You Don't Have to Live in Survival Mode: Recognizing the Signs of Anxiety & OCD and When to Seek Treatment
- caitlyn50
- Mar 13
- 4 min read
If you're feeling overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts or anxious about everyday situations, you're not alone. Many people experience these feelings, but it can be hard to know when it's time to seek support.
Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can deeply impact a person's daily life. What might begin as simple worries or habits can spiral into challenges that disrupt personal well-being and relationships. In this post, we will highlight the signs that it’s time to seek support and how to navigate the treatment options available.
Understanding Anxiety and OCD
Anxiety is a natural response to stress, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can make even everyday tasks feel incredibly difficult. Anxiety disorders like Generalized Anxiety, Social Anxiety and Panic Disorder, can take up so much mental energy that you aren't able to do the things you enjoy and spend most of your time feeling nervous, irritable and overwhelmed.
OCD is a cycle of unwanted thoughts or images (obsessions) that create anxiety and distress and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that are meant to neutralize or relieve the anxiety.The compulsion might relieve anxiety in the short term but ultimately lead to more intrusive thoughts and uncertainty.
Signs That It Might Be Time to Seek Help
Persistent Symptoms
It's normal to have bad days, but when anxiety, worry, and intrusive thoughts become your constant, it might be time to consider seeking support. Some examples include:
Excessive Worrying: Excessive Worrying: When worrying starts to affect your relationships and your ability to get through daily tasks, it’s a sign that something more is going on. It is hard to make decisions and you are always second guessing yourself. You might find it hard to concentrate or feel irritable and annoyed.
Repetitive Behavior: Your routines —from checking locks multiple times to washing your hands and counting or organizing objects—take up significant time and disrupt daily life. If doing something once is not enough to relieve your anxiety it may be worth getting assessed for OCD.
Avoidance: Another concerning sign is avoiding certain people or situations in order to manage anxiety. Over time, this can lead to social isolation, as well as fueling your anxiety about your triggers.
Changes in Daily Functioning
It is essential to notice shifts in daily functioning as another sign to seek help. Changes might include:
Decline in Work or Academic Performance: If you're struggling with focus, decision-making, or meeting deadlines, it might be a sign that your anxiety is taking a toll. For example, many students with anxiety experience a noticeable drop in their grades due to difficulty concentrating.
Social Withdrawal: If you increasingly find yourself avoiding social settings you once enjoyed, this may indicate a deeper issue.
Strained Relationships: Anxiety can create barriers between friends and family. Compulsive behaviors may lead to misunderstandings or conflicts, straining precious relationships.
Physical Symptoms
Physical signs may arise, indicating the need for help:
Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or if you're experiencing frequent nightmares
Restlessness or Fatigue: Feeling fatigued or constantly restless, even after adequate rest, may reflect deeper emotional distress.
Physical Health Issues: A range of physical symptoms—from chronic headaches to digestive issues—may also signify underlying anxiety or OCD conditions.
How CBT can help
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the gold standard treatment for anxiety and OCD. CBT helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to anxiety and obsessive-compulsive patterns. By learning new coping strategies, you can reduce the intensity of your symptoms and feel more in control of your thoughts and actions. With CBT, you can learn to build your confidence in feared situations and how to break cycles of compulsive behaviors. Research consistently shows that CBT significantly improves outcomes for those struggling with anxiety and OCD, providing lasting relief and improving overall quality of life. Once you learn how to approach your problems with CBT, you'll have a tool you can apply throughout your life.
What to Expect in Therapy
In our first session, we’ll talk through your symptoms and your history, so we can create a treatment plan that’s tailored just for you. As we progress, you’ll gain an enhanced understanding of your patterns and learn techniques to manage your thoughts and behaviors. CBT is collaborative which means we will work together to find the strategies that work best for you.
Finding an Anxiety & OCD Therapist Near You
Living with anxiety and OCD can be exhausting, but reaching out for support early can really make a difference. If you're feeling ready to take the first step in managing these challenges, I'm here to help. Together, we can work on finding the right path for you toward feeling more at ease.
If you're also looking for other professionals who specialize in anxiety and OCD, organizations like the International OCD Foundation, The Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America are great resources.
Feel free to contact me for a free phone consultation—I’d love to talk with you about how we can begin this journey together.
Caitlyn Oscarson is a therapist in private practice in Campbell (San Jose), CA. She specializes in evidence-based treatment for anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder.
Caitlyn OSCARSON, LMFT
cognitive behavior therapy
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