1. Using EMDR to Treat Anxiety

    November 30, 2013

    Using EMDR to Treat Anxiety

    by Dr. Wilfried Busse, PhD

    Your pulse is racing and your palms are sweaty. You are having trouble keeping your breathing steady. Your brain is misfiring, making you think that you may be having a heart attack. The chances are, if you have not experienced this for yourself, someone close to you has. Did you know that there are an alarming number of people who reach out to emergency officials for what is commonly known as an anxiety, not a heart, attack?

    Anxiety is a culmination of emotions usually associated with worry, fear and/or feeling severely uncomfortable in certain situations. Some people freeze, while others panic. However, only a select few experience an entire breakdown that requires medication to ease their nerves. Anxiety is now a major epidemic in today’s society. It makes one question what kinds of triggers set off an anxiety attack, and what kinds of methods of relief outside of medication?

    Take some time to reflect on your life where your body reacted with any of the above symptoms. Perhaps it was when you had to give an oral presentation at school or work. How many of us have experienced test anxiety where our minds went blank or were preoccupied with fear with worry? Other anxiety triggers involve social settings or feeling overwhelmed with financial hardship or medical processes.

    Anxiety can be crippling for many people. Those with academic or work-related anxiety frequently find themselves suffering from failing grades or a decreased work performance, even though they are good students or valuable employees. Some people with severe anxiety cannot hold down a job or successfully complete school. Anxiety has the potential to destroy lives, rendering them unable to function in everyday life activities. Simply put, anxiety is a form of trauma.

    Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers is a book that came out a few years ago.  The main plot explored how zebras have finely tuned brains that allow them to sniff out danger in the wild and to get a jump start on evading a predator.  Their brains, however, are not complex enough to “remember” the event and “interpret” its “meaning.”  Therefore, they do not worry about it once the danger is past.  What we can take away from this is since they do not worry, they do not get ulcers.

    With many of us, it is different.  We remember a dangerous or traumatic event and may develop anticipatory anxiety about it happening again.  Our nervous systems become overly sensitized to “expecting the worst,” and we may “see” the worst when there is no real threat.  Our brains become like an overly sensitive motion detector installed over the front entrance to our house. Just like how a light breeze or the motion of a fine rain drizzle can set off the motion detector, our bodies may react in similar ways even when in both scenarios, there is not a real intruder. When expecting and worrying about the “worst happening,” our brains go into a state of “fight or flight.”  In this state, a cascade of physiological responses is set off to protect us from danger.  Blood flow goes directly to the muscles to prepare an individual for “fight or flight” and away from the front part of their brain, which allow them to make a more calm and objective assessment of the perceived threat.  When fight or flight is set off prematurely, the body may feel like it is spinning out of control. It may feel like a panic or anxiety attack.

    Psychiatrists and trauma therapists have been trying to find the most effective treatments for anxiety.  One of the types of therapy becoming more common with anxiety treatment is known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).  A body of research continues to confirm its effectiveness.  EMDR is typically used with patients who suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) as well as other types of trauma. It has also been found to be effective in addressing anxiety or panic episodes, especially those that were precipitated by a traumatic event.

    How does EMDR work to address the debilitating effects of panic or anxiety?  At the risk of oversimplifying, EMDR calms the nervous system by desensitizing the fight or flight response.  In fight or flight, the front part of the brain is “hijacked.”  Remember that the front part of the brain allows us to analyze a situation objectively and realistically and to take appropriate action.  When “hijacked” by the fear center of our brains (fight or flight), the frontal lobes tend to be biased by distorted perceptions by sensing danger when none is present.  EMDR calms the fear center and allows more realistic perceptions to take hold and allows more access to positive memories of how we acted in past stressful situations without going into a panic state.

    Therapists using EMDR may solely use this technique or combine it with other forms of therapy to help people, at the very least, cope with anxiety. Any tools that anxiety-sufferers utilize will help them regain control over their lives because the concept of control is highly important to them. If you are ready to stop the health-limiting effects of anxiety, you can regain control of your life by seeking assistance from a licensed psychiatrist or trauma-specialized therapist.

    Author Bio: Psychologist Dr. Wilfried Busse is driven by evidence-based therapy methods and integrates these methods into his practice for new or current patients dealing with trauma, PTSD, depression, grief and ADHD.

    Image Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/thelotuscarroll/6847105674

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  2. Understanding Causes of Anxiety In Children

    November 28, 2013

    Anxiety In Children

    Anxiety affects all different types of people in the world – different sexes, races, and, of course, ages. This means that adults aren’t the only ones that are affected by anxiety. Although they may feel anxiety in different ways, children are affected just as often and as severe as adults. However, anxiety in children is often downplayed and not taken seriously. Many adults think that children simply don’t worry, or that a child’s problems aren’t anywhere near adults’ problems. This, however, is very untrue. Although us adults may have big problems in our lives, children also have worries, and their worries can be very severe.

     

    Examples Of A Child’s Worries

    Children often have worries that seem very realistic to them. Most of their worries include situations that could cause embarrassment to a high degree. Others worry about what other people may think about them. A few even worry about causing trouble to adults. Below are a few examples of worries that children might have if they suffer from anxiety.

     

    Jenny and the School Play

    A nine-year-old girl named Jenny has been awarded a part in a school play. The play may not be too big or overly crowded – just the parents of some of the children performing – but Jenny is extremely nervous about it. Jenny feels like she will mess up in the play. She feels that if she makes one wrong move, the whole audience will see it and look at her. She feels like if that happened, all of the children will be angry with her for messing up, and the parents of the children will remember her as “the child that messed up during the school play.” She is extremely nervous about making one wrong action, and she is trying to talk her mother out of making her go.

     

    The above situation may seem silly to an adult, but the feelings are all too real for Jenny, who suffers from anxiety and is a constant worrier. She always feels like she will mess up in some way, or that other people will remember her for one of her mistakes. She is very nervous about the school play, and it is eating her up inside. She gets butterflies whenever someone mentions the play, and she has spent many sleepless nights worrying about messing up during the play. Her worries may seem mediocre to the average adult, but to Jenny, the situation is extremely nerve-racking. This would be in comparison to an adult that is nervous about making a public speech to represent his business or some sort. Although some adults could do this with no struggle or worry at all, other adults may struggle and worry about this quite a bit. This goes for children too: some may worry about it, while others will do fine with it. The ones who worry about the play are usually the people who suffer with anxiety, specifically social anxiety.

     

    Billy Not Having a Ride

    Billy, a ten-year-old boy that just got dropped off at his soccer practice, has begun to think that his mother will be late coming to pick him back up. His coach always stays at the game until all of the players have been picked up from the practice. He always worries about him being the last person being picked up from practice. He always feels like he will be of trouble to the coach because of him being picked up last, thus making the coach irritated with him because of him being picked up late. This worry sticks with Billy throughout his whole practice. It even affects his ability to play soccer well. He begins to make mistakes in his soccer workouts, which makes him feel even worse.

     

    The situation about Billy seems quite rare, but this is mostly because children tend to hold their worries in for a long time. Their worries often go unrecognized for an extended period of time. This is simply because many children think that their feelings of worry is of common occurrence among all children. They don’t understand that their thoughts of worry differ from any other child. Children tend to think that it is normal to worry about simply things, and they don’t realize that their thoughts of worry are actually a disorder known as anxiety. Usually, the thoughts of worry in a child tends to go unnoticed unless the child, for some reason, begins seeing a psychologist. Fortunately, many children do go see a psychologist sometime within their childhood years. This is when the psychologist begins to see that they have anxiety. In Billy’s situation, he seems to undergo generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), along with a possibility to have social anxiety.

     

    Anxiety In Children Is All Too Real

    Adults tend to think that a child’s worries are pointless. They may also think that their worries are silly, and they may also think that the period of childhood is a lot easier and “carefree” compared to that of adulthood. However, this is not the case. Children do go through hard times, with or without anxiety. However, those children that have anxiety tend to have a harder life, as the constant stress and worry associated with everyday life begins to take a toll on their body. This is very unfortunate, but luckily, most cases of anxiety in children can be controlled with cognitive behavior therapy. In other words, a psychologist will often be able to give children techniques to handle their anxiety. In the most extreme cases of anxiety (when a child’s anxiety is preventing him/her from completing their daily routine, or their anxiety is putting an extreme strain on their everyday life), medication may be prescribed to control their anxiety. However, most psychologists try to help the child handle their anxiety by simply by allowing the child to talk out their feelings and giving them strategies to help them in stressful situations. In short, adults need to realize that children have a hard life, and they need to help their child if they have some form of anxiety. They can’t simply push off their child’s feelings as “pointless,” or tell them how much harder adulthood is than childhood. Adults should understand that children with anxiety suffer greatly from their disorder, and they should always be there to help the child in any and all ways possible – even if that means getting them to a psychologist.

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwardez/3980217199

     

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  3. How to Manage Anxiety Sweats

    November 27, 2013

    How to Manage Anxiety Sweats
    The big moment has arrived, you’re having an interview with your dream job. You’ve been preparing your entire working career for this one opportunity and you’ve planned everything you need down to a tee.  A copy of your resume rests flat in your laptop bag, your shirt has been pressed and dry-cleaned and you got a good night’s sleep. It seems that nothing can go wrong. You jump in your car and pull out the driveway, the air con is blasting – you don’t want to get overheated and start sweating right? Only problem is, you are sweating. Despite an 18 degree temperature, two wet circles are starting to form under your arms and they’re spreading quickly – the enemy has won again! By the time you get to your interview, you’re anxiety levels are at an all-time high, and you’re struggling to get it under control. A million thoughts run through your head like, why couldn’t they be one of those new age businesses and conduct a Skype chat interview? Or would it be bad if I cancelled now? Or maybe if I wear my backpack the entire time they won’t notice. People who suffer from anxiety sweats (myself included) know this feeling all too well. You don’t need to be embarrassed, sweating due to anxiety is a common condition that affects more people that you think. Apparently, sweating is a natural response of our sweat glands when we are anxious. For some, the sweating doesn’t begin until you’re standing in a crowded room, others just need to think about interacting with people and they start perspiring. So how do you manage this condition? Here is a few ways to help you overcome anxiety sweats.

    Wear clothes that allow you to breathe

     

    Much like the aforementioned scenario, if you know you are going to be in a stressful situation that may lead to sweating, try to reduce your external body temperature by wearing non synthetic clothing that is light and breathable. Wearing synthetic materials will only increase your body’s need to sweat, making it seem more excessive. Partner this with a strong antiperspirant (I use Rexona Clinical) to prevent any further sweats.

    Recognise your triggers and focus on something less anxiety provoking

     

    Feeling of anxiety can be incredibly overwhelming, besides sweating you may also be feeling waves of tightening in the chest, a racing heart, snowballing worries and obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviour. These reactions are provoked by situations that make you uneasy or nervous. I’m not saying it’s easy to recognise all your triggers, but if you can identify a few and find ways to redirect your focus onto something other than your anxiety, you retain a sense of control. You can reach out to others, do work around the house, exercise, listen to music, watch a movie or engage in a creative activity such as drawing, painting or writing.

    Exercise

     

    Here’s yet another good reason to get involved in some extracurricular activities. Physicians have long recommended exercise as a means of relieving anxiety by helping your body to practice responding to stress. That way, when the real McCoy happens, you are much better prepared to handle an anxiety provoking situation. Exercising prior to anticipated anxiety provoking situation is also a good idea (such as job interview), because the exercise will cause inflow of endorphins into your brain and it will function better. Yet, you should finish the exercise at least two hours prior to the interview.

     

    This is by no means an exhaustive list of the things you can do to curb anxiety sweats. However, if you do experience anxiety on a regular basis, remember these tips and don’t be afraid to see the psychologist or psychotherapist to deal with root cause of your problems.

     

    Image Credit: Ryan Hyde @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/breatheindigital/4668093768

     

     

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  4. The End of Anti-Depressants as We Know Them

    November 26, 2013

     

    How the future of antidepressants is diverging from its scattershot past

     

    The End of Anti-Depressants as We Know Them

    by Amy Maxmen

    Sixty-one years ago, in a Staten Island hospital complex, doctors testing a new drug on tuberculosis patients observed a strange side effect: While the drug, known as an MAO inhibitor, was no miracle cure

    for the hospital’s debilitated residents, it seemed to have an energizing, almost magical effect on their mood. One report noted that patients were “dancing in the halls tho’ there were holes in their lungs.’

    The early history of what would come to be known as antidepressants is dominated by such stories of serendipity, and many pharmaceuticals prescribed for depression today are, by and large, descendents of these decades-old happy accidents. Newer drugs replaced old ones because they were safer, not more effective, explains William Potter, senior advisor to the director of the National Institute of Mental Health.

    Now, as psychiatry inches toward a more refined understanding of the neurochemistry of depression, the course of drug discovery is changing. Roughly half of all clinically depressed patients fail to respond to available antidepressants-all of which target one neurotransmitter or another-and the lack of relief provides an important clue: Depression is not a monolithic disease, but a set of symptoms that can spring from a variety of causes. A treatment may work, scientists are finding, only when it is tailored to the type of depression found in a particular patient. “Today’s antidepressants seem to change the brain only slowly and indirectly,” explains Olivier Berton, a neuroscientist at the University of Pennsylvania.

    How the future of antidepressants is diverging from its scattershot past

    Because doctors knew that some early antidepressants boosted serotonin, they hypothesized that the neurotransmitter may be linked to depression. But a person’s outlook doesn’t start to shift until a month after beginning serotonin-altering drugs like Prozac, even when they work. The delay suggests another process is involved. Enter neural plasticity. Researchers have long observed the growth of new brain cells following antidepressant use. It may be that the sluggishness and stunted outlook that characterize depression at bottom  reflect a failure to generate  new nerve cells, and yet the role of serotonin in neurogenesis is indirect, at best. The chain of reactions that link them remains largely unknown.

    Recently, however, new research has begun to point to substances in the brain that act closer to the scene of neurogenesis, suggesting  more logical drug targets.  In June, researchers reported one important step in Nature Medicine. After mice took Prozac-Iike antidepressants, the levels of a fat molecule in the brain called ceramide plummeted.  Ceramide normally stalls brain cell growth;  by blocking ceramide, the drugs presumably  jump-started  neural regeneration.  New drugs that inhibit ceramide  could  work  faster than  drugs that  act on serotonin   because  they  are more directly linked to neurogenesis, the authors suggest.

    Others   are  entirely    abandoning approaches related to serotonin. Researchers know that individuals who are obese or who take immune-altering   medications may not respond to antidepressants. What such people have in common  is chronic inflammation,  explains Emory University psychiatrist  Andrew  Miller. He believes that inflammation   is a particular  path to depression  that  stems from  a beneficial adaptation. Depression is often characterized by what are called sickness behaviors – withdrawal  from others, loss of appetite, lethargy.  These are typical  responses  to physical  injury  and infection, and, in the short term, may foster recovery. Such responses become a problem, Miller says, only when the inflammation   is chronic. Then the depressive behavior endures.

    Earlier this year, Miller investigated whether a drug  currently used to tame inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis might  help people  who found  no relief in antidepressants   and failed to respond to talk therapy. The drug indeed  helped depressed patients with excess inflammation and did little for those without.

    Depression  that stems from trauma can  also be especially resistant   to conventional    antidepressants. Scientists believe that trauma  may cause epigenetic changes-lastingly modifying molecules that  turn  mood-  and  behavior-related genes on or off. The upshot  may be that those who experience trauma early in life may be unable to bounce back from later hardship the way other people can.

    Penn’s   Berton  recently studied trauma-induced depression in  mice. Bullying – one type  of trauma, easily modeled  in animals – typically causes a meeker mouse to act asocial, refrain from favored foods, and scare easily-behaviors analogous to those of depressed humans. But when Berton blocked a particular protein in the bullied  mice, they showed no such symptoms.  Berton  is now collaborating  with  a pharmaceutical  company to develop  a drug  that  blocks  the same protein. Other researchers are also experimenting  with drugs that block different proteins that may act as on/off switches for the genes affected by trauma.

    “For  a long  time,  people  focused only  on serotonin,   and  that  inhibited new avenues  of investigation,” Berton says.  Now that the variety of mechanisms underlying depression is becoming clearer, a one-size-fits-all approach may soon be a thing of the past.

    (article originally published at Psychology Today – Nov/Dec 2013)

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  5. What is Panic Disorder?

    November 23, 2013

    What is Panic Disorder?

    Have you ever experienced sudden attacks of fear and uneasiness? Have you ever felt physical symptoms such as sweating, chills and a pounding heart without warning? Have you ever believed in a stressful situation that at any moment you are going to die? When these symptoms have no relation to the environment or context, the cause might be a panic attack. When these attacks repeatedly happen to a person, they might be suffering from a psychological condition known as panic disorder.
    Panic disorder is a sub-type of anxiety disorder.  The reactions of a person suffering from a panic disorder are different from our normal reactions to everyday stressful occurrences. This disorder manifests a severe form of anxiety; the symptoms are sudden and intense. The comorbidity of panic attacks with other anxiety disorders has made it difficult to diagnose. The latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which mental health professionals use to diagnose patients, lists the following symptoms and criteria of panic disorder (DSM-5, American Psychiatric Association, 2013):

    1. Recurrent unexpected panic attacks

    2. At least one of the attacks has been followed by 1 month (or more) of one or both of the following:

    –  Persistent concern or worry about additional panic attacks or their consequences (e.g., losing control, having a heart attack, going crazy).

    –  Significant maladaptive change in behavior related to the attacks (e.g., behaviors designed to avoid having panic attacks, such as avoidance of exercise or unfamiliar situations).

    3. The panic attacks are not restricted to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., an illegal drug or a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism, cardiopulmonary disorders).

    4. The panic attacks are not restricted to the symptoms of another mental disorder, such as Social Phobia (e.g., in response to feared social situations), Specific Phobia (e.g., in response to a circumscribed phobic object or situation), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (e.g., in response to dirt in someone with an obsession about contamination), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (e.g., in response to stimuli associated with a traumatic event), or Separation Anxiety Disorder (e.g., in response to being away from home or close relatives).

    Panic attacks are mostly prompted by situations that are perceived to be very stressful, such as speaking in front of a crowd.  A sense of panic quickly overwhelms the victim and the immediate response is to completely remove them from the situation. Chances of experiencing a panic attack increase if person is away from home and out of their comfort zone. Some attacks may last longer than others, but in most cases they reach the peak symptoms in 10 minutes and return to normal in 20 to 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict when it will happen again, but we know that the chances to have another attack are greater for people who have already had a panic attack . Women are also at a greater risk for having panic attacks, and most of the cases have supported the fact that it usually occurs during early adulthood.  Depressions, drug abuse or suicidal attempts may go hand-in-hand with panic disorder.

    The reasons behind panic disorders are currently unknown, but there are several potentially contributing factors.  These include genetics, as well as with major life changes such as entering college, joining the professional workplace, and any life stressor like the death of loved one, loss of major possessions or marital problems.  It can also be the result of traumatic or embarrassing experiences that occurred at some time during their lives.  The mere thought or recall of those memories can trigger an attack.

    The positive: panic disorder is treatable. Anti-anxiety medications are not the only option. Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be the most effective therapy for treating panic disorder.  It focuses on changing the irrational thought patterns in the patients mind that are instigating the attacks. Exposure therapy, group therapy, self-help techniques, and alternative treatments such as acupuncture are also being used for treatment of panic disorder.

    The suffering is not only experienced by the patient; family members, friends and many others that are exposed to the panic disorder suffer from its negative effects. But, they can also be the best source of emotional support, understanding, hope and recovery. It is not easy to deal with a family member or friend who has a panic disorder.  However, one of the most difficult challenges can also yield the greatest rewards.  By simply listening and supporting the person suffering with this disorder, everyone can start down the path to recovery.

    References:

    1. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington American Psychiatric Publishing.

     

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/challengeconvention/8106671053

     

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  6. Depression – Can We Break the Social Taboo?

    November 21, 2013

    Depression – Can We Break the Social Taboo?

    by Alexander Thornton

    Even in today’s so-called enlightened times, sufferers from depression and other mental illnesses face the added burden of the stigma that attaches to their condition as well as ongoing discrimination. Sufferers experience isolation from family, friends and others and are excluded from everyday activities that most people consider normal. They find it harder to find and keep employment and their physical health is adversely affected.

    Mental illness has historically been attributed to the effect of demons, character weakness or moral failing and sufferers in most societies have found themselves social outcasts. This means that vast numbers of people face rejection by society. According to the WHO (Fact Sheet No. 369 Oct 2012), depression affects more than 350 million people. Despite its prevalence, less than 50% of depression sufferers receive effective treatment due to lack of resources and trained health care providers. Also the social stigma attached to all mental disorders often prevents many from seeking treatment because they want to hide their problem.

    Depression crosses all boundaries of race and nationality. The recently published findings of a study entitled “Burden of depressive disorders by country, sex, age and year: Findings from the global burden of disease study 2010” by researchers from the University of Queensland published on the PLOS Medicine website show that North Africa and the Middle East have the highest rates while the lowest rates are in East Asia, Australasia and South East Asia. The researchers acknowledge, however, that their findings are likely to be heavily influenced by local taboos and access to services: diagnosis rates are probably higher in the West while rates in east Asia, for example, will be lower.

    In 2009 Time to Change, a programme in England partly funded by the Department of Health, reported that some 92% of people in Britain believed that admitting to suffering from a mental health problem would harm their careers while 56% would not employ someone with a history of mental illness, despite the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). It is this type of attitude that causes people to hide their problem and so avoid seeking treatment.

    More recently, researchers examined perceptions of depression in 35 countries around the world, producing a report entitled “Global pattern of experienced and anticipated discrimination reported by people with major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional survey.” (Lancet, Vol. 381 Issue 9860. 5 January 2013). The findings are disturbing. Of the sufferers interviewed:

    • 79% reported experiencing at least one form of discrimination.
    • 37% had avoided initiating close personal relationships.
    • 25% had avoided applying for work.
    • 20% had avoided applying for education or training.
    • Experienced discrimination was lower among those who disclosed a diagnosis of depression than those who did not.
    • Nearly half of those who anticipated discrimination had not previously experienced it.

    Many nations are making a concerted effort to change the perception of depression with a view to breaking down the taboos and removing the stigma, so that sufferers are more willing to access treatment and to reduce discrimination.  In April 2012, for example, Time to Change began a pilot project in the West Midlands designed to change the attitudes of young people (aged between 14 and 18) towards mental illness. In the 18 months since its inception the initiative has seen a 1.3% improvement in attitude and a 6% reduction in discrimination. The project has now been extended to the South East.

    Among others in Britain, Depression Alliance runs regular campaigns to raise awareness and reduce discrimination while Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales that works to improve the lives of those with mental illness.

    In the United States a Mental Health Anti Stigma Campaign is just one of many intended to clear up misconceptions about mental illness. Meanwhile, in New Zealand former All Black star John Kirwan is the face of a campaign to raise awareness and reduce the stigma attached to depression. A sufferer during his playing days, he is heavily involved in television advertising and has even written a book “All Blacks Don’t Cry” about his experiences.

    Discrimination has long been part of the human psyche, but barriers are slowly being removed. As discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation and so on is increasingly frowned upon so, hopefully, sufferers from depression will gain acceptance and so be able to enjoy fuller lives with uninhibited access to the treatments that can help them so much. It will however, be a long, hard road to erase long held, deep-seated fears and attitudes.

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dno1967b/5406671749

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  7. Anxiety Disorders in Women

    November 19, 2013

    Anxiety Disorders in Women

     

    “Women have higher overall prevalence rates for anxiety disorders than men. Women are also much more likely than men to meet lifetime criteria for each of the specific anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), simple phobia, panic disorder, and agoraphobia” (Pigott TA, 2003).

    Anxiety disorders are widespread psychological problems.  Anxiety is normal and helpful to us if the intensity is not severe. But, when it lingers for days after the anxiety-triggering event, it turns into a troubling disorder. Women are diagnosed with anxiety disorders at twice the rate of men, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Is there a biological reason behind women’s tendency to be victimized by anxiety more often than men? Are we raising our girls in a way that makes them more anxious? Some people rationalize the disparity by claiming that men are simply less likely to admit to suffering from any psychological problem, but the fact is, no one knows, and all of these questions need to be answered.

    Anxiety disorders in women can negatively affect their social life, work and relationships. It reduces their feeling of self-worth. Many factors can cause anxiety in women, including biological, psychological, and social factors. For example, women have to deal with the considerable biological issues related to pregnancy and childbirth. Young girls can get anxious at the start of menstrual cycles. There is also the immense responsibility of being both a wife and a mother, which can sometimes trigger negative thoughts and fears. In addition, the different ways which parents raise their children and discriminate between genders has an impact on our personalities. Young girls are expected to be polite, sensitive and nice. Boys are taught not to cry because it’s not a “manly” thing to do. These parental approaches are universal and could very well be a factor behind women’s high rate in anxiety.

    The most common anxiety disorder faced by women is social phobia, which is an extreme fear of being embarrassed or judged by others. Women are more concerned and care more about their public image and appearance than men. Living in a patriarchal world, where men have greater authority in most of the institutions of society, the anxiety faced by women struggling to make their way is realistic.  It is normal to be nervous while giving a presentation to a meeting room full of male colleagues but sweating, freezing or shaking in front of them as you give your presentation is not normal, and is a sign of a social phobia.
    Generalized anxiety disorder is unreasonable excessive worry about past, present or future events. Triggers can include relationship problems, a recent divorce, the loss of a loved one or just about any traumatic event or natural disaster. Women are considered to be more sensitive by society, which means they are more likely to allow themselves to worry. Research from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia concluded that the female brain may be less able to adjust to high levels of stress hormones and is also more sensitive to them. Specific phobias include irrational fears about a particular thing or event. Women are mostly afraid of animals, insects and darkness. When a woman is stricken by an obsessive compulsive disorder, she is anxious and remains anxious unless she acts on a compulsion to lessen her obsessions. Women tend to be more obsessed about locking doors, washing their hands because of a fear of germs, putting things in what they feel is the proper order, nail biting or hair pulling. When having an anxiety attack; women feel more fearful than simply feeling sad or worried, as in depression. Anxiety disorders pose a threat to a woman’s health, because it can lead to symptoms such as insomnia, dizziness or headaches, among other things.

    Experts have developed some strategies to overcome panic and fear in women and everyone else. Exercise and yoga have a strong connection to improved mental health, and a psychotherapist can show relaxation exercises that can help relieve you. Eating healthy food and avoiding junk and over-processed food can also help, as can discussing your feelings with a friend or family member. The relief we get after sharing our problems with someone is irrefutable, so go ahead and do so. Participate in social activities. Sleep well.  Some women believe that being a wife and mother requires giving it their all, but, being a human, you have the right to receive some, too. Give some of your time to yourself, too. You deserve to live a life without fear and worry.

    References:
    1.      Pigott TA. Anxiety disorders in women. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2003 Sep; 26 (3):621-72, vi-vii.

     

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/helga/3621933626/

     

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  8. Anti Anxiety Medication List – Benefits, Disadvantages, Side Effects

    November 15, 2013

    Anti Anxiety Medications

    Almost everyone suffers from anxiety at some point in their lives. Yet, if you are among 3.1% of Americans who suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, medications could be a necessary component of your multimodal treatment. Anti anxiety medications should never be considered a permanent solution, regardless of what your doctor tells you. These could be used to control your condition, while you are working with a therapist and learn to manage your repetitive, negative, and often irrational thoughts. Psychotherapy is the only  permanent solution for anxiety, and it works best when combined with meditation, yoga, and regular physical exercise.

    Once you have been diagnosed with a Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it has been decided (by your physician or psychiatrist) that you need to take anti anxiety medication for  your treatment, it is important to know and understand all of the options available. The following is an anti anxiety medication list containing information about medications commonly used to treat anxiety. We describe here specifics of each medication, their benefits, disadvantages and possible side effects.

     

    BENZODIAZEPINES

     

    *Xanax – panic, generalized anxiety, phobias, social anxiety and OCD

    *Klonopin – panic, generalized anxiety, phobias and social anxiety

    *Valium – panic, generalized anxiety and phobias

    *Ativan – panic, generalized anxiety and phobias

    *Serax – generalized anxiety and phobias

    *Librium – generalized anxiety and phobias

     

    Benzodiazepines are psychoactive drugs whose use results in sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. In general, these types of drugs are safe and effective for the short term. You can take benzodiazepines as a single dose therapy or several times a day for months at a time. Studies suggest that they are effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety in about 70% of patients. They are very quick acting, tolerance does not develop, and overdose is not dangerous. Generic alternatives are available which can greatly reduce cost.

     

    Sometimes patients experience side effects such as drowsiness, lethargy, difficulty with speech, a decrease in coordination, unsteady gait, and headache. These types of side effects tend to be present the first few weeks of treatment, but usually clear up. Some patients experience irritability and agitation. Taking benzodiazepines can increase the effects of alcohol. Long-term use is still controversial due to possible psychological and physical effects. It can cause tolerance in some people as well as dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepines are also controversial for use in pregnant women.

     

    BETA BLOCKERS

     

    *Inderal – social anxiety

    *Tenormin – social anxiety

     

    Beta blockers help to treat the physical effects of anxiety such as trembling, shaking, uncontrolled blushing and controlling rapid heart beat in anxious social situations for several hours. They are safe for most people with few side effects. Beta blockers are also non-habit forming.

     

    Sometimes the social anxiety symptoms present are so strong that beta blockers cannot provide sufficient relief. They also tend to lower blood pressure so those with a heart condition or low blood pressure may not use them. Beta blockers are not recommended for anyone with diabetes or with respiratory issues such as asthma.

     

    TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS

     

    *Tofranil – panic, generalized anxiety, PTSD and depression

    *Norpramin or Pertofrane – panic, generalized anxiety, PTSD and depression

    *Aventyl or Pamelor – panic, generalized anxiety, PTSD and depression

    *Elavil – panic, generalized anxiety, PTSD and depression

    *Sinequan or Adapin – panic and depression

    *Anafranil – panic, depression and OCD

     

    Tricyclic antidepressants are among the earliest antidepressants developed. They are effective, but have been generally replaced with other types of antidepressants that cause fewer side effects. They are effective in reducing panic attacks and in elevating depressed moods. They are usually given in single daily doses with no tolerance development or withdrawal symptoms.

     

    Taking tricyclic antidepressants have a delayed onset of 4-12 weeks. Possible side effects include insomnia, tremors or both and both can last up to three weeks. Overdose is a dangerous issue with thee medications and the side effects are considered to be significant.

     

    MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS (MAOIs)

     

    *Lardil – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression and OCD

    *Parnate – panic, generalized anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

     

    MAOIs reduce panic attack, elevate depressed moods and increases confidence. These medications are well researched, cause no tolerance development and are non-habit forming.

     

    There are some dietary and medicinal restrictions that must be adhered to when taking MAOIs. Thee can be inconvenient for many patients. Aged cheeses and meat as well as certain medications need to be avoided when taking this medication. There can be significant agitation during the first days of treatment. There can also be a delayed onset of weeks to months and they are very dangerous in overdose. Patients that take MAOIs need to be extremely responsible.

     

    SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SSRIs)

     

    *Prozac – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

    *Luvox – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

    *Zoloft – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

    *Paxil – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

    *Lexapro – panic, generalized anxiety and OCD

    *Celexa – panic, generalized anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD

     

    SSRIs are a newer type of medication introduced in the 1980’s. They assist the brain in maintaining enough supply of serotonin in the brain. A deficiency of serotonin is associated with many anxiety disorders.  They are a well-tolerated medication that is safe for medically ill or frail patients. They are safe in overdose with no withdrawal symptoms unless abruptly stopped. No dependency develops and they do not promote weight gain.

     

    There is a delayed onset of 4-6 weeks  and full range effect can take up to 12 weeks. A worsening of anxiety symptoms can happen during the first two weeks of treatment.

     

    SEROTONIN NOREPINEPHRINE REUPTAKE INHIBITORS (SNRIs)

     

    *Effexor or Effexor XR – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, depression and OCD

    *Cymbalta – panic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and OCD

     

    With Cymbalta, therapeutic response can take up to 4-6 weeks and alcohol must be avoided. Nausea and dizziness are common side effects. SNRIs are more expensive than most anxiety medications.

     

    Image Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/54111420@N00/2763358057/

     

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  9. How To Get Over Anxiety and Get My Life Back?

    November 13, 2013

    How To Get Over Anxiety and Get My Life Back?

    Once you discover that you suffer from anxiety, it is imperative to figure out what the best course of treatment will be. It can be difficult to discern whether your anxiety is something that can be overcome on your own or whether you need to seek professional help. When you ask “How to get over anxiety?” question, here are a few basic steps that you can take that can assist in determining the level of severity of anxiety you may suffer from.

     

    Clearly Identify the Source of Anxiety

    Anxiety is detrimental for your health and it crushes your potential. It is important to identify where the source of your anxiety is coming from. The source could be from something in your environment, from a specific incident or because of an impending event, meeting or activity. It is much easier to face fear and anxiety if you are clear about what it is. Often times, not knowing exactly what is causing your anxiety can add to the anxiety that you already feel. As difficult as it may seem to learn what is causing your worry, the fear of the unknown can be detrimental on its own.

     

    Determine If Your Anxiety Can Be Solved On Your Own

                Once you know what is causing your anxiety, you can start to determine whether it is something that can be dealt with. Ask yourself these questions: What can I do to lessen my anxiety? Is it a long-term or short-term fix? What steps can I take to prevent the anxiety from happening again?

     

    Consider Worse Case Scenario

                If you feel as if your anxiety is consuming your every thought, take some time to really think about the honest and absolute worst thing that could happen as a result of your anxiety. If you can manage to think critically about your situation, you may come to realize that there are very few situations that cannot be handled in a reasonable manner.

     

    Accept Uncertainty

    At this point, it is best to simply accept the uncertainty. Worrying about the unknown is counterproductive and an unnecessary source of fear that we sometimes fall victim to. If you can learn to accept the concept of chance, many aspects of your anxiety can become less prominent. This is probably the most difficult step for anyone.

     

    If working through these steps is impossible or seemingly unhelpful to you, then you should seek help from a professional. Some people are not able to answer the question “How do I get over anxiety?” on their own. Some anxiety is a normal part of everyday life. If, however, your anxiety has become a debilitating and disruptive condition in your life, affecting relationships, work, school and/or sleep, it is recommended that you seek help. You should consult your doctor if you find that your anxiety overwhelms you to the point of not being able to think straight or rationalize normally. Be honest with yourself about how you are feeling and what your symptoms are. It is imperative to seek help immediately for anxiety disorders because, if left untreated, they can lead to very serious medical issues.

     

     

    Other Practical Recommendations

     

    *Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – This is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to treat certain dysfunctional emotions and cognitive processes using goal-oriented and organized procedures. It is considered to be successful in treating a variety of condition including anxiety. CBT was created by integrating a combination of behavioral therapy and cognitive psychology.

     

    *Moodkit is a mood improvement tool for mobile devices that can help to give you the guidance and wisdom to become your own expert on your moods.

     

    *Stress is often a big factor with anxiety issues. Taking steps to alleviate your everyday stress can help to improve your overall mood and ability to handle potentially anxiety-ridden situations. Mindful meditation has been shown in recent studies to help reduce anxiety. This form of meditation focuses on breath and body sensations as well as objectively evaluating your anxious thoughts and emotions. There has been significant research to suggest that surrounding yourself with nature can be a powerful stress reliever. Outdoor exercise can be more anxiety and stress reducing than exercising inside of a gym.

     

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beccaplusmolly/2925613547

     

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  10. What are the Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Nervous Breakdown?

    November 10, 2013

    What are the Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Nervous Breakdown?

    We all go through stressful situations in life, and sometimes these become too much for us to handle. It is very normal for us to feel anxious when faced with a challenging situation (like when I am at a job interview, a first date, or even back in college – when I had to sit through a really tough exam). However, when the fear and worry becomes too overwhelming and starts affecting how we deal with daily life, it may be something more serious that requires attention.

    Today’s society overuses the terms “anxiety”, “depression” and even “nervous breakdown”, making it difficult for us to correctly identify when these cases are actually happening. This is why it is very important to learn about these anxiety disorders and to be able to act on them as soon as the first signs show up. As doctors often tell us, early detection equals an early treatment. Let’s discuss the symptoms of anxiety, depression and nervous breakdown.

    ANXIETY

    This is not necessarily a negative thing. Anxiety is the body’s way of responding to danger. Think of it like your body’s alarm system which goes off when there is a threat nearby, or when there is too much pressure or stress. If experienced in moderation, it can be a good and healthy thing. It helps us stay alert and focused on priorities. For some, it can even motivate problem solving and action. But then again, once anxiety becomes a constant part of life, it starts affecting our activities and relationships. When this happens, we know we’ve crossed a line from normal to an anxiety disorder. So how do we know when the line is crossed?

    Below are the different emotional and physical symptoms of severe anxiety:

    – Initially, there is excessive worry and fear
    – Feeling of dread or apprehension
    – Difficulty concentrating on tasks
    – Feeling “jumpy” and tense
    – Waiting for the worst to happen
    – Irritability and restlessness
    – Anticipating for signs of danger
    – Getting a feeling of your mind going “blank”
    – Sweating
    – Pounding heart
    – Dizziness
    – Stomach upset and/or diarrhea
    – Frequent urination
    – Tremors and twitches
    – Shortness of breath
    – Headaches
    – Fatigue
    – Insomnia
    – Muscle tension

    What about anxiety attacks? We often hear people using this term – but what is its difference from the symptoms of anxiety mentioned above? Anxiety attacks, or panic attacks, are short-term episodes of intense fear or panic. These happen to us without warning. Most times, there are obvious triggers which cause them (for instance, thinking of standing in front of a huge crowd to give a speech makes me get a panic attack, for others, this can be triggered by getting stuck in an elevator alone) but sometimes the episodes just happen out of nowhere. The attacks peak around ten minutes’ time and seldom last over half an hour. Even during this short period of time, the terros can be so intense that a person gets a feeling of a total loss of control. Some even feel like they are going to die. And when the attack is over, you can’t help but feel worried about getting another attack – especially in public places without available help and no escape routes.

    Because of the intensity of anxiety attacks, a lot mistake them for symptoms of heart attacks. To equip yourself with better understanding, below are the signs and symptoms of anxiety attacks.

    – An intense surge of panic
    – Feeling like you’re going crazy and losing control
    – Chest pain and/or heart palpitations
    – Feeling like passing out
    – Sensations of choking and/or trouble with breathing
    – Trembling, shaking and chills
    – Hyperventilation
    – Feeling “unreal” and detached
    – Stomach cramps and nausea

    DEPRESSION

    We all get depressed – sometimes it’s nothing more than the regular blues and loneliness. This feeling is another normal reaction to life’s events (like when I lost a loved one, or when my dad lost his job and we had to go through a really rough patch for a whole year). However, when the depression becomes too overwhelming and stays that way for extended periods of time, a normal and active life might be rendered impossible to have. This is a good example of clinical depression, which requires us to ask for professional medical assistance.

    Below are the symptoms of depression, as identified by the National Institute of Mental Health.

    – Trouble with concentration
    – Difficulty in making decisions and remembering details
    – Fatigue and low levels of energy
    – Feeling guilty, worthless and/or helpless
    – Waking up really early in the morning
    – Insomnia OR excessive sleeping
    – Restlessness and irritability
    – No interest with activities and hobbies (which were previously pleasurable), including sex
    – Loss of appetite OR overeating
    – Persistent aches and pains (headaches, digestive problems, cramps) which do not go away with usual treatment
    – Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety and “emptiness”
    – Ideations of suicide and/or suicide attempts

    NERVOUS BREAKDOWN


    How often have I heard someone shout “Oh my, she’s having a nervous breakdown!” when the person isn’t really having a nervous breakdown? Too many times. In reality, a nervous breakdown is when a person reaches the point of exhaustion after a prolonged period of experiencing anxiety (maybe related to financial, health, work or relationship problems, or a combination). When the anxiety, stress and depression becomes too overwhelming, you get a sense of helplessness and extreme exhaustion – as if you will not be able to deal with life (and for some, they cannot even get out of their beds). The circumstances are different for each person. Sometimes, just one event (a death or job loss, for example) is enough to trigger the build up of exhaustion and stress. In addition, the person is likely to stop eating and sleeping properly which in the long run only results to even more exhaustion. To be able to better deal with these cases (whether for yourself or someone else), it’s good to understand the signs early on.

    Below are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown:

    – Loss of sexual drive
    – Loss of appetite and interest in food
    – Loss of enjoyment in work, hobbies and life in general
    – Feeling guilty and pathetic for feeling the way they do
    – Feeling of being alone
    – Feeling of desperation
    – Feeling like the littlest tasks are too difficult and exhausting
    – Being impatient with themselves
    – Loss of confidence
    – Fear that another breakdown will happen after one has happened.

    Now that you’re familiar with the symptoms of anxiety, depression and nervous breakdown, you can be more confident with dealing with life’s stresses and challenges. However, if things get too overwhelming, it’s still best to get help from health care professionals. Also, the support of loved ones – family and friends – can go a long way in dealing with such anxiety disorders.

    This article was provided by Carl Shaw from Followersboosts.com, we specialize in social media promotion to our clients, but our writers write on a wide range of topics that interest them.  Thank you for taking the time to read our article and we hope it has been useful to you.

    Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d/3685379062/

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