Anxiety
Anxiety can be a life altering issue to deal with. If you've ever had an anxiety attack, you know what I'm talking about! Your attack may have felt so urgent, that you've ended up in the ER for fear of dying of heart failure or the disease of the day. Your anxiety may not come in the form of an attack, it may be free-floating. You may often feel uncomfortable and distressed in the world. These feelings can interfere with career, work, intimacy, relationships and friendships.
Basically, suffering with anxiety can interfere with just about every aspect of your life. Some people suffer so extremely that they barely leave their house. They might call in sick for work or not even be able to make it in for an interview. They might refuse to attend social functions, have few friendships and virtually no romantic relationships. Often times people around you don't realize how much you are suffering inside and you may be too ashamed to let on what is really going on internally. Your life may be becoming so small, and consumed with one thing: worry.
So, who is prone to anxiety/panic? What are some beliefs that are underneath this issue? What can you do about it? It's important that you uncover the unconscious beliefs about yourself in order to gain control of your anxiety/panic. Working with a professional psychotherapist or hypnotherapist can help you with your anxiety and guide you to start feeling some relief in your life. Those who are susceptible to anxiety/panic can probably identify themselves in the list below:
* You feel inadequate
* You have difficulty setting limits with others
* You feel unlovable
* You often suppress your own feelings and desires
* You are afraid of "dangerous"' feelings such as: anger, sadness, rage
* You feel a lot of shame about yourself
* You have a need to please others
* You fear abandonment, you don't think you can possibly survive in the world on your own
* You are a perfectionist
* You have self doubt and low self-worth
* You believe that you are a delicate or fragile person
* You don't want to face the "adult" world
* You feel you are inept at certain activities: work, socially, intimacy
* Worrying is your comfort zone; if you stop worrying something bad might happen!
* You are self-critical
* You fear that you cannot handle responsibilities in life
* You have obsessive thoughts
* People, places and things scare you; you are easily frightened
After reading this list, don't beat up on yourself more. These are beliefs you have about yourself, not necessarily reality! Recovery from anxiety/panic is gradual, and long term. Some helpful perspectives you might want to adopt in order to recover from anxiety are to: confront it, talk about it, ask for help, reduce shame and tolerate the bumpy road to recovery. Know that it is not going to be smooth and perfect. Don't feel that you have to do it alone! A professional can help you identify your symptoms, accept them and take some positive steps towards healing. Therapy can also help you grow to tolerate uncertainty and imperfection in life, which is a key aspect in recovering from anxiety. Most importantly, try and approach this process with a sense of curiosity and learning. What can you learn from this experience? What is it here to teach you about yourself and others?
In addition to psychotherapy, there are great resources out there that can help you cope with your anxiety issues. See the suggested reading link below for some ideas:
Basically, suffering with anxiety can interfere with just about every aspect of your life. Some people suffer so extremely that they barely leave their house. They might call in sick for work or not even be able to make it in for an interview. They might refuse to attend social functions, have few friendships and virtually no romantic relationships. Often times people around you don't realize how much you are suffering inside and you may be too ashamed to let on what is really going on internally. Your life may be becoming so small, and consumed with one thing: worry.
So, who is prone to anxiety/panic? What are some beliefs that are underneath this issue? What can you do about it? It's important that you uncover the unconscious beliefs about yourself in order to gain control of your anxiety/panic. Working with a professional psychotherapist or hypnotherapist can help you with your anxiety and guide you to start feeling some relief in your life. Those who are susceptible to anxiety/panic can probably identify themselves in the list below:
* You feel inadequate
* You have difficulty setting limits with others
* You feel unlovable
* You often suppress your own feelings and desires
* You are afraid of "dangerous"' feelings such as: anger, sadness, rage
* You feel a lot of shame about yourself
* You have a need to please others
* You fear abandonment, you don't think you can possibly survive in the world on your own
* You are a perfectionist
* You have self doubt and low self-worth
* You believe that you are a delicate or fragile person
* You don't want to face the "adult" world
* You feel you are inept at certain activities: work, socially, intimacy
* Worrying is your comfort zone; if you stop worrying something bad might happen!
* You are self-critical
* You fear that you cannot handle responsibilities in life
* You have obsessive thoughts
* People, places and things scare you; you are easily frightened
After reading this list, don't beat up on yourself more. These are beliefs you have about yourself, not necessarily reality! Recovery from anxiety/panic is gradual, and long term. Some helpful perspectives you might want to adopt in order to recover from anxiety are to: confront it, talk about it, ask for help, reduce shame and tolerate the bumpy road to recovery. Know that it is not going to be smooth and perfect. Don't feel that you have to do it alone! A professional can help you identify your symptoms, accept them and take some positive steps towards healing. Therapy can also help you grow to tolerate uncertainty and imperfection in life, which is a key aspect in recovering from anxiety. Most importantly, try and approach this process with a sense of curiosity and learning. What can you learn from this experience? What is it here to teach you about yourself and others?
In addition to psychotherapy, there are great resources out there that can help you cope with your anxiety issues. See the suggested reading link below for some ideas:
Depression
"Depression is a wimp of a word for a howling tempest in the brain"
--William Styron
We all get sad and blue sometimes, but if that feeling of hopelessness and helplessness persists, you could be suffering from a very serious medical condition called depression. Those who have never suffered from depression might feel frustrated with your low mood and lack of enthusiasm, but depression is not always a state of mind that you can snap out of without professional help. A therapist can help you explore the familial, psychological, and social causes of your depression and also refer you to a doctor or a psychiatrist that can attend to the physical aspects of depression. I'm not saying that medication is always necessary, but it's an option to consider like everything else when you are suffering badly.
The writer William Styron described his depression as follows: "All capacity for pleasure disappears, and despair maintains a merciless daily drumming." A lot of extremely intelligent, creative, wonderful people suffer from depression. I say this because it's important to know that because you are depressed doesn't mean you are a weak person or less of a man or woman. You have a chemical imbalance in the brain that needs a combination of therapies and interventions to help you. In therapy, I offer a place to talk, vent, get angry, cry and speak the unspeakable. Sharing feelings that have been repressed and split off for a lifetime can be overwhelming, but also incredibly relieving. Like with any illness, I suggest that you educate yourself and those close to you about depression. Talk to others who understand about your problems as much as possible. You may even want to join a self-help support group in your community. I recommend eating nutritiously and regularly throughout the day, and getting some exercise. Consider medications or alternative therapies such as: acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnotherapy and other healing modalities. Keep pursuing your interests and try to do some relaxation skills each day. Most importantly, seek out professionals that can help you uncover the roots of your depression and help relieve your suffering. The good news is that with psychological and sometimes medical intervention, depression is very treatable.
Are you suffering with the following symptoms?
* Loss of appetite, or emotional overeating
* Loss of libido
* Thoughts of suicide and death
* Self harm ( cutting, eating disorders, alcohol or drug abuse )
* Physical symptoms: aches and pains, GI symptoms, urinary symptoms, headaches
* Feeling worthless
* Feeling guilty
* Low self confidence or low self-esteem
* Difficulty concentrating
* Lack of interest in activities that used to be pleasurable
* Obsessive thoughts
* Persistent sadness or crying
* A lack of feeling and numbness
* Irritability or anger outbursts
* Avoidance of social situations and withdrawing from the world
*This is not a complete list
If you are suffering from these symptoms and they seem to be intense and persistent feelings, you may be depressed. Sometimes, your depression can be closely linked to a recent loss or in response to a specific stressor. However, if your depression seems to have come out of the blue, I suggest getting a medical workup by a doctor who can rule out any physical reasons for your depression. Following up with a psychotherapist that can help you recover from your depression is the next step.
Helpful Links:
www.depression.com
www.depression-guide.com
www.stresscenter.com
www.depressionalliance.org
www.depression-treatment-guide.com
--William Styron
We all get sad and blue sometimes, but if that feeling of hopelessness and helplessness persists, you could be suffering from a very serious medical condition called depression. Those who have never suffered from depression might feel frustrated with your low mood and lack of enthusiasm, but depression is not always a state of mind that you can snap out of without professional help. A therapist can help you explore the familial, psychological, and social causes of your depression and also refer you to a doctor or a psychiatrist that can attend to the physical aspects of depression. I'm not saying that medication is always necessary, but it's an option to consider like everything else when you are suffering badly.
The writer William Styron described his depression as follows: "All capacity for pleasure disappears, and despair maintains a merciless daily drumming." A lot of extremely intelligent, creative, wonderful people suffer from depression. I say this because it's important to know that because you are depressed doesn't mean you are a weak person or less of a man or woman. You have a chemical imbalance in the brain that needs a combination of therapies and interventions to help you. In therapy, I offer a place to talk, vent, get angry, cry and speak the unspeakable. Sharing feelings that have been repressed and split off for a lifetime can be overwhelming, but also incredibly relieving. Like with any illness, I suggest that you educate yourself and those close to you about depression. Talk to others who understand about your problems as much as possible. You may even want to join a self-help support group in your community. I recommend eating nutritiously and regularly throughout the day, and getting some exercise. Consider medications or alternative therapies such as: acupuncture, homeopathy, hypnotherapy and other healing modalities. Keep pursuing your interests and try to do some relaxation skills each day. Most importantly, seek out professionals that can help you uncover the roots of your depression and help relieve your suffering. The good news is that with psychological and sometimes medical intervention, depression is very treatable.
Are you suffering with the following symptoms?
* Loss of appetite, or emotional overeating
* Loss of libido
* Thoughts of suicide and death
* Self harm ( cutting, eating disorders, alcohol or drug abuse )
* Physical symptoms: aches and pains, GI symptoms, urinary symptoms, headaches
* Feeling worthless
* Feeling guilty
* Low self confidence or low self-esteem
* Difficulty concentrating
* Lack of interest in activities that used to be pleasurable
* Obsessive thoughts
* Persistent sadness or crying
* A lack of feeling and numbness
* Irritability or anger outbursts
* Avoidance of social situations and withdrawing from the world
*This is not a complete list
If you are suffering from these symptoms and they seem to be intense and persistent feelings, you may be depressed. Sometimes, your depression can be closely linked to a recent loss or in response to a specific stressor. However, if your depression seems to have come out of the blue, I suggest getting a medical workup by a doctor who can rule out any physical reasons for your depression. Following up with a psychotherapist that can help you recover from your depression is the next step.
Helpful Links:
www.depression.com
www.depression-guide.com
www.stresscenter.com
www.depressionalliance.org
www.depression-treatment-guide.com