Therapy for People with Anxiety
You might notice that you worry a lot and it has become difficult to enjoy things. You might be feeling an uncomfortable, agitated sensation in your body making it hard to relax. You might also struggle to get rest, with a rush of anxiety just as you are falling asleep.
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, making it hard to focus, bothered by a constant feeling of dread. Wouldn't it be nice to sit on a deserted island for a little while, away from problems and responsibilities? Probably. Therapy for anxiety is the next best thing.
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Therapy for anxiety includes:​
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Determining whether you have anxiety, or another condition (such as panic disorder or OCD)
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Learning how you anxiety affects your life, and. vice-versa
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Expanding your coping skills toolbox using evidence-based psychotherapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or a blend of therapies that best fit your needs
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Solving specific problems in a safe and supportive space with an anxiety therapist who shares your goals
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Did you know that people living with anxiety often develop medical conditions such as chronic pain (including female pelvic pain conditions, migraines, and TMJ), gastrointestinal illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as "somatic" or medically unexplained symptoms? Dr. Anna Yam has extensive experience helping people with medical problems that co-occur with anxiety. To learn more about therapy for anxiety get in touch with Dr. Yam.
Therapy for People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD isn’t just about being orderly or particular. It is a health condition characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that cause a great deal of distress and interfere with the person’s life.
Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) are often scary, disturbing and contrary to how the person views herself or the world. The compulsions are things the sufferer feels she needs to do to prevent something bad from happening. At its core, OCD, much like anxiety, is about trying our best to gain control over things that are scary, hard to understand, and that we cannot fully control.
OCD can be treated with psychotherapy. The treatment with the best evidence for success - the “gold standard” treatment for OCD - is a cognitive-behavioral therapy called Exposure and Response Prevention. This therapy works best when it’s tailored thoughtfully to the person and her life.
Exposure and Response prevention involves gradually learning to tolerate uncertainty and the lack of control over things we fear happening. This evidence-based psychotherapy is effective for improving symptoms of OCD - obsessions and compulsions, and it helps people become more resilient and flexible in the face of life’s many stressors. To learn more, get in touch with Dr. Anna Yam, an OCD specialist in California.