Specialties
Everyone feels anxious from time to time but when intrusive, anxious thoughts feel excessive and out of your control, you may be experiencing generalized anxiety disorder. GAD is different than the average worry or fear because it can be about numerous topics at unnecessary times. GAD is persistent, time consuming, and disruptive to your every day life.
If you're experiencing GAD, you may feel like you're always waiting for the other shoe to drop and preparing for the worst to happen. Your mind may be running through all of the "what ifs" of the day. "What if there's traffic and I'm late?"
"What if I did this wrong?" "What if they're upset with me?"
GAD also presents with many physical symptoms. It's common for people to notice their physical symptoms before realizing they're feeling anxious. A few examples are increased heart rate, a heaviness in your chest, difficulty sleeping, shakiness, tension in your muscles, and an upset stomach.
Essentially, your mind and body are often in a state of "fight or flight" when there's no real danger.
OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior. Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress and anxiety. The obsessions are incredibly bothersome as they often go against how the individual truly feels, leading to confusion, guilt, and uncertainty. There are many different subtypes, or "themes," of OCD. These include but are not limited to:
Harm OCD (fear of harm coming to you or others; or fear you will harm yourself or others)
Health and Contamination OCD (excessive concern about germs, sickness, or health-related issues)
Perfectionistic OCD (need for things to be "perfect")
False Memory OCD (doubts and fears about past events)
Relationship OCD (obsessions about relationships)
In response to the obsessions, individuals engage in behavior(s) to prevent the feared event from happening (i.e. compulsions). Compulsions can take many forms including checking, mental or physical rituals, excessive cleaning, ordering and rearranging, and rumination. Regardless of the compulsion, the purpose is to relieve the anxiety and discomfort. These can be successful in the moment but are usually short-lived.
These conditions are defined by significant anxiety or OCD that presents itself during pregnancy or shortly after. The intrusive thoughts, fears and/or images are related to the pregnancy, the new baby, the mother's health, and/or other situations affected by the new baby. In addition to feeling anxiety, dread, and irritability, these thoughts can cause the same physical symptoms as GAD and OCD.
Many women will engage in behaviors to prevent something bad from happening such as repeatedly checking on the baby, fixating on feeds, refusing to be alone with the baby, or checking if they're doing the "right" thing. During pregnancy, women may do a physical scan to check if they're feeling OK or if the baby is moving. It's common for these individuals to be in constant communication with their OBGYN or pediatrician.
It can be difficult to know if you have either of these conditions because many women worry about their babies or their physical and mental state. Checking on your baby or questioning if you're doing the right thing are responsible things to do. However, when these thoughts and behaviors cause more distress than necessary, it might be time for some professional help. Even if you're unsure, it never hurts to consult with someone that specializes in anxiety and OCD.
Thankfully, women's mental health during and after pregnancy has been receiving more attention in recent years. It's incredibly important to understand that many women experience this; it does not make you a bad mother and it does not mean you should not have had a baby. These conditions are treatable and you can still have a healthy, loving relationship with your baby.
Also known as social phobia, social anxiety disorder involves intense anxiety and fear when encountering a situation where you may be judged, embarrassed, or rejected by others. While anyone may feel nervous in social settings, someone with social anxiety disorder experiences significant distress. Many individuals are able to get through the interaction but with great difficulty, while some individuals avoid social settings all together.
Someone with social anxiety disorder may worry that they're going to do something wrong in front of others, or people are going to think they're unlikeable or inadequate. When placed in certain social situations, these individuals feel extreme emotional distress in addition to physical symptoms: e.g. a pit in your stomach, shaky, nauseous, sweating, and an increased heart rate. You may even worry that someone notices you're anxious and uncomfortable.
This condition can have a significant, negative impact on your life. Going to school or work can feel exhausting, and relationships can suffer. Many people are living with social anxiety disorder; with the right treatment, you can overcome these fears and live a fulfilling life.
Agoraphobia is when individuals fear situations where they feel helpless or places that may be difficult to escape: e.g. public transportation, shopping malls, theaters, and elevators. The anxiety is not about the place or situation itself but about your experience; i.e. you may fear you will have a panic attack or not feel right. Panic disorder is often present with agoraphobia.
Specific phobias are characterized by an intense, irrational fear of a particular situation, object, or animal. A few examples of specific phobias are:
Emetophobia (fear of vomit)
Fear of Driving
Fear of Flying
Fear of Needles (or other health related events)
Fear of Animals
Both agoraphobia and specific phobias trigger extreme distress whenever exposed to the feared situation. They can be debilitating as many individuals avoid these situations at all costs; people with agoraphobia may not leave their homes at all. In addition to the anxiety and fear, these conditions cause racing thoughts and physical symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, trouble breathing, or dizziness. Agoraphobia and specific phobias respond well to treatment and many clients are able to live unaffected by their fears.
BFRBs are characterized by repetitive, self-grooming behaviors that cause damage to the body. Individuals may unknowingly engage in these behaviors or they are responding to an urge or impulse. Despite attempts to stop and the harm it causes their bodies, individuals find it nearly impossible to control it. The most common BFRBs are:
Trichotillomania (hair-pulling)
Excoriation (skin-picking)
Onychophagia (nail biting)
Morsicatio Buccarum (cheek biting)