More Tips On How To Cope With Anxiety When Money Is An Issue

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Sylvia Dickens

Are you struggling to cope with anxiety because of money issues? You certainly are not alone. Millions of people worldwide worry about their financial situations.

For people who have anxiety disorder, this can be especially troublesome.

Fortunately, there is something you can do right now. By taking control of your finances, you will ease your anxiety. And it’s not really all that difficult. I know, because I’ve been where you are.

Here’s what I did, and continue to do, since shortly after starting work at the age of 16.

1. Stash money.

That’s right. As soon as I got paid, I took some out and stashed it. But I didn’t just put it in the bank. I found various places to hide it, both inside and outside of financial institutions. I had several bank accounts in different banks, all with just a few hundred dollars or whatever I could afford.

I purposely bought wallets and handbags with lots of compartments. One favorite hiding place was in a wallet that had a separate hidden zippered compartment that I didn’t even know was there for about 6 months. It was easy, therefore, to forget about that little hideaway.

I hid it in jewelry boxes, in old handbags, in pockets of clothes I seldom wore, and anywhere else I could think of. It wasn’t much. Just $50 here and there.

2. Don’t touch your savings.

This is difficult for many people, but if you can delay at least, chances are you’ll find another source of money. It frequently happened for me, and still does today. I’d try to think of where else I can get money. I’d find other ways of making a bit here and there. This is where your stashes come into play. Those days when you suddenly find yourself in a money crunch, ‘borrow’ only what you need from one of your hideaways. As soon as you can, put it back, and even a little more. Call it a penalty, or interest.

These strategies might not be helpful when you are in a bad situation unless you start them early. So start. Next time you need a bit of extra cash, you’ll have it handy.

This does several things.

- It puts control in your hands, very important when you suffer with anxiety
- It provides you with a constant escape when things are tough

Finally, try to come up with your own personal ways of making money, apart from any job you might currently have. For me, it was a part time job. The extra cash went into a savings account for a rainy day – and there were many over the years.

More recently since I retired, it’s been to write books to sell on the internet. I also promote affiliate products and make a commission. As long as I keep marketing, I will have some money coming in.

I hope this post has helped you to figure out how to cope with anxiety, and in particular, to gain control in a small way.

Here’s another article I posted: 10 Tips to Help Relieve Anxiety in Tough Economic Times

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Anxiety Help – When To Look For A Therapist

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

For the most part, you don’t really need anxiety help from anyone because the problem is not out there. It is in your thinking.

That’s hard to believe for many people, but I discovered after 5 years of anxiety that it’s true.

Back then, all I could focus on was the anxiety, that there was a problem, and that only someone else could fix it, like a therapist or God.

When it first struck, I was overwhelmed as you were. What the heck was happening and what would be the outcome? Would I collapse? Would I pass out? Would I die? This pattern of thinking continued with each attack. But it didn’t stop there. I imagined all sorts, and even began seeing things.

Upturned trees were huge threatening animals. Garbage bags at the side of the road were dead animals. It was awful. But even that wasn’t the end. I eventually felt like I was going to lose control. This was especially scary because the first time it hit, I was driving my car approaching a bridge. I was convinced I’d smash into it and die.

That’s when I sought help, but you probably shouldn’t wait this long. Only you can determine exactly when is a good time to seek a therapist, but here are a few clues.

1. Does your anxiety attack only occur now and then? If so, you probably do not need a therapist.

2. Do you obsess about your anxiety? Again, you probably don’t need one unless it has a severe effect on your life – at work, at home, with your family or in your sleep.

3. Are you constantly stressed and tense? If so, you should talk to your family doctor at least. He or she can determine how serious are your attacks and whether or not to refer you to a therapist.

4. If you truly feel you need a therapist, then by all means find one.

Once you have made your choice, do give your therapist a few visits before making a decision. It’s not unlike finding a family doctor. You want one who understands you, who listens, who offers valuable input, and who makes you feel comfortable – someone you get along with easily.

Barring the therapist route, there are many excellent programs around to help you. Take a look under the Sylvia Recommends tab at the top of this blog for ones that I have reviewed and recommend.

In the meantime, look around the blog for more tips.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Want a Cure for Social Anxiety?

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

Are you looking for a cure for social anxiety? I know what you mean. I was at a loss to know what to do about mine. Mostly, I just avoided people and social settings.

In fact, I still do today, but at least I’m not as bad as I used to be.

All my life I’ve had it. When I was young, I was described as shy. Shy yes, but also quite fearful of people. It took many years and a job to begin my transition to a life without social anxiety.

But it wouldn’t happen for a good 40 years.

Back in the 70s and 80s, I was so nervous in social settings that I dreaded attending any of the meetings required for my job. I always segregated myself from the crowd, sat at the back of the room, or found another timid soul to accompany.

As soon as 3 or more people got together around me, I panicked.

The big shift came when I began journalism college. If I wanted a new, more lucrative career than that of a typist, I needed to go back to school.

I won’t lie. It was unnerving, but it was something I truly wanted. Before long, I was actually enjoying the classroom discussions and even contributed to them.

I was getting quite comfortable, until I got my first assignment. To interview people for news stories. It wasn’t as bad as I expected as long as those interviews were with people around the college. But then, the biggest challenge of my life was gtiven to me. Get out and interview a dignitary, someone of community importance.

It took a load of courage for me to interview my town Mayor. He was as nervous as I was, which resulted in a rather pleasant interview.

It was my turning point. I’d broken through that fear threshhold and conducted my first big interview. The more I did, the more confident I felt and the less my social anxiety affected me.

Today I still have small bouts of social anxiety, but at least they do not terrify me as they once did.

Are you ready to take the plunge? It’s not as bad as you’re probably thinking right now. Build your courage. Do things that make you feel confident. For me, it was writing and photography, two things that came to me naturally since I was a child.

Find your own inner strength and you, too, can find a cure for social anxiety.

Posted in Anxiety Relief Tips | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Struggling to Discover What Cures Anxiety?

Posted on October 6, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

If you’re struggling to find out what cures anxiety, remember that you do have the ability to fight it. You must be persistent in thinking about what you do want instead of what you don’t want.

Constantly reminding yourself that anxiety exists in your life will only trigger more of it. Here’s something to consider.

If you are expecting a visit from a long-lost friend next month, for the 3 weeks prior to the visit, you will be excited. All you can think about is your friend visiting. The more you think about it, the more you… think about it.

It’s the same with anxiety. Thinking about it brings more of the same.

Starting today, remove all references to “anxiety” from your vocabulary. Refuse to use it. Refuse to think about it. Instead, focus on what it is like not having to worry about it, not having those feelings and fears.

One method that has worked extremely well for me in the past is to meditate and visualize life in a relaxed state, experience your calm and comfortable body. When you are awake, repeat to yourself: “I am calm, comfortable and confident. I handle all challenges with ease. In fact, I welcome them.”

As you can see, there is no reference to being anxious or tense. Repeat it rhythmically in your mind as you walk. You’ll be surprised how it will make you feel as you focus on what you’re saying. Before long, it will become your reality.

Spend the rest of your time building your confidence. Face your challenges with this affirmation in your mind. Believe that you are confident. Overcome small challenges first. With each accomplishment, your confidence will build. As you grow into your confidence, move on to tougher challenges and you will soon see a significant change in your life.

This cures anxiety if you make serious and dedicated use of it.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Instant Anxiety Relief: How Do You Get It?

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

Instant anxiety relief can be achieved quite easily, once you know how to implement this technique.

I’ve struggled with anxiety for many years and know exactly what you are going through. I used to go over the top at the slightest provocation. Now, I know exactly what to do for instant anxiety relief, and I’m going to explain it to you now.

Whether or not you get the same results will depend on how well you apply it. As you and I know, we are all different. What works for one might not work for someone else.

Here’s something for you to think about.

Do you have children or pets? If not, then think in terms of other family members, friends and coworkers.

Stress Relief Management Can HelpOne of them is apparently absorbed in an activity. It could be a search for some missing object, a specific task, or a conversation. What happens when you do something to distract them?

You know what it’s like when you go from one room to another to get something, only to forget what it was when you got there. This is similar. A distraction took your minds off whatever they were doing, and you just forgot. You have to retrace your steps to remind yourself. Sometimes it works, other times it does not.

People who are distracted from their activity might forget what they were talking about or lose the flow of what they were doing.

It’s as easy as snapping your fingers.

An excellent instant anxiety relief method that always works for me is to switch my thinking from what was on my mind when the attack struck. Generally, it works best if you switch to an opposite thought or feeling.

For example, the opposite of anxiety is relaxation. When you are anxious, you’re focused on being anxious and the things that caused it. Simply switching your thoughts to relaxation, you can turn off your anxiety.

It sounds TOO simply, doesn’t it? But believe me, it really works.

Now, if you are often anxious, there’s a good possibility that you are not controlling the stress in your life. I just put together this report that explains what stress management is and how you can use it to limit or eliminate your anxiety.

Get the details on how you can get anxiety and stress relief with this report, Stress Relief Management: How To Escape Stress and Regain Your Sanity.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biofeedback Therapy Is Ace For Curing Anxiety Stress Symptoms And Helping You To Relax

Posted on May 7, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

Anxiety Stress Symptoms can be relieved instantly with biofeedback therapy.

If you are unfamiliar with biofeedback, basically, it is a method you use to modify your body’s reactions to stress and tension, as well as anxiety symptoms. You can lower your heart rate, stop those horrible palpitations that accompany an anxiety attack, slow your mind so that it is no longer in a frenzied state, and relax your entire body and mind.

What a fantastic natural anxiety remedy this is.

Here is a short video that gives you a sample of what it feels like. If you are anything like me, you will instantly feel relaxed the moment the video starts.

Now, this video will take time to load, so when you hit the play button it might stop. Wait a few minutes for the video to buffer and then hit play again and it should run okay. If you are on a high speed DSL, this should not be a problem for you.

Here you go. I just know you’ll feel immediate relief. I’ve used this method to relieve anxiety so I know it really does work.

Try Wild Divine

Try Wild Divine
.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Frustration plays a role in depression

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Sylvia Dickens

Many of you might already know that depression is often linked to a chemical imbalance in the body. This means that something biologically is causing the depression. The degree of imbalance determines how deep and severe is the depression.

Some depression is a normal part of life. We get depressed when we lose a loved one or because we didn’t get the job we desperately needed. Normal depression generally only lasts a few weeks at most and generally does not require treatment. When it continues over months, however, it is considered clinical depression that needs treatment.

Depression is also an hereditary trait and that’s something we can do little about. One consideration is that we learn to react with depression by following our parents’ lead, if they suffer with depression. After all, youngsters learn by example which makes it more crucial that parents who have this condition seek solutions so they do not influence their children in that way.

It can be difficult to determine whether it’s strictly biological or from example, but the fact remains, life is not of good quality when depression darkens it.

In some cases, the depression is limited to our youthful years and resolves on its own once the biological changes that come with growth have finished.

As teens, we go through a lot of emotional and biological changes. We are concerned with how our peers view us and if we are accepted into the group. We are also struggling with our identities. Who are we going to be? How are we going to react? How do we feel about our own sexuality? It’s a period of testing, questioning and experimenting to find answers.

As adults, we are pretty much set in our ways and in some cases, depression is part of our lives. In intermittent depression, however, it might be easy to determine its cause.

There is a cycle we go through at certain events in our lives that might give us a clue to a certain depressive episode.

When we are put in a difficult situation from which there seems no way out, we might start out angry at the situation. Despite our efforts, the situation cannot be resolved and our anger, which is also unresolved, turns into frustration. Frustration left to simmer will turn into depression.

In my life, I’ve learned to recognize this cycle when it starts and can now stop it.

Knowing how to identify the source of your depression can help significantly to easing your symptoms and frequency of attacks.

Posted in depression | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Top Reasons To Practice Yoga

Posted on February 1, 2010 by JJohnson

Though the world is going gaga over yoga, there are some folks who still don’t understand the necessity to practice yoga. If you too are on the lookout for reasons to practice yoga, then be prepared to have many coming your way. Yoga is a holistic practice that offers both- physical as well as psychological benefits. Let us take a look at some of the benefits that yoga has to give.

The first basic reason for doing yoga is that it makes the body flexible. It is one of the generally known benefits of yoga. Yoga aims at making the entire body flexible with a spotlight on certain body parts like hips, legs shoulders and shoulders. Yoga incorporates numerous asanas which makes the body undergo a large amount of stretching. As the body stretches, the range of muscles movement is increased seriously. This makes the body agile and flexible.

Yoga also increases the overall strength of your body and helps it support itself. Working ceaselessly on your body parts helps enhance the body’s strength while also toning the muscles. Regular yoga practice results in lean muscles which afterwards helps shed pounds.

Another important merit of yoga is that it helps prevent agony. Since it regularizes the movement of muscles, it keeps pain under control. It also relieves tightness of muscles helping treat discomfort. If you are affected by back trouble then yoga can be of real help.

All of us breathe but there are just a few of us who breathe in the right manner. Most of us practice shallow breathing and the air is not able to reach our lungs. Yoga involves various breathing techniques that teach you how to breathe right. This helps improve the final health.

In addition to various physical benefits, yoga is similarly capable of many psychological benefits too. If you are the sorts to get indignant awfully shortly, then yoga is the ideal remedy for you. Yoga helps to calm your mind and sooth your senses. It prevents the mind from rambling away easily and aims to build on robust concentration level. It helps you focus back on your body and so assists in keeping levels in control.

Yoga is also a very effective foreboding control methodology. It helps you remain unsullied by everyday stressors and thus relaxes your mind.Meditation which is a vital component of yoga is one of the best routes to relax your intelligence and ease out your body. If you practice yoga on a regular basis, you are sure to keep away from stress quite effectively.

Last but not the least, yoga improves concentration. There are plenty of us who find it hard to focus or concentrate on things. It is here that yoga comes to help. It inculcates the habit to focus by making you focus on your body and inner self. Hence you get more conscious of yourself while having the ability to concentrate better.

With so many benefits, you essentially know why you need to practice yoga.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Acquire the Best Anxiety Treatments for Your Needs

Posted on February 1, 2010 by JJohnson

There are numerous anxiety treatments available: some more efficient, others more expensive. Drugs seem like the easy solution to put a stop to panic attacks but the alleviation is temporary and the discomfort is back at the end of the treatment. Psychotherapy brings most of the hopes and solutions in terms of anxiety treatments but it is pretty costly and lengthy. Anxiety treatments also rely on self help and self-soothing, which seems like a good support for the therapy you receive in the company of a professional. Moreover, the success of the anti-anxiety therapy greatly depends on the lifestyle changes and the emotional background of the patient.

Alternative therapies provide viable anxiety treatments as well; all you need to do is research and learn which would help you better. It is thus common sense to choose the method that brings the best of results. Most such anxiety treatments focus on relaxation, and although the techniques are different, they converge towards the same finality: a better state of mind, worry-free and calm. Thus, reflexology, acupressure, massage, visualization exercises, yoga, aromatherapy or the use of positive assertions could be successfully used in reducing the number and eventually eliminating the chances of getting a panic attack.

Specialists also encourage self treatment with the mention that it takes a lot of will power and determination to succeed with this approach. Anxiety treatments that revolve around psychotherapy, create the therapist-patient bond that makes the anxiety sufferer dependent on another person for help. Unfortunately, the expert is not always available, and even if you try to put into practice some of the exercises you have used together, this may not be enough to keep panic away. Therefore, a major part of therapy should emphasize the patient’s ability to get in control of his/her mind and thus prevent anxiety attacks.

Do not switch between anxiety treatments randomly and too frequently. The idea is to persist in one particular method and apply it efficiently and constantly. You should try new things if you consider that it is not working or when the condition reaches a stagnation point. All in all, anxiety treatments should not be chosen lightly and without some professional assistance too. Some therapists are more open to cooperation with other complementary treatments than others: it is therefore a good idea to have a certain flexibility in the approach to the ailment.

Do you want to avoid from anxiety? One of the important things you need to do is to do sport likes tennis routinely. If you want to enjoy playing tennis, you need to find the best equipment like kettler table tennis and table tennis conversion top for your need.

Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Help Yourself to a Healthy Diet for Stress Relief

Posted on February 1, 2010 by JJohnson

You’re stressed, so you eat comfort foods to relax.  But this puts on weight, which makes your body more prone to illness, which stresses you out even more.  You needn’t stay trapped on this ride.  By making good food choices, you can help your body help you to feel better.  Here are some tips for having a healthy diet for stress relief.

Don’t Blame Yourself

So you’re stressed.It’s not your fault that you feel stressed and don’t want to diet.  The human body has not evolved along with the speed of easy food distribution.  Your body will naturally want you to eat high-calorie food because it doesn’t know when the next wooly mammoth migration will come along.  And we don’t move around as much as we did thousands of years ago. 

The human body is programmed to think it lives outside to work in the fields all day and not think about sticking to a healthy diet for stress relief. But it is your fault if you let your body rule your head.  Your body can be retrained to crave more variety and better nutrition.It just takes practice; be patient with yourself.

Water and Fiber

If you don’t make any other change to your diet, just eat more fiber and drink more water.  This greatly aids any healthy diet, for stress relief.  Water and fiber help give you a full feeling and keeps away the painful constipation that often occurs to new dieters.  Alcoholic beverages don’t count as water – in fact, alcohol dehydrates you and makes you thirstier.  Fiber is found in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans, and to a lesser extent in cooked vegetables.These are things you should be eating anyway, so think of eating more fiber as multitasking.

The Caffeine Kid

If you are used to drinking a lot of caffeinated drinks, hot or cold and eating a lot of chocolate, gradually cut back.Don’t go cold turkey – you may go through some painful withdrawal symptoms like migraines.  This can greatly reduce your chances of sticking with a healthy diet for stress relief. Cut back one cup of coffee or one glass of cola for a week, and next week cut back yet another cup or glass, and so on. 

Drink more water, herbal tea or fruit juice instead.  You don’t see results right away, but keeping at it will give you the confidence to make other choices for a healthy diet for stress relief.That and you’ll sleep better, which can also lower your stress.

The author is a cabinet maker and he has published several articles on dog training and roofing.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged | Leave a comment

Why Do You Have Anxiety Disorder?

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Sylvia Dickens

I bet you’ve asked yourself that question over and over, yet you still have no idea why you have anxiety disorder.

As a former anxiety sufferer, I can tell you that in all likelihood, you are too obsessed with the disorder to find the solution. That’s what happened to me. I spent hours studying every sensation, every emotion, every strange twinge and every weird feeling that passed through my body and mind. I was sure I was going to lose control over my actions.

Perhaps I shouldn’t confess this to you, but at one point, I was afraid I would lose control and throw myself off the balcony. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t suicidal, but what I soon discovered was that the medications were not right for me.

After that, I was afraid to take my anxiety medication. Besides, they tended to dull my senses – and my brain – leaving me in a state of numbness that made it difficult for me to do my job.

Shortly after, I discovered the true cause of my anxiety disorder.

That was in the mid-1980s. I’ve only had one major episode since then and that was the end of my anxiety disorder. Today, I know when stress is getting to me because I’ve learned to recognize the early signs of anxiety. This enables me to put a stop to them right away before they become actual anxiety attacks or worse, panic attacks.

While searching for material to help you with your anxiety questions and concerns, I just came across this video. It gives a good overview of how you developed and continue to enforce your anxiety. Boy, does that part sound familiar.

Go ahead and click the video. It runs about 13 minutes and is full of really good information that will help you understand your anxiety disorder a little better.

Click here to get help for your anxiety disorder

 

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Treating Anxiety Disorder – Your First Step To A Cure

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Sylvia Dickens

Not that long ago, anyone suffering from emotional or mental illness like anxiety disorder had to hide away from society for fear of being locked away. There was no way of treating anxiety disorder back then.

Things have changed significantly since, but the embarrassment surrounding anxiety disorder still causes some sufferers to deny its existence.

The good news is that the disorder is extremely common; in fact, one in 10 people have anxiety disorder to some degree. More people are seeking help and getting it.

If you are reluctant to accept that you have an anxiety disorder, know that you are not alone and that you can get help.

Your first step to a cure is admitting and accepting that you have an anxiety disorder. Then, you’ll be ready to look for solutions.

You can find many natural ways of treating anxiety disorder today, starting right at home.

Here are 2 ways of treating anxiety disorder :

1. Self hypnosis. The process involves allowing yourself to release all your tension and worries, completely relax, and address whatever is triggering your anxiety. Hypnosis in this sense is merely just a matter of clearing your mind of all its stresses so you can focus on getting better.

Self hypnosis is a powerful tool that will help you to change your thought processes so that your body stops reacting to those fearful thoughts. The best times to do your sessions is just before bed and shortly after waking in the morning.

It might take you a few tries before you learn how to completely relax your mind and body, but repeated attempts will bring success.

2. Breathing techniques. This can be used alone or in conjunction with self hypnosis. It can be used at the beginning of your relaxation as you drift into self hypnosis state. Or you can simply use breathing techniques as a relaxation tool to bring a halt to your anxiety attacks.

The key is to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Take 3 deep breaths, hold each one for a count of ten, and slowly breath out. This works because when you are anxious, you do not breathe properly. The built-up tension and inadequate oxygen intake work together to feed your anxiety attacks.

Try these two methods for treating anxiety disorder. If you need additional help, watch these videos and download your free copy of the “Anxiety Disorder Guide & Advice”.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Please ignore this post

Posted on September 5, 2009 by Sylvia Dickens

Please ignore – this is a specially required code only that has nothing to do with my blog content. Thank you.

e9gt3acum5

Posted in Admin Updates | Leave a comment

Having An Anxiety Attack? Blame It On Your Amygdala

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Sylvia Dickens

“The what?” you ask.

For many years, scientists have known that this little gland in the brain called the Amygdala is directly responsible for our anxiety.

Have you ever wondered what causes your body to produce more adrenalin, your heart to pound and your head to spin when you suddenly find yourself in a dangerous situation? A typical one you’ve probably experienced is in a near-miss traffic accident. Nothing sends your heart pounding faster than an accident that you missed by the skin of your teeth.

This is how the Amygdala is supposed to work. It’s your body’s anxiety switch that goes into action when your body needs that extra energy to protect and save itself.

When you have repeated anxiety attacks, however, your anxiety switch has become stuck in the on position.

How does that happen?

It all comes down to how you respond to a situation. From then on, you always respond the same way. So if you stepped outside of your house one day and felt fearful and anxious, you might have that same response every time thereafter. Before you know it, you have agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) or some other phobia or fear.

The solution is to turn the anxiety switch back off to overcome your anxiety disorder.

But how do you do that, since you have no control over how your body’s system works. You can’t control your blood flow or your body’s chemical reactions. They work without you having to think about them, unlike your muscles, which you can force to flex simply by bending your arm or leg.

There are ways to reprogram this little gland that basically reverse how it responds to specific events. One way to do that is through repeated exposure to the situation that triggers your anxiety attacks. This is usually done gradually over time until you reach the point where that situation no longer bothers you.

Keep in mind, however, that there can be underlying mental health conditions that can be aiding your anxiety disorder. Until those are dealt with, you might not get the cure you had hoped. Even so, in the majority of cases treatments for anxiety disorder work very well.

One especially powerful treatment was developed by Charles Linden. You might have heard of the Linden Method. Charles suffered from anxiety disorder for many years until he got fed up with all the doctors and lack of results. One day, he figured out what works and put together his package to help others beat their anxiety attacks. You can read my Linden Method Review here.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

5 Major Anxiety Disorders – A Quick Overview

Posted on September 3, 2009 by Sylvia Dickens

Anxiety disorders can be confusing to some people. How do you tell one from another? You might be wondering which is which, since there are several different types of anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder is just one form of anxiety. Others include obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and numerous other phobias. Those are specific to a particular issue.

Let’s go over each one briefly. 

Obsessive compulsive disorder

In this disorder, you tend to repeat certain actions because your mind sends you messages that you haven’t done it right or forgot to do it. Do you go back and check and recheck the doors to be sure they are locked? Do you repeatedly wash your hands, possibly making them raw from all the scrubbing? These are cases of obsessive compulsive disorder in action.

Social anxiety disorder, also called Social Phobia

If you are reluctant to go out and mingle, cross the street when you approach another pedestrian, and avoid public places, then you are suffering from social anxiety disorder.

Agoraphobia

In this form, you will fear the open spaces. Rather than venture outside the house, you tend to be housebound. Any thoughts of leaving to go shopping, to work, or to visit friends and relatives immediately trigger anxiety.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

This one follows any event that overwhelms you, particularly those in which your life was in danger. Wars, terrorist acts, violent events, physical abuse and other horrific experiences can cause post PTSD. This anxiety disorder is perhaps the most severe because the individual can be haunted by flashbacks of the event, halucinations, nightmares, disturbances in sleep and diet, and much more.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

In this case, the anxiety cannot be directly associated with any specific event or thing. That’s what makes this disorder difficult. If you do not know what is causing it, you can experience a general feeling of uneasiness with nothing to link it to. If you were afraid to leave your house, you can work on that particular issue, for example, gradual exposure to the thing you fear.

With GAD, however, you are forced to deal directly with the anxiety itself. There are many ways to do that, which will be discussed in another post.

One site can provide you with a wealth of information on anxiety disorders. Start on this page:

 http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml

This is the official mental health site that provides trustworthy information.

Posted in Admin Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment