When Falling Asleep Feels Like Falling Apart: Understanding Fear of Sleep and Its Ties to Insomnia, PTSD, Anxiety, and OCD

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

Posted: September 12, 2026

Most people who struggle with sleep are afraid of NOT sleeping. But there is a smaller, less-discussed group of people for whom the dread runs in the opposite direction. For them, the frightening moment is not the hours of wakefulness.: it is the instant sleep starts to take hold. They fight to stay awake, not because they cannot sleep, but because some part of them does not want to.

Common Signs of ADHD in Kids: When to Consider Testing

Posted: August 27, 2026

ADHD can look different from one child to another, and signs often become more noticeable when school, routines, or responsibilities require more focus and self-control. Common Signs of ADHD in Kids As a parent, you may notice patterns involving attention, activity level, or impulsivity. Some...

OCD or Autism? Understanding the Difference (and Why Some People Have Both)

By Courtney Worley, Ph.D., ABPP, DBSM, M.P.H.

OCD

Autism Treatment

Posted: August 20, 2026

Symptoms of OCD and autism can look a lot alike from the outside. Both can involve repetition. Both can involve routines that feel non-negotiable. Both can involve an intense focus on something specific. But underneath that surface resemblance, they work in very different ways — and understanding the difference matters, because the right kind of support looks completely different depending on which one (or both) you're dealing with.

Teenage Development and Mental Health

By Virginia Rediker, MSW, MPH, LICSW-S

Teenage Mental Health

Anxiety Depression ADHD Autism Treatment Young Adults

Posted: August 17, 2026

Growing up is tough, and being a teenager brings huge changes inside and out. While teens grow taller on the outside, massive shifts are happening inside their brains. At the same time, teenagers are dropped into a world full of big expectations and new daily pressures. All of these outside stresses mix with how their brains grow to shape how they feel every day.