Author name: Eliana Bonaguro

Different Types of Relationship OCD: How ROCD Can Change Its Focus

Relationship OCD doesn’t always look like someone constantly wondering whether they love their partner. One person may become consumed by whether they chose the right relationship. Another may fixate on attraction or a partner’s perceived flaws. Someone else may know they want the relationship but experience intense ROCD fear of abandonment or ROCD jealousy, watching […]

Different Types of Relationship OCD: How ROCD Can Change Its Focus Read More »

Social Anxiety Symptoms: 10 Hidden Behaviors That Keep You Stuck

Social anxiety symptoms aren’t always as obvious as avoiding parties, public speaking, dates, or meeting new people. Sometimes you show up. You talk to people. Maybe you even look completely relaxed. But inside, you’re monitoring everything. Am I talking too much? Was that weird? Where should I look? Do they notice I’m nervous? Before you

Social Anxiety Symptoms: 10 Hidden Behaviors That Keep You Stuck Read More »

Panic Attacks on the Subway: How Agoraphobia Can Make NYC Feel Smaller and Smaller

Panic attacks on the subway can turn an ordinary NYC commute into something you dread. You get on the train, the doors close, and suddenly you notice your heart beating faster. Maybe you feel hot, dizzy, nauseated, lightheaded, or short of breath. Then the thoughts start: What if I panic? What if I need to get off?

Panic Attacks on the Subway: How Agoraphobia Can Make NYC Feel Smaller and Smaller Read More »

How to Choose a Therapist for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Choosing the right therapist for panic disorder and agoraphobia can be difficult, especially when many therapists list “anxiety” among the conditions they treat. Panic disorder and agoraphobia have specific features that benefit from a therapist who understands panic attacks, fear of physical sensations, anticipatory anxiety, avoidance, and exposure-based treatment. Perhaps you’ve already had medical evaluations and have

How to Choose a Therapist for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Read More »

Retroactive Jealousy OCD: When Your Partner’s Past Feels Like a Threat

Retroactive jealousy OCD (RJOCD), a form of relationship OCD (ROCD), can make your partner’s past feel impossible to leave in the past. Maybe you know your partner chose you, yet your mind keeps returning to the people who came before you. You picture past relationships, compare yourself with an ex, or feel compelled to ask

Retroactive Jealousy OCD: When Your Partner’s Past Feels Like a Threat Read More »

Is This OCD or Anxiety? How to Tell the Difference

If you spend a lot of time worrying, overthinking, or imagining what could go wrong, you may wonder: Is this OCD or anxiety? Or what’s the difference between OCD vs anxiety? It is not always easy to tell the difference between OCD vs anxiety. Both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety can involve repetitive thoughts, uncertainty, physical

Is This OCD or Anxiety? How to Tell the Difference Read More »

Why Do Panic Attacks Keep Happening? Understanding the Panic Cycle and How to Break It 

If you keep wondering, “Why do panic attacks keep happening?” Or ‘Why do I keep having panic attacks?” the answer often lies in this self-reinforcing panic cycle rather than in an underlying medical emergency. you’re not alone. Many people assume that once the first panic attack ends, the problem is over. Instead, they become trapped in a

Why Do Panic Attacks Keep Happening? Understanding the Panic Cycle and How to Break It  Read More »

Moral Contamination OCD: Why Do I Feel Contaminated by Certain People, Places, or Memories?

Moral contamination OCD is a lesser-known form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that can leave you feeling psychologically or morally “dirty” after contact with certain people, places, objects, memories, or situations. Unlike traditional contamination OCD, the fear isn’t about germs or illness. Instead, it is the overwhelming feeling that someone else’s perceived immorality, wrongdoing, or negative qualities have

Moral Contamination OCD: Why Do I Feel Contaminated by Certain People, Places, or Memories? Read More »

How ERP For OCD Works: What to Expect During Treatment

If you’ve been researching treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you’ve probably come across Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). You may have heard that ERP for OCD is considered the gold standard treatment, but you might still be wondering what that actually means. Will your therapist ask you to face your biggest fear right away? Will you be forced

How ERP For OCD Works: What to Expect During Treatment Read More »

Why OCD, Panic and Agoraphobia Can Occur Together

Have you ever found yourself wondering whether your anxiety is OCD panic agoraphobia, or somehow all three? OCD, panic disorder, and agoraphobia can feel like a relentless cycle of fear and uncertainty. You may experience intrusive thoughts about losing control, having a panic attack, becoming trapped somewhere you can’t escape, or being unable to get

Why OCD, Panic and Agoraphobia Can Occur Together Read More »

Mental Compulsions in OCD: The Hidden Rituals That Keep Anxiety Alive

When people think about OCD, they often picture visible compulsions like handwashing, checking locks, or arranging objects. But mental compulsions OCD can be just as exhausting and disruptive, even when nothing is visible from the outside. Many people with OCD spend hours mentally reviewing conversations, analyzing thoughts, checking feelings, replaying memories, seeking reassurance, or trying

Mental Compulsions in OCD: The Hidden Rituals That Keep Anxiety Alive Read More »

How Exposure Therapy Helps Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

A panic attack can make the world suddenly feel dangerous. For some people, panic disorder begins with one terrifying experience: a racing heart while driving, dizziness in a store, shortness of breath in a crowded place, or a sudden feeling of losing control. Afterward, the fear often shifts from the panic attack itself to the

How Exposure Therapy Helps Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Read More »

How Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Become Connected Through Fear and Avoidance

Many people assume agoraphobia begins with a fear of leaving the house. In reality, panic disorder and agoraphobia often begin with fear of panic attacks. Many individuals struggling with panic disorder and agoraphobia describe becoming increasingly afraid of situations where panic symptoms may occur. Over time, panic disorder and agoraphobia can become deeply connected through

How Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia Become Connected Through Fear and Avoidance Read More »

Panic disorder blog Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: When the Fear of Panic Starts Shrinking Your World

Does Your Life Revolve Around the Fear of Another Panic Attack? You may avoid highways. Sit near exits. Cancel plans. Stay close to “safe” places. Constantly monitor your heartbeat, breathing, or dizziness. Over time, life can begin to feel smaller and smaller. Living with panic disorder and agoraphobia can feel incredibly isolating and overwhelming. Many

Panic disorder blog Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: When the Fear of Panic Starts Shrinking Your World Read More »

Types of OCD: Understanding the Different Themes of OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood as a disorder about being neat, organized, or particular. In reality, OCD is not about preferences. It’s about distressing, intrusive thoughts and the mental or behavioral rituals people use to try to feel certain, safe, or in control. One of the most confusing parts of OCD is that it

Types of OCD: Understanding the Different Themes of OCD Read More »

Relationship OCD Fear of Abandonment: When the Fear of Losing Your Partner Becomes OCD

Do You Constantly Fear That Your Partner Will Leave You? It may be OCD fear of Abandonment Do you find yourself repeatedly wondering whether your partner still loves you? Do small things—like a delayed text, a change in tone, or a distracted look—trigger waves of anxiety? Do you sometimes think: OCD can show up in

Relationship OCD Fear of Abandonment: When the Fear of Losing Your Partner Becomes OCD Read More »

Are You Trapped in Endless Questions About Reality, Meaning, or Existence? Learn when  OCD Treatment could help 

Do you find yourself stuck in loops of philosophical questions and intrusive existential thoughts that never seem to resolve? This could be a sign of existential OCD. You may spend hours asking yourself things like: • What if reality isn’t real?• What if nothing truly matters?• What if I suddenly lose my sense of self or awareness?• What if

Are You Trapped in Endless Questions About Reality, Meaning, or Existence? Learn when  OCD Treatment could help  Read More »

Just Right OCD: When Things Don’t Feel “Right Enough”

If you struggle with Just Right OCD, everyday activities can become surprisingly difficult. A small detail may feel slightly off, uneven, or incomplete, and the discomfort can be intense until it is corrected. OCD can show up in many different forms. You can explore other types of OCD here:👉 Types of OCD People with Just Right OCD often

Just Right OCD: When Things Don’t Feel “Right Enough” Read More »

Intrusive Thoughts About Hurting Someone: Could It Be Harm OCD?

If You are searching harm OCD, chances are you have you ever experienced intrusive thoughts about hurting someone or even yourself, even though you would never want to harm anyone in real life? Maybe a disturbing thought suddenly appears in your mind.You imagine hurting someone you love.You picture losing control or acting violently. These thoughts can

Intrusive Thoughts About Hurting Someone: Could It Be Harm OCD? Read More »

Contamination OCD: When Fear of Germs Takes Over Your Life

Do you constantly worry about germs, contamination, or getting sick and wonder whether you are a germophobic or have contamination OCD? If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing contamination OCD, one of the most common forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD can show up in many different forms. You can explore other types of OCD here:👉

Contamination OCD: When Fear of Germs Takes Over Your Life Read More »

What Is Relationship OCD (ROCD)?

Relationship OCD, often abbreviated as ROCD, is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder that centers on intrusive doubts about one’s relationship or partner. Instead of contamination fears or checking rituals, the obsession attaches to love, compatibility, attraction, or the “rightness” of the relationship. Everyone experiences doubts in relationships. But relationship OCD feels different. The thoughts are

What Is Relationship OCD (ROCD)? Read More »

10 hacks to Nighttime Anxiety and Insomnia

As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders — including panic attacks, chronic worry, OCD, and racing thoughts — I provide therapy for clients in New York and Florida who struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. Anxiety and insomnia often go hand in hand; when the nervous system stays in fight-or-flight, the body simply can’t drift into restorative rest. My approach blends practical, evidence-based tools with compassionate guidance to help you quiet your mind, reset your sleep cycle, and reduce the vicious loop of nighttime worry and daytime fatigue. Whether you’re dealing with panic attacks, chronic worry, obsessive thoughts, or sleepless nights, therapy offers a structured path to calming the nervous system, reframing catastrophic thinking, and creating consistent rituals that signal safety and rest.

10 hacks to Nighttime Anxiety and Insomnia Read More »

Eliana Bonaguro, LMHC