Panic & Anxiety Counseling

Anxiety is a natural emotion that everyone experiences at one time or another. It can range from relatively mild feelings of apprehension to intense panic and fear, yet everybody experiences it differently. Anxiety is often defined as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease, usually in response to an anticipated event. It is the body’s way of signaling that there may be something dangerous happening and the mind must prepare for action.

Physically, anxiety can create sensations like heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty breathing or nausea. These symptoms occur due to an increase in adrenaline which causes the body to go into fight or flight mode in order to protect itself from harm. Emotionally, anxiety can be accompanied by negative thinking patterns such as catastrophizing or rumination and lead to low self-esteem and depression if not addressed properly.

There are 6 main types of anxiety disorders that people suffer from: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia, panic disorder, specific phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Each condition has its own unique set of symptoms.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive worry and fear about everyday life events. People suffering from GAD tend to overthink situations and often experience physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches.

Panic Disorder is a type of anxiety disorder which causes sudden and recurrent episodes of extreme fear or terror even when there is no danger present. During these episodes individuals may experience physical symptoms such as chest pain, sweating, hyperventilation and dizziness. Panic disorder can be treated through psychotherapy techniques like lifestyle changes and exposure therapy.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is a type of anxiety caused by a traumatic event in the past such as military combat, natural disasters or physical violence. PTSD sufferers often struggle with flashbacks and nightmares related to the traumatic event. They may also have difficulty sleeping due to their heightened sense of awareness.

Social Phobia, also known as Social Anxiety Disorder, is a mental health disorder characterized by an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. It can cause an individual to experience symptoms such as excessive worrying, panic attacks, and avoidance of certain situations.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects millions of people around the world. It can cause persistent and intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses to perform specific rituals. People with OCD will often spend an excessive amount of time trying to complete their compulsive behaviors. These obsessions and compulsions can be extremely disruptive to everyday life and lead to depression and other emotional issues.

Specific Phobia – A person may experience extreme fear and anxiety when faced with certain objects or situations that act as triggers for obsessive behavior. People who suffer from specific phobia may go out of their way to avoid these triggers at all costs in order to prevent feeling overwhelmed by the fear they experience when confronted with them.

Agoraphobia is a specific phobia that involves the fear of being in public places or situations where it would be difficult to escape if needed. It often begins in the late teens and early twenties, although it can start at any age. Agoraphobics will often avoid certain triggers, such as crowds or leaving the house entirely, which can cause serious disruption to their lives. Symptoms may include intense anxiety and panic attacks upon encountering situations they are afraid of.

Physical signs of agoraphobia include feeling faint or dizzy, shaking, sweating palms and feet, difficulty breathing, nausea and heart palpitations. People with agoraphobia face difficulty going shopping due to their fear of large crowds; they may also avoid other public places such as buses or trains because of their fear of becoming trapped in these areas.

When it comes to treatment for anxiety, there are several evidence-based psychotherapy options that are effective. One such option is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This type of therapy helps people identify and replace negative thinking patterns with more positive alternatives. During CBT, individuals learn relaxation techniques that can be used in challenging situations. They also work to challenge their beliefs about themselves and the world around them, while exploring how those beliefs may contribute to their anxious thoughts or behaviors.

In addition to helping with problem solving skills and addressing unhealthy habits, CBT teaches people how to better manage their emotions in a healthy way instead of using avoidance or other maladaptive strategies. This technique helps reduce symptoms like panic attacks or fear associated with social situations. It is important that you understand your feelings and thoughts so you can make changes when needed.

Two other evidence based treatments for anxiety are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. Both of these treatments focus on helping individuals better understand their own thoughts and feelings, get in touch with the present moment so they can ultimately respond to them in healthier ways.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that encourages people to accept their thoughts, emotions and life circumstances as they currently exist—without trying to change them—and commit to values-based behavior changes instead. The goal is not necessarily to reduce negative emotions or eliminate uncomfortable thoughts altogether; rather, it’s about learning how to live with these experiences in a meaningful way without allowing them stop you from living your life with purpose or engaging in activities that bring joy or meaning.

Medication for Anxiety

Medication treatment for anxiety can be a complex process. In order to properly assess what medication may be appropriate for a person, it is important to first understand the various types of medications used to treat anxiety. Anti-anxiety medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines are two of the most commonly prescribed medications for treating anxiety. SSRIs work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain, which helps to relieve symptoms associated with anxiety such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleep disturbances.

Benzodiazepines act on the central nervous system, reducing feelings of stress and improving relaxation. A therapist can help you explore medication as an option to treat anxiety, make a decision to participate in a medication evaluation and find the right medication provider for you. It is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any type of medication treatment including over the counter supplements.

• Use a mindfulness tool try 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (we promise it’s an easy one.) Name 5 things you see, 4 things you feel, 3 things you hear, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste.
  
  
• Lions Breath – Breath in through your nose for 6 seconds and breath out your mouth while thrusting your tongue out- allow a tonal sound or growl to happen.
  
  
• Change the narrative – Catch the words “good, bad, right or wrong” use Pia Mellody suggestion changing the language. We at MUV counseling like the words “helpful or unhelpful” or functional/dysfunctional. Changing these words takes the judgment out and often helps a person move past that thought what has been getting them stuck in anxiety.