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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: What is OCD?

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By Danielle Mendler

        Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a disorder where obsessions lead to compulsive behavior. These obsessions take the form of intrusive thoughts that cause discomfort, anxiety, and stress. The compulsions that follow these thoughts are actions that people struggling with OCD take to relieve those intense unpleasant feelings.

A notorious OCD stereotype is washing hands. Someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder may get an intrusive thought into their head along the lines of “You haven’t been careful enough today. You have to wash your hands again because you didn’t do it right the first time. If you don’t you will get everyone you love sick because YOU weren’t careful.” These thoughts consume those with OCD and the victim will believe everything this voice is telling them. Therefore, to stop the anxiety and guilt, they will wash their hands over and over again until it feels right. This will repeat multiple times a day causing extreme stress on this person and getting in the way of their daily routine.

            However, OCD isn’t always about staying clean or being organized. These obsessions can take the form of anything. This disorder attacks what the victim cares about most. An example is Scrupulosity. Scrupulosity is when people have intense OCD attacks on their religion and morals. This will happen when a person is extremely invested in their faith. The disorder overtakes what they enjoy and causes stress and chaos to it, making them feel like they will never be kind enough or religious enough. Some OCD takes the form of more irrational thoughts and actions that don’t always make sense to everyone else except them. People will believe that if they don’t knock on the floor four times, somebody they love will get hurt, just because their brain is telling them that. This obsessive thought causes enough internal conflict to result in the victim committing the compulsion of hitting the floor. It may seem harmless but these thoughts and actions over take people lives.

            Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can create many obstacles in daily life. People with OCD have trouble showing up on time to school or work, because they compulsions made them late. They can be under a constant state of stress and can have panic attacks over triggering words/actions that may not have significance to anyone else. If their compulsive actions include any physical activity (scratching, washing, etc.) it can cause bodily harm.

            Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a very serious mental health crisis that affects people daily. If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD or any other stress please contact Arista Counseling and Psychological Services at 201-368-3700.

Relationships: How does mental illness affect romantic relationships?

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By: Mara Gonzalez

Romantic relationships are characterized as a form of connection through physical, emotional, sexual, mental attraction and intimacy towards one another. With strong feelings for each other, romantic relationships lead to strong commitment bonds. But romantic relationships aren’t always perfect. Over 40 million people in the United States, alone, are suffering from a mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder (Stein). Mental disorders can affect a person’s life in many different ways, including a romantic relationship. Since intimate relationships require attention from both parties, the function and stability of the relationship can vary if one of the partners is affected by a mental disorder. As some of mental illness can affect day-to-day functions, relationships can be affected by the wellbeing of one or both of the partners.

Although every person diagnosed with a mental disorder can experience different symptoms, some common signs of a mental disorder can be loss of appetite and sleep, extreme mood swings, burnout, increase/decrease of certain emotions, unhealthy coping habits and/or unusual emotional outburst. One example of how the effect on the relationship can be seen is codependency. Due to the unstable emotions, the person affected by a mental disorder might need to rely on their partner for everyday things like needing help to:  

  • Stay balanced with a healthy eating style
  • Getting a good number of hours of sleep
  • Setting appropriate boundaries
  • Enabling healthy behaviors

A fear that is common amongst people with a mental health issue and their romantic relationship is pushing the other partner away. Dealing with a mental disorder is not easy, and can negatively consume a person’s life. The fear of pushing your partner away comes from not knowing if you would be accepted by your partner due to your mental health issue(s), if your partner is willing to help you and your needs, if your partner is okay with intimacy, and many more. Tory Miller, a Clinical Program Manager at Diversus Health, stated, “Sometimes we have our own stigma associated with disclosing our mental health struggles. We hesitate to share with our partner for fear of pushing them away”.

Disclosing a mental health disorder is important because it helps keep the trust and open communication, as well as having a stable foundation in the relationship. It can be seen as healthy to disclose mental health disorders so your partner is not confused by your symptoms and is able to provide adequate support for you and give you a safe place to be yourself. It is important to understand that all relationships have struggles and challenges, and it may be a good idea to establish reliance and healthy boundaries.

Sources: Stein, Catherine H et al. “Strengths, Struggles, and Strategies: How Adults with Serious Mental Illness Navigate Long-Term Romantic Relationships.” Community mental health journal vol. 60,7 (2024)

“How Mental Illness May Affect Relationships.” Edited by Diversus Health, How Mental Illness May Affect Relationships – Diversus Health, diversushealth.org/mental-health-blog/how-mental-illness-may-affect-relationships/.

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Trauma; why is Complex Trauma technically considered acquired Nero divergent?

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Trauma; why is Complex Trauma technically considered acquired Nero divergent?

By Manuela Gomez

Being neuro divergent means that the brain works a bit differently than the average brain. This may include being diagnosed with ADHD, being on the spectrum for Autism, etc.  Then we have acquired neuro divergence which are differences in the brain which come to be; after birth, traumatic events and, brain injuries.  Once someone goes through a complex trauma it can continue to be prolonged which can cause changes to the hippocampus or prefrontal lobe. If you have experienced complex trauma and feel like you might have acquired nero divergence look for these symptoms:

  • Difficulty managing emotions
  • Very sensitive to sounds, lights or even touch
  • Stress levels are way higher than normal
  • Attention span drastically dropped

It is important to remember that Complex stress doesn’t directly create acquired neuro divergence. It first sets off the changes that can then result in the listed above symptoms which are pre conditions to being Nero divergent. If you believe you may have acquired Nero Divergence, please reach out to a specialist who can help.

Sources: https://complextrauma.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/CPTSD-1-Joseph-Spinazzola.pdf

Is Neurodivergence Just Trauma? Why Complexity Science Says No!

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Body Dysmorphia; how has social media has affected it?  

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Body Dysmorphia Concept. Distorted Perception Body, Causing Slim Characters To Believe They Are Overweight. Psychological Condition, Impacting People Self-esteem And Mental Health. Vector Illustration

Body Dysmorphia; how has social media has affected it?

By Manuela Gomez

Have you ever stared at yourself in the mirror and realized that your mind isn’t showing you the reality of what you look like? Body Dysmorphia is a mental state in which your mind is busy looking/making up imperfections of your body that no one else can notice.  Although, Body Dysmorphia has been around for a while social media has only made it worse in the recent years. Social media, the addiction in which you start to compare yourself with people you watch and follow. Then you put this expectation of yourself that you should look a certain way. We tend to forget that even social media isn’t portraying the whole truth. According to the article Frontiers, 29% of people with higher social media usage have Body Dysmorphia compared to, 19% of people that have a lower usage. Here are some ways that you can help improve your BD:

  • Replace your negative thoughts with the positive (Ex: I look ugly today- I look and feel amazing)
  • Start changing the habit of analyzing yourself in the mirror every day, stand in front of it and give yourself positive affirmations
  • If you want to change something about your body then do it, but in healthy way
  • Surround yourself with healthy people and habits
  • Less social media time

Body Dysmorphia is not uncommon. It is treatable with the right professional and the effort you put into it. Don’t let your reality get lost because you see what others don’t see.

Source(s): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/body-dysmorphic-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353944

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1324092/full

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Self-Esteem: The Impact of Cyberbullying in Teenagers

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Self-Esteem: The Impact of Cyberbullying in Teenagers

by: Mara Gonzalez

Now a days, it is common to see teenagers and young adults owning a cellular device. Teenagers are most likely to be on social media accounts in order to stay updated on the latest social news, and celebrity’s lives, watch funny videos, research informational findings, and chat with friends or strangers. Social media is commonly use to keep in contact with an old friend or partner, stay in touch with a friend living far away, and much more. But unfortunately, there is a down side of social media.

            Cyberbullying has been around since the beginning of messaging applications. Cyberbullying is a form of harassment done to an online user, appearing in different forms like aggressive behavior, blackmail, hateful messages/comments, or breach of privacy. This has been a huge problem in the United States for teenagers and young adult’s self-esteem as some comments can be directed at physical appearances and looks. This can lead to feeling self-conscious about one’s body and style of clothing. Due to hateful messages and comments, teenagers can struggle seeing themselves fit into society’s standards and they start to feel “not good enough”. There have been many cases when teenagers start developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, suicidal intentions and psychological distress due to cyberbullying.

            Anybody can be a victim of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying can cause irreversible damage to younger online user’s self-esteem and confidence. When using social media, cyberbullies can choose to present their own identity or choose a fake identity, which is more frequently seen online. This means that around 44% of online users do not disclose their identity making it easier to target and cyberbully other online users without sharing who they really are. “Hiding a behind a screen” is an infamous phrase used to describe users that choose to cyberbully others online.

            In order to prevent cyberbullying from continuing to happen, there have been worldwide public campaigns, movements, online activism, victim support, school programs and social media hashtags. Spreading awareness is very important, in the online world, because it helps prevent cyberbullying from continuing causing harm others. Choose to support one another. “Courage is fire and bullying is smoke”- Benjamin Disraeli.

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Anxiety: First Day of College as a Freshman

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Anxiety: First Day of College as a Freshman

Anxiety: First Day of College as a Freshman

By Colleen Susanto

Feeling anxious about college is a universal experience. Especially, when someone has just graduated from high school and is starting college. It’s a huge transition for everybody. College is the time where you find yourself and experience the adult life. So, what makes us so anxious about college and how can we overcome it?

Being in a new community can be really intimidating. Trying to fit in and making new friends. Not being able to be with your old friends from high school can make you feel separated. However, one way to avoid that feeling is to socialize. Many colleges offer programs and events and that way, you can meet new people and make friends!

The stress of keeping up with academic expectations can also be very overwhelming. College classes tend to be more work than high school and can feel overwhelming when you are not organized. What you could do is to write down the assignments, deadlines, and exams. Then, you’d feel more organized and plan ahead.

Last but not least, being away from home. First time in college is usually the first time a student is away from their family. They have to carry huge responsibilities, such as financial, independence, time management, and much more. These can be very overwhelming for first timers. You could always contact your family through texts and calls, and stay connected with them. Try talking out your problems with your family or people you know to take some of the burden off you.

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://truetherapyaz.com/managing-stress-overwhelm-for-first-time-college-students/

Feeling Nervous About Starting College? It’s Ok, Everyone Feels That Way!

Gun Violence: The Impact on Students Mental Health

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Gun Violence: The Impact on Students Mental Health

By: Francesca Warner

As schools reopen their doors for the 2025-2026 school year, the looming fear of gun violence lingers in the back of students, teachers, and administrator’s minds. The fear is very rational, as only recently young students lost their lives in an environment where safety is prioritized. This tragedy took place on Wednesday, August 27th, at a Minnesota Catholic School during back-to-school mass. Due to the increase in the amount of gun violence threats to schools in the past several years, a major cause for concern lies in the question; what is this doing to students’ mental health and wellness?

Authors at kff.org state that “Exposure to gun violence is linked to post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety in addition to other mental health concerns” (Panchal & Zitter, 2025, para. 16). The idea that school is a safe haven for learning, friendship, and personal growth is ripped away and replaced with trauma and the burden that comes with it. The severity of violence that automatic weapons can produce is too much for young minds to process, and that lack of processing can impact a healthy mind fiercely.

To support these students who are either dealing with gun violence trauma or fear of gun violence overall, loved ones/family members can:

  • Be a supportive and judgement free listener
  • Encourage those effected to reach out to professionals
  • Respect boundaries and personal healing processes

SOURCE: The Impact of Gun Violence on Children and Adolescents

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://aristapsychiatrypsychotherapy.com/

Stress; Are you dealing with generational trauma?

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Stress; Are you dealing with generational trauma?

By Manuela Gomez

Generational or (integrational) trauma is a phrase that you might be hearing recently being thrown around but, do you truly know what it means. It is trauma that can be passed down through generations by epigenetics, when genes change how they work but the DNA sequence stays the same. It can be baggage brought from one generation onto the next. Coming from a family with this type of trauma can cause many negative outcomes which can include Stress. When dealing with your close loved ones, stress can become a common factor in your life. Trying to identify if your family has generational trauma look for these:

  • Emotional dysregulation/Inconsistent relationships
  • Emotional abuse
  • Depression
  • Shame or Guilt
  • Always on edge ( waiting for the other shoe to drop)

 The first big step you can take is recognizing that the trauma that you have can be inherited. After identifying the generational trauma you can then start to work on the stress that you have. Your body was in flight or fight mode constantly and now you know why and due to what trauma. According to the American Psychological Association we see how parents after experiencing a traumatic event, can pass on their fear and prevent future generations from finding new ways. Getting professional help can also apply to you; stress can become chronic if not addressed. Help the future generations by breaking this unhealthy cycle.

Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/02/legacy-trauma

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Relationships: How to Maintain Long Distance Relationships

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Relationships: How to Maintain Long Distance Relationships

By Colleen Susanto

Long distance relationships aren’t easy. We always want to be with the person we love, stay by their side, and spend time with them. Our emotional and mental well-being are very much important and relationships affect these.  A long distance relationship or LDR requires the proper attention for it to keep blooming. It’s easy to feel hopeless, but being in an LDR can bring out the best in partners.

As we all probably know, communication is the key. Whether in an LDR or not, it’s the backbone of a relationship and it becomes more crucial when miles apart. Set clear expectations on how to communicate with your partner. Another key is honesty. In an LDR, transparency matters even more. Talk about your feelings with your partner and open up about how you feel whether you feel sad, insecure, angry, or happy. Hiding emotions creates unnecessary tension between you and your partner.

Just because you are not next to each other, doesn’t mean you can’t share your world. Small gestures help create a sense of connection. You can talk about your daily experiences or send random pictures to make your partner included. Long distance relationships require patience, communication, and trust, but they can be deeply rewarding. When both partners put in the effort, distance can strengthen the bond rather than break it. Remember that it’s not the miles between you, but it’s the love between the two of you that does.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or relationships, 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

https://wellbeing.jhu.edu/blog/2022/07/22/how-to-have-a-healthy-long-distance-relationship/

https://bumble.com/en/the-buzz/longdistancetips

Wild Introvert: Could You Be One?

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Wild Introvert: Could you be one?

By Rachel Wang

Everyone knows what it means to be either introverted or extroverted: You either gain energy from being alone, or from being around others in social settings. However, not all introverts are the same, and not all extroverts are the same. Some people may fall under what’s known as a “wild introvert”, an unofficial term coined by Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman to describe someone who is both introverted and scores extremely high in openness to experience. 

Wild introverts have a strong inclination toward adventure, novelty, and sensory experiences, often needing time to recharge after engaging in these activities. This concept highlights that introversion is not necessarily synonymous with shyness or a lack of engagement with the world; rather, simply a preference for certain types of stimulation and social interaction. These stimuli are linked to dopamine which explains why research has found that extroverts get so energized and excited from positive social attention. Introverts, on the other hand, just don’t get as worked up about that. And in the case of the wild introvert, they might get energized or excited over other, non-social stimuli, such as those related to intellect, imagination, and new ideas.

So how does one tell if one is a wild introvert or not? If you agree with the following statements, you might just be a wild introvert:

  • I don’t tend to show enthusiasm in social situations, but I light up when the topic changes to one of my genuine interests.
  • On the outside, it may seem like I’m boring and vanilla, but inside my head, there lies a rich, imaginative world.
  • I have a ravenous desire to learn novel and complex things, but I can’t stand events where I am forced to network and meet lots of new people.
  • I generally prefer quiet and low stimulation, but when I feel comfortable/safe, I am a big sensation seeker.

Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or wild introvert, the key to being happy is self-acceptance. The best thing you can do for yourself is to live life on your own terms, whether that’s through quiet solitude, partying, or getting lost in a good book.

If you or someone you know is struggling with 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 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 https://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/

Source: Are You a Wild Introvert? | Psychology Today