Fix My Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder

C. King, M.Ed. — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:54:08 +0000

According to several surveys and reports from experts it is said that the most common type of psychological disorder that people around the world and especially in America deal from is anxiety disorder. However, up until now there is no strong evidence that can lead to the root cause of social anxiety disorder. Based on many medical reports and expert researches; there are three basic reasons through which a person can get social anxiety disorder; however, again, none of these causes are proven scientifically. The three ‘maybe’ causes behind social anxiety disorder are; our brain, our genes, or our life experiences.

Let’s put some light on life experiences in the beginning. A lot of data from psychologists show that a person especially a child can easily develop this disorder by watching or learning it from others. The learned behavior can also be categorized into three types that the child might face. It can be direct conditioning, observational, or information. All those bad or unpleasant things experienced by the child will get permanently stuck creating problems throughout the life. A person can also inherit this disorder by simply observing others and thinking about being a victim in someone else’s place. This usually leads in getting cut off from the social life. Lastly, parenting can also lead to social anxiety disorder when the parents are too protective or fearful. They will simply keep on feeling negative emotions about all the dangers out in the society transferring their problem in the child gradually.

The genes are second to blame in cases of social anxiety disorder. It is not uncommon that if a parent suffered from this problem; the child might have to go through this as well. The child can show signs of social anxiety disorder while growing up or in the teenage years suddenly when social norms in adolescence are especially stressful in fitting in.

Lastly, our brain can also lead to this problem since it triggers every movement that we make. Whenever we are in trouble or stress, our brains tells us to run or fight. This is a natural self defense mechanism in every human being. However, if someone’s brain is doing this in a greater way than normal brain would; this means the person will get anxious in certain conditions and can trigger anxiety and panic attacks associated with social anxiety disorder.

If you or someone you know suffers or believes they may suffer from social anxiety disorder please see your medical care professional. There are therapeutic options available and they can
best advise your course of treatment.

Anxiety 101 –What You Need To Know

C. King, M.Ed. — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:09:37 +0000

Generalized anxiety disorder also known as GAD is the excessive and exaggerated anxiety and worry about life events. People suffering from GAD tend to worry about the worst possible scenarios for their life. They worry about their health, family, money, work, and school. Most of the worries are unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation. Daily becomes a constant fear and worry with sometimes leading to dread of the daily events. Eventually the person will suffer from severe anxiety that dominates all of their thinking that then interferes with them being able to function in all aspects of their life.

The symptoms of GAD are excessive and ongoing worry and tension, unrealistic views about problems, restlessness, or feeling on edge, irritability, muscle tension, headaches, sweating, difficulty concentrating, nausea, frequent urination, trouble sleeping or falling asleep, trembling and being easily startled. People with GAD also may have panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias, depression, and abuse of drugs and/or alcohol.

The exact cause of anxiety disorder is unknown yet there are several factors contributing to the anxiety, which includes genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental stresses.

Some research suggests family history increases the likelihood a person will have GAD. This means that when a parent or grandparent has/had GAD, then the younger person related to they will most likely develop GAD.

GAD has been associated with the abnormal levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are the special chemicals within the brain that move the information from the nerve cell to the another nerve cell. When the neurotransmitters are out of balance then the brain cannot communicate with specific areas of the other parts of the brain effectively. This lack of communication leads to anxiety.

Environmental factors lead to anxiety such as an experienced trauma and stressful evens including abuse, divorce, and death of a loved one, changing jobs, moving to a new location, and school or social events. GAD becomes worse during periods of stress. Adding to the effects of the stress are factors of alcohol or drugs including caffeine and nicotine.

GAD affects about 4 million Americans throughout the year. It often begins during childhood and progresses into adulthood. It is more common in women than in men. It has increases with the population over the years due to many lacking the ability to cope with stress and fears.

There are treatments for anxiety that include therapy, medication, and self-help. Learning to deal with the factors leading to the anxiety allows people to remove the high levels of anxiety from their lives. Facing the fears leading to the anxiety is the leading solution many use with great results.

If you are suffering from any form of anxiety, seek professional assistance so you can change the issues within your life allowing you to lead a healthier and happier life.

Addiction Depression and Anxiety

C. King, M.Ed. — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 01:13:59 +0000

Alcoholics and addicts generally tend to suffer from depression and anxiety when they are in recovery or when they haven’t had a drink or used in a long while. In case you’re wondering what causes the depression and anxiety, it is often caused by the alcohol. What happens to most alcoholics is that when they take some alcohol, they feel this immediate rush of good feeling often interpreted as or referred to as a “high”.

This good feeling is usually triggered by the release of endorphins aka feel-good hormones into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the body can only take so many deluges of endorphins. Therefore, when the supply of alcohol is interrupted, the endorphins stop being secreted resulting in a “low” or causing depression.

Since the body is used to the huge amount of endorphins, going without the trigger for a long time can cause depression and anxiety for the individual. The same thing applies to drug addicts who are particularly addicted to meth, cocaine and heroin. The only difference is that the effects of the drugs are more powerful than alcohol and therefore, withdrawals tend to trigger more acute depression and anxiety.

What Can You Do to help a Loved One Who is an Alcoholic or an Addict?

It is imperative for you to know that the accompanying withdrawal symptoms of depression and anxiety during the recovery and pre-recovery stage of an addict can cause the addicts and alcoholics to entertain suicidal thoughts. So, the first thing you can do is make sure that there is nothing that will help make that happen. Get rid of knives, sharp objects, needles and anything that can be used to commit suicide.

Next, you should encourage them to join support groups. For addicts, you can take them to a rehab program or facility. They will find the necessary support that will help them maintain their sobriety in these groups. Usually, listening to other people share their experiences with them gives them hope that they can scale through the anxiety and depression phase of their recovery.

Get psychiatric help if necessary. Usually, the psychiatrist will find it necessary to recommend anti-anxiety pills and antidepressants. For alcoholics, this will most surely work as they are not addicted to drugs. Drug addicts on the other hand, may require an entirely different regimen. Let the psychiatrist deal with that.

You, on the other hand should do all that you can to encourage your loved to weather the symptoms. With some help from you and the support from all around, they will hopefully make it to the finish line.

Addiction Makes Anxiety Worse

C. King, M.Ed. — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:03:13 +0000

If you suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, an addiction to drugs will only serve to magnify the condition. This is unfortunate for some, being that those with a panic or anxiety disorder will often turn to drugs or alcohol to ‘calm’ themselves. Repeatedly indulging in such behavior will not only exacerbate the condition but may ultimately lead to addiction as well. The ending result is then a dual diagnosis.

Consider this – those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol live a life that is often characterized by mistrust and suspicion, conditions which are intensified as the addiction progresses. Addicts may also engage in illegal and/or illicit activities.

On the other hand, if you are suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, you will often experience paranoia, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, terror, etc. during an episode. Now, think about this for a moment. Since addicts often experience the same symptoms, it is only a natural conclusion that an addiction will intensify the effects of an anxiety attack. The attacks become more frequent and more severe as the addiction progresses.

Another form of anxiety that may develop out of an addiction is known as “substance abusers’ anxiety”. In this case, an addict may develop or uncover an anxiety disorder as a direct result of the addiction. This leads to speculation that some addicts may already suffer from a mild form of anxiety disorder of which they are not even aware.

A patient who receives a dual diagnosis of a mental disorder (such as anxiety-panic disorder) and addiction is much more difficult to treat than one who receives a single diagnosis of either one of the conditions. Although it is important to note that the conditions can be treated effectively, there are often complicating factors of a dual diagnosis. There is a greater risk of developing other health problems, a higher incidence of relapse, and often more intense withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, obtaining an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential in these cases.

Anxiety Disorder – When Nobody Understands

C. King, M.Ed. — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:25:04 +0000

Trying to work your way through anxiety disorder is a lonely road. Try as you might, people just can not seem to wrap their head around it. It is not hard to understand why. Most of us that have suffered through anxiety disorder fully understand how complicated and confusing it can be. I know for me it is the one thing in my life that I have not been able to fully master, and I have my doubts that I ever will entirely. When you consider this, it is even easier to understand how someone that is not experiencing it can be confused and frustrated. What are we to do?

When we are facing a panic attack, or are feeling depressed about our anxiety disorder, it is important to have some skills to deal with it. We often reach out to talk to others, and then end up feeling even worse because they do not understand what we are going through. One way to help them understand is to print out some information that can inform them. Go online and find some great fact sheets that explain the disorder. Doctors can sometimes explain things better than we can.

Another way to help others understand is to bring them along to your counseling sessions. Most doctors would be willing and even encourage this, as nobody faces anxiety disorder alone. Everyone around them is affected by it, and can do with some help doing so. Do not be ashamed because anxiety disorder is not your fault. You did not bring it on, nor did you choose this thing that you are facing.

Even if you do all of this, you might still have people around you that don’t get it. Do not beat your head into the wall trying to explain it over and over. Simply find some alternative sources. Reach out to a support group, or find a really good anxiety and depression forum. Talk to others in your area that might suffer from anxiety disorder as well. They are often the best resources for help.

Anxiety disorder is not something that you have to face alone. In the world of online help, you have many different avenues that you can reach out to. Take advantage of them. If you feel alone and do not have anyone to talk to, then you should really look into joining a support group locally as well. These can be wonderful sources of help, and sometimes you can meet people that end up being lifelong friends.

Most of all, make sure that you spend plenty of time taking care of yourself and seeking help. The help is there to be had, and anxiety disorder is not something you must face alone. There is always someone there to help if you are willing to look for it.

Panic Attack Relapses Can Be Powerful

C. King, M.Ed. — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 02:04:16 +0000

Of all the things that a panic attack sufferer dreads, the panic attack relapse has to be at or near the top of the list. I have suffered with anxiety disorder for going on 30 years, and I have recently went through a panic attack relapse of epic proportions. Sometimes simply knowing that others are aware and know what you are going through helps. Here is how I am fighting my panic attack relapse.

I have spent a great deal of time with panic disorder in my life. I had my first when I was 18, and have had some level of panic attack virtually every single day since. I did learn some great coping strategies, and like alcoholism I have come to realize that you never fully get rid of anxiety disorder. You learn to cope, you learn to live with it and you learn to avoid certain mistakes. You do not rid yourself of it entirely.

That said, I had it pretty well down pat for about twenty years, with some moderately difficult times scattered here and there. About a month ago, I had a major scare that involved a potential stroke. Fortunately, it was not a stroke but it did send me right back down the road of anxiety and panic attack relapse.

I am starting to come out of it but I still struggle with the feelings of impending doom and gloom. To me, that is the hardest part. I always fear the worst and often worry about death and dying. I know it is not logical – if you are dead you won’t know it. I guess I am just wired in that way and years of therapy has done little to change it. The one thing that has changed has been my way of looking at myself.

I see the flaws in my thinking. I know that fearing death won’t stop it, and it will only poison my life that I do have left regardless of any health problems. The key is putting that thought into action while the panic is happening. That is easier said than done.

The best success I have is through spiritual means. God is my salvation when it comes to panic attacks and nothing else works better. I know that many people do not believe in Him, and I can not imagine trying to fight this insidious monster without His comfort and hope. If you suffer with anxiety disorder, panic attacks or any other form of sickness you would do well to get to know Him. Friends, I am not saying this to preach. I am saying it because it is the single best weapon there is when it comes to sickness or anxiety and depression.

I have also been working really hard on my breathing techniques. Deep breathing and meditation are also very powerful ways to overcome anxiety and depression, as well as panic attack relapses. If you do not know about that, then check back in a day or two. My next post will be about breathing and proper techniques in overcoming anxiety with it.

I will keep you posted as I fight through this anxiety disorder and I hope that you will share your stories as well in the comments below. I want us to all work on it together and be a support for one another. Until then, God bless.

Signs of Teenage Anxiety Disorder

C. King, M.Ed. — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:08:52 +0000

Teenage anxiety disorder is a leading cause of a great many problems that are often attributed to other causes. Many times we chalk up problems to just “being a kid” when in fact they are suffering from teenage anxiety disorder. This intrusive and difficult problem can enter into kid’s lives at any number of different ages, and can hang around for an entire lifetime without proper treatment and attention. Thought it is scary, teenage anxiety disorder is often treated well if it is noticed early. So what is teenage anxiety disorder anyway and how can I recognize it?

Teenage anxiety disorder is a general term really that covers a large cluster of possible problems. It might include the teen who gets panic attacks, the kid who is anxious more often than normal or the teenager that feels like the world is closing in on them. There are a number of things that can contribute to this term being applicable. It differs from the typical teen that occasionally has anxiety in that it is chronic. Here are some signs that your teenager might have anxiety disorder.

If your teenager is depressed more than most, and spends a great deal of time in isolation, they could be having teenage anxiety disorder. This is also a common sign of teenage depression, but along with other symptoms it can be anxiety as well.

If your teenager is having disrupted sleeping patterns – either too much or too little – this can be a sign of anxiety.

If your teenager is having panic attacks or feelings as though they can not breathe. Of course, this should be checked out by a doctor to rule out other possible causes. If other causes are not present, then anxiety is a likely culprit in teens who are worried, under pressure or stressed.

If your teen develops a shake or tremor that is not explained medically, it can be a sign of anxiety. This is something that often gets overlooked or “blown off” by medical professionals. Ask your doctor about this possibility if you suspect it.

If your teen seems worried more than they should be about things that do not make sense, this can be a sign of anxiety disorder. People with anxiety disorder often fear that they are going to go crazy, die of a horrible disease, or that they are having a heart attack. This symptom is often tied in with the panic attacks mentioned above.

If your teen has a feeling of impending doom in spite of no logical reason for feeling so, this is certainly a symptom of anxiety disorder and other issues.

If you suspect that your teenager is suffering from anxiety disorder, it is vital to look into getting them some help. You can not move quickly enough for this, as early intervention and therapy can save them from a lifetime disorder.

Exercise and Anxiety – How to Keep Going

C. King, M.Ed. — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 23:24:40 +0000

Anxiety disorder can cause a great many problems in a person’s life, and a lack of exercise is a very common one. When a person suffers from anxiety disorder, they often freeze with fear over their symptoms. This can cause them to avoid any measure of exercise, for fear they will make “whatever is wrong with them” worse. The truth is, they may be avoiding the very thing that can solve their anxiety.

Exercise has a number of wonderful effects on the human body, not the least of which is a reduction of stress. For those that suffer from anxiety disorder or panic attacks, that is notable. Anything that can burn off adrenaline and ease stress should be welcomed. The truth is, it is simply too scary for a great many anxiety patients.

They fear their heartbeat going too fast, or they are afraid that exercise may trigger a heart attack. Ironically, in otherwise healthy individuals the effects will be the complete opposite. Surely someone should be checked out completely by a doctor before starting an exercise regimen, but they should exercise once they are cleared to regardless of anxiety.

One tip for those that suffer from anxiety disorder is to go to the hospital to exercise. The campus of a hospital is usually very large, and being so close to medical help often will help the panic sufferer to relax. The fear is what you are fighting when you have anxiety disorder, and not any physical ailments as a rule.

At the hospital, you can walk up and down steps. You can walk the entire campus or job if you are so inclined. You can get a complete workout in without ever having to worry about your well being. This is often enough to completely relax the panic inside and get in a good workout. Some hospitals will not allow you to do so on their campus. In this situation, you can simply walk or run in the neighborhood near by. You still have that safety outlet nearby to draw on when the fears overcome you.

Exercise will often make you stop having a panic attack. If you have panic attacks often, give it a shot. When you feel a panic attack coming on, simply begin to exercise. You may be shocked to find that the fears will melt away and you will be left feeling calm and cool.

As stated, make certain you clear exercise with your doctor before trying any of the methods mentioned here. As long as you are clear to exercise, dive in with both feet. You may be pleasantly surprised that the very thing you fear was your solution all along.

Fighting Anxiety Attacks In Public

C. King, M.Ed. — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:36:55 +0000

Everyone that suffers from panic and anxiety attacks in public knows that familiar feeling of shame and embarrassment. Your heart starts to race a hundred beats a minute, you begin to sweat and the world sometimes begins to spin around you. Recovering from an anxiety attack in public is possible, no matter how hard it may seem to be on the surface.

Obviously the first thing you should do is try to find a semi-private to private setting. If you are in the supermarket for example, go to the bathroom. If you are in a meeting, excuse yourself for a moment to go to the restroom.

Relax your mind regardless of whether you are able to get out of the situation or not. Do this by understanding that the worst is not so bad. If you are having a panic attack and are concerned about what your friends or those around you are thinking, then you are wasting brain cells on a problem that does not exist.

Remember that people are rarely as shallow and scary as we think they are in these situations. If you saw a stranger or even a friend struggling to gain their breath or having chest pains, would you laugh at them or ridicule them? Of course not. So too will those around you fully understand your situation and be thoughtful as a rule. If not, then you seriously need to change the people you are surrounding yourself with.

The most effective method of eliminating anxiety attacks in public is exposure. This should only be tried under the supervision and care of a therapist, but it is effective. Most of the time with anxiety attacks, a certain situation or scenario brings on the attack. For example, the man that is fine until he gets in front of a group to speak, or the woman that gets panic attacks in the grocery store when alone. There are no limits to the various situations that can bring on anxiety attacks in individuals.

Whatever the situation is, exposure therapy will allow you immerse yourself in that situation or scenario under controlled circumstances. This builds your confidence and shows you there is nothing to fear. Again, this is not a good idea for every anxiety problem. It is worth asking your therapist about.

Another effective quick method to handle anxiety attacks in public is to follow the situation through to the worst. In other words, ask yourself what is the worst that could happen. Force yourself to be realistic as much as possible. Usually the conclusion is that the worst is not the end of the world, and the anxiety will subside.

Quick Panic Attack Cures – Finding that Special Place

C. King, M.Ed. — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:20:09 +0000

When you experience a panic attack your body is tricking itself. You are feeling all the normal things that a person would feel if they were facing grave danger. Your body reacts in such a way that you are at optimal attention levels. The only problem is, there is generally no real danger. The result of this panic attack is usually a sensation of being unable to breathe and any number of other symptoms. How do you stop a panic attack in simple language? You show the body that there is no real danger…

The first panic attack cure is to find a calm place. This does not mean that you have to physically go somewhere. We all know that panic attacks are not that simple – they show up at the worst possible times. We can not always pick up and go elsewhere. No, you have to go somewhere in your mind.

Finding that safe place is a process. For some it is a memory of a special place where they once felt safe – in your mother’s arms as a child, at the lakehouse during that summer vacation or other similar situations. For others it is an imaginary place that they have never been before. Still others find comfort in pretending that they are in Heaven. Whatever your place is, you need to find it if you experience panic attacks.

The problem most people have with this process is that they do not attempt to find that place until the panic attack happens. This is nearly impossible, because your mind is already in panic mode. You must seek out this place while you are feeling relaxed. If you think about it enough, you will find that special place or memory that gives you the warm, Christmas morning fuzzies. Do not give up, as the benefit will be worth it a million times over.

Once you find this place, practice what you will think of when the time comes to use it as a panic attack cure. Narrow it down so that you know exactly what scene, time and place you want to go to in your mind to elicit that calming effect. Practice it until you feel as though it is on autopilot…and then practice it again. This automation will help you when you are having a panic attack and need comfort quickly.

The next step is to learn to identify when a panic attack is coming. Most everyone that has panic attacks knows the feeling just before one comes. For some people the panic attack is slow building and gradual, while others have them more suddenly. Even those that have them suddenly will generally know it is coming in advance.

When you feel a panic attack coming, that is when you go to the special place. Do not wait until you are full blown. You can still use this panic attack cure after a panic attack is already going on, but it is much more effective if you do it just before. The reason is simple – your panic attack can sometimes be headed off entirely. That is always a better choice.