Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy

Many who suffer from panic and anxiety attacks have given up hope finding any salvation. Some studies have shown that a majority of those who suffer from panic and anxiety attacks have given up trying to find a way to regain life without them. If you are one of them, you will be happy to know there are now new and innovative ways for treating anxiety attacks.

If you think you might be one of those affected, the first important step is understand exactly what a panic attack is, and what it is not. These attacks actually stem from a normally beneficial component of our self defense mechanisms. The “fight or flight” response serves as an early warning system thus alerting us to danger.

The problem arises when this normally protective system becomes activated at inappropriate times when one is not facing any danger. When it happens with regularity it can evolve into a debilitating disorder. Those who suffer from them can attest to the adverse effects they can have upon both family relationships and within the work environment.

Once you gain an understanding of what a panic attack is, then you must learn to recognize the signs which indicate an attack is pending. Sudden increased pulse is the most universally reported signal. Some experience hot flashes, others a damp cold feeling. Many report loss of balance and vertigo. Skin breakouts akin to allergic reactions have also bee reported by many.

In addition to these physical indications, the most intense and feared components are focused in the mind. Sheer terror, sureness of one’s impending death, frozen with fear are common descriptions of the mental state associated with a panic attack. Most usually, this fear does not pertain to any given tangible thing, event or person. It is more a general sense of dread.

Now that you have basic understanding of the origins and indications of what constitutes a panic attack, the next issue becomes how to deal with them. Traditional medicine has identified several pharmaceutical based treatments which some have found greatly beneficial. Others, unfortunately, have not found relief from this avenue of treatment.

Many have found respite using other more natural, holistic techniques. Examples of these include accupuncture, massage therapy and aroma therapy. Classic psychology has proved beneficial for many as well. Most commonly, therapists will employ cognitive behavioral therapy in an attempt to give you control over the internal mechanisms triggering these events.

Suffice to say, there are many available options out there. Different approaches work for varying forms and severity of the disorder. You must explore the various choices and select the one which best suits your needs as an individual. No matter how difficult, keep faith that there exists for you a good way for treating anxiety attacks.

People with Social Anxiety or feel that they might have this condition must be opened about it and see a doctor to be given appropriate treatment before it’s too late.

Have you experienced what it must be like meeting your big boss for the first time? The thought of being watched by your superior while working is stressful, isn’t it? Or, maybe you are so anxious to go to a beach party because you have not shed enough pounds to wear the two-piece swim suit (who knows how many years have them!), and you are so worried on what the people might say if you wear them with those excess baggage wrapping around your body? Those feelings are just normally. For as long as you have reasons to be anxious about anything, it is perfectly normal .But, if the anxiety is eating you up and you become anxious about what other people might say, or think, or do to you, which you know does not have rational basis, and the worst part is, you find it difficult to control your thought or emotion, that is social anxiety.

Social anxiety or social phobia is one of the largest mental health care problems in the word in the present day. A person with social anxiety simply spends time alone, closeted, away from people. They tend to choose to be alone than to be around with other people for fear that they might not fit in some ways or the other. Even when they are with familiar people, they may still feel overwhelmed and have the feeling that every movement and thought they made have been constantly watched or criticized. The feeling of being observed or being misjudged is one of the things that keep them away from people.

People with social anxiety are often misdiagnosed and are usually labeled as schizophrenic, manic-depressive, among other detrimental misdiagnoses. Because there few social anxious people have heard of their own condition and have never seen it discussed on any media, they tend to think that they’re alone in this world suffering from the disturbing symptoms. The tendency is they keep their condition to themselves for fear of being misjudged, and with the lack of info, education, and proper treatment social anxiety continues to impair their lives. In addition, when the time comes that people with social phobia finally gets to their feet and seeks help, the chances are very slim. When worst comes to worst, people who experienced this condition for a day, will have it everyday for the rest of hi/her life. They are people with social anxiety disorder.

One thing common to all socially anxious people is that they share the same knowledge that their thoughts and fears are basically irrational, which only means, they know exactly that the people they think are misjudging and criticizing them are not true at all. They acknowledged that their thoughts, doubts, and feelings are in a way exaggerated and irrational, yet, despite the fact that they know what’s really going on, they find it hard to control, and still continue to feel that way.

If there’s bad, there’s always good, and the good thing is that social anxiety is curable. There are many therapeutic methods which have been studied, but cognitive-behavioral therapy is the only modality that has been made known to work effectively. Actually, the treatment of social phobia through cognitive-behavioral methods has the capacity to produce long-term, permanent relief to sufferers of social phobia. Isn’t it a happy ending, after all?

Panic and anxiety attacks affect around 5% of the population at some point in their life – usually young people up to the age of 35. Standard medical treatment includes a variety of medication to help ease the affects of the attacks and help gain control at an emotional level.
However if you are not into medication or natural remedies to treat panic attacks, then you may want to try the Three Minute Therapy: a cognitive approach to dealing with panic attacks.
This may be the most logical method of overcoming panic attacks compared to seeing a psychologist or physician. This therapy assists the mental processes that a person goes through when experiencing a panic attack. There are two stages to this: first, identifying the “must do” activities that are driving the panic attack, and secondly disputing these “must do” activities until you overcome the pressure.
Anxiety prone people are more prone to dwell and magnify things that they “must do”. For instance, a mother of small children might think that she “must know” exactly why she feels panicky. She tells herself that she “must” never lose control. She “must” not do something to look stupid. She tells herself that she “must” have a guarantee that she’s not going to make herself panic.
These “must do” activities become an unrealistic obsession, and this develops into feelings of fright, panic, becoming hysterical and ultimately depression. People with these feelings of panic might also want to avoid uncomfortable situations so as to avoid further loss of control.
Using Three Minute Therapy, the panic attack sufferer needs to identify the “must do” activities in their life. Though it is “nice” to avoid discomfort or unwanted situations, it is not entirely a “must have” situation. Being uncomfortable is a perfectly normal human feeling, every once in a while. So you will need to realise that this is part of everyday existence and get on with life.
The second step in Three Minute Therapy is to convince yourself that these “must do” activities are not really that important after all. This will be a real mental battle for some people, as it goes directly against the grain of their thinking. As a sufferer you will need to be persistent and confront these thoughts when they arrive and dispute these “must do” activities until you feel it is natural to let go with the situation.
One method of overcoming panic attacks is to practise doing things that you would otherwise be afraid of doing. This stretches your boundaries and you will be able to demonstrate that discomfort isn’t life threatening, and will tend to diminish in its ability to cause panic the more you face it.
By using Three Minute Therapy you may be able to overcome panic and anxiety attacks without the use of drugs or medication.

Anxiety disorder is perhaps one of the most common mental health problems of all. It is said that out of every 10 people, 1 of them is struck by anxiety disorder. It is more commonly seen in women than men. However, both children and adults can suffer from anxiety disorder.

It is unfortunate that the society in general is not well informed and educated about what is an anxiety disorder. Therefore, it is not uncommon that people perceive anxiety disorder victim as someone who is mentally weak or unstable.

If you are suspect you are suffering from anxiety disorder or have a friend who is having this condition, it is important to get rid of this social stigma. Anxiety disorder is quite common and can potentially strike anyone. It is definitely not a sign of mental weakness or instability.

Some of the professionals who can help you include social workers, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists. Do not hesitate to approach them if you need help. It is best to approach someone who is well trained in cognitive behavior or behavioral therapy.

Sometimes, medications may also be necessary. Do make sure that he or she is open to using medication if it is necessary.

It is always a good idea to ask what type of therapy he/she specialized in and whether medications are available or not. Most importantly, you should feel comfortable with your health care professional and the method he/she is using.

If you feel uneasy, you have the rights to ask him/her whether other types of therapies are offered.

If you have been under medication, you should not stop your medication before seeking the advice of your physician. You may want to ask for a reduced dosage but this should be done under close supervision by your physician.

When in doubt, always ask so that you can make a more informed decision.

As a psychotherapist in private practice for over a decade, I certainly have seen it all: watching my clients suffer through anxiety and stress, watching them go from medication to medication looking for “the right pill”, and rarely finding it, spending inordinate amounts of money desperately trying to find the correct method to make their stress go away.

Can Anxiety Be Cured By A Pill or through Mental Health Counseling?

Anxiety is a complex issue…not just something that can be cured through popping a pill, or through one or two visits to a mental health counseling professional. And while a combination of both medication and counseling can be effective, unfortunately it can take years to see results…and often a lot of money.

If I Do Decide To Take Medication And See A Therapist, What Is The Best Type Of Therapy And Medication I Should Take To Help My Anxiety?

I can’t answer that for you specifically, because every one is different (for example, you may have an allergy that precludes you from using a certain type of medication; Or you may not take well to a specific model of psychotherapy). That said, I can say that I have seen many of my clients do pretty well with what is known as “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”, in combination with a medication that their psychiatrist prescribed.

Isn’t There Any Way To Get Rid Of My Anxiety Right Away, Instead Of Waiting The Years It Can Take For Medication and Counseling to Kick In?

Yes. For every year it takes to go through therapy and anti-anxiety medication, people can actually learn to make their anxiety disappear in 10 to 15 minutes. That doesn’t mean that counseling and medication aren’t viable options…but they are not the end-all cure-all for anxiety…they are merely supplements to help you get better. The majority of the work is done by “you”. Not to mention…you save a great amount of your money and time.

Why Don’t Psychiatrists Ever Tell You That You Can Learn to Make Your Anxiety Disappear On Your Own?

Bottom line: Because they need to make a living. If you did not see them for visits, these docs would not be in business. Don’t get me wrong…there are some darn good professionals out there in the field of psychiatry.

Everyone experiences anxiety; sometimes it comes from stress for justifiable causes the fear of the unknown. In other cases, it’s more chronic, and persistent, and manifests as a mental illness: Social Anxiety Disorder. This condition manifests as fear, or worry, or apprehension at a heightened level. It can be directly confirmed if the subject is easily embarrassed, or terrified of practically any social situation.
Some cases of social anxiety disorder are tied to public speaking. Now, it’s normal even for trained speakers to have a bit of stage fright before going on to give a presentation. However, for someone with social anxiety disorder, the experience is heightened, and not in a good way. The date of the presentation or speaking engagement becomes filled with foreboding, often times for days or weeks in advance. A lot of social anxiety disorder can be described as a fear response completely disproportional to the anticipated stimulus.
Another name for social anxiety disorder is social phobia; the phobia is a category for long lasting stress, fear and anxiety, to the degree that it makes it difficult for the patient to function in normal daily activities. It is often triggered by extreme stress, or repeated high stress actions, and results in a recursive loop where the subject dwells upon and scrutinizes their activities and anxieties, at the expense of going out and doing anything. Somewhere around 13% of Americans have suffered from social anxiety disorder during their lives.
A person suffering a panic attack shows a number of common signs. These include, but are not limited to, blushing, sweating, nausea, trembling and stammering. It’s better to get a diagnosis early, as this can help stave off transitions of the syndrome to greater problems, like depression, or dysthemia. Some sufferers of social anxiety disorder self medicate, trying to numb themselves to their fear with alcohol, or using stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines to “jolt them over the top” and boost confidence. Even large doses of caffeine can be seen as an attempt at self-medication.
Social phobics have a difficult time working with normal social lives. They are overly self-conscious, and they place too much attention (and criticism) upon themselves, when it comes to attempting any activity. They abound in negativity.
Their fear can be crippling, as it is persistent and all pervasive, and often completely out of line with the thing they’re responding to. It can cause them to be shut-ins; they’re so afraid of being scrutinized by others, that they don’t date, or go out with friends, eat out at restaurants, or even attend parties where they might have to talk to a stranger. In children, social anxiety disorder shows up as shyness, clinging to parents, and crying. In adults, it’s sweating, and flushing and stammering. All of these make a self-reinforcing cycle when the subject is exposed to social activities.
What are the treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder?
Social anxiety disorder can be treated, and treated effectively. The usual treatment is a mixture of medication and psychotherapy. Cognitive behavior therapy, done individually or in group sessions, can be an effective remedy. The behavioral and cognitive components search for thought patterns that can be adjusted, in effect, identifying the triggers so that the subject can learn to avoid the triggers without avoiding their life.
The most common prescription medication for social anxiety disorder is the anti-depressent Paxil and the related compound Welbutrin. As the frequency of diagnosis has increased since it was added to the lexicon in the late 1990s, the marketing of drugs to treat it has increased tremendously. Both Paxil and Welbutrin are anti-depressants of the selective seratonin reuptake-inhibitors, or SSRIs, which have the benefit of not causing physical dependency, though it takes a habituation cycle for them to become effective. SSRIs have side effects such as insomnia, headaches and nausea. Many SSRIs will put a significant damper on sexual interest.

If your anxiety is severe or causing panic, your health care provider may prescribe a medicine to help you cope with the symptoms. To decrease anxiety, it is important to identify and use methods that relieve your symptoms. Your health care provider may want to see you regularly if your anxiety attacks include physical symptoms.

There are some ways to prevent the anxiety before it starts. Begin with positive routines to maintain a calm, relaxed outlook on life if you believe you may be at risk for general anxiety disorder due to genetics, family history or environment. Slot in routines such as a daily walk, yoga or meditation. Center on your own thought processes and place an emphasis on staying with beliefs, interpretations, and assumptions that tend to be caring in brightening your mood and inspiring you to engage in positive activities and behaviors.

Panic disorder is often accompanied by other serious conditions such as depression, drug abuse, or alcoholism and may lead to a pattern of avoidance of places or situations where panic attacks have occurred. For example, if a panic attack strikes while you’re riding in an elevator, you may develop a fear of elevators. If you start avoiding them, that could affect your choice of a job or apartment and greatly restrict other parts of your life.

Develop a better understanding of the potential links between various anxiety disorders and the links between anxiety disorders and other illnesses, such as depression or substance abuse.

Medical treatments will address the symptoms associated with the feelings of intense anxiety problems. Symptoms include irritability for no reason, restlessness, sleep problems, trembling, muscle tension, sweating, and digestive problems. Anyone who has spent at least six months in a state of excessive worry or who is experiencing anxiety about normal stresses should contact a doctor for a complete health evaluation.

A good support system is important when recovering from panic disorder. No one person should be your only source of support; relying on one person is not good for that person, and it may hurt your relationship with that person. A support system may consist of family, friends, support groups, and your health care team. Each person in your support system plays a different role. Understand your needs when creating a support system, and be open about how each person can help you.

Psychotherapy is the most frequently prescribed treatment method, especially cognitive behavioral therapy. This is in fact the only form of therapy that has shown to be effective in treating social anxiety disorder It is based on the idea that your own thoughts is what really determines how you behave or react and therefore the goal of the therapy is to change the negative thoughts and replace with positive ones.

Develop methods of relaxation like talking with positive-minded people, listening to music, sewing, playing cards, walking, or enjoying hobbies. Set limits when too many demands are placed on you. Learn to say no. Learn to use stress management techniques like muscle relaxation exercises, mental imagery, and diaphragmatic breathing.

To prevent anxiety from ruining your life, contact your doctor about anxiety and if it seems severe and impossible to control or if it causing you with difficulty in work, relationships, sleeping, remembering things or concentrating on what you are doing, all of these should be discuss with your doctor.

Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive but unwarranted worries that a person cannot stop having. It may not seem like a serious problem to those that don’t have the problem, but it’s a serious concern for those that do. The symptoms are displayed over an unusually long period of time as opposed to a reasonable period of anxiety immediately leading up to or after a stressful event.
Those afflicted with it will not be able to set aside or suppress their worries even when they realize that the level of their anxiety is much higher than the situation usually warrants.
Anxiety symptoms are important for the diagnosis of the disorder as it helps to determine the underlying factor of the disorder. Once you manage to control anxiety and panic disorders they will be much less a threat to your social life.
Three of the behavioral symptoms associated with generalized anxiety disorder are:
* Inability to relax
* Easily distracted, cannot concentrate
* Startles easily, jumpy or on edge
The physical symptoms are:
* Muscle pain and tension
* Headaches
* Fatigue
* Irritability
* Sweats
* Hot flashes
* Shortness of breath
* Nausea
* Inability to swallow easily
* Tremors or twitches
* Lightheadedness
* Frequent urinating or bowel movement
People afflicted with mild generalized anxiety disorder or who are in its early changes have been known to be able to pursue careers to some success and even function socially. Some individuals may simply suppress their feelings, not even trying to avoid the situations that trigger them.
This is the reason why some cases are not diagnosed until the condition becomes so severe that the patient is no longer able to perform the most basic daily activities without triggering an attack.
In its advance stage, even the thought of having to go through a day can set off the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It is, therefore, best for anyone who notices the above symptoms to seek professional advice at the soonest time possible.
Living with anxiety disorders is not always an easy under taking. When fears of panic attacks loom and symptoms are out of control, many find relief in anxiety medications. A combination of prescription medications and therapy can greatly help people overcome attacks and resume normal, everyday activities. Different forms of therapy are also quite commonly urged to help give people with anxiety disorder the tools they need to face life again. Cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, white noise, biofeedback, and hypnotherapy are also suggested as treatment.

As Fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers we are often made to feel like our pain is “all in your head”, but research has consistently proven that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondria. IT IS REAL!  However, there is a connection between FM and other chronic pain conditions to depression and anxiety.  Treatment is important because both can make FM worse and interfere with symptom management.

There is some debate by medical and mental professionals about what causes what.  The “What came first?  The chicken or the egg” debate translates into “What came first?  The chronic pain or the depression?”  TRUE Fibromyalgia experts, researchers and others know that the chronic pain of FM & overlapping conditions leads to depression and anxiety. 

Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which a person suffers from chronic musculoskeletal pain. There are points called tender points, sometimes all over the body, and these tender and painful points are used as part of the diagnosis of FM. Individuals with FM may also be more susceptible to pain in general. Whenever the tender points are simply touched, they can send sharp pain impulses. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers experience pain all over and some experience pain only in specific regions. It can involve the muscles and the joints. Sometimes, there is so much pain that it is hard to pinpoint exactly where the pain originates.  Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other overlapping conditions such as chronic myofascial pain (CMP), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine & tension headaches, interstitial cystitis (IC), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety and more.  The symptoms of Fibromyalgia, alone, are wide-ranging and debilitating.  Do they really think that depression and anxiety is the CAUSE for ALL of the above?

Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of profound sadness and lack of interest in enjoyable activities. It is a constant low mood that interferes with the ability to function and appreciate things in life. It may cause a wide range of symptoms, both physical and emotional. It can last for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without treatment and if you have Fibromyalgia, you may have to fight it for the rest of your life.

Anxiety is a normal state of apprehension, tension, and uneasiness in response to a real or perceived threat.  Although anxiety is considered a normal response to temporary periods of stress or uncertain situations, prolonged, intense, periods of anxiety may indicate an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of an anxiety disorder are anxiety that occurs without an external threat and anxiety that impairs daily functioning.

What can cause depression & anxiety?  Stressful life events, chronic stress, low self-esteem, imbalances in brain chemicals and hormones, lack of control over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness), negative thought patterns and beliefs, chronic pain, chronic physical or mental illness, including thyroid disease & headaches can ALL cause both.  Little or no social  and familial support can be a main factor in depression for FM patients. Family history of depression & anxiety can also be a factor.

Lack of quality sleep is also believed to have an influence on depression.  Since FM & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients tend to have insomnia and/or other sleep disorders, it stands to reason that poor sleep can lead to depression.

There is a wide variety of medications, vitamins, minerals, herbs and therapies that can help ease the impact of pain, anxiety and depression.  With so many out there, you and your doctor may have to go through the process of trial and error to find what works best for you!

Exercise is not only good for FM, it is also highly beneficial for depression and anxiety.  Recent studies suggest exercise can change your brain chemistry. Exercising can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is effects mood and pain perception. It can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can give you an overall feeling of well-being.

Exercise is a great for stress, too. It relieves muscle tension and it gets the heart rate up. The combination makes us more relaxed and alert, which helps us deal with our problems in a calmer and more controlled way.

There are several other methods you can use to combat stress, including: meditation, deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, mental imagery relaxation, relaxation to music, biofeedback, counseling – to help you recognize and release stress. 

You can learn more about this topic, medications, supplements, alternative therapies and more at my website AND I will be writing more articles – so check back here!

Anxiety disorders are psychiatric disorders that affects the life of a person adversely. The anxiety disorders generally lead to deterioration of the overall health.

Women and anxiety are inseparable as anxiety is all about the emotional effect that is accompanied by the physiological sensations. It is caused due to emotions experienced over different issues such as family problems, financial issues as well as concerns about children.

It is generally characterized by doubts, worries as well as painful awareness. The heightened emotions can even lead to heart palpitations, dizziness, sweating, gastrointestinal upsets, trembling, restlessness and increased urination among others.

Kinds of anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders in women are one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and influence the quality of their life adversely. These disorders lead to expensive and frequent medical check ups. They can also cause deterioration of the overall health. The detection of anxiety disorder is done when challenges of the everyday living become overwhelming. Below are listed some of them:

Generalized disorder:

Also known as GAD, is more common among women than among men and children. This form of anxiety disorder includes non stop worrying about different issues, aches as well as pains including trembling, headaches, and muscle tension. Apart from this, constant fatigue, grouchiness and sleep disorders are some of the symptoms of this problem.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder:

In this anxiety disorder, the person suffers from frequently recurring thoughts known as obsessions. Compulsive components of this form of anxiety disorder also include cyclical actions known as compulsions. These are attempts to control the obsessive thought process. Women having OCD tend to hurt themselves and others and develop strange ideas about sexual activity or religion, among other issues.

Panic disorder:

Panic disorder is generally present in those women who have uncontrollable intense feelings of panic and fear known as panic attacks. Other symptoms linked with this anxiety disorder are chest pain, breathing difficulty, rapid heart beat, hot flashes and tingling feelings.

This disorder is normally seen between the age group of 18 and 24 years. There is no reason for these panic attacks. They can happen at any point of time. Through studies and researches it has been found that panic attacks usually occur at places where the patient has already faced panic attacks in the past.

Phobia:

This is another common kind of abnormal fear wherein a person reacts unusually to a particular element. In other words, a person is afraid of things like fire, height, water, insects, loneliness, darkness and flying – just to name a few. Some people also develop social phobia such as fear of embarrassment among others. The common symptoms include sleep disorders, nightmares, feeling of aloofness, irritability, anxiety, numbness and startled reactions.

There is cognitive-behavioral therapy done in order to treat these anxiety disorders that focuses upon changing behavioral, emotional and cognitive patterns. The therapists attempt to the reconditioning of thought process of the women so that they can think healthy and integrate the relaxation techniques to alter their mood swings to a large extent.

It is a proven theory and has helped in the treatment of numerous patients across the globe.