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Are obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours interfering with your daily life?

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It’s normal, on occasion, to go back and double-check that the door is locked, worry about germs, or have occasional unpleasant reoccurring thoughts. However, if you suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours can become so consuming that they interfere with your daily life. OCD is an  anxiety disorder  characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts, and ritualized repetitive behaviours you feel compelled to perform. If you have OCD, you probably recognize that your obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors are irrational—but even so, you feel unable to resist them and break free.  Like a needle getting stuck on an old record, OCD causes the brain to get stuck on a particular thought or urge. For example, you may check the stove 21 times to make sure it’s really turned off or wash your hands until they’re scrubbed raw for fear of germs. While you don’t derive any sense of pleasure from performing these repetitive b...

How does anger affect your health?

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  Constantly getting angry and exploding in rage, can cause health problems, such as high blood pressure, insomnia, and heart attack from the stress. Your mental health can also suffer if you are always angry. If you are having trouble controlling your anger, you should think about  if you need help with your anger management  before it affects your physical and mental health.  Health problems related to anger  When you get angry, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones make your heart beat faster and your blood pressure rise. Over time, this can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease.  Getting angry also raises your risk of having a stroke. That’s because anger can cause your blood vessels to narrow, which reduces blood flow to the brain. A lack of blood flow can damage or destroy brain tissue, leading to a stroke.  If you have diabetes, getting angry can make it hard...

How much anger is too much and needs anger management?

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  Anger is a natural emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. While there is no single answer to this question, some experts suggest that a certain amount of anger is considered normal. Many factors, including culture, family background, and life experiences, can influence a person’s level of anger. Some people may be more prone to anger than others, but it is important to remember that everyone experiences anger in different ways.  If you find yourself feeling angry more often than you would like, or if your anger is impacting your daily life in negative ways, it may be time to seek help from a mental health professional. You should  think about whether you need anger management counseling  to help you learn how to cope with your anger in healthy ways.  Different Levels of Anger  There are different levels of anger, ranging from mild irritation to full-blown rage. Some people may only experience mild anger, while others may hav...

What are some proficient methods for dealing with anger?

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  Anger is a natural emotion that everyone experiences at some point in their lives. While it’s normal to feel angry from time to time, it’s important to  know how to manage anger  in a healthy way. If left unchecked, anger can lead to problems in our personal and professional lives.  There are a number of ways that you can productively  manage your anger in Ottawa . Some of these techniques include:  Identifying the triggers that cause your anger.  Once you know what sets you off, you can begin to avoid those situations or deal with them in a different way. Understanding what makes you angry is key to managing your anger before it gets out of control.  Expressing your anger in a constructive way.  This could involve talking to the person who has angered you in a calm and rational manner, trying to listen and understand the other person’s perspective or writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal.  Practicing relaxat...

What Are the Signs That I Might Need Anger Management?

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  Anger is a natural emotion, but when you let your anger spill over in hurtful ways, it’s not healthy nor productive. Dealing with your angry emotions is key to better relationships and peace in your own life.  Speaking with a psychotherapist can help you learn more about your anger and teach you better ways to express your anger. Getting professional help with  anger management in Ottawa  can help you respond more effectively and calmly when you do get angry.   1. What are the four stages of anger?  For most people, anger comes in different intensities. The first stage is annoyance. You might be annoyed because someone crossed a boundary or acted inappropriately. You can also experience anger when you’re impatient or hungry.  Next comes frustration, this is when the annoyance becomes more bothersome and causes your stress levels to rise. The third stage is hostility. At this stage, you don’t tolerate frustrating events. The fourth stage of...

How Do I Choose The Right Therapist?

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  Choosing a therapist is an important decision and it isn’t an easy one to make. The right therapist can help an individual reclaim their life and maintain their wellbeing. However, with so many   therapists in Ottawa , how can you find the best counsellor to help you?  Key factors to consider when choosing a therapist  1. Experience  One of the major factors to consider when choosing a therapist is the diversity and depth of their experience. Check that they have treated many clients with similar conditions and know enough to employ the best therapy method for you. Also, if you have a specific problem or issue, such as relationship issues, it’s best to find a counsellor with experiences in that particular field, such as marriage counselling or divorce counselling. Make sure the therapist who sees your children is a trained child therapist.  2. Credibility and Knowledge  Licensure is an important factor to consider when choosing a th...

How Long Does Therapy Last? The Answer Varies for Everyone

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  The pace of life seems to be getting faster each day, with time appearing to always be in short supply. Individuals and families considering   counselling in Ottawa   probably want to know how long therapy takes before they commit to a treatment plan. Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer as to how long therapy can last, but some factors can help you estimate the time. To know how long treatment takes, it’s important to understand what therapy is and how it works.  What Is Therapy, and How Does It Work?  Counselling or therapy is a confidential and non-judgemental space where clients can discuss their problems and find solutions or ways of dealing with their issues. During the sessions, qualified trained therapists listen to their clients, Together the therapists and clients work to develop a plan to confront their mental health challenges. Therapy is a place where patients can learn more about themselves, their emotions, and ways to manage those emotions bet...