Hey, Orange County… Let’s Blossom Together! While we each hold the seeds of our own success, we all need support creating the right conditions to help us grow. This April, in partnership with Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), join us for Blossoming Together: a no-cost, outdoor, picnic-style, family-friendly community wellness gathering for ALL Orange County residents. Enjoy no-cost performances,…
Read MoreI am excited to announce that I am speaking at OCD Southern California’s in-person Orange County Speakers Series event on Saturday, April 6, from 10am – 3pm at the Costa Mesa Marriot hotel. I hope you will join me and register for the event. There will be multiple OCD and related disorder talks led by…
Read MoreWith 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 MoreWhat’s the difference between Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and psychosis? OCD is characterized by the experience of recurring and often unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are difficult to resist (compulsions). Psychosis is a clinical state that occurs when individuals have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary, which…
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 MoreInterested in hearing Dr. Hsia speak live on the topic of Anxiety from a Christian perspective? Join us at Mariners Church on Sunday, December 12th. To hear what the Bible says about Anxiety, watch the full My Anxious Thoughts series from Mariners Church at the link below: https://www.marinerschurch.org/series/my-anxious-thoughts/
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 MoreIn most cities we’ve seen offices, entertainment, and schools reopen. Some people are struggling with anxiety about re-entering. There may be increased anxiety about socializing in person, feeling scrutinized by others or feeling self-conscious. For other people it may feel or be risky to engage in-person due to health concerns. Here are a few points…
Read More**Important book for parents with children who suffer from OCD and Anxiety** If you have not heard of Dr. Eli Lebowitz and the SPACE program, today is your day. I am not associated with this book, but have found the SPACE program to be groundbreaking in helping parents. Many of you have loved…
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 MoreAnxious, anxiety, worry, nervous, stress. People use these terms often and may not realize that an anxiety disorder does not feel the same as the unease that most people experience occasionally. If you have an anxiety disorder you know that you are not having occasional nagging worries. If you are anxious, it’s not…
Read MoreI was a graduate student when I first heard Kristin Neff (pioneer in the field of self-compassion) speak. I remember being blown away by this concept of being kind towards yourself. As a student I had a crazy schedule, juggling two labs, three clinical sites, a dissertation, and classes. I felt the need to always…
Read MoreKids listen. They hear things and interpret things in ways we may not as adults. This week my sweet son let me know he was not opening his stocking on Christmas. I waited until he felt like telling me why and it came out that he was afraid that Santa was going to give…
Read MoreWe have anywhere from 50,000-80000 thoughts in a day. That is way too many thoughts to keep track of. So many of our thoughts pass through without us noticing. But we cannot believe every thought we have. There are so many untrue thoughts or unhelpful thoughts that we accept because we just…
Read MoreWeb MD, healthline, mayoclinic and other sites like these can be helpful in deciding when to visit a doctor or deciding treatment for mild concerns. If you have anxiety though, you may experience panic and fear when googled symptoms are ‘consistent’ with severe illnesses. You can spend hours on the internet convinced that…
Read MoreIf you struggle with anxiety, the holiday season can be a time of high stress. There are gifts to buy, decorations to hang, traditions to follow, and people to please. This can lead to worries and tension about doing things ‘right’. This desire to do things ‘right’ is mentally and physically exhausting. …
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…
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