Category: Anxiety

How to Avoid and Overcome Anxiety

23 December, 2009 (04:21) | Anxiety | By: admin

All experts in the field of psychology know that the brain functions best when it is in a stress-free state. Non constructive emotions, like fear, worry and anxiety bring about mental and bodily stagnation. If you want to relax the mind and body, then the ability to be able to see the funny side of things is essential. If you find it hard to relax you will also find it hard to deal with intense situations. Having the ability to be in control when the going gets tough increases the probability of you having a successful life. Remember that with a relaxed mind and body you will feel that anything is possible because you will also have a more positive mental attitude as a result.

The thing is about anxiety is that it can be hard to identify because of its subjective nature. Basically anxiety is a catch-22 situation made up of thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Anxiety starts in the mind with your thoughts. These thoughts bring about physical sensations that affect your behaviour. A person that is always anxious tends to have more distressing thoughts than other people, thus, maintaining the catch-22 situation.

If you want to avoid and overcome anxiety you have to take a more holistic approach that will reprogram the mind and body. A good way of doing this is by breathing and relaxation. These two simple and valuable methods are an excellent way of bringing the mind and body back into harmony again.

An anxious person tends to breath too quickly. Breathing too quickly will upsets the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. When this happens unpleasant symptoms of anxiety and panic will start to emerge.

The best thing to do is to practice breathing 10-12 times per minute this will naturally relax the body. Slowly breath in through the nose and out through the mouth. Take the air right down to the bottom of your lungs, and feel the ribs expand as you do this. Pause between breaths and time yourself. Try to exhale for as long as you inhale. After a while your breathing will adjust and you will not have to think about breathing more slowly.

This breathing technique is good to help deal with the physical symptoms of anxiety, but what about the mental side of it? How can you bring about a relaxed state of mind? The thing to do is think of a time when you were completely relaxed and focused in something that you were doing. Think about the thoughts, feelings and emotions that you had while engaged in the activity. Make the thought real just as if you are there in the moment. Do this until you can distinctively isolate each individual emotion and thought that you had. The more you practice this technique, the easier it will be in the future to activate positive emotions when you need them.

The next time you are in a situation that you feel anxious about just breath slowly and bring back to memory the emotions you felt when you were completely focused in what you were doing. Good luck!

Panic Attack Relief

18 December, 2009 (14:44) | Anxiety | By: Health news

For those of us who suffer from panic attacks and other anxiety disorders, it is easy for us to become discouraged and think there is no panic attack relief in our future. While there are probably not any over-night solutions (contrary to some of the articles and sales pitches I’ve seen), there are relatively easy steps you can take to help get you life back in control.

  • First, get to your family doctor as soon as you can for a check-up to make sure there aren’t any underlying medical issues that are contributing to your anxiety and panic.

  • Second, come to an understanding of what anxiety and panic attacks are all about. Believe it or not, most anxiety related symptoms are totally under your control. You can control what you think about and how you respond to those thoughts. It might take some time to bring your thoughts under control to get some relief, but it can be done. Just don’t get frustrated if progress is slow.

  • Third, try to understand that there are people, events and things in your life you can’t control. Try to not dwell on these issues. For example, you can’t change what you did or what happened to you yesterday or last month. Try your best to forget about the past and focus on the future. Some parts of your future can be controlled, but your past is gone forever. Don’t dwell on your past mistakes or think too much about what you could have done differently. Obviously, we need to learn from our mistakes so we don’t repeat them in the future, but we don’t need to be preoccupied with how things turned out–we need to spend more time improving our processes so our results will be better next time. Just working with this simple idea can provide some panic attack relief.

  • Fourth, try to find ways to calm yourself in situations where you feel panic and anxiety coming on. One of the most important things I can do is to mentally give in to my anxiety. Sometimes the act of giving in to my attacks can actually bring relief. I used to tense up and make matters worse when I felt panic was going to be an issue. Now when I don’t try to fight off an attack I find it easier to start to calm myself down and avoid a full blown attack.

There are many different methods you can use to help calm yourself down. It’s important to use some of these methods every day and not just when you feel extra stress or anxiety.

One thing to try is some breathing exercises. Many of us never fully exhale in any given day, so take three very deep breaths and then exhale just as deeply. Make sure each breath is taken in a measured and deliberate fashion and protract the exhaling as well. You should do this breathing exercise several times each day.

You can also try meditation. You can find some programs that teach meditation or you can just try sitting calmly several times each day and focus your thoughts on pleasant sensations or times in your life. I went on a 10 day cruise on a 30 foot sailboat through the Bahamas several years ago and enjoyed some of the most relaxing times of my life. I particularly remember sleeping on deck one night and waking up the next morning to the sound of waves slapping the side of the boat and a fantastic panoramic view of the ocean. I can remember being very calm and relaxed. When I’m feeling stressed I still can think of my sailboat trip and get some much needed relief.

Try some of these tips and see if they will help you like they’ve helped me.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

2 December, 2009 (05:03) | Anxiety | By: Health news

Anyone who is suffering from a lot of anxiety needs to make sure that they find something that can work for them. There are many different treatments that people use to specifically treat anxiety. It is important that you find something that can work for your particular condition. If you are suffering from a large amount of anxiety you should consider different natural cures for anxiety.

Some of the different symptoms of anxiety that people experience are constant worrying, unrealistic views of different problems, restlessness, headaches, hypertension, and nausea. Although these are only a few of the different symptoms that you might experience, they cover the broad range of the different problems that you might experience.

There are many different reasons why you might experience anxiety
. You could have had a traumatic experience in the past that has caused you to suffer from anxiety. It is generally agreed upon that anxiety is caused from a mix of both nature and nurture. If you were born naturally shy then there is a good chance that you will have increased amounts of anxiety in different social situations.

People who are suffering from anxiety issues need to make sure that they find a treatment that they can use for their anxiety. There are many different reasons why you could suffer from a severe anxiety. There are a variety of different treatments that you can use, so it is important that you find something that works for you. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is something that is often used to help people treat different forms of anxiety.

Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?

24 November, 2009 (20:53) | Anxiety | By: Health news

There is no getting round it – panic attacks are horrendous and can leave you feeling confused, depressed and absolutely isolated. It may not feel like it but you are not alone – innumerable people suffer from these attacks and, like you, are asking questions such as ‘why is this happening to me?‘. They are seeking panic help but do not know where to find it.

Why Do Panic Attacks Happen?

Panic attacks are the result of a build up of tension and anxiety. Perhaps you have been through a traumatic experience which caused you obvious stress but somehow your body ‘forgot’ to switch off and continued in its stress mode. This build-up of adrenalin (the hormone responsible for your body’s anxiety response) being produced when it isn’t needed can cause an over-reaction of panic symptoms that leads your body to react physically and mentally. Your heart starts racing and your throat tightens which makes it difficult for you to breathe. You start to shake and tremble – in fact it’s as if you are being faced with an immense trauma when there is absolutely no real reason for it. Your body has no control and it gets so bad that you believe you are going mad or even that you are dying.

Some people suffer one attack and then never have another one; others have repeated episodes and this is then diagnosed as panic disorder. Remember that this is through no fault of your own – it is an illness that many people suffer from but it is an illness with a very high rate of recovery.

Where To Find the Answers You Need

If you suffer from panic issues then the first thing to do is to seek professional help. Your local doctor can refer you to a specialist who is trained in treating illnesses that have panic as a major symptom. They will either prescribe medication, therapy or a combination of both.

Professional assistance, however, is not the only way to get panic help. Numerous sites on the web have different programmes you can follow which may give you the added boost you need when following any professional advice. Perhaps the thought of taking medication scares you as you know about the inevitable side effects and withdrawal symptoms. If this is so then a sensible treatment to consider could be holistic medicine where all remedies are natural and do not ravage the body. As well as the web there are also many self-help books which give tips and remedies on controlling panic and the resulting physical effects.

It must be remembered that each person suffering from panic attacks is a case unique to themselves and therefore each one should be treated differently. No matter what method you try be it drugs, therapy, homeopathy or some other alternative way, the answers are out there. People are always ready to help you if you take the plunge and ask. Seek background knowledge either from books, pamphlets, or on the net. Then armed with this information you will know more about all the options open to you.

Best Cure For Panic Attacks

9 November, 2009 (04:53) | Anxiety | By: admin

A panic attack is one of the worst experiences you can ever have. Panic attacks only last about 10 minutes but feel like an eternity.

Symptoms of panic attacks include:

  • difficulty breathing
  • pounding heart
  • intense feelings of terror
  • sensation of choking
  • dizziness
  • shaking
  • sweating
  • nausea
  • tingling
  • chills
  • hot flashes
  • fear that you are about to die.

Not only are the symptoms of panic attacks terrifying, but the fear of having another one can be just as bad.

If you suffer from panic attacks and panic disorder, you’re not alone. Panic disorder affects about 2.4 million Americans. It is twice as common in women as in men and usually begins during late adolescence and early adulthood.

Panic disorder is diagnosed by a doctor or mental health professional through a long and strenuous process. If symptoms of panic disorder are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical exam. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose panic disorder, the doctor may use various tests to look for physical illness as the cause of the symptoms.

If no physical illness is found, an individual may be referred to a psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Psychiatrists and psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for panic disorder.

The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on reported intensity and duration of symptoms, including the frequency of panic attacks, and the doctors observation of the patients attitude and behavior. The doctor then determines if the symptoms and degree of dysfunction suggest panic disorder.

However, this process can take weeks or even months and is not ideal for many individuals suffering from panic disorder. Fortunately, due to technological advancements, we can get results much faster with the use of the internet. In my opinion, the best cure for panic attacks is a program known as Panic Away.

The treatment options for panic disorder are psychotherapy, medication, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy is a process in which trained mental health professionals help people by talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their disorder. However, psychotherapy is expensive and can cost up to $100 per session. Also, seeing results from this form of treatment can take quite some time.

Medication is another option for treating panic disorder. Medication is certainly not guaranteed to work for everyone and often comes with a long list of possible side effects. Many people prefer treatment to be all natural and do not wish to potentially harm their bodies using medication. Relaxation techniques can also be used during an attack but offer little in terms of long term benefits.

The best cure for panic attacks is known as cognitive behavioral therapy. In this form of treatment, the individual learns to recognize and change thought patterns and behaviors that lead to feelings of anxiety and panic. It also aims to identify possible triggers for panic attacks. Panic Away offers a cognitive technique born from traditional psychology that anyone can apply to eliminate panic attacks and panic disorder.

How to Defeat Anxiety and Depression

27 October, 2009 (12:04) | Anxiety | By: Health news

Anxiety is a situation of disquiet or fear caused by the expectation of a existent or probable hazard, event, or condition. It has become a pervasive crisis experienced by a couple of persons at some stage of their lives.

Severe over-excitement, dim vision, itchy and cases of breathlessness are just several of the signs felt, and may make it very difficult to live one’s days in a regular mode. It is not hard to realize why a lot of individuals go through anxiety and depression. Present society is laden with several problems as financial instability, political disorder, natural debacles, and the current climate change.

No matter if you are a high ranking executive, an office staff, a parent, or in retirement, there are loads of demands in the society these days that all add to feelings of inadequacy and fear that it is no longer surprising there are a lot people experiencing anxiety related ailments.

The feeling of loss of control is very scary, and this is exactly what takes place when a person endures panic or anxiety attacks. There is a predisposition to detach oneself and reject to socialize outside of the home, but this alone is both harmful and unhelpful in that it doesn’t help to lessen the crisis.

Social anxiety ailment is a type of anxiety ailment. Someone who is suffering from this may not be capable of mingling with acquaintances or loved ones. Most people realize, the meaning of a social support system for an individual’s psychological well-being cannot be exaggerated. If one is not able to mingle with others, then nervousness and fright increases.

Individuals going through anxiety ailments have traditionally opted medicines. Yet, pills do not entirely heal one’s anxiety. On the other hand, it is only a coping method that lowers an individual’s level of anxiety. Furthermore, the cause of nervousness and alarm still stays uncertain. The person therefore gets fully reliant on drugs so as to reduce their indications. Most people know, taking medication often result in unpleasant consequences. Psychotherapy on the other hand is not just high priced and takes a long time, but also can not assure complete healing.

There are a lot of courses which are aimed at enduringly curing anxiety sickness in a fast, harmless, and effective manner. So, individuals who go through from disabling fright and unease shouldn’t have to resort to costly yet useless approach. By testing a couple of of the top programs, they could once more gain control of their life and enjoy the companionship of other people. This method has indeed offered a spring of hope and healing for many.

Panic and Anxiety Attacks

24 October, 2009 (06:21) | Anxiety | By: Health news

Do you suffer from attacks of panic and anxiety?

The medical term for this is panic disorder, which is one of a number of anxiety conditions-generally grouped together under the term “social phobia” or “social anxiety disorder“. If you’re a sufferer, you’ll know that it’s a very distressing complaint.

Among the symptoms of panic and anxiety attacks are a rapid heartbeat, involuntary twitching, shaky voice, dry mouth or sweating. You might be aware of muscle tension, trembling or shaking, a feeling of confusion, and perhaps an upset stomach.

Alternatively, it might be something as simple as blushing, which many people find acutely embarrassing and humiliating.

Common social situations which bring on panic and anxiety attacks include using the phone, shopping, and speaking to strangers. But there are a lot of other trigger points: attending social events, such as parties or concerts, or doing any sort of activity where you might be watched by other people-even standing in a line.

While it doesn’t help your particular situation, it might be reassuring to know that you’re not alone. It’s estimated that about one in 75 people suffers from panic and anxiety attacks, often accompanied by agoraphobia.

Here’s the odd thing about statistics: estimates range from one in 75 to as many as one in 20. These figures don’t sound like much until you put them in context. It’s estimated that about 3.7 per cent of the U.S. population aged between 18 and 54 has social phobia in any given year. Again, you might think, 3.7 per cent is no big deal, but that’s over five million Americans. Among the people at a football event, you might say, there could be 1,000 who suffer from this disability.

Except that they won’t be there, whether they’re interested in football or not… The insidious nature of social phobia is the way it affects people’s lives-from performance at school or college to success at making friends or dating. Going to a concert or a sports event is often out of the question.

People with the disorder avoid taking classes if there’s a risk that they may be the center of attention. At work, they may resist promotion if the job would mean they have to make presentations, run meetings or take part in social activities.

Most people suffer from social anxiety to some extent, but if you find it getting in the way of normal everyday activities it’s an indication that you may need help. A doctor might recommend medication or therapy, but there are many ways to reduce the severity of the problem before resorting to medical intervention.

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