According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 15 million U.S. Americans, or 6.8% of the population, suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD, also sometimes referred to as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. The sufferer believes they could become humiliated and embarrass themselves somehow in front of other people. They tend to focus on every little mistake they make (or could conceivably make) and assume that everyone else is judging them.The most ...read more
The Truth About Perfectionism
We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist. But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product – but we as humans are always growing and changing. Perfectionism can ...read more
Could Your Family Benefit from Family Counseling?
Does your family love and support one another unconditionally? Do you have fun together? Do you find talking with your spouse and children is easy and effective? If you had to really pause and think about your answers to these questions, there’s a chance your family may not be as cohesive as you once thought or hoped. And that’s okay, not every family acts like something out of a 1950s television sitcom. Most have their own fair share of problems. It may be helpful to consider family ...read more
Reasons to Stay Single For a While After a Breakup
“Try, try again…” “Dust yourself off and start all over again…” “Get right back on that horse…” These are just some of the common phrases we use to support the idea that trying something after it didn’t go so well the first time is a good idea. And in many instances, this is the right attitude. But there is something to be said about taking a break after a breakup. There can be many reasons to stay single for a time after a breakup. When you’ve ended a difficult marriage or relationship, ...read more
Mental Health Habits for 2021
We live in a society that seems obsessed with physical health and weight loss. A majority of people have tried one or more diets to lose weight. People join gyms, juice, and take supplements, all in an effort to optimize their physical health. Sadly, most people don’t give their mental health a second thought, let alone intentionally practice mental health habits. The problem is, no matter how good you look in a bathing suit or how “ripped” you may be, or how low your cholesterol is if you ...read more
How to Turn a Move into More Than Just a Physical Fresh Start
There are plenty of reasons why people move. Maybe you want a nicer house. Maybe you need to be closer to your job. Maybe you want to be closer to family. While most can identify their specific reasons for moving, many chose to focus only on the physical nature of the move. This means they are missing a great opportunity to use this major life transition as a time of renewal, a fresh start. You can piggyback off this life shift and make some lifestyle changes that will benefit you for years to ...read more
Does Therapy for “Baby Blues” Work?
Having a baby is one of the most amazing and awesome events in a person’s life. Babies bring joy and laughter into the house. But the reality is, they also bring sleepless nights and inevitable and irreversible change. Having a baby also brings changes to a woman’s body. During pregnancy and right after, a woman will experience shifts in her hormones. This may cause her to feel some depression and anxiety. This is a perfectly natural response to the event and is called having the “baby blues.” ...read more
How Counseling Can Help You Reach Your Goals in the New Year
If you struggle to set goals, let alone reach them, you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is thought that roughly 92% of the population has found it hard to stick to goals. This constant cycle of trying to set beneficial life or health goals, but never quite reaching them, can ultimately lead to depression. That’s because reaching goals is empowering and helps us feel we are in charge of our life. When we don’t reach goals, we feel powerless and even hopeless that our lives can change for ...read more
5 Strategies to Calm Your Anxiety Quickly
When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in “what-ifs.” You might struggle to calm your anxiety. To make matters worse, you may then begin to berate yourself for allowing the panic to get the best of you and begin to believe that all of those what-ifs ...read more
3 Ways to Practice Self-Care for Improved Psychological Health and Happiness
When we think of self-care, things like soaking in a bubble bath, booking a massage, and reading a good book typically come to mind. While these are all excellent self-care strategies to incorporate into our lives — particularly when we’re feeling stressed, anxious, and overworked — sometimes our self-care needs run much deeper. If you're struggling with managing negative thoughts and emotions, for instance, therapy sessions with one of the counselors at Ocean Vista Counseling may be a good ...read more