With all of the recent changes at OCAC, we’ve neglected to keep everyone informed of the events we’ve been involved in over the past few weeks and upcoming ones that you can come see us. February 25, 2024: Hope for Mental Health Community Gathering https://saddleback.com/event/11231/hope-for-mental-health-february-community-gathering?occurrenceId=183227&startDateTime=2024-02-25T13%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&endDateTime=2024-02-25T15%3A00%3A00-08%3A00 A recording of the event is posted here: https://kaywarren.com/community/ We’ll…
Read MoreMany people think that people with agoraphobia can’t leave their house and are afraid of ‘the outside’. In fact, agoraphobia is much more nuanced and broad, with approximately 1.5% of people worldwide meeting criteria for its diagnosis. What to know about agoraphobia: While it is now its own diagnosis as of DSM-V-TR, it is helpful…
Read MoreAs the OC Anxiety Center evolved, it was evident we needed more space. After an arduous search, we were able to secure a great new office less than a quarter mile ‘down’ the street that more than triples our current space. We’re excited about the new office and will be offering new programs to better…
Read MoreWe receive many calls from individuals looking for help with their anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders. We’re not always able to help everyone (some people live out of state, some don’t have an anxiety disorder, while others are solely seeking medication), so we try to supply information as they seek other providers. Here are…
Read MoreCongratulations to our own Katie Ogata, who presented her research in September at the California Psychological Association Conference. Her research detailed perceived vs actual outcome of treatment for teenagers, comparing online, hybrid and inperson treatment modalities. While teenagers (n=80) believed at a statistically significant rate that inperson treatment would have better outcomes, we found at…
Read MoreSocial anxiety can be quite overwhelming and can be such a burden on your everyday life. It can make going to work, attending family gatherings, and even getting out of the house seem impossible! However, overcoming social anxiety is NOT impossible and treating it can make all the difference. Social anxiety disorder is a common…
Read MoreExposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of anxiety disorders. This therapy involves systematically exposing a person to their feared stimuli or situations (Confronting thoughts, images, objects) and preventing them from performing their compulsive or avoidance behaviors. By…
Read MoreNext week from July 7-9th, the International OCD Foundation will be having its annual conference in San Francisco at the Marriott Marquis , and the OC Anxiety Center will be there. Drs. Hsia and Davis and Ms. Portillo will not only be attending, but all three will be giving presentations. Additionally, OCAC will have a…
Read MoreWhen a child’s academic performance is suffering, ADHD, behavioral disorders, or learning disabilities are often the first to come to mind. While these are crucial to assess for, anxiety is an often-overlooked culprit for poor school performance. When determining the cause of your child’s learning difficulties, consider that anxiety can affect learning in the following…
Read MoreAs a spouse, parent, or friend to someone with anxiety, it can be daunting or seemingly impossible to do or say the right thing to help your loved one. It may seem as though nothing you do can make a difference, and perhaps you might even feel as if your attempts to help only make…
Read MoreNot surprisingly many people who come to us have both anxiety and depression, and it’s important to distinguish between the two for a better outcome. It’s not always easy to understand where one ends and the other begins: am I in bed at noon because I’m avoiding anxiety provoking situations, or because I’m so sad…
Read MoreWe’re happy to announce that the OC Anxiety Center will be adding another new staff member in November of this year. Unlike our other therapists, Daisy will likely gladly accept a pat on the head or a tummy rub from you. Daisy is a 1.5 year-old golden retriever, currently being trained at Joys of Living…
Read MoreWhen meeting potential new patients, one of the most common questions I often receive is “Why do I have to do an assessment? The other therapists never did one, we just got to work.” The other one is “I just did an assessment with a psychiatrist, why do I need another one?” These are fair…
Read MoreI was out for a walk with my family when I saw a bumper sticker: “Don’t believe everything your brain tells you.” Interestingly when I did an internet search, this phrase came up repeatedly in regards to cognitive psychology and perception and sensation. Our brain actually fills in many gaps in visual processing: our eye projects…
Read MoreThe fear of vomiting, or emetophobia is one of the most often treated phobias at the OC Anxiety Center. Many people are surprised by its frequency and its devastating effects. It stops people from attending work and school, makes people avoid driving and traveling, and prevents individuals from attending social gatherings. Its affects can vary…
Read MoreData is data. Or is it? As is the case in many things, yes and no. When speaking with a scientist, the term “data” implies objective data. This means that the information is quantified in a manner that is universally agreed upon. For example the unit of a kilogram is not relative and does not change. …
Read MoreThere isn’t. Doctors want you to get better, not get worse. Ideally professionals are looking at the current research to ascertain and utilize the best treatments available for people. There is no quick fix for anxiety and OCD issues There isn’t a secret that will make someone feel calm and relaxed. Think about weight loss:…
Read MoreWe most commonly hear about stress being bad and to be avoided. It actually turns out stress can be useful in specific, time limited situations – and an unavoidable part of life. As the year winds down, many of us have looming projects and deadlines that create stress: Final exams, annual sales goals and reports…
Read More“I need to be control of things.” “I have to make sure I have all my bases covered all the time.” “My gut is telling me that’s a bad idea.” “If that goes wrong, it’ll be horrible.” Everyday we walk around with underlying belief systems that affect how we behave, whether we are…
Read More“Unprecedented” “Trying” “Uncertain” “Challenging” “Difficult” As we adjust to a “new normal”, all of the above words have been used repeatedly in advertisements, by newscasters, politicians and neighbors to describe significant shifts in our lives due to the pandemic, significant political shifts, social upheaval and even how we discuss these issues. One of the most…
Read MoreThe OC Anxiety Center has been seeing patients via tele- and videoconference, and in discussion with other medical professionals, we are preparing to open the office again within a few weeks. Based on consultation with a medical specialist, we are configuring the office to minimize the risk for both staff and patients alike: Posted protocol…
Read MorePavlov has been part of our treatment team for many years but has never gotten a proper introduction. Our golden retriever Pavlov was initially adopted by Dr. Hsia when he was a puppy in 2010 from a deploying Marine at Camp Pendleton. At that time, he was enrolled at Little Angels Service dogs to be…
Read MoreMany of the calls we receive at the OC Anxiety Center begin with “I’m anxious and depressed and I need help.” While anxiety and mood disorders are often co-occurring, treatment goals differ significantly resulting in different approaches to treatment. One question to ask yourself is “What’s the bigger problem right now?” or “If I had…
Read More“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one” ― Bruce Lee Last summer I was trying to teach my son how to swim. He was improving, and could just make it across side-to-side in the shallow end, and felt very proud (and to be honest, I felt a bit…
Read MoreThe OC Anxiety Center has been asked by different organizations to participate and/or lead in many Zoom meetings for private schools, therapist organizations and counseling centers. One of the questions that other professionals have been asking is “how has COVID affected your patients?”. Many assume that there’s a large influx of patients with the increase…
Read MoreUnprecedented events often lead to anxiety and worry, as we do not know how to respond to them. We often try to control what we can (whether actually useful or not), and over-analyze information while worrying about what the future may hold. We are seeing these patterns in our patients (and our friends and family).…
Read MoreThese past few weeks have seen the stock market crash, the stores empty of staple goods, bars and restaurants close, schools and workplaces go online. It’s unprecedented in our lifetime and many of us are unsure of how to respond or what to do that will make our families safer. As we make choices, we…
Read MoreDuring this trying time the OC Anxiety Center remains open. We are primarily seeing patients virtually, utilizing both teletherapy and HIPAA compliant video platforms to ensure your confidentiality. For some specific situations we are also seeing patients in the office but is the exception and not the rule until we are through this time. Please…
Read MoreMy son refused to finish his breakfast yesterday. Over the past two weeks, my wife and I noticed a change in his behavior in the mornings: after I sat him down for breakfast, got him started and would take the dog out for a walk, he would run upstairs to my wife, claim that he…
Read MoreIn conjunction with the Wellness and Prevention Center, Dr. Hsia will be a panelist at a screening and discussion of “The S-Word”, an award-winning documentary regarding the stigma of suicide. It is open to the general public, and will be followed immediately by a panel discussion about the film and related issues. Share this event…
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