Treatments: OCD, Anxiety, and Other Disorders
Anxiety is a normal and natural part of life—for some people, however, feelings of anxiety and fear are overpowering, making it nearly impossible to enjoy life to the fullest. The good news is that anxiety-producing disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) can be effectively managed.
Harold Kirby, LCSW/BCD works collaboratively with clients to develop treatment plans that meet the needs of each unique individual. His unique empirically-based treatment approach combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure/Response Prevention (E/RP) Behavior Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy.
OCD, BFRBs, and Related Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD is characterized by excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions), negatively affecting an individual’s quality of life.
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). A person experiencing BDD perceives flaws in their own physical appearance, leading to undue intrusive and unwanted preoccupations with their appearance which consumes many hours of their day.
- Hoarding Disorder. Hoarding is generally indicated if an individual has had a long-term problem with getting rid of possessions, without regard to the actual value or usefulness of the possessions. As a result, hoarding leads to an accumulation of items that interferes with everyday life and living areas.
- Trichotillomania. A compulsive desire to pull out one’s hair, associated with a sense of loss of control. People experiencing trichotillomania can suffer from significant negative emotions directed toward themselves.
- Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder. An irresistible urge to pick one’s skin repeatedly. A person often spends a good deal of time picking. A person may spend several hours each day picking. Additionally, the picking may have been present for months or years.
Anxiety, Stress, Depression, and Phobic Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed when a person suffers from excessive anxiety and worry that fuels apprehensive and negative expectations.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD can result from traumatic experiences, such exposure to an actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence, among other experiences.
- Specific Phobia. An individual who suffers from a specific phobia will become very fearful or anxious about a particular object or situation. For example, fear of flying, heights, animals, needles, or blood.
- Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD, social phobia). Those suffering from social anxiety disorder experience significant fear and anxiety in social situations where they may be scrutinized or negatively evaluated by others.
- Panic Disorder. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden attacks of fear or panic; generally, these panic attacks are frequently and debilitating.
- Major Depressive Disorder. Persistent feelings of sadness (depression) that interfere with an individual’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life.
Contact Harold Kirby at 610-517-3127 to schedule a consultation or appointment regarding treatment for OCD, anxiety, or related disorders. Harold provides telehealth treatment for clients in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey (Main Line, Montgomery County, Camden, Cherry Hill), as well as in the South Carolina Lowcountry (Hilton Head, Bluffton, Beaufort, Colleston County, Dorchester County, Berkeley County, Charleston).