Month: September 2013

Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Most of us have heard of OCD, or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but do we have a true understanding of what it means to have OCD or the Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?  If you or someone you know is suffering from OCD, or you just want to learn a bit more about the Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), the following information can help.  We hope to give you a better understanding of the Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the effect that these Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)have on the individual.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.  It produces uneasiness, apprehension, worry and/or fear within the individual.  The individual, to reduce these negative feelings, uses obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, which are irrational in nature.   These Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) eventually result in severe emotional and sometimes financial distress and can become isolating and time-consuming.

Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can include excessive cleanliness, washing and attention to detail.  Ritualistic behavior, frequent checking, specific aversions, and extreme hoarding are seen among OCD sufferers. Obsessive thoughts that are violent, sexual, or religious in nature are also Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).  What distinguishes these Common Symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) from normal variations of emotional states is that they are irrational in nature, they are uncontrollable, the individual finds no pleasure in them and uses them as a means to control anxiety, and they occur for at least one hour per day, becoming time-consuming.

Once an official diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder has been made by a mental health professional, effective treatment options can be utilized.  These include antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications and psychotherapy.  The most effective and common psychotherapy approach used to treat OCD is cognitive behavioral therapy.  This is used to teach the individual different ways of thinking, behaving and reacting to stimuli that produce fear or anxiety.  At Proliance Center, the above-described methods are regularly used for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in our patients.  We are always available to answer your questions about this disorder and it’s treatment.

Anxiety Goes Up After Several People Dead In Nairobi Kenya, Mall Attack

When we hear in the news about the recent mall shootings in Nairobi Kenya, many people get anxiety and begin to think about getting treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida.  This anxiety, and thoughts of treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida, begins when we hear in the news that several people were killed and over 293 others injured late Saturday.  An al-Qaeda-linked militant group rained gunfire inside a previously serene upscale mall in Nairobi Kenya.  Among those killed were an unknown number of Americans and many Kenyans, including relatives of Kenya’s president.  The anxiety triggering bloodbath began at around 12:30 pm Saturday, as people were enjoying a day of shopping and dining, but a standoff has continued for over 2 days as the gunmen took hostages and battled with police and soldiers.  This surely can get us thinking about treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida.

Far from the city center the high-end Westgate Mall in Nairobi Kenya with more than 80 stores and restaurants had always been touted as a serene and safe environment, but on this day it became a war zone. The terrorists brazenly gunned down everyone in sight leaving bodies littered throughout the lobby and ground floor.

All this raises anxiety concerns for many about the possibility of such an incident occurring in a mall near them and they begin to consider treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida.  Clearly some people are able to continue on with their lives without anxiety and desire to seek treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida, but for others this anxiety can interfere with their everyday lives and then it is time to seek treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida.  Can I go to the mall, shopping center, restaurant, etc.? Could I be killed at any time while living my regular life?  These thoughts can get so bad that it may be time to consider anxiety treatment in Boca Raton, Florida.  If this has begun to interfere with your everyday thoughts we at Proliance Center are here to help and provide treatment for this in Boca Raton Florida.

Don’t delay getting anxiety treatment in Boca Raton Florida.  Anxiety treatment is available in Boca Raton Florida. Give us a call us today.

What Credentials Should I look for in a Boca Raton Psychologist?

Choosing a Boca Raton Psychologist can be a daunting task.  There are a wide variety of degrees, licenses and certifications within the field of mental health and it can be very confusing for an individual to not only understand each one, but also decide what is going to work best for them.  Hopefully, we can help to clear up some of the confusion about the mental health field to help you make the most educated decision in choosing the right Boca Raton Psychologist.

There are many characteristics and qualities that are important to consider when choosing a Boca Raton Psychologist, some of the most important being their individual personality and approach to therapy.  Before you get to the point of evaluating these personal and individual traits, a good therapist must pass the test of good credentials.  Though wisdom, character and compassion are important, education and knowledge are an essential foundation to a Boca Raton Psychologist’s practice.

The most common fields of study within the world of mental health are psychiatry, psychology, mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, and clinical social work.  These 5 educational backgrounds give each of their degreed professionals the comprehensive knowledge to practice psychotherapy in a variety of settings with a wide range of populations.   Psychiatry is distinguished from this group, as psychiatrists are physicians with medical doctorates.  A practicing Psychologist has a minimum of a master’s degree (MA, MS, MEd, MSW) in one of these fields and could also hold an education specialist degree (EdS), and/or a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD, EdD).

The next essential credential for a competent Boca Raton Psychologist is supervised clinical experience.  For most professionals, this is completed prior to state licensure and consists of extensive supervised training in a clinical setting over the course of several years.  Finally, every competent Boca Raton Psychologist holds a valid state license in his or her field.

The above credentials make up an essential foundation for a competent Boca Raton Psychologist.  Many Boca Raton Psychologist hold additional certifications to establish specialty areas within the field of mental health.  Though these certifications are not necessary to treat patients effectively, they may enhance your experience and success as a patient and should be considered.

Once these credentials have been reviewed, you will find that you have narrowed your options of Boca Raton Psychologists to choose.  You can then evaluate personality, character and compassion of the individual therapist to find the best match for you!

 

How to Approach Your Spouse About Marriage Counseling

Marriage counseling in Boca Raton can be an incredible tool for couples to overcome challenges or strengthen an existing marriage.  In the ideal situation, a couple recognizes the need for help within their relationship and makes a joint decision to seek marriage counseling in Boca Raton.  Unfortunately, this is usually not the norm.  Very often, it is one partner who seeks out Marriage counseling and has the desire to participate.  The problem is, it often difficult for that partner to introduce the concept of marriage counseling in Boca Raton into their relationship.  Hopefully, we can offer you some guidance with this process.

When approaching your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, it is important to do so with the same attitude you would for most difficult conversations that involve the two of you as a couple.  Approach your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton in a non-threatening and non-blaming manner.   A defensive reaction is quite common in this type of scenario so it is important to stress that the reason you are seeking marriage counseling in Boca Raton is to strengthen your marriage and solve the problems you face together as a team.   At Proliance Center we feel that Marriage Counseling should never be one sided and even if a couple feels that one partner is more “to blame” than the other, it is always an equal partnership when seeking the assistance of a therapist.  When approaching your spouse about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, inform them of this view so that defenses can be softened, bringing you one step closer to a healthier marriage.

Most of the time, the advice given above will be of great help in getting your spouse on board with marriage counseling in Boca Raton.  At times, however, even these tips are unsuccessful.  The important thing to remember in this situation is that marriage counseling in Boca Raton can very often be effective with just one member of the couple.  If you feel that Marriage Counseling will help your marriage but your spouse disagrees and refuses to participate, you have the option to come alone.  In marriage counseling in Boca Raton, it is believed that each member of the couple is a part of the “system” of that couple.  If change happens within one partner, it will undoubtedly have an effect on the couple as a whole and on the non-participating spouse individually.  If you would like more information about marriage counseling in Boca Raton, provided to couples or individuals, a Proliance Center marriage counselor can answer any questions you may have and give you the guidance needed to take a step in the right direction!

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