Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops following a very traumatic experience. While it is believed that everyone has suffered some form of trauma in their lives, PTSD is believed to be particularly widespread among soldiers and people who have served in the military. Today, however, many people think that anyone who has experienced a potentially dangerous or scary event may also develop PTSD. In fact, it is estimated that nearly anyone can develop PTSD at some point during his or her lifetime, but it is believed that more than 20% of those who are diagnosed with this condition do so as adults. Car crashes are a common cause of PTSD.
Psychological stress wreaks havoc on your body and mind. For instance, chronic stress is related to increased risk for heart disease, depression and many infectious diseases. Consider how stress may affect your ability to fight off a virus like COVID-19. Until recently, however, it was unclear just how stress affects health and disease. Stress has always been present in our lives, whether we're aware of it or not.
Thanatophobia is an irrational form of fear that typically includes a fear of death or the end of one's life. It is more commonly called death phobia. Death phobia is not necessarily a different condition, but is more often associated with other anxiety disorders such as panic attacks or generalized anxiety disorder. There are many symptoms associated with the fear of dying, including a fear of going to sleep. One may also have difficulty breathing or experience trouble in swallowing food or drink. In severe cases, one may not sleep at all during the night and have a constant, gnawing fear that they will die.
Stress is a universal experience. We all experience stress on a daily basis, even if it is not consciously thought about. However, the health effects of stress can have serious consequences on our lives. This has never been more of concern than during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting American families.
There are various forms of stress, including physical, mental, and emotional stress. Physical stress is commonly referred to as "fight or flight", where the stress response is triggered in order to deal with perceived threats to the individual's safety.
Social anxiety is an extreme fear of going out in public and interacting with others.
You could describe social anxiety as the fear of being publicly judged and negatively evaluated by others. It's a very pervasive condition and greatly affects many aspects of a person's social life. However, because social anxiety isn't really considered a mental disorder it often goes untreated and is not treated to cure it.
The science of smiling is one area of study in psychology that has always fascinated me. We have all heard the expression that smiling takes less muscle activity than frowning. Now new research from the University of South Australia has found that your mind is more positive when you smile.
We do know that the effect of a smile on others is that they feel more at ease. There is a relationship between observing a smiling person and letting down one’s guard or feeling more at ease. The vagus nerve sends more calming signals to the brain when we observe a smiling person in our environment. Smiling also can lead to a reciprocal response from another. When you smile at a passerby, they are more likely to smile in return.
In this article you will learn more about the importance of wellness and happiness. But it is not what you think. Getting rid of anger, fear, and depression will not automatically cause peace, love, and joy.
What do we really mean by low self-esteem? It is generally defined as a state of mind in which the person does not think much of themselves or their abilities. Psychologists sometimes refer to this as low self-efficacy.
In Part I of this two-part series we learned about what brain structures are involved with anxiety production. We discussed the “Bottoms Up” pathway that yields anxiety from the amygdala. We then discussed the “Top Down” pathway from the neocortex and especially the prefrontal cortex or front and top from part of your brain.
We also discussed the importance of working with a therapist who understands these different brain mechanism so that your counseling will be more effective.
We also reviewed facts about the amygdala or that part of your brain that produces the emotion of anxiety and fear among other emotional responses.
When we persevere in life we increase the likelihood that we will reach our goals. But, when hammering away at an activity does not yield the results that we desire it is often best to just “let go.”
Sometimes we can change our circumstances in life and other times we cannot. For example, we can change a job but we cannot change who are parents are. Nevertheless, we can always change the way we think about our parents.
Most people will agree with this notion. Yet, many find it nearly impossible to ‘let go’ even if they realize it is in their best interest.
You may have heard of this word neuroplasticity. But, what does it mean and how is it important in the treatment of anxiety? Simply put, neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change its structures and reorganize patterns of responding to the environment.
The good news for anxiety suffers is that:
· The circuitry of your brain can be rewired.
· You can work with a psychologist to change your brain to stop doing the things that upset you.
· You can make your brain more resistant to anxiety,
· Your brain does not have to react in the habitual way that it has in the past.
· Your brain is capable of changing your thoughts, feelings and actions that get you into emotional trouble.
When you have severe anxiety and you try to be sociable it is like trying to jump 100 feet into the air. It can't be done. Avoidance of friends and acquaintances is a symptom of anxiety. When I work with soldiers with PTSD they avoid socializing with friends. They have learned in combat that strangers are dangerous. Thus, they run the risk of running into strangers at their friend’s social event. It is painful for them but also their families. Spouses and children suffer due to their marked anxiety and social avoidance. Relationships often deteriorate and sometimes lead to separation or even divorce.
Relaxation and anxiety treatment methods in St. Augustine, Florida and beyond are an important part of coping with the stress we are experiencing in today’s world.
Relaxation methods are critical, whether the trigger is the news about the pandemic, the social isolation many are experiencing, worries about social unrest, interpersonal distress or economic or job loss.
Coping with stress more effectively will help you solve problems confronting you much better.
This article is for the people who are currently experiencing an extraordinary amount of stress. The stress may be due to the effects of the natural disasters, ongoing wars, social unrest, unemployment or personal challenges you may be experiencing it this time your life.
Stress is a pervasive problem in the United States and around the world. These are scary times only complicated by COVID-19 and social unrest. In the U.S., a 2012 study completed by the American Psychological Association revealed important data.
For the “Stress in America” study, 2,020 adults from 18 to 67 years and older were surveyed.
These following results are particularly worrisome. Lifestyle and behavior are the cause of many challenges to the strained health care system.
All of us are experiencing greater stress and anxiety now than we were just a few short months ago. I will be sharing with you over the coming weeks various methods to calm the body and the mind. Today, I’d like to start with the 7-11 breathing method.
Many people feel overwhelm and some frankly feel out of control during these difficult times. But you can regain a sense of power and manage your feelings of hyperarousal more easily than you might think.
Why will one person be traumatized by a frightening, potentially life-threatening event when another person won't?
Statistically, the research indicates that when a group pf people experience a traumatic event, up to 20% three months later will still be traumatized. Thus, 80% of people will be functioning fairly normally thereafter1.
Even though people are functioning relatively ‘normally’ they will still remember the even and it will bother them periodically. But, they will not have the classic symptoms of PTSD including flashbacks, nightmares, panic anxiety episodes or avoiding things associated with the traumatic episode.
We all experience fatigue from time to time. And most of us are aware that this fatigue will result in us not being on top of our game. But, Brain Fog can be a complicating result of ongoing stress and increased levels of cortisol in our brain.
Brain fog, professionally referred to as a form of cognitive dysfunction, is a state of mental fuzziness or confusion. While it may not seem mild, it is in fact a state of mild cognitive impairment. It is caused by ongoing prolonged stress, an underlying health issue or impaired wellness. This article will focus primarily on persistent stress as a cause of brain fog.
Mental transformation is the key to physical transformation.
Your chosen habits will change the way you look but more importantly the way you feel about yourself.
When you procure the latest and greatest dream pill, exercise machine, or five-minute way out, we're just prolonging a true makeover by trying to find an easy way out. Persistence and determination are the real miracle pill.
