Treatment Bergen County NJ

Throwing Up: The Fear of Throw Up

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By Caroline Buchanan

The fear of throw up, also referred to as emetophobia, is a specific phobia that revolves around the fear of vomiting, seeing vomit, watching other people vomit, or feeling sick. Emetophobia tends to leave people in a state of anxiety, overtaking their thoughts and engaging in behaviors that impact their everyday life. For example, you may avoid crowded places, traveling, eating out, or closely monitor your own health in an attempt to reduce the distress you may feel. While this anxiety can feel overwhelming and unbearable at times, this condition can be managed by a therapist.

What causes emetophobia?

Specific phobias tend to develop after a specific incident. As a result of this incident, an association is created between a thing – an object, situation, or an event – and a fear (Psych Central). Specifically in the context of emetophobia, this could involve getting sick in public, someone vomiting on you, having a bad case of food poisoning, or seeing someone else throw up. Emetophobia can also develop without a clear cause, causing experts to believe that genetics and the environment play a role. Regardless of whether you can pinpoint an incident or not, this anxiety can still be managed.

How can emetophobia be managed?

Exposure therapy is considered to be one of the most effective treatments. In this type of therapy, your therapist will expose you to your fear at a slow rate. This could involve trying a new food at a restaurant or spinning around until you feel nauseous. With these actions, you will be provided with techniques to help you cope with these feelings of anxiety. The goal is that the more you are exposed to your fear, the more you feel comfortable with it. Talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)can also be used to help learn how to identify and challenge negative thought patterns in your anxiety. While it may take some time to find the right therapist and techniques for you, it is worth it to alleviate the distress in your life.

If you or someone you know is suffering from emetophobia, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://www.healthline.com/health/emetophobia#outlook

Agoraphobia: Locked Inside

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Agoraphobia: Locked Inside

By: Camillia Ghavami

                Agoraphobia is an often misunderstood and unacknowledged anxiety disorder. It is characterized by feelings of intense anxiety and avoidance of situations or places that are believed to be hard to escape. Agoraphobia is most often developed after having one or more panic attacks, leading to a fear of having another attack and thus avoidance of places that are thought to trigger these attacks. This anxiety is caused because of a fear that if a panic attack were to occur, there would be no easy way to escape or get help. These situations can include being in a car or airplane, being alone outside the home, or in crowded areas. While relatively ignored, this disorder affected 0.9% of US adults in the last year and 1.3% of US adults are expected to develop agoraphobia over the course of their lifetime. Adolescents show higher rates of agoraphobia with 2.4% of US adolescents aged 13-18 having the disorder. Additionally, while there is no gender differences of agoraphobia prevalence for adults, adolescent females tend to be afflicted by this disorder more so than men, 3.4% and 1.4% respectively.  

                Treatment for this disorder is similar to treatment for most anxiety disorders. First, psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), has been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders. CBT teaches people how to be less anxious by altering their thoughts, reactions, and behaviors to situations. An example of this that can be effective for agoraphobia is exposure therapy. Exposure therapy allows people to confront their fears and helps people engage in activities they had been avoiding due to anxiety. Secondly, agoraphobia can also be treated with medications, with the most common being antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and beta blockers. There are many ways to treat anxiety, and a health care provider can help you choose the best treatment.

If you or someone you know is suffering from agoraphobia, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355987

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/agoraphobia#part_2666

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders#part_2223

https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/overcoming-agoraphobia-qa

Social Anxiety: The Surprising Ways Parents Contribute to Social Anxiety in Their Kids

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Social Anxiety: The Surprising Ways Parents Contribute to Social Anxiety in Their Kids

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Being a parent means you will have a defining influence on your child’s emotional and social development. From an early age, your child’s distinct temperament will control how they would respond to the environment. Temperament refers to personality traits that determine individuals’ interactions with their environment. While some children are ready for new experiences, others may demonstrate shyness or uneasiness when faced with unpredictable events. Shyness is a feature of childhood; however, children whose shyness, hesitation to engage in social interactions, or other inhibited behaviors are consistent from infancy to adolescence are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety in their teenage years. Discovering this connection could aid you in nurturing your child’s emotional health from birth.

Moreover, a child that shows signs of shyness may hesitate when contacting new people and places, only look down or ignore other children or adults they do not know, and feel uncomfortable to express themselves when participating in social activities. Although, shyness can be temporary, the occurrence of shy behavior in several stages of childhood may mean that there is a need for such a child to have some extra support in their social skills.

Research highlights the crucial role of early intervention as children with shy or cautious natures during their early years have a higher chance of developing social anxiety disorder in their teenage years (Chronis-Tuscano et al., 2009). Researchers considered the possibility that kids who have been shy or anxious from infancy through childhood are more likely to develop anxiety disorders as teenagers (Chronis-Tuscano et al., 2009).

In a similar study, Poole and other researchers followed a group of infants from the age of four months. They monitored their social and emotional development until they were 13 years old. They wanted to know if the infants’ type of response to new situations (positive, negative, or neutral) would influence their behavior and social skills in the future as they grow older. Their research outlined how social anxiety can evolve and how early characteristics may influence these paths (Poole et al., 2022).

For example, if your child’s shyness is why they cannot participate in activities that are part of their day-to-day life or make friends. Then, it may be time to seek the help of a pediatrician or a clinical psychologist. The early intervention could assist in identifying any anxiety that might be the root cause of the problem, and your child will be equipped with the required abilities for a better future. Knowing that temperament from early on can influence mental health later on, one can take active roles in building the child’s development. It’s important to work out open communication with your child and make sure that you pay attention to their emotional needs. The more you do, the better it will be for your child to build these skills and establish valuable social interactions to help children reach their full potential.

If you or someone you know is struggling with social anxiety or mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

References:

https://kidsinfinitelearning.com/social-anxiety-in-kids/

Chronis-Tuscano, A., Degnan, K. A., Pine, D. S., Perez-Edgar, K., Henderson, H. A., Diaz, Y., Raggi, V. L., & Fox, N. A. (2009). Stable early maternal report of behavioral inhibition predicts lifetime social anxiety disorder in adolescence. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 48(9), 928–935. https://doi.org/10.1097/chi.0b013e3181ae09df

Poole, K. L., Degnan, K. A., Harrewijn, A., Almas, A., Fox, N. A., & Henderson, H. A. (2022).Trajectories of socially anxious behavior from age 5 to 13: Temperamental and sociocognitive pathways. Child Development, 93(5), 1334–1346. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13767

Social Anxiety in Kids: Common Symptoms & Helpful Tips

Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks: Understanding the Differences and Seeking Help

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Panic Attacks vs. Anxiety Attacks: Understanding the Differences and Seeking Help

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Have you ever felt your heart racing and felt completely detached from the world? Chances are, you may be experiencing a panic attack. Or have you ever felt so irritable and restless to the point where it’s disrupting your sleep? Well, in that case, you may be experiencing anxiety or an anxiety attack. Don’t get the two confused, as there are differences between them.

Panic attacks are intense, unexpected feelings of terror, fear, or discomfort. They are unexpected because they aren’t triggered by specific events and may occur without reason. Panic attacks are typically brief and only last several minutes. Physical symptoms include trembling, tingling, rapid heart rate, chest pain, feeling tightening in arms and hands, chills, etc. Symptoms vary from person to person, but these are the most common.

Anxiety attacks or anxiety are characterized by feeling restless and fearful that something is going to happen. Unlike panic attacks, anxiety attacks are triggered by specific events. Some physical symptoms include feeling lightheaded, dizzy, stomach knots, rapid heart rate, heavy breathing, hot flashes, nausea, headaches, backaches, and frequent sweating. Frequent anxiety attacks can indicate a type of anxiety disorder. Anxiety may not always be rational and may just occur because of fearing something bad is going to happen, even though it may just be all in your head.

It’s important to understand how you can differentiate between the two and to seek help when you need it. Often people don’t want to seek help, which can cause symptoms to worsen. Don’t be afraid to seek help, as there are many options available, such as therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. It’s important to prioritize your mental health and take care of yourself. Remember that you are not alone, and many others have experienced similar symptoms. It’s okay to ask for help and take the steps necessary to manage your anxiety or panic attacks. With the right treatment and support, you can overcome these challenges and live a fulfilling life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV)

https://www.self.com/story/anxiety-disorder-symptoms

https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/anxiety-attack-symptoms

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/307863

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961

REM Sleep: The Consequences of Disrupting your Sleep Pattern

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

REM Sleep: The Consequences of Disrupting your Sleep Pattern

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Believe it or not, lack of sleep affects you more than just feeling groggy the next day. In fact, sleep plays an important role when it comes to brain function. Your brain needs the time to rest and prepare for the next day.

There are four stages of sleep: the first three stages are called NREM which stands for non-rapid eye movement and the fourth and final stage is called REM, which stands for rapid eye movement. These stages of sleep cycle multiple times throughout the night. They each last between 90-120 minutes. REM sleep is the deepest stage of sleep and where you might start to experience dreaming.

What people might not realize is that REM sleep is the stage of sleep where memories from the events that happened the previous day are forming and being engraved in your brain. Think of your brain as this filing cabinet where sleep would be the best time for your brain to start sorting all these memories. Even emotions and emotional memories are processed in REM sleep. Making sure you have adequate sleep helps with learning and being able to recall what you just learned. So next time, if you feel like neglecting sleep, think again!

If you or someone you know is struggling with sleeplessness, or mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Sources:

https://www.sleepstation.org.uk/articles/sleep-science/rem-sleep

Social Anxiety: How Bullying Affects The Disorder

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Social Anxiety: How Bullying affects the disorder

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Do you find yourself seeking the approval of people yet being bullied in return?  Often, we feel the need to be liked by others and we find ourselves changing who we are. When you are continuously attempting to impress others by pretending to be someone you are not or hiding your genuine self, you are manifesting a fear of rejection. Unfortunately, others may be able to notice your fears and use them against you since you are trying too hard to “fit in”.

Emotional abuse is real, and it may be just as harmful as physical abuse. Emotional abuse creates distress in the individual’s emotional or psychological state. Kids can be harsh, and the Pew Research Center reports that at least 59% of kids in the United States have been bullied. Bullying can lead to low self-esteem and increased self-consciousness. This creates a negative feedback loop in which bullied people are more inclined to suffer from social anxiety, and vice versa. Bullying can potentially escalate into physical violence, resulting in pain on both fronts.

But what is Social Anxiety?

According to the DSM-IV, Social Anxiety is defined as feeling frightened or worried in social situations, which may lead to the desire to avoid social encounters altogether. Unfortunately, bullying does not help; instead, it can worsen symptoms as anxiety sets in, when anything one does is criticized and, as a result, is emotionally abused.

What can you do about it?

First and foremost, in dealing with the disorder, you must not feed the desire to avoid social interactions. The more we care about what others think, the more we lose ourselves and suppress our genuine identities. It is crucial to remember that bullying occurs more frequently than you think and if you allow it to disrupt your life, you are merely hurting yourself.

If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying and/or experiencing social anxiety, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at  (212) 722-1920 or (201) 368-3700 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com

Sources:

https://www.verywellfamily.com/bullying-and-anxiety-connection-460631#:~:text=It%20is%20not%20surprising%20that,them%20over%20and%20over%20again.

 https://www.brosix.com/blog/cyberbullying-statistic/

Binge-Eating Disorder: The Link between Mental Health and Binge-Eating in College Students

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Binge-Eating Disorder: The Link between Mental Health and Binge-Eating in College Students

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Have you heard of the commonly used expression, the “Freshman 15”? This expression is used to describe how the first year of college can be very challenging as one is transitioning to a different stage of their life. It is so challenging that it could lead to an excessive amount of stress and anxiety leading to the need to compensate those feelings. Food can very well help compensate those feelings, but if it comes to a point where it becomes a habit, you’ve got problems. Overeating may start to occur and that’s where the “Freshman 15” expression comes in. “15” in the expression refers to the amount of weight gain as a result of the high stress and anxiety levels that comes with freshman year of college. Unfortunately this could cause long term problems associated with overeating such as Binge-Eating Disorder.

Binge-Eating Disorder is characterized as overeating frequently in a short amount of time. The binge-eater experiences trouble controlling their consumption. According to the DSM-IV, in order to be diagnosed with Binge-Eating Disorder, one must have three or more episodes of:

  • Excessively eating more consistently than normal
  • Overeating until feeling uncomfortably full
  •  Eating big portions of food without being hungry
  •  Having the preference of eating alone due to embarrassment
  •  Feeling guilty after indulging in food.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health or binge-eating disorder, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (212) 722-1920 or (201) 368-3700 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com

Sources:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV)

OCD & Obsessions

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OCD & Obsessions by Nicole Sanchez

Obsessive compulsive disorder is comprised of a pattern of unwanted thoughts and or fears known as obsessions. These obsessions lead one to do repetitive behaviors, also called obsessions. These obsessions and compulsions interfere with much of one’s daily activities and can cause a lot of distress. Ultimately, one feels driven to carry out compulsive acts to reduce their stress. Examples of common content of obsessional thoughts include the fear of contamination, disturbing sexual thoughts or images, religious and blasphemous thoughts, or ritualized hand washing. Ordering things in a particular way, repeated cleaning of objects or repeatedly checking locks, appliances etc. Compulsions can even include the need to constantly seek approval or reassurance. Often there are peole with OCD that recognize or suspect their obsessional thoughts are not realistic though some may think they could be true.  Even if they are aware of their intrusive thoughts are not realistic, people struggling with OCS have difficulty disengaging from the obsessive thoughts or stopping the compulsive behaviors.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that is effective for many of those that struggle with OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is a part of CBT therapy which involves exposing a person over time to the feared object or obsession, such as dirt. Then one learns ways not to do their compulsive rituals. ERP takes time and practice, but it has been proven to help those struggling with OCD improve their life quality once they learn to manage their symptoms. Patients with mild to moderate OCD symptoms are usually treated with either CBT or medication depending on their preference. It also depends on their cognitive abilities, level of insight and the presence or absence of associated psychiatric conditions, as well as treatment availability. Hypnosis has often also been used to successfully eliminate OCD symptoms. Hypnosis is a relatively short treatment of several sessions which helps the person rid themselves of harmful, repetitive behaviors.

If you or someone you know is having mental health difficulties and/ or experiencing symptoms of OCD, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our offices at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/obsessive-compulsive-disorder

Depression vs. Grief: Are you depressed or are you just grieving?

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Depression vs. Grief: Are you depressed or are you just grieving?

By, Maro Mikhaeil

Did you experience a loss of some kind, whether it was a loved one, a job, a pet, or even a relationship? Often times, individuals will think that they are experiencing depression when that may not be the case at all. In fact, depression does not solely occur when a traumatic event has occurred but may occur due to genetics or even your environment. However, it may be hard for individuals to distinguish grieving from depression due to the similarities. This is why psychologists or psychiatrists will often ask for your history to determine treatment. Grieving and depression are both characterized by intense feelings of sadness and may have the same cause of trauma and loss. Some individuals may experience both depression and bereavement, commonly known as a process of grief, which causes significant symptoms and functional impairment and is worse than either depression or bereavement alone.

The Differences between Depression and Grief

Depression is characterized by a variety of depressive disorders, such as disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance-induced depressive disorder, medication-induced depressive disorder, and other unspecified and specified depressive disorders. Major depressive disorder is the most common and known type of depressive disorder, as it is the classic condition amongst all the other depressive disorders. It is characterized by depressive episodes that have been occurring for at least 2 weeks and/or longer, which is longer than the grieving process. Major depressive disorder is also more persistent and has more obvious characteristics because individuals will be feeling depressive symptoms everywhere, as opposed to bereavement, which is more of a fluctuating state and varies from person to person. Bereavement entails this grieving process where these negative feelings are accompanied by positive feelings, and as time passes, the wave of negative emotions will spread further and further apart. The grieving process and the associated feelings will also come to an end as the individual fully visualizes their loss through a good recollection rather than a more devastating one.

Treatment options

Despite the differences between the two, major depressive disorder and bereavement are both treatable. Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, can definitely treat both major depressive disorder and bereavement. Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxiolytics can also target the symptoms of major depressive disorder, and people find them useful in conjunction with psychotherapy.

All in all, it’s important to be mindful of all the similarities and differences and to take action when needed. Your mental health is just as important as your health; you should not let it derail your life, as there is a way out. Remember that you are not alone, as individuals all over the world are experiencing what you may be experiencing right now.

If you or someone you know is experiencing grief or depression, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2691160/#:~:text=Most%20bereaved%20individuals%20experience%20intense,both%20bereavement%20and%20major%20depression.

https://www.verywellmind.com/grief-and-depression-1067237

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV)

Suicide: Passive Versus Active Suicidal Ideation

GalleryJudy Gurfein Leave a comment

Passive Versus Active Suicidal Ideation

By: Dyami Efroimson

Experiencing suicidal thoughts is an exhausting experience that many experience on a day to day basis. The consistent pondering of, preoccupation with, and desire to commit suicide is describe using the term suicidal ideation. This concept can be divided into categories; passive suicidal ideation and active suicidal ideation.

Active suicidal ideation involves not only contemplating suicide but devising a plan to do that one intends to follow through on. One who is experiencing this may discuss in detail how they would commit suicide if they were to do so. It is not simple a fleeting thought about ending your life, it is the deep desire and intent to kill yourself. Treatment for active suicidal ideation typically includes hospitalization in an attempt to prevent the individual from inflicting harm on themselves. During this time they will meet with psychiatrists and therapist that will evaluate the severity of their suicidal ideation and how to move forward with treatment. It is important for them to have a support system that can be by their side as they learn to love life again.

Passive suicidal ideation includes having no motivation to continue living and often experience intrusive thoughts about ending their life, but do not actually have a plan to do so. However, if gone untreated, these thoughts can progress into active suicidal ideation. The main difference between passive and active suicidal ideation is the intent; with passive there is not intent to commit suicide, with active there is. If one is experiencing these thoughts, the best way to move forward is to be evaluated by a mental health professional and take each day that you stay alive as a tiny victory.

Suicidal ideation is a spectrum. It can range from simply questioning what it would be like to die, to devising a step by step plan as to how you are going to end your life. Regardless of where on the spectrum one’s ideation falls, it is important to seek help to find the source of why these suicidal thoughts are occurring, whether it be a mental illness or a particular event in your life that triggered it.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling and Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

What’s the Difference Between Passive and Active Suicidal Thoughts?
What Is Passive Suicidal Ideation?

https://www.theswaddle.com/suicidal-ideation-exists-on-a-spectrum-and-might-involve-no-plans-to-die

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33351435