In our previous blog, we began going over the different types of anxiety disorders. In this blog, we will continue our list.

Phobias

Phobias are intense fears about specific things, such as objects, animals, or certain scenarios. For example, one common phobia is arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. For people with this type of anxiety, even thinking about spiders can bring on a sense of impending doom. While phobias qualify as anxiety disorders, it is typical for people to live their entire lives with a phobia without seeking treatment. This is generally because they have a specific phobia that is easy for them to avoid; for example, if you have a phobia of alligators, but live here in Parker, your phobia is likely not an issue. It is when a phobia starts to disrupt your life that it’s time to seek professional help. If your phobia is having an important on the quality of your life, contact Counseling Services in Parker for treatment.

Common symptoms of a phobia include:

  • Constant fear about this specific subject
  • Inability to control these fears despite knowing they are illogical
  • Altering or restricting your routine to avoid the subject of your phobia
  • Stress or anxiety about even the thought of this subject

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

As the name suggests, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that is caused by a traumatic event. People with PTSD often cope with symptoms that are disruptive to their lives for years after the trauma, sometimes for the rest of their lives. In most cases, the person with PTSD is the one who actually experienced the traumatic event, but sometimes, even witnessing traumatic events can cause PTSD.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Reliving the event—people with PTSD experience their trauma again and again, physically, mentally, and emotionally
  • Being triggered—certain triggers, often related to the event, cause people with PTSD severe stress and fear
  • Severe anxiety about this trauma happening again
  • Emotional issues such as feeling numb, distant from loved ones, and feeling hopeless and worthless
  • Avoidance behaviors

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a commonly misunderstood anxiety disorder that is characterized by two sets of symptoms: obsessions and compulsions.

  • Obsessions: Obsessions are preoccupying thoughts, often negative or fearful, that cannot be escaped despite great effort.
  • Compulsions: Compulsions are behaviors that they cannot stop themselves from doing. There is a “need” to do a certain action a certain way at a certain time.

For example, an obsession might be an inescapable worry that your mother will fall ill, while a compulsion would be being unable to touch a doorknob for fear of germs. Obsessions and compulsions can be connected; for example, it may feel as though if you touch a doorknob, your mother will get sick. Sometimes, people with OCD have compulsions with no obsessions, though most of the time, this individual will experience severe anxiety if they cannot comply with their compulsion. It’s also possible to have obsessions without compulsions, though an obsession (such as fear of getting sick) may lead to a compulsion (obsessive hand washing). This becomes a vicious cycle. You start to obsess over one particular worry, and a certain action temporarily will shake those feelings. However, the obsessions always come back in full force later. Therefore, the obsessions and compulsions feed into each other.

Anxiety of any kind can be crippling, but there is hope. If you need anxiety treatment in Parker, we can help. Contact Counseling Services of Parker for therapy today!

When it comes to diagnosing mental health issues, we understand that some people may be reluctant to seek the help that they need. However, seeking help is just the way to heal and keep yourself feeling balanced and happy. Studies have shown that people who suffer from depression are “actually about 50 percent more disabled than someone with angina, arthritis, asthma, or diabetes.” While treatments for mental illness are very effective, only about one in three people who suffer from mental illness actually seeks professional help.

Warning Signs

If you have a loved one who exhibits one of the following warning signs, it is time to seek professional counseling:

  • Behavior that frightens you, such as a quick or violent temper
  • Problems with basic hygiene, regulating behavior, acting recklessly, or drinking/abusing substances excessively
  • Issues with becoming disoriented, seeing or hearing things others cannot, or forgetting important facts
  • Intense anxiety about doing small activities, such as leaving the house
  • Problems interacting with others or withdrawing from loved ones
  • Difficulty working, holding down a job, or declining grades in school
  • Recent trauma, such as the death of a child or an instance of abuse

The most important thing to look for is a change in the way your loved one used to behave. Also, keep an eye out for changes in the events in their life. If something has changed significantly, it can lead to needing more help.

How to Approach Your Loved One

It can be challenging to tell someone that you believe they need help, but there are ways to do so that may make it easier for them to hear. For example, let them know that you need to have an important conversation with them. This can help them focus and really pay attention to what you have to say. However, make sure to choose a good time and a place. You don’t want to say that you think they need help while the two of you are fighting or in front of family members; instead, make sure that you have the privacy and the time you need. As with any sensitive topic, do your best to bring it up with empathy. You could say something along the lines of, “I know this may be difficult for you, but I’m only bringing this up because I love you. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be having this talk with you.”

Be ready for your loved one to get upset at you, but do your best not to get defensive. You can ask them to arrange a meeting with a counseling professional as a favor to you or another loved one. You can even help control the process by scheduling an appointment for your loved one. Even if they refuse to attend the session, you can go to the session instead and explain the situation for further advice and suggestions. One of the most common reasons for a loved one to turn down the suggestion is because of the cost; if this is the case, you can offer to pay for the appointment, if possible.

Counseling Services of Parker

When your loved one needs help, we know how challenging it can be. However, we know that those who love us most will respond to our concern, even if it takes time and stronger measures. Together, we can support your loved one and help them on their path to wellness. You can be the resource your loved one needs and do your part to ensure that they get the help that they need.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We are here to help you!

The stigma surrounding therapy has begun to disappear, but some people are still not sure when the right time is to seek out a therapist. If you are looking for a Parker counselor who can help you sort through your feelings and your habits, please contact us at The Counseling Services of Parker! For those of you who are unsure about taking a step towards therapy and external assistance, consider what benefits you may receive by going to see a counselor. If any of the following describe you, then you might be surprised by how helpful therapy could be:

You Tend to Fear the Worst

Some people have one bad thing happen to them, and they let it completely shake up their lives. In your mind, being denied a promotion at work equates to being a failure. One bad date makes it seem like no one will ever care for you again. Assuming the worst, and jumping to negative conclusions, is a surefire way to limit your progress and keep you from reaching your fullest potential. A therapist can help you work through these feelings and help you find more realistic and encouraging ways of processing bad events.

You Punish Yourself

While it can be good to be aware of what you did wrong and vow to do better in the future, very little good can come from dwelling on the past and beating yourself up. If you believe like nothing you do is enough, then it may be time to change your perspective and gain some outside ideas. Through therapy, you may be able to conquer these problems as just problems and not character flaws of yours.

You Bite off More Than You Can Chew

Do you find yourself constantly taking care of others? You may feel and seem healthy since you are the one paying the bills in your relationship while your significant other stays home and sleeps all day, but you may be allowing other people’s responsibilities to hold you back. A counselor will be able to help you see this pattern and help you plan ways to take care of those around you without being too much of a drain on yourself.

You Feel Stress Stop You in Your Tracks

If stress knocks you down entirely and you have a very difficult time bouncing back, then it might be time for a therapist. Think of a therapist as an instruction manual to something you’ll be doing every day: they can teach you how to go through something, and soon, you’ll be able to do it on your own without their help. When stress and external factors knock you down, you need to learn healthy ways to respond and grow.

Call The Counseling Services of Parker

For a Parker counselor who understands what you are going through and wants to help teach you how to work through these issues, please call The Counseling Services of Parker today. Together, we can work on improving your mental health and your methods of dealing with difficult situations.