination. 

2. Fearing a Particular Disease 

The last three or four years have made this behavior more common. However, its potential connection to OCD lies in how far you consistently go to avoid catching a disease. A compulsion preoccupies people with OCD to the point of palpably altering their daily lives. 

3. Thoughts of Self-Harm and/or Harming Others 

It can be uncomfortable, but anyone can have such thoughts in moments of anger or frustration. They’re rare and almost always easy to control. Someone with OCD, on the other hand, is driven to profound fear by anything like this. 

4. Seeking Reassurance 

Yet again, on its face, this is not problematic. When associated with OCD, seeking reassurance becomes more assertive, ongoing, and desperate. You regularly ask questions like, “Do you love me?” Compulsions like this have the potential to sabotage a relationship, friendship, or job.

5. Double-Checking 

Did you lock the door? Was the stove turned off? Is a friend or family member in danger? OCD double-checking can turn any situation into a pressure cooker. You may leave an important situation to drive home and make certain the front door is locked.

6. OCD Symptoms at Home and Work

This last category highlights how adult OCD can present differently depending on the situation. For example, at home, you may:

• Avoid contact with family members (including intimacy with a spouse) for fear of contamination 

• Hold onto objects that have long outlived their usefulness

• Worry that your family or roommates don’t like you

At work, watch for: 

• A precisely organized desk or workspace

• Long, frequent visits to the bathroom to wash your hands

• Intense anxiety when work plans or deadlines change without warning

It’s Not About Self-Diagnosis

The information offered here is designed to create awareness, not fear. If you find yourself resonating with much of it, it could be a good idea to connect with a professional to schedule a free consultation. 

Learn more about OCD Treatment…

How People Pleasing Can Fuel Depression

In the realm of mental health, it's crucial to understand the intricate ways in which our behaviors and thought patterns can influence our emotional well-being. Among these behaviors, "people pleasing" is a notable factor that can subtly and significantly contribute to the development or exacerbation of depression.

What is People Pleasing?

People pleasing is a behavioral pattern where an individual prioritizes the happiness and approval of others, often at the expense of their own needs and feelings. This habit stems from a variety of sources, including low self-esteem, fear of rejection, or a deep-seated need for external validation.

The Link Between People Pleasing and Depression

Depression, a common but serious mood disorder, affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. It's characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest and enjoyment, and a range of physical problems.

People pleasing can fuel depression in several ways:

1. Suppression of True Feelings: Constantly catering to others' needs can lead to the suppression of one's own emotions. This suppression can result in a build-up of stress, resentment, and sadness - key ingredients for depressive feelings.

2. Loss of Identity: People pleasers often lose touch with their own identity and desires. This disconnection from self can create a sense of emptiness or lack of purpose, which are common feelings in depression.

3. Chronic Stress and Burnout: Striving to meet everyone's expectations is an exhausting endeavor. This relentless effort can lead to chronic stress and burnout, both of which are linked to the onset of depressive symptoms.

4. Reinforcement of Negative Beliefs: People pleasing can reinforce negative self-beliefs, such as not being good enough unless others are pleased. These beliefs can perpetuate a cycle of negative thinking that is central to depressive disorders.

Breaking the Cycle

The good news is that this cycle can be broken. Therapy can be effective in addressing the underlying causes of people pleasing and developing healthier coping mechanisms. Learning to set boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and learning how to be assertive are crucial steps in this journey.

Remember, seeking to please others is not inherently negative, but it becomes a concern when it consistently overrides personal well-being. Recognizing and addressing people-pleasing behaviors can be a significant step in managing depression and enhancing overall mental health.

For those struggling with these issues, seeking professional help can be a transformative step towards healing and self-empowerment.

Learn more about Depression Treatment…

Is OCD an Anxiety Disorder?

If a mental health issue causes anxiety, does that make it an anxiety disorder? Not necessarily. Take obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Often associated with extreme orderliness, OCD is far more than that. One of its hallmark symptoms is the anxiety caused by the obsessions. 

The anxiety caused by OCD can feel much like anxiety caused by, well, anything. But they are not the same. We’ll discuss some of the differences below, but for now, consider that anxiety arising from OCD obsessions leads people to partake in OCD compulsions. Anxiety outside of OCD causes distress but not compulsions. Let’s explore some other distinctions.

What Are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the world, but they come in several forms. These can include social anxiety and panic disorders, but most frequently, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the culprit. As the name implies, GAD involves chronic worry about a wide range of concerns. Symptoms typically include a sense of doom or dread, irritability that can transform into angry outbursts, and physical signs like rapid heart rate, excessive sweating, and gastrointestinal issues.

How Does Anxiety Manifest in Someone With OCD?

OCD features intrusive thoughts that are often deeply distressing and concerning. A person might feel certain they forgot to turn off the oven before leaving the house. As you might imagine, this causes severe anxiety. For this reason, OCD was deemed an anxiety disorder until 2013. When research continued to show very different functionality and specific brain chemistry signs, OCD was officially designated as a separate diagnosis.

How Can Someone Know If They Have OCD or an Anxiety Disorder?

As touched on above, the key difference is the perceived need to perform compulsions to counteract anxiety-inducing obsessions. People with anxiety disorders may worry about turning off the oven, but they do not feel driven to negate that fear via compulsive rituals. Therefore, again, the primary difference lies in how the feeling of worry is addressed.

Additional differences include:

• People with anxiety most often worry about events that can actually happen. Someone with OCD  can have very unrealistic obsessions. 

• Unlike OCD, GAD usually manifests with physical symptoms.

Can You Have Both Disorders? 

As many as 9 out of 10 people with OCD also struggle with at least one other mental health condition. Often, that means an anxiety disorder of some kind. This reality is a big reason to consult a professional. To ensure effective treatment, there must be clarity as to exactly what you’re dealing with. Since anxiety is far more common than OCD, if you have both, it’s crucial to make sure that OCD does not get lost in the mix.

Differences in Treatment 

Once a mental health professional has clarified a diagnosis, a treatment plan will be designed. Talk therapy is a proven option for anxiety disorders but is generally not effective for OCD. The gold standard for OCD is exposure and response prevention (ERP). This approach slowly exposes the client to triggers and eases them into a step-by-step protocol to reduce the feeling of needing a compulsion. 

In some instances, ERP can also be effective for GAD, but more often, other modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapies are the go-to choices. Medication can sometimes reduce symptoms for either disorder — even if they are co-morbid.

Ask For Help

As you’ve surely discerned by now, differentiating between disorders can be a trickier process than it first appears. If you’re experiencing symptoms that could be GAD, OCD, or both, it’s not a good idea to try self-diagnosing (or shrugging them off entirely). I urge you to get in touch to learn more about the possibilities. 

Learn more about OCD Treatment…