February 9th, 2008
NAVIGATING CHANGE WITH THERAPY
BY JULIE RUDIGER, LCSW
Most of us, at one time or another, have wanted to change some aspect of our lives. Whether change involves something small like losing a few pounds, or a more serious issue like addressing depression or marital problems, the process can be difficult. But change is possible. Research has found that the people who are most successful at making changes go through six predictable stages. These stages are Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Relapse and Maintenance.
Pre-contemplation is what most of us call “denial”. This is the stage that many of us remain in until we are ready to look honestly at a problem or issue. Rarely do we seek help while in this stage. Contemplation is the stage when we start to say to ourselves, “I am not sure this behavior (issue, relationship, etc.) is working for me or in my best interest.” It is a time of extreme ambivalence, however, because as much as a pattern may be hurting us, usually we do things for a reason. Sometimes a pattern which started out innocently has just become a bad habit.
Most people enter therapy when they are contemplating a problem. Therapy can be an excellent place to take inventory of a problem because it is designed to give a client a chance to explore issues honestly. Without adequate preparation of a change, many of us fall back into old patterns. People often skip the preparation stage and move right into action without adequate planning. Therapy can be a place to design an action plan that will prepare for setbacks, keep the focus on long-term goals and obtain the support and encouragement needed in any difficult process.
Maintaining change is the ultimate goal of this process and therapy can help clients when they slip back into old behaviors. A therapist helps a client learn throughout the change process and stay focused on what works. Maintenance is a learning process, often met with setbacks. This is often when people give up, but therapy can keep the process going in a positive direction.
motivation therapist therapy therapy effectiveness
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February 9th, 2008
How to Choose a Therapist
Choosing the right therapist is a complex and extremely important matter, involving
questions with licensing, training, degree, and, of course, personal comfort. Please find
these issues discussed below for your assistance.
Licensing: It is usually best to choose a therapist who is licensed by the regulatory board
in your state. Licensing typically ensures that a therapist has obtained a graduate degree
and one or more years of post-licensure training and supervision. It also gives recourse to
the regulatory board should a question of poor treatment or ethical misconduct arise.
Most licensed therapists are competent and ethical; however, it is good to know
beforehand common forms of ethical misconduct that are sometimes encountered by
those seeking mental health services. First and foremost, it is unethical for a clinician to
engage in a sexual relationship with a client. It is also unethical to form a “dual
relationship” in which the therapist is also the client’s friend, customer, salesperson, or
other outside associate. Some therapists treat problems without getting proper training to
do so. This is highly unethical. Please see the Training section below for examples of
problems requiring specialized training. For a more extensive discussion of ethical
misconduct, please see the ethics code of the American Psychological Association,
http://www.apa.org/ethics/.
Training: Many problems for which people seek counseling do not require specialized
training over and above that provided by graduate school, supervision, and post-licensure
study and experience. However, I have listed a few disorders below which appear to be
best addressed by therapists with specialized training. This is not a complete list, so
please do some additional reading to see if your particular problem has been studied in
clinical trials. You may also feel free to email me with questions of this sort: If I have
some knowledge that may be helpful, I will be happy to share it with you. Please note
that the discussion below addresses psychological approaches only. There is substantial
evidence that medication is also effective for these difficulties. Sometimes the
combination of medication with the therapies below is necessary to achieve the most
effective result. A competent therapist will discuss medication options with you and may
well offer to refer you to a psychiatric practitioner for consultation.
a) Panic Disorder: Typically, people suffering from this problem have panic attacks,
sometimes occurring out of the blue, which make them feel terrified that a catastrophic
event is about to occur. The disorder may or may not be accompanied by avoidance of
panic-prone situations.
Clinical research to date has indicated that the best psychological treatment for this
problem involves gradual exposure to panic symptoms and situations combined with a
great deal of therapeutic support and information. Therapists most likely to have training
in such approaches are those specializing in the behavioral or cognitive therapies. A
national directory of such therapists may be found at the following website:
http://www.aabt.org/.
b) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Typically, people with obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD) suffer from obsessive thoughts and excessive, superstitious behavior
such as cleaning, counting, or checking. Although treatment of OCD may need to involve
many interventions, a necessary component of psychological care is called “exposure
with response prevention.” Research has shown that psychological care without exposure
and response prevention is less likely to be effective.
A good resource to find a qualified therapist for OCD is the Obsessive-Compulsive
Foundation, http://www.ocfoundation.org/. Make sure any therapist you interview,
whether referred from the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation or elsewhere, has
specialized training with exposure and response prevention.
c) Attention-Deficit Disorder: A behavioral approach to this problem which also includes
the family and school, and which includes medication consultation, seems to provide the
best outcomes for this problem. A national directory of behavior therapists may be found
at the following website: http://www.aabt.org/.
d) Oppositional-Defiant Disorder: This problem occurs when children do not obey
appropriate parental requests. Treatment should begin as early in the child’s life as
possible.
Research ongoing for decades at the Oregon Family Social Learning Center has identified
many factors that contribute to this problem, a predominant one being the loss of a parent
from the household. There are also many treatment factors to be addressed, the most
important of which is the application of consistent, appropriate consequences for
oppositional behavior.
Therapists from many theoretical persuasions are competent to treat this problem;
however, when interviewing a clinician it is important to ensure that he or she is aware of
the importance of consequences as indicated above. A national directory of behavior
therapists, who may be more likely to know about the research at the Oregon Family
Social Learning Center, may be found at the following website: http://www.aabt.org/.
Degree Status: Psychotherapists may have a variety of degrees after their names. Ph.D.,
Psy.D., Th.D., and Ed.D. refer to clinicians who have obtained doctoral degrees. If they
have subsequently passed state licensing exams, they are able to practice as clinical
psychologists. Psychologists typically attend graduate school for 3-5 years and then
complete a year of internship training at an accredited institution such as a medical
school. Another year of supervised experience is typically required before the clinician
can sit for the licensing exam.
Clinicians with degrees such as MSW, MA, and MS –and licensure status such as LCSW
(licensed clinical social worker), LPC (licensed professional counselor), or LMFT
(licensed marriage and family therapist) –have earned a Masters degree, typically by
attending a graduate school for 2-3 years. An internship, and another year or two of
training and supervision, may also be required before the clinician can sit for the state
licensing exam.
Despite the fact that psychologists receive more training and experience before receiving
their doctoral degrees, I am unaware of research demonstrating that they consistently
achieve better outcomes in studies on psychotherapy. All things being equal, a
psychologist may be the best pick; however, there are many exceptional therapists in
practice who are licensed at the Masters level and who provide excellent care.
Personal Comfort: Of all the factors above, with the possible exception of specialized
training for certain disorders, personal comfort may be the most vital to getting a good
result from therapy. Clinical research has repeatedly demonstrated that relationship
factors - such as a therapist’s empathy and warmth–cause much of the positive change
observed from therapy.
In general, it is best to find a licensed therapist who –along with a good reputation in the
community and adequate experience –is someone you like and trust. Although
psychotherapy is a business, it is also - and primarily - a service, a unique partnership
between client and clinician in which personal information is shared with the promise
that it will be utilized in strict confidence and primarily for the client’s benefit.
Posted in Panic Attacks, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Depression, Therapy | No Comments »
February 6th, 2008
To get some free information on this topic and also evaluate a book specially offered by Self-Help Resources on treating depression, please first bookmark this page (so you may easily return to our site), then Click Here!
1) What are some causes of depression? The causes of depression are diverse and complex and depend in part on the type of depression in question. For example, Major Depression, a disorder characterized by a somewhat abrupt – and very serious – deterioration in mood and functioning, may be due in many instances to “biological” or inherited tendencies, most notably a lack of availability of certain neurotransmitters.
Some forms of depression are caused by adverse events such as divorce, trauma, loss, or illness. Others are caused by the side effects of medication, hypothyroidism, insomnia, or substance abuse. A competent clinician will assess each of these potential causes very carefully: Treatment recommendations will then follow from what is discovered during this initial investigation.
2) What are some signs of depression? Feeling inordinately sad, blue, helpless, worthless, joyless, or guilty; lack of sexual drive or interest; feeling worse at a predictable time of day (usually mornings), suicidal contemplation, gesture, or attempt; loss of appetite, concentration, and energy; weight loss while not dieting; social isolation or withdrawal; sleep disturbance; deterioration in social or occupational functioning.
3) What are some symptoms of depression? Same as above, number 2.
4) What is manic depression? Also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression is a biologically-based mental illness characterized by at least one manic episode and at least one episode of major depression, each of which may be recurrent and cyclical. Drug therapies with such medications as Lithium – or anticonvulsants such as Depakote – are considered vital to the treatment and care of this condition. Adjunctive psychotherapy or family therapy can often help the management of this condition, and certain promising, “specialty” therapies such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy are undergoing clinical trials.
Bipolar Disorder is an especially serious condition because both “swings” of symptomatology have potentially dangerous consequences. In manic phases, for example, patients tend to exhibit very poor judgment with things such as finances and sexual behavior, and their symptoms may escalate in some cases to a loss of touch with reality and active hallucinations. Serious major depressive symptoms usually include a risk of suicide.
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5) Are the symptoms of childhood depression the same as adult depression? They tend to be similar but may vary in age-appropriate ways. For example, children and adolescents may show a depressed mood in terms of increased irritability instead of obvious sadness…or they may fail to make expected weight gains instead of showing marked weight loss.
6) Are there natural remedies for depression?
A number of natural remedies are available, although outcome research on their effectiveness is still limited.
St. John’s Wort is perhaps the most well studied herbal remedy: Experts typically recommend its use with mild or moderate forms of depression only; also, it is especially important to choose a brand of this herb that has been formally standardized by a company with a good reputation for quality control. Some studies indicate that vitamin deficiencies, especially deficiencies of B vitamins, may cause depression.Also, certain depression-specific neurotransmitters may be elevated by taking nutritional “precursors” (i.e., building blocks in an enzymatic chain). The supplements, SAMe of L-Tyrosine, for example, may boost the amount of Serotonin which is available in the brain, and DL-Phenylalanine may boost norepinephrine.
Since research on this topic is in a developmental phase, we recommend that people interested in natural remedies for anxiety and depression consult one or more physicians and other, qualified health professionals on this topic before beginning treatment. It is important when embarking on care of this kind, whether by a traditional or an alternative route, to do so while under the appropriately frequent and consistent care of an expert.
Self-Help Resources maintains an Affiliate relationship with a product called Anxius (http://anxius.com/) because this product includes therapeutic dosages of the commonly used neurotransmitter precursors, L-Tyrosine and DL Phenylalanine, along with other supplementation that may be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. You may evaluate this product at the following link:
http://www.anxius.com/?a=thomasrg
7) Where can one find good information on depression? http://www.isitreallydepression.com/mini_c/isitreallydepression/
 How effective are antidepressants? Much scientific research has validated the effectiveness of antidepressants. For some people, antidepressants truly are bastions of life. That being said, antidepressants do not work for everyone, and their side effects are sometimes difficult to tolerate. Several antidepressants taken at once are sometimes necessary to control the condition, or the doctor may wish to try various dosages over time to get optimal results.
9) How common are suicidal tendencies for depression? Suicidal tendencies in depressed people are quite common and must be carefully assessed by treating clinicians.
10) Is depression considered a mental disorder? Yes, in fact, several forms of depression are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association; for example: Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood; Dysthymia; Major Depression; Atypical Depression; and Bipolar Disorder.
11) What are the most common Treatments for Depression? Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy are the most common psychotherapies for depression and are the most soundly supported by scientific research.
Without focusing predominantly on the past, cognitive therapies attempt to change attitude and behavior – negative thought patterns, negative habits, or negative relationships – by helping the depressed client practice new ways of thinking and behaving. Couples therapy may be added as indicated, along with assertiveness skills, exercise, dietary intervention, or even a change in depression-causing medications such as those prescribed to control blood pressure.
The most common medical treatment for depression involves the prescription of antidepressant medication. Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox and related drugs increase the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin available to the brain. Older antidepressants such as Imipramine increase norepinephrine, and still others such as Wellbutrin increase both of these neurotransmitters.
Antidepressants tend to work quickly, 2 – 4 weeks on average, which is a big advantage; however, several different drugs may have to be prescribed before the right one is found. Antidepressants may have side effects which make them difficult to tolerate for some people. It is also important that patients on antidepressant medication stay on it for a long period of time; typically, a minimum of a year to prevent relapse.
The cognitive therapies tend to take longer than antidepressants to work; however, they have no side effects and their positive effects tend to remain stable over long periods of time. It is for this reason that some practitioners recommend cognitive therapy and medication together.
12) What are the symptoms of depression or signs of depression? Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness; sadness, or prolonged grief; loss of the ability to feel pleasure or joy; suicidal thoughts, gestures, or attempts; sleeping too little or too much; agitation; loss of sexual interest; worsening of the symptoms at certain times of the day, especially mornings; social isolation; low self-esteem.
13) What is seasonal affective disorder? The signs of depression noted above become evident or pronounced only during prolonged periods of minimal exposure to the sun, most typically during winter months.
14) What is post partum depression? The signs of depression noted above become evident or pronounced in a mother soon after she gives birth.15)Are there natural cures for depression anxiety? Yes,
St. John’s Wort, and Kava Kava root have been used in tincture and capsule form to treat depression and anxiety, respectively. Vitamin D, especially in D3 form, may be helpful in the treatment of some forms of depression as may other vitamins and minerals. L-Phenylalanine and L-Tyrosine are nutritional supplements which are precursors for both Epinephrine and Norepinephrine; and 5HTP and SAM-E are precursors for Serotonin. And there’s a lot of overlap as well.
16) What is the treatment for seasonal affective disorder? Vitamin D3 supplements may be helpful when taken under the care of a qualified medical professional. Perhaps the most widely recognized treatment is that of Full Spectrum Light, although products made for this purpose vary greatly in quality. We will review Full Spectrum lights and provide a recommendation in an update to this question, coming soon.
17) Where can one find depression information? http://www.isitreallydepression.com/mini_c/isitreallydepression/
18) What is reactive depression? Reactive depression occurs in reaction to an event or situation that would cause most people to be depressed. The reaction may or may not be exaggerated relative to a “normal” response and may or may not be an indication that therapy is needed.
19) What is neurotic depression? This term is archaic and no longer in mainstream use.
antidepressants cognitive therapy depression signs and symptoms of depression suicide
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February 6th, 2008
1) What are the signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by either obsessions or compulsions: Obsessions are defined by:
- Recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress
- The thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems
- The person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action
- The person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion)
Compulsions are defined by:
- Repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly
- The behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive
— AND: — At some point during the course of the disorder, the adult has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable (not applicable to children). The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person’s normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships. If another disorder is present, the content of the obsessions or compulsions is not restricted to it. The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.
For a home therapy course in e-book format, please bookmark this page (so that you can return here easily) then Click Here!
I would also like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.
2) What are the causes of obsessive compulsive disorder? There are genetic influences, neurotransmitter influences, influences of learning and experience, and possible brain abnormalities in the occipital gyrus, the caudate nucleus or the locus ceruleus.
3) What ocd behavior therapy is available? Behavior therapy from a qualified therapist is unquestionably the treatment of choice for most variations of this condition, exceeding the results of medication and of other psychotherapies. The essential element of any behavior therapy program is called exposure with response prevention, which must be supervised and implemented by an expert in the area. In this approach, a person is voluntarily exposed to whatever triggers the obsessive thoughts and fear, then is prevented from acting upon these anxieties by engaging in ritualistic behavior.I would like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.
4) What are the facts on OCD? (From the National Institute of Mental Health): People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) suffer intensely from recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) or rituals (compulsions), which they feel they cannot control. Rituals such as hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed in hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. Performing these rituals, however, provides only temporary relief, and not performing them markedly increases anxiety. Left untreated, obsessions and the need to perform rituals can take over a person’s life. OCD is often a chronic, relapsing illness. Fortunately, through research supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), effective treatments have been developed to help people with OCD.
5) How Common Is OCD?
- About 2% of the
U.S. population has OCD in a given year.
- OCD typically begins during adolescence or early childhood; at least one-third of the cases of adult OCD began in childhood.
- OCD affects men and women equally.
- OCD cost the U.S. $8.4 billion in 1990 in social and economic losses, nearly 6% of the total mental health bill of $148 billion.
6) What happens in the brain of a person with ocd? Areas in the brain noted above will activate with panic or danger signals when triggered by conditions which do not indeed pose a realistic threat.
7) What are the common ocd treatments? Behavior Therapy and serotonergic antidepressants are the most common and effective. There are also some self help programs available from former sufferers. Please Click Here! to be directed to an offsite resource for natural, self-help treatment of OCD.
What are the most common ocd medications? Several medications have been proven effective in helping people with OCD: clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine and paroxetine. If one drug is not effective, others should be tried. A number of other medications are currently being studied.
9) What are the types of ocd? One can be troubled only with obsessions or act upon the obsessions with ritualistic/escape behaviors. Many OCD patients can be divided into Checkers or Washers. Checkers monitor their environment for signs of danger, and may develop checking rituals which take a long periods of time to complete. Washers wash themselves excessively to cure perceived exposure to contaminants or other dangers in their environment. Other OCD sufferers are extremely correct in their behavior (known as scrupulosity); or hoard things; or count to themselves to avoid danger.
10) Are ocd support groups effective? Yes, they can be very helpful to OCD sufferers. Try the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation: http://www.ocfoundation.org/.
11) How can people with ocd manage? The best approach is to get expert behavior therapy possibly combined with OCD medications.
I would like to recommend some excellent books by top people in the field. Dr. Steketee is known the world over for her reseach and treatment of OCD, and Dr. Foa is considered by many to be the top researcher in the world on this disorder. Dr. Grayson was a student of theirs and wrote an extremely competent book on the subject. I am also including below some specialized selections, such as a book on obsessions alone.
12) What are the social effects of ocd? Isolation, withdrawal, social ostracism, inability to be around others, fear of others, avoidance of others.
13) Where are some good places to find ocd information? National Institute of
Mental Health:
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/ocd/nimh/quick_facts.htm; and the OCFoundation: http://www.ocfoundation.org/.
14) Are there natural treatments for OCD?
Several years ago an article published in a prestigeous psychiatric journal reported that a randomized, double-blind trial comparing a natural supplement (which boosts Serotonin levels) with a serotonergic antidepressant had an equally positive effect on both groups of OCD patients. This was a fascinating and encouraging finding since some people with OCD have difficulty tolerating antidepressant medications.
The supplements, SAMe or L-Tyrosine may boost the amount of Serotonin which is available in the brain, and DL-Phenylalanine may boost norepinephrine. Since research on this topic is in a developmental phase, we recommend that people interested in natural remedies for OCD consult one or more physicians and other, qualified health professionals on this topic before beginning treatment. It is important when embarking on care of this kind, whether by a traditional or an alternative route, to do so while under the appropriately care of an expert.
Self-Help Resources maintains an Affiliate relationship with a product called Anxius (http://anxius.com/) because this product includes therapeutic dosages of the commonly used neurotransmitter precursor, L-Tyrosine, which may be helpful in the treatment of OCD. You may evaluate this product at the following link:
http://www.anxius.com/?a=thomasrg
compulsions obsessions obsessive compulsive disorder ocd ocd medications rituals
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February 6th, 2008
One may take the following test from PsychCentral and get a score at http://psychcentral.com/ocdquiz.htmObsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Screening QuizUse this brief screening measure to help you determine
if you might need to see a mental health professional for diagnosis
and treatment of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
Instructions: This is a screening measure to help you determine whether you might have an obsessive-compulsive disorder that needs professional attention. This screening measure is not designed to make a diagnosis of a disorder or take the place of a professional diagnosis or consultation. For each item, indicate the extent to which it is true, by checking the appropriate box next to the item.
compulsions obsessions obsessive compulsive disorder ocd rituals
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February 5th, 2008
Here is a complete Video Program for this problem. Please bookmark this page - so that you may easily return to our site - then Click Here! In the same way, please look at and evaluate another fine, self-help program developed by a psychologists specifically for the self-help therapy of panic and anxiety attacks: Click Here!
ANXIETY Anxiety is an inevitable part of everyday life. If you didn’t feel any anxiety in response to everyday challenges involving potential loss or failure, something would be wrong with you. However, when anxiety becomes more intense (e.g., panic attacks), lasts longer, (for months after a stressful situation has passed) or leads to phobias that interfere with your life and daily functioning (i.e., inability to leave the house), it is time to seek the help of a trained professional.
Anxiety affects the whole person. It is a physiological, behavioral and psychological reaction all at once. It can take the form of any one of the following diagnostic categories: Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Simple Phobia, Generalized Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Some general symptoms of anxiety, but not all may include: shortness of breath/feeling smothered, heart palpitations, trembling/shaking, choking, sweating, nausea/abdominal distress, feeling of unreality, numbness/tingling in hands or feet, hot/cold flashes, chest pain/discomfort, nightmares, fear of losing control and difficulty getting to sleep. Symptoms of anxiety will vary with each individual and diagnosis.
Most individuals find it of interest to know the “Why” or cause of their anxiety. While understanding the “Why” provides insight into the development of anxiety, it is not necessary to overcome anxiety. Anxiety problems are brought about by a variety of causes operating on numerous different levels. These levels may include such areas as heredity, biology, nutrition, spinal misalignment, family background and upbringing, recent stressors, self talk and personal belief system.
A good therapist can assist the individual in developing their own unique recovery program. Depending on the type of anxiety, anti-anxiety medications may be recommended. These medications can be prescribed by a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner with prescriptive authority or a primary care physician (PCP). There is no “magic” pill to cure anxiety.
While medications can be helpful to manage the immediate symptoms, it is often critical that the individual use medications as an adjunct to talk therapy in order to make as much progress as possible. Utilizing medications allows the individual to practice new skills to overcome anxiety and master stressful situations. It is not typically recommended that a client be on medication forever.
If an individual needs the help of a trained professional, it’s important that he/she make a commitment to attend regular counseling appointments, follow through with assignments given by the clinician, and be willing to take risks (often in the form of baby steps towards an end goal). If anxiety is left untreated, it can become a much larger problem or create additional therapeutic problems (e.g., abusing alcohol or drugs to self-medicate). Anxiety and its debilitating effects on one’s life can be overcome without years of therapy. It starts with a phone call to schedule an appointment and can be the beginning of a new YOU!
Here is a complete Video Program for this problem. Please bookmark this page - so that you may easily return to our site - then Click Here! In the same way, please look at and evaluate another fine, self-help program developed by a psychologists specifically for the self-help therapy of panic and anxiety attacks: Click Here!
agoraphobia anxiety panic panic attacks ptsd social phobia worry
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February 4th, 2008
1) What are the common panic anxiety attack symptoms? Feeling of impending doom; need to escape immediate situation or avoid any circumstance from which escape is difficult or impossible; feeling of suffocation or lack of air; sweating, numbness, tingling, heart racing, dizziness, nausea, shaking, general and severe anxiety, fear of catastrophe.
I am recommending some excellent books and well known authors just below. Dr. Barlow is considered by many to be the top researcher on this topic in the world, and Dr. Burns is similarly admired and respected. I went to the same internship as did Dr. Pollard and can therefore recommend his book very, very highly…and I’m also including on the “A” list a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, who was an original pioneer in the area.
Also, here is a complete Video Program for this problem. Please bookmark this page - so that you may easily return to our site - then Click Here! In the same way, please look at and evaluate another fine, self-help program developed by a psychologists specifically for the self-help therapy of panic and anxiety attacks: Click Here!
2) Is there a difference between an anxiety attack and a panic disorder? In order to meet the diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder, one must have panic attacks at a certain frequency. The attacks must have a certain number of symptoms such as those listed in number 1 above, and they must have a specified effect on the sufferer’s functioning.
3) What are some natural remedies for anxiety and panic attacks?  The results of a number of studies have suggested that certain nutritional remedies or supplements, especially those which are “precursors” to relevant neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine, may be as helpful in the treatment of anxiety disorders as are serotonergic antidepressants. This is potentially a critical finding since supplements of this kind typically result in fewer side effects relative to those caused by antidepressants.
Since research on this topic is in a developmental phase, we recommend that people interested in natural remedies for anxiety and depression consult one or more physicians and other, qualified health professionals on this topic before beginning treatment. It is important when embarking on care of this kind, whether by a traditional or an alternative route, to do so while under the appropriately frequent and consistent care of an expert.
Self-Help Resources maintains an Affiliate relationship with a product called Anxius (http://anxius.com/) because this product includes therapeutic dosages of the commonly used neurotransmitter precursors, L-Tyrosine and DL Phenylalanine, along with other supplementation that may be helpful in the treatment of anxiety and depression. You may evaluate this product at the following link:
http://www.anxius.com/?a=thomasrg
4) What is social anxiety disorder? Sufferers feel an inordinate amount of fear whenever exposed to situations in which they may be subjected to interpersonal criticism or scrutiny. They typically avoid such situations or endures them with much anxiety and discomfort.
5) What is panic disorder? Paraphrased from Wikipedia: Panic disorder sufferers usually have a series of intense episodes of extreme anxiety, known as panic attacks. Attacks can wax and wane for a period of hours or can occur much for infrequently. They may vary by intensity and by the subset of specific symptoms of panic that are experienced. Some individuals begin avoiding situations as a result of their panic disorder, in which case their problem is diagnosed as Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
6) What is a typical panic attack treatment? The best psychotherapeutic treatment identified by research is cognitive behavior therapy, which changes the sufferers’ attitudes toward anxiety, helps them become less afraid of it, provides current information on the harmlessness of anxiety and of anxiety symptoms, provides coping skills training such as breathing exercises and relaxation, and most importantly provides regular practice facing anxiety symptoms and any situations that are avoided.
I am recommending some excellent books and well known authors just below.Dr. Barlow is considered by many to be the top researcher on this topic in the world, and Dr. Burns is similarly admired and respected. I went to the same internship as did Dr. Pollard and can therefore recommend his book very, very highly…and I’m also including on the “A” list a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, who was an original pioneer in the area.
7) What are some natural herbs for anxiety and panic attacks? Kava Kava is most well known. Skullcap in a tincture form is reported to be effective.
What are the typical medications for social anxiety disorder? Serotinergic ntidepressants such as Zolft and Prozac.
anxiety
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November 28th, 2007
Sometimes I feel as though I’m going to suffocate when I’m panicky and anxious, like I can’t get enough air. What do I do?
People who suffer from panic and anxiety attacks sometimes feel as though they “can’t get enough air” during these attacks. It is always a good idea to be checked medically for questions of this nature. If medical tests fail to show any physical basis for the problem, often the problem is due to a subtle level of hyperventilation which occurs outside of awareness. By subtle, I mean that the number of breaths per minute might increase from an average of 15 to as little as 18 or 19.
Over a period of several hours, this may cause a bit too much carbon dioxide, the gas that helps keep our blood vessels inflated, to lose a bit of this inflation, hence the feeling of a lack of oxygen. This is a false alarm. There is plenty of air even if it feels otherwise. You aren’t going to suffocate or pass out as a result of mild levels of hyperventilation. The problem isn’t a lack of oxygen but a lack of carbon dioxide.
The fix? Close your mouth. Breathe through your nose. Not fast, not slow, not deep, not shallow, just normal and relaxed. Breathe through your nose in a normal way and at a relaxed, normal rate – even if you have to force yourself to do so – and wait for the feeling of oxygen deprivation to leave. This may take a few minutes or longer; and while you are waiting, tell yourself there is plenty of air and that nothing bad is happening to you whatsoever. Run this experiment several times and see for yourself that you are safe.
I am recommending several books and workbooks just below, almost all of which originate from the cognitive-behavior therapy literature because behavioral and cognitive therapists have done prolific research, spanning 5 decades, on this disorder and have pioneered a number of effective therapies described in the books just below.
Dr. Barlow is considered by many to be the top researcher on this topic in the world, and Dr. Burns is similarly admired and respected. I went to the same internship as did Dr. Pollard and can therefore recommend his book very, very highly…and I’m also including on the “A” list a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, who was an original pioneer in the area.
Also, please take a look at some of the selections below, which offer similar perspectives but in unique, helpful ways:
Also, here is a complete Video Program for this problem. Please bookmark this page - so that you may easily return to our site - then Click Here! In the same way, please look at and evaluate another fine, self-help program developed by a psychologists specifically for the self-help therapy of panic and anxiety attacks: Click Here!
anxiety Common signs and symptoms panic attacks panic disorder
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November 28th, 2007
What are some of the signs and symptoms of Panic Disorder? Panic disorder sufferers usually have a series of intense episodes of extreme anxiety, known as panic attacks. A panic attack can wax and wane over a period of hours or disappear within minutes. Panic attacks can occur daily or much more infrequently. They may vary by intensity and by the subset of specific symptoms of panic that are experienced. Some individuals begin avoiding situations as a result of their panic disorder, in which case their problem is diagnosed as Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia.
Symptoms include a feeling of impending doom; a need to escape the immediate situation or avoid any circumstance from which escape is difficult or impossible; a feeling of suffocation or lack of air; sweating, numbness, tingling, heart racing, dizziness, nausea, shaking, general and severe anxiety, fear of fainting, and/or many other variants of catastrophic thinking.
I am recommending several books and workbooks just below, almost all of which originate from the cognitive-behavior therapy literature because behavioral and cognitive therapists have done prolific research, spanning 5 decades, on this disorder and have pioneered a number of effective therapies described in the books just below.
Dr. Barlow is considered by many to be the top researcher on this topic in the world, and Dr. Burns is similarly admired and respected. I went to the same internship as did Dr. Pollard and can therefore recommend his book very, very highly…and I’m also including on the “A” list a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, who was an original pioneer in the area.
Also, please take a look at some of the selections below, which offer similar perspectives but in unique, helpful ways:
Common signs and symptoms panic attacks panic disorder
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October 30th, 2007
There are many reasons why pregnancy can result in panic attacks. The best option is to be checked out both by a physician and by a mental health professional who specializes in this difficulty.
That being said, I would like to discuss one possible reason for the difficulty: The weight of the baby may be pressing on your diaphragm, causing you to breathe a bit more quickly than usual.
People who suffer from panic and anxiety attacks sometimes feel as though they “can’t get enough air”. If medical tests fail to show any physical basis for the problem, often the problem is due to a subtle level of hyperventilation which occurs outside of awareness. By subtle, I mean that the number of breaths per minute might increase from an average of 15 to as little as 18 or 19.
Over a period of several hours, this may cause a bit too much carbon dioxide, the gas that helps keep our blood vessels inflated, to lose a bit of this inflation, hence the feeling of a lack of oxygen. This is essentially a false alarm. There is plenty of air even if it feels otherwise. You aren’t going to suffocate or pass out as a result of mild levels of hyperventilation. The problem isn’t a lack of oxygen but a lack of carbon dioxide.
The fix? Close your mouth. Breathe through your nose. Not fast, not slow, not deep, not shallow, just normal and relaxed. Breathe through your nose in a normal way and at a relaxed, normal rate – even if you have to force yourself to do so – and wait for the feeling of oxygen deprivation to leave. This may take a few minutes or longer; and while you are waiting, tell yourself there is plenty of air and that nothing bad is happening to you whatsoever. Run this experiment several times and see for yourself that you are safe.
I am recommending several books and workbooks just below, almost all of which originate from the cognitive-behavior therapy literature because behavioral and cognitive therapists have done prolific research, spanning 5 decades, on this disorder and have pioneered a number of effective therapies described in the books just below.
Dr. Barlow is considered by many to be the top researcher on this topic in the world, and Dr. Burns is similarly admired and respected. I went to the same internship as did Dr. Pollard and can therefore recommend his book very, very highly…and I’m also including on the “A” list a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, who was an original pioneer in the area.
Also, please take a look at some of the selections below, which offer similar perspectives but in unique, helpful ways:
Posted in Panic Attacks | No Comments »
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