The OCD & Anxiety Center

11/04/2025

Feeling more anxious or off since the time change? You’re not alone.

When daylight fades earlier, our brains and bodies can struggle to adjust — often leading to racing thoughts, restlessness, or that “something’s just off” feeling.

Our latest blog explains why anxiety often increases after Daylight Savings Time ends and offers simple, evidence-based ways to feel more balanced again.

Read it here 👇
https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/when-the-clocks-fall-back-anxiety-can-rise-how-to-cope-with-the-time-change/

When the clocks fall back each November, many people look forward to that extra hour of sleep. But for others, especially those who live with anxiety or OCD, the shorter days and early darkness can bring new challenges. You’re not imagining it — the time change really can affect your mood, energ...

11/04/2025

This Friday, our founder Dr. Maha Zayed will be presenting an introductory workshop on Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) at The Meadows Outpatient Center in Downers Grove.

Learn the foundations of ERP, how to build exposure hierarchies, and ways to apply in vivo, imaginal, and interoceptive exposures in treatment.

✨ Approved for 2 CE credits through the APA and NAADAC.
👉 There’s still time to register: provdevchicagonov7.eventbrite.com

11/03/2025

No matter where you are in your journey, there’s still time to grow, to heal, and to become the version of yourself you’ve always wanted to be. 🌿

10/31/2025

🎃 Happy Halloween from The OCD & Anxiety Center! Here’s to crushing exposures and reclaiming your freedom - one brave step at a time 💪🧡



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10/30/2025

Anxiety doesn’t always look like worry. Sometimes it looks like resistance, arguing, or refusal. For many kids, teens, and even adults, what seems like defiance is actually fear in disguise. Understanding the “why” behind the behavior can change everything.🧠

Read our new blog here: https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/when-anxiety-looks-like-defiance-the-hidden-struggles-behind-difficult-behavior/

It’s easy to label certain behaviors as “defiant” — the teen who rolls their eyes and storms off, the child who refuses to get out of the car, or the adult who snaps when asked a simple question. But sometimes what looks like defiance isn’t defiance at all. It’s anxiety. At its core, anx...

10/30/2025

Exposure therapy sounds intense, but it’s actually a process built on safety, support, and trust.
You’ll never be asked to face fears all at once. Instead, it’s about small, guided steps that retrain your brain to see that you’re okay, even when anxiety says otherwise ✨ 💪

10/28/2025

Does your anxiety ever spike after scrolling? You’re not alone. Social media is designed to keep us hooked - and sometimes, that comes at the cost of calm. In our latest blog, learn how to take back control and build a healthier relationship with your screen.

https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/how-social-media-affects-mood-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/

In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of daily life, especially for young people. While these platforms promise connection and community, research increasingly shows that excessive social media use correlates with increased rates of depression, particularly among teens a...

10/27/2025

Did anyone catch yesterday’s CBS Sunday Morning segment on phobias? It was such a powerful look at how common and how treatable fears really are!

Whether it’s flying, going to the dentist, or thunderstorms, these kinds of fears can take over your life. But they don’t have to. At The OCD & Anxiety Center, we use Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, the gold standard for phobias and anxiety disorders, to help people face their fears in a gradual, supported way.

There’s absolutely no shame in seeking help for something that’s holding you back. Recovery starts with one small, brave step. 💪

Millions struggle with an intense fear of something that poses little or no threat, from flying to cockroaches to a trip to the dentist. How do they overcome their phobias?

10/24/2025

You made it through another week - take a note from this little guy and soak it in. 💛

10/23/2025

When intrusive thoughts collide with inattention, life can start to feel like a tug-of-war between overfocus and distraction.

OCD and ADHD often occur together - and understanding how they interact is key to finding balance and effective treatment. Our latest blog explores how these conditions overlap, what signs to look for, and how tailored therapy approaches like CBT and ERP can help you regain control.

Read more: https://theocdandanxietycenter.com/ocd-adhd-co-morbid-symptoms-and-treatment-options/

When you’re struggling with intrusive thoughts while simultaneously battling an inability to focus, you might wonder if there’s more going on than just one condition. Research shows that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently co-occur, ...

10/20/2025

🍂 🎃 We had such a great time at the Hinsdale Fall Family Fest 2025! A huge thank-you to the Village of Hinsdale, Illinois-Government for hosting such a wonderful event and to everyone who stopped by our booth to say hello. We loved meeting so many families, sharing resources, and celebrating all things fall together!

10/20/2025

Courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s choosing to move forward even when fear shows up. Every time you do, you get a little stronger. 💜