The obsessions and compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships. Did you know that stressful or traumatic events have been associated with an increased risk of developing OCD? Once someone is in their loop it is hard to get them out. Exposure therapy has shown great success in treating individuals with OCD. Symptoms of OCD may include, but are not limited to: Counting and Checking Ruminating thoughts or overthinking Having frequent irrational fears or worries. Compulsive behaviors If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, call to book an appointment with our certified staff to start your healing process.

Depression is not just a disorder that affects certain individuals. Anyone can get depressed. For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why. Symptoms may include but aren’t limited to: -Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness -Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters -Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports -Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much -Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort -Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain -Anxiety, agitation or restlessness -Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements -Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame -Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things -Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, call to get an appointment with one of our certified staff to start the healing process.

Borderline Personality Disorder (Or BPD) is a mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to regulate their emotions and impair their ability to maintain healthy relationships. It is a very common condition. More than 3 million cases per a year! While the cause has been hypothesized, genes account for 40-50 percent of cases found. Other factors that contribute to the development of borderline personality disorder range from abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual) to emotional trauma stemming from childhood. Symptoms include but are not limited to: -A fragile sense of self -Impulsiveness -Emotional volatility -Insecurity If you or someone you know is struggling with BPD, call to get an appointment with one of our certified staff to start the healing process.

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, or more commonly known as ADHD, is the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Typically diagnosed in adolescent years and can carry into adulthood. It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends. A child with ADHD might: -daydream a lot -forget or lose things a lot -squirm or fidget -talk too much -make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks -have a hard time resisting temptation -have trouble taking turns -have difficulty getting along with others With three different combinations of ADHD, it's easily overlooked until adulthood. In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family. Good treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way. If you or someone you know is struggling with ADHD, get scheduled with one of our certified therapists to begin your healing journey.

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Episodes of mood swings may occur rarely or multiple times a year. While most people will experience some emotional symptoms between episodes, some may not experience any. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan. In most cases, bipolar disorder is treated with medications and psychological counseling. The manic phase is characterized by: -Extreme happiness, hopefulness, and excitement -Irritability, anger, fits of rage and hostile behavior -Restlessness -Agitation -Rapid speech -Poor concentration and judgment -Increased energy -Less need for sleep -Unusually high sex drive -Setting unrealistic goals -Paranoia The depressive phase may include: -Sadness and crying -Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and guilt -Loss of energy -Loss of interest or pleasure in everyday activities -Trouble concentrating and making decisions -Irritability -Need for more sleep or sleeplessness -Change in appetite -Weight loss/gain -Suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide If you or someone you know is struggling with bipolar disorder, set up an appointment with one of our certified staff to start the healing process today.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. You can develop post-traumatic stress disorder when you go through, see or learn about an event involving actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violation. Doctors aren't sure why some people get PTSD. As with most mental health problems, PTSD is probably caused by a complex mix of: -Stressful experiences, including the amount and severity of trauma you've gone through in your life -Inherited mental health risks, such as a family history of anxiety and depression -Inherited features of your personality — often called your temperament -The way your brain regulates the chemicals and hormones your body releases in response to stress Symptoms include but are not limited to: -Intrusive memories -Avoidance -Negative changes in thinking and mood -Changes in physical and emotional reactions -Suicidal thoughts People of all ages can have post-traumatic stress disorder. However, some factors may make you more likely to develop PTSD after a traumatic event, such as: -Experiencing intense or long-lasting trauma -Having experienced other trauma earlier in life, such as childhood abuse -Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as military personnel and first responders -Having other mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression -Having problems with substance misuse, such as excess drinking or drug use -Lacking a good support system of family and friends -Having blood relatives with mental health problems, including anxiety or depression If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, reach out to our certified staff to start your healing process today.

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. You may avoid places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood. Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. You can have more than one anxiety disorder. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition that needs treatment. Symptoms include but are not limited to: -Feeling nervous, restless or tense -Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom -Having an increased heart rate -Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation) -Sweating -Trembling -Feeling weak or tired -Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry -Having trouble sleeping -Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems -Having difficulty controlling worry -Having the urge to avoid things that trigger anxiety If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, reach out to one of our certified staff to start your healing journey today.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling. People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment. Early treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop and may help improve the long-term outlook. Schizophrenia involves a range of problems with thinking (cognition), behavior and emotions. Signs and symptoms may vary, but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech, and reflect an impaired ability to function. Symptoms may include: -Delusions. These are false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you think that you're being harmed or harassed; certain gestures or comments are directed at you; you have exceptional ability or fame; another person is in love with you; or a major catastrophe is about to occur. Delusions occur in most people with schizophrenia. -Hallucinations. These usually involve seeing or hearing things that don't exist. Yet for the person with schizophrenia, they have the full force and impact of a normal experience. Hallucinations can be in any of the senses, but hearing voices is the most common hallucination. -Disorganized thinking (speech). Disorganized thinking is inferred from disorganized speech. Effective communication can be impaired, and answers to questions may be partially or completely unrelated. Rarely, speech may include putting together meaningless words that can't be understood, sometimes known as word salad. -Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behavior. This may show in a number of ways, from childlike silliness to unpredictable agitation. Behavior isn't focused on a goal, so it's hard to do tasks. Behavior can include resistance to instructions, inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack of response, or useless and excessive movement. -Negative symptoms. This refers to reduced or lack of ability to function normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack emotion (doesn't make eye contact, doesn't change facial expressions or speaks in a monotone). Also, the person may lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw or lack the ability to experience pleasure. Symptoms can vary in type and severity over time, with periods of worsening and remission of symptoms. Some symptoms may always be present. In men, schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the early to mid-20s. In women, symptoms typically begin in the late 20s. It's uncommon for children to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and rare for those older than age 45. Symptoms in teenagers: Schizophrenia symptoms in teenagers are similar to those in adults, but the condition may be more difficult to recognize. This may be in part because some of the early symptoms of schizophrenia in teenagers are common for typical development during teen years, such as: -Withdrawal from friends and family -A drop in performance at school -Trouble sleeping -Irritability or depressed mood -Lack of motivation -Also, recreational substance use, such as marijuana, methamphetamines or LSD, can sometimes cause similar signs and symptoms. Compared with schizophrenia symptoms in adults, teens may be: -Less likely to have delusions -More likely to have visual hallucinations If you think someone you know may have symptoms of schizophrenia, talk to him or her about your concerns. Although you can't force someone to seek professional help, you can offer encouragement and support and help your loved one find a qualified doctor or mental health professional. If your loved one poses a danger to self or others or can't provide his or her own food, clothing, or shelter, you may need to call 911 or other emergency responders for help so that your loved one can be evaluated by a mental health professional. In some cases, emergency hospitalization may be needed. Laws on involuntary commitment for mental health treatment vary by state. You can contact community mental health agencies or police departments in your area for details.