In OCD, individuals are troubled by persistent, recurring thoughts (obsessions) that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears. Common obsessions can include worrying about being contaminated, fears of behaving improperly, or even fears of acting violently. These obsessions can lead an individual to perform rituals or routines (compulsions), such as repeatedly washing hands or repeating phrases over and over to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts.
GAD is characterized by excessive and unrealistic worry. In adults, anxiety may result from health, finances, career, or relationships. Symptoms include muscular aches, insomnia, abdominal pain/discomfort, dizziness, trembling, and irritability.
SAD is defined as experiencing intense anxiety due to the fear of being judged by others or behaving in a way that might lead to embarrassment or ridicule in social situations. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, heart palpitations, blushing, excessive sweating, and dizziness.
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, repetitive movements and vocalizations called tics. These tics are often preceded by an uncomfortable urge temporarily relieved by the tic before the cycle repeats.
Emetophobia is an overwhelming and irrational fear of vomiting, witnessing others vomit, or being in circumstances where vomiting could happen. Classified as a specific phobia, it can lead to considerable distress, avoidance behaviors, and hinder daily functioning.
Panic disorder is marked by severe anxiety that causes individuals to feel as if they were having a heart attack or feeling out of control for no apparent reason. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, heart palpitations, chest pain/discomfort, sweating, trembling, tingling sensations, a choking feeling, fear of dying, and experiencing unreal or illusory feelings.
Trichotillomania and skin picking are examples of BFRB. Trichotillomania is defined by the recurrent urge to pull out one’s hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Individuals typically feel a sense of tension or itch before they pull, followed by a sense of pleasure and/or relief. Due to this feeling of relief, it is very difficult for individuals to stop the behavior. Compulsive skin picking is characterized by the recurrent urge to pick one’s skin. Individuals may imagine skin defects in their skin that are not observable to others but will repeatedly pick at them to try and make them go away. Much like trichotillomania, individuals will experience a feeling of relief afterward.
People who suffer from specific phobias, such as a fear of heights, elevators, or spiders, often experience intense fear not only when they are in the presence of that particular place or object but also in anticipation of being near the place or object. The level of fear a person experiences is usually inappropriate to the situation and recognized by the sufferer as irrational.
Separation anxiety in children is expressed by feelings of excessive anxiety while away from their parent/caregiver or while away from home. Common behaviors upon separation include crying, clinging, panic, and worry. Reluctance or refusal to go to school and/or extracurricular activities is common due to the child’s fear of separation and fear of harm to loved ones while they are apart.
Being ready for treatment doesn't mean you need to have everything figured out; it’s more about having the courage to show up and be open to new experiences. It’s completely normal to feel a mix of certainty and uncertainty. Just taking the step to seek therapy is already a powerful indication of your willingness to embrace change and personal growth, no matter how small those steps may seem. Your journey is valid, and every effort you make is a meaningful part of that process.
I felt like anxiety and panic attacks were running my life before I began my work with Sonia. Even simple daily tasks could feel so overwhelming, especially as I grappled with years of unresolved grief and trauma. From our very first session, Sonia created a warm and supportive space that helped me face my fears. We explored exposure therapy, which allowed me to slowly confront the triggers that had been holding me back, and I began to see positive changes almost immediately.
As we worked through my grief and trauma using ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), I discovered ways to understand and manage my emotions that I never thought were possible. These sessions gave me the tools I needed to face my pain without feeling overwhelmed, helping me navigate life with a fresh sense of peace and resilience. Therapy has profoundly changed my life in all aspects, and thanks to Sonia’s kind guidance and expertise, I genuinely feel like I am myself again.
—A.F., Bartlett
Offering high-quality mental health care for clients in these areas: Downtown, Midtown, University Area, East Memphis, Bartlett, Cordova, Germantown, Collierville, Lakeland, Millington, Covington, Atoka, Oakland, Rossville, Moscow, Eads West Memphis (AR) Olive Branch, Southaven, Horn Lake, Hernando, Byhalia - MS areas