OCD & Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal emotion involving fear and uncertainty that all humans experience. However, for many people anxiety become abnormal, feeling constant, overwhelming, and debilitating.
Suffering from anxiety feels like constant worry and fear, with intrusive thoughts that are hard to control. Even when there's no immediate threat, your body stays on high alert, leaving you exhausted. Everyday tasks become overwhelming, and social situations feel like a minefield. Physical symptoms, like rapid heart rate or dizziness, may intensify the fear, while panic attacks can feel unbearable. Anxiety often leads to isolation, as expressing your feelings or fearing judgment becomes challenging. It’s easy to feel alone, but with the right support and strategies, healing is possible. If you have one or more of these symptoms, we can help!
What is Anxiety?
Common Causes of Anxiety
Fight-Flight stemming from trauma or attachment
Life circumstances, stress, or relationships
Basic needs not being met
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Panic Attacks/Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Specific Phobias Disorder
What is Obsessive compulsive Disorder?
The phrase “I’m so OCD” is often used casually in everyday conversation to describe traits like pickiness or particularity, but this trivializes the reality of living with obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is a serious and potentially debilitating condition that goes far beyond being "particular." It often targets deeply important aspects of a person’s life, including their values, relationships, and self-worth. OCD can manifest in ways that are shameful or taboo, making it incredibly difficult to talk about openly. Unfortunately, it is frequently misunderstood or misdiagnosed by mental health and medical professionals, or mistaken for reflections of someone's character. At Trek Therapy, we understand the complexities of OCD. Whether your symptoms are distressing, embarrassing, or seem impossible to manage, we are here to help. The good news is that OCD is highly treatable, and with the right support, individuals can lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. You don’t have to face it alone.
OCD is a cycle. The relief that comes from compulsions never feels good enough for very long and only leads to the cycle restarting.
Obsessions: The term we use for the undesired fears or themes that OCD latches onto: Harm, Contamination, Religion/scrupulosity, Sexual, etc.
Compulsions: Repetitive undesired ways of thinking or acting in order to feel better, make compulsions go away, or feel safer.
Common Symptoms of OCD
OCD is very diverse, you may have all the symptoms on this list or completely different ones. That’s OK!
OCD shows up both in our thoughts and/or actions
Fears around harm, harming others, harm coming to you
Feeling contaminated by something like germs, or even morality
Fear of death coming to you or others, or being responsible for a death
Fear or obsession over relationship concerns, cheating/infidelity, attraction
Sexual related fears such as: being attracted to people you don’t want to be such as children, family members, sexual orientation, sexual harm, even physical sensations of arousal happening.
Religious based concerns or fears such as: doing something wrong, going to hell, sins, and more.
Obsessions around blinking, swallowing, urge to urinate.
Everything or certain things needing to be or feel “just right”
Intrusive thoughts about anything
Fear of throwing up
Fear of panic attacks
Obsessing about being a good or bad person
Constantly thinking about a mistake in the past
Obsessing over medical concerns or health
Obsessing over physical sensations in the body that feel real.
Obsessing about mental health, anxiety, getting better/progress.
Perfectionism, optimization, maximization
Magical thinking: “If I don’t do this something bad might happen”
Rituals/compulsions can come in endless forms: tapping, touching, rubbing, counting, memorizing, checking, researching, mental reviewing, “figuring it out”, overly logical, washing or cleaning, praying, reviewing memories, obsessing over physical sensations in the body, repeated thoughts or actions, avoidance, and more.
Some people report that their OCD is entirely mental giving themselves the title “pure O” with no obvious physical compulsions.
And much, much more!
We also treat OCD-related disorders at Trek Therapy.
These can include:
BFRB’s: Skin Picking (excoriation or dermatillomania), Hair pulling (Trichotillomania)
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
These disorders are often treated very similarly to OCD with some adjustment.
OCD is Treatable
Even if you have OCD, you can learn how to live the life you’ve always wanted to live!
We will help you face your face your fears, get more of your life back, reduce your obsessions and compulsions, and be able to see yourself outside of your OCD!
We use the most evidenced based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and look holistically at each individual. Oftentimes OCD doesn’t exist in a bubble and we need to take into account other factors in a person’s life.
Set up a free consultation with us so we can answer any questions you may have!
What is Social Anxiety Disorder?
Living with social anxiety can feel like constantly battling an invisible weight that grows heavier in social situations. Every interaction, even with friends or family, becomes a source of intense self-doubt. You overthink every word, every gesture, fearing judgment or rejection, even if others don’t notice or care. The idea of speaking up in a group or being the center of attention feels unbearable. Your heart races, palms sweat, and a feeling of dread lingers long before an event.
The mind spirals with "what-ifs"—what if I say something wrong? What if they don’t like me? This internal noise can drown out the present moment, leaving you feeling disconnected and isolated, even when surrounded by others. You might avoid social situations altogether, missing out on connections, but the isolation itself only deepens the anxiety.
On the outside, it’s easy for others to assume you're shy or introverted. Maybe you can even mask all the anxiety and completely pass for being normal. But inside, it’s a constant struggle to mask the overwhelming sense of fear. It’s not just nervousness; it's a deep-rooted worry that you’re somehow inadequate or unworthy of social inclusion. This ongoing cycle of worry and avoidance can lead to frustration, self-criticism, and a feeling of being trapped in your own mind.
Common Symptoms of Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety is very diverse, you may have all the symptoms on this list or completely different ones. That’s OK!
Physical anxiety symptoms throughout the body such as: sweatiness, heart racing, tension, stomach issues, headaches, and more
Fear of being judged
Fear of being the center of attention
Avoidance of groups of people or even leaving the house at all
Trouble making eye contact
Overthinking and rehearsing past or future social interactions
Catastrophic thoughts about being judged, social mistakes
Extremely negative self talk, low self-esteem or self compassion
Struggle making relationships or feeling like you fit in
Fear of speaking up or sharing your own opinions
Social interactions feel exhausting
Difficulty with dating.
And so much more!
Social anxiety is treatable
We will help you face your face your fears, get more of your life back, help you feel satisfied with your relationships, and improve your self-esteem!
We use the most evidenced based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and look holistically at each individual. Oftentimes Social Anxiety doesn’t exist in a bubble and we need to take into account other factors in a person’s life.
Set up a free consultation with us so we can answer any questions you may have!
What is Panic Disorder or Panic Attacks?
For someone experiencing panic attacks, it’s like being suddenly caught in a storm of fear with no warning. Your heart races, your chest feels tight, and it’s hard to catch your breath, making you feel like you're suffocating. Your body shakes, and you may feel dizzy or nauseous, convinced something horrible is about to happen—even if there’s no reason for it. Your mind spins with worst-case scenarios, and you feel completely out of control, as if your body is betraying you. In the moment, it’s terrifying, and no matter how much you try to calm down, it’s hard to escape the overwhelming sensations. Afterward, you’re left feeling drained and shaken, with a lingering fear that the attack could return at any time. It’s a silent struggle that others may not see, but it’s real, and it’s exhausting.
Common Symptoms of Panic Attacks
Panic attack experiences are very diverse, you may have all the symptoms on this list or completely different ones. That’s OK!
Intense physical symptoms can be diverse: chest tightness, shortness of breath, rapid breathing and heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, sweating, numbness, dry mouth, tingling
You may feel that something terrible is happening medically such as a heart attack
It can feel like the symptoms have come completely out of nowhere
You may throw up
Mentally you may feel terror, like something terrible is going to happen
You might feel out of control, a sense of being out of your body or dissociated, or that things don’t feel real around you.
Intense anxiety
You may a strong urge to escape, this can even include suicidal thoughts or urges
Between panic attacks you may be in a constant state of fear of when the next attack will happen.
You may start to avoid more places or avoid leaving the house or your room in the hopes that this will prevent another attack.
You may be afraid of having a panic attack in places that would feel dangerous, or embarrassing such as in public, on an airplane, at work, etc.
You might feel completely powerless and lacking control over panic.
Ultimately, the more you try to fix the panic, the more panic you experience.
Panic Attacks are treatable
We will help you find control and power of your panic symptoms. You can learn to live your life exactly as you want to despite panic feelings showing up.
We use the most evidenced based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and look holistically at each individual. Oftentimes Panic doesn’t exist in a bubble and we need to take into account other factors in a person’s life.
Set up a free consultation with us so we can answer any questions you may have!
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder and other sources of Anxiety
Many people experience anxiety that doesn’t fit neatly into categories like social anxiety, panic disorder, or OCD, yet it can still be overwhelming and hard to manage. This might include racing thoughts, constant worries, or physical tension that lingers for days—or even longer. For some, anxiety may seem to subside only to be replaced by a period of depression, before returning again. At Trek Therapy, we specialize in identifying the root causes of anxiety. Our goal is to help individuals feel understood and find lasting relief, both mentally and physically.
More on Anxiety
These are some of the concepts we will explore to heal anxiety.
Anxiety is closely tied to the body’s nervous system, which is why it manifests both in our thoughts and through physical sensations. This is the “fight-or-flight” response many people are familiar with, where the body reacts to stress or fear, triggering a mix of mental and physical responses.
Debilitating anxiety often occurs when the nervous system becomes trapped in a chronic state of fight-or-flight. This can stem from various factors, including trauma, prolonged periods of high stress, or unmet basic needs. When the body stays in this heightened state, it can lead to persistent anxiety that feels overwhelming and difficult to manage.
Anxiety can stem from our attachment system, shaped early in life. From childhood, we learn what feels safe and what leads to disconnection. In this context, anxiety often serves as the body’s signal that something is wrong—telling us, "This is not acceptable; we’re not allowed to feel or do this." It’s a protective response to perceived emotional threats based on our past experiences and learned patterns.
How we respond to anxiety—whether we accept it, resist it, or try to control it—can significantly impact whether we continue to struggle with it. Our approach to managing anxiety often determines how much power it holds over us, how long it lasts, and how big it gets.
No matter the source, Anxiety is treatable
As challenging as anxiety may seem, it doesn’t have to dictate your life. We can help you reclaim peace and take back the control that anxiety often tries to steal.
We use the most evidenced based treatments such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Attachment Theory
Set up a free consultation with us so we can answer any questions you may have!