Counseling Blog | LGBTQ+ Couples & Individuals

December 11, 2022 by Alan Zupka

Symptoms of OCD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects 2-3% of the population. The disorder is characterized by a pattern of unwanted thoughts or fears (obsessions) that cause an individual to perform a set of repetitive behaviors (compulsions). OCD interferes with a person’s daily activities and can lead to significant distress.

Symptoms of OCD

People that have been diagnosed with OCD typically experience both obsessions and compulsions. However, some individuals only experience symptoms of obsessions or only symptoms of compulsion.

Symptoms of Obsession

Obsessions are persistent and repeated unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause you to feel stress or anxiety. Though you may try to ignore these mental intrusions, most with OCD relieve the stress and tension by performing a compulsive behavior or ritual.

The following are some of the most common symptoms of obsessions:

Fear of being somehow contaminated by an object they just touched. Usually, the fear is of germs.
A strong feeling of doubt or uncertainty. You’re already a half hour into your morning commute to work but are overcome by the idea that you left the front door unlocked.
An intense need to have objects orderly or arranged in a specific way.
Intense thoughts or imaginings of losing control and harming yourself or others.
Unpleasant sexual images.
Thoughts of acting inappropriately, such as shouting obscenities in public.

Symptoms of Compulsion

OCD compulsions are repetitive behaviors that an individual feels driven to perform to relieve the stress triggered by their obsession or stop something bad from happening.

Some of the most common symptoms of compulsion are:

Washing and cleaning. A person can wash their hands so much they develop sores and blisters.
Checking and rechecking. This may be checking and rechecking to ensure you set your alarm, locked the door, or turned off the stove.
Counting
Orderliness to an extreme. You may repeatedly arrange and rearrange items in your medicine cabinet or bedside table until they are just right.

Is it Time to Get Help?

Some people confuse perfectionism – a driving urge to have flawless results or a perfect performance – with OCD. But they are not the same thing. OCD symptoms take a real toll on an individual and interfere with their quality of life.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with OCD or you think you or they may have OCD based on these symptoms, please feel free to call my office. I would be happy to discuss your specific concerns and the treatment options available to you.

SOURCES:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432

https://www.disorders.org/anxiety/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/10-most-common-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd

December 4, 2022 by Alan Zupka

Here’s How Social Isolation Affects Your Health

Many of us experienced social isolation during the recent pandemic. And none of us will deny that those days and weeks were very hard. Thankfully, the pandemic is over, and life for most of us has returned to normal.

But for some people, social isolation does not go away; it is now part of their “normal” existence.

Common Causes of Social Isolation

There are a variety of circumstances that cause people to be isolated from others or to choose to isolate themselves:

An abusive relationship – People in toxic relationships often choose to avoid contact with friends and family because they wish to hide their reality from others.
Grief – It is common to isolate oneself after losing a loved one. This is particularly true for many seniors who have lost many loved ones and friends.
Mental health issues – Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem can often result in a desire to isolate oneself from the rest of society.
Physical challenges – Those with limited mobility or other physical challenges may decide life is easier and safer at home.

The Effects of Social Isolation on Your Health

We know there is a strong mind-body connection. How we feel emotionally affects how we feel physically. Studies are now revealing how social isolation can negatively impact our health. Here are just some of the effects on your health:

Reduced immune function
Trouble sleeping (which leads to inflammation and disruption of hormones)
Poor cardiovascular health
Poor cognitive function
Greater chance of stroke
Decreased wound healing
Increased risk of dementia
Higher risks of premature mortality

Coping With Social Isolation

If you are isolated from others for any reason, it is important to recognize you may be suffering mentally, emotionally, and/or physically. Here are some ways you can cope with the situation:

Practice self-care
Get outside
Reconnect with hobbies and interests
Get help

If you would like to speak to someone about your anxiety or depression caused by isolation and the reasons for the isolation, please reach out to me. I offer online therapy for those who feel more comfortable accessing help from home.

SOURCES:

Understanding the Effects of Social Isolation on Mental Health

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/social-isolation-mental-health

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/isolation-and-mental-health

November 27, 2022 by Alan Zupka

Stress’s Physiological Impact on the Body

The old saying goes, “Into every life, a little rain must fall.” Stress is like rain. A little of it can be a good thing. But too much can cause havoc and devastation.

Our bodies are designed to handle a little bit of acute or sudden stress. But when stress is prolonged or becomes chronic, it can devastate our health.

Here are just some of the ways stress can negatively impact your body:

Respiratory Issues

Prolonged stress can lead to respiratory issues such as shortness of breath. Individuals who do not have an underlying respiratory disease may not be very impacted. But for those with pre-existing conditions such as COPD and asthma, stress can dangerously exacerbate the situation.

Heart Health

When we are stressed, we are in fight or flight mode. This causes our heart to beat faster and our blood vessels to dilate. In short-term scenarios, these physical manifestations help get us out of danger.

But for prolonged periods, this can put a lot of stress on our heart and blood vessels, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Gut Health

Did you know that 80% of your immune system is located in your gut? It’s incredibly important to ensure your gut is healthy!

But chronic stress can wreak havoc on your gut by changing the beneficial gut bacteria, and a change in this bacteria can negatively impact your mood. Consequently, when you’re already feeling stressed, the last thing you need is also to feel depressed.

Sexual Health

The nervous system influences both the male and female reproductive systems. When we are stressed, our sexual hormones can get out of balance, and we can lose sexual desire. Men may find it hard to achieve and maintain an erection. Stress can also make it hard to conceive and affect a woman’s menstrual cycle.

As you can see, stress can really negatively impact your physical health. While we cannot stop the rain from falling or stress from entering our lives, we can practice healthy stress management. That means eating right, getting enough exercise, and getting quality sleep each night.

SOURCES:

November 20, 2022 by Alan Zupka

Psychiatry and Medication Management

The goal of many psychiatrists is to help their patients without needing medication. But, there are instances where medication can be incredibly helpful in healing.

While some patients require only one medication for a short duration, others may require multiple prescriptions over longer periods. Regardless of how long a person may need to take a medication, management of medicines is essential in their treatment plan.

What is Medication Management in Psychiatry?

Medication management is a process that ensures patients are taking the right medication at the exact right dose for their specific situation. Typically, a psychiatrist will start a new patient on the dose and type of medication that has worked well for similar patients in the past. But numerous follow-up appointments will be scheduled after the initial assessment to ensure the patient’s symptoms are being controlled without any unwanted side effects.

A person may be on a specific dosage of a specific medication for years and be fine. But the body is constantly changing, and it may eventually adapt to a specific dose, so the psychiatrist will want to routinely evaluate and adjust when needed.

What Types of Mental Health Issues Can be Treated with Medication?

Many mental health conditions can be treated with therapy alone. In some cases, such as with a phobia, a prescription can help to take the edge off while the therapy is doing the heavy lifting.

There are those times, however, when medications may play a larger role. For instance, if someone is experiencing depression because of a chemical imbalance, there may need to be a reliance on medication first to rebalance the mind.

If you are suffering from depression, anxiety, or any other mental health issue and you wonder if medication might help, your best course of action is to work with a licensed therapist who can assess you and make the proper treatment recommendations.

Please email my office if you’d like to explore treatment options.