Tag Archive: psychology


Most people don’t give much, if any thought to how they breathe. Did you know that how you breathe could be a contributing factor in how often you experience panic attacks and how long your attacks are? Learning how to breathe correctly can help you with treating panic attacks.

Breathe Right to Reduce Stress

The most natural way to breathe is from the abdomen but when people get stressed or anxious they will often start breathing from their chest. Chest breathing, as the name suggests, is when you take shallow and rapid breaths from the chest. This type of breathing upsets the balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the body and can lead to a number of physical symptoms including muscle tension, increased heart rate and dizziness.

When you are breathing with your diaphragm, your breaths will be deep, even and fill your lungs. When you are in a deep sleep and relaxed you will do this automatically. Breathing in this manner is the natural way to breathe; even a newborn baby does it.

You can easily determine which way you are breathing with this simple test. Place one hand on your chest and your other hand on your stomach. The hand that moves indicated the type of breathing you are doing – hand on stomach moving? You are abdominal breathing. Hand on chest moving? You are chest breathing. By understanding which breathing mode you are in, you will be on track to being able to control your panic and anxiety.

Breathe Deep and Relax

This easy exercise can be used when you are feeling anxious to help with treating panic attacks. You want to practice this when you are in comfortable surrounding and preferably relaxed so that you can apply it when you start to feel anxious or stressed. (note: if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable at any time stop the exercise right away):

Sit or lay down and try to relax as much as possible. Place a hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose. Your hand should rise and fall with each breath if you are breathing with your diaphragm.

Exhale through your mouth without holding your breath. You don’t want to force the air out but let it exit your lungs naturally.

Do this several times in a row.

You can turn this into a breathing mediation and increase the level of calmness you experience. As you breathe in and out, focus on the rise and fall of you tummy. Just feel the air move in and out and allow all other thoughts to drift away. Thoughts will occur, but just let them pass like a cloud in the sky.

You can use proper breathing techniques for treating panic attacks and reducing the severity of them. When you add proper abdominal breathing to other techniques you may already be using against anxiety and panic attacks you will be well on your way to getting your life back.

How To Get Rid Of Anxiety has all the best strategies for dealing with panic and anxiety. One simple method that you can start using right away for treating panic attacks is available to anyone and won’t cost a penny.

Recognising Panic Attacks

Panic Attacks Explained…

A panic attack comes on rapidly, with a burst of panic and anxiety. Occasionally, panic attacks can take place for no obvious reason and strike without forewarning. For some, panic attacks take place a lot. Other people might have them less regularly. In people with numerous panic attack episodes, this may signify a relationship between the panic and a place or situation. Even though panic attacks are rarely linked to substantial damage, they are often emotionally and psychologically devastating. Panic attacks can result in panic disorder, a more painful and difficult condition.

Who Suffers From Panic Attacks?

Lots of people are prone to panic attacks. Some reports suggest that as much as 10% of the population struggles with panic attacks. Young adults make up a considerable amount of the population who are more prone to have these attacks. It is also known that panic attacks more frequently happen to women than to men. It is also said that the condition is genetically inherited so panic attacks may run in the family.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Panic Attack?

A panic attack may be identified with different signs and symptoms. These signs may include increased heartbeat or palpitation, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, stomach churning, upset stomach, trembling and shaking, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached from the surroundings.

Panic attack symptoms can mock the signs of a heart attack. While a panic attack won’t kill you, a heart attack might. Seeking medical attention is important, particularly if this is the first panic attack you have had.

Why Do People Get Panic Attacks?

Occasionally panic attacks can happen without an obvious reason. However, attacks might be caused by past traumatic experiences such as death of a loved one, family conflicts, bad relationships, divorce of parents, car accident, public humiliation, etc. Places and similar situations to former conflict might also cause a panic attack to come on.

Stress is also recognized to have an effect on anxiety and panic. Stress at home or at the office can all add to panic and anxiety. Genetics is also said to cause an attack.

If I’m Having A Panic Attack, What Do I Do?

Panic attacks could be estimated to last less than 10 minutes and in rare cases somewhat longer.Lots of the above symptoms might be present. Since the increased in heart rate is the major reason for experiencing other symptoms, it is important to take control of your breathing during an attack. Slow, deep breaths calm your system. Breathe in slowly for 3 counts then hold your breath for the next 3 slow counts. Then, exhale for 3 slow counts..

Do this until you’re calm. If you can stand up, walk around slowly. The old fashioned “breathe in to a paper bag” approach works for many. This enables you to re-breathe your carbon dioxide. This method regulates blood acid levels that suffered due to frequent breathing

While you’re doing your breathing exercises, free your thoughts of stressful things. Turn anxiety in to calm and cheery thoughts. You can also try distracting yourself with other things such as puzzles and thinking games.

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Given the wide array of processes and procedures commonly referred to as “psychotherapy,” coming up with a short, accurate definition for the word can be difficult in the least.

However, psychotherapy can be described as a process focused on helping people overcome emotional and psychological issues as well as discover constructive methods to deal with life’s challenges by using the communication and trust established between a client and a professional counselor.

Therapy can also provide you with assistance if you’re going through a challenging life transition or facing a time of frequent anxiety and stress, such as when going through a separation or divorce, beginning a new career, or dealing with the loss of someone you love.

Most psychotherapy tends to be goal-oriented and is dedicated to resolving the particular problems that cause you to seek professional help. At the beginning of therapy, you and your therapist will talk about the particular adjustments you’d like to create, determine the goals for treatment, and break these objectives down into more readily achievable milestones allowing you to track your progress.

Accomplishing therapeutic goals and objectives is accomplished through honest interaction and by using techniques your therapist will provide so that you can navigate the obstacles you’re going through. Your psychotherapist will also recommend resources and help you acquire techniques that will help you surmount new obstacles in your life long after therapy is completed.

How is psychotherapy different from discussing your problems?

While most psychotherapy focuses on the communication and relationship created between a client and a therapist, successful therapy requires far more than only talking about your problems.

Family and friends may be able to help you feel better from time to time, and some may even provide helpful advice for you to consider, however, these interactions do not constitute psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a strictly professional relationship between you and your therapist that is different from other relationships in a couple of important ways.

The nature of the psychotherapy relationship

As stated, the relationship between you and a therapist is purely professional. The client-therapist relationship exists specifically for your benefit in order for you to accomplish the objectives you specify at the beginning of therapy. Your therapist expects nothing from you in return for their services besides payment for their time.

This is an important point and the defining factor between the therapy relationship and all other relationships. You can tell your therapist almost anything without worrying about offending them, about them telling someone else, or about having what you say affect your relationships or career in any way.

A second significant distinction between your relationship with your therapist and your relationships with other people is that your therapist will rarely, if ever, share their opinions with you in order for you to feel as relaxed as possible and do not alter how you talk about yourself.

The nature of therapeutic communication

Unlike friends, family members, and colleagues, psychotherapists are trained to understand what you say, what you don’t say, and in what ways you do or don’t express yourself. Your therapist will be aware of your body language, intonation, and other cues to completely understand your thoughts, feelings, and ability to communicate.

Therapists have received lengthy education and training to help them understand the specific problems you’re facing. They are familiar with the symptoms of psychological disorders and well-versed in helping people navigate and overcome the difficulties and stresses of daily life.

Therapists also know what questions to ask in order to help you open up and honestly express yourself, and your therapist will likely pose some questions you’ve never heard before. To reiterate, the communication between you and your therapist will not be equal. Therapists will rarely reveal their personal opinions on issues such as politics or religion.

Who can benefit from psychotherapy?

It is not uncommon for psychotherapy to be recommended whenever a person is struggling with a relationship, career, or life issue or a specific emotional concern that causes emotional discomfort or pain that lasts more than a couple of weeks.

As with any norm, you will find exceptions, but for the most part there is little to no problem attending therapy even if you aren’t positive it will help. Millions of people seek the help and support of therapists each year, and for the most part research shows that individuals who do so find therapy beneficial. Furthermore, most psychotherapists will honestly tell you if they believe you won’t benefit from therapy.

Psychotherapy is most successful when you begin the process on your own initiative and have a substantial urge to bring about the change you seek. If you don’t wish to change, change will probably be slow to appear if it comes at all.

Producing change means modifying the behaviors and beliefs that no longer serve your best interests. As therapy is about challenging one’s beliefs about the way the world functions, you should always keep your mind open and be prepared to try new things.

If you’re ready to seek professional help and do the work needed for therapy to be effective, psychotherapy can help you create positive, lasting change in your life and be amongst the best investments you’ll ever make.

Learn more about psychotherapy and therapy by visiting Pamela Levy’s website: http://www.pamelalevymft.com/.

Managing Panic Attacks With Ease

Good planning will put you on the right track for managing panic attacks. It can be challenging to predict when a panic attack will take place, but if you take steps to prepare yourself in advance, then you can reduce the severity and impact these attacks have on you. Here are five things you can do beforehand:

Do not forget to keep breathing.

Have you ever seen anyone on television instructed to breathe into a paper bag in order to calm down? This might work, but learning how to breathe properly on your own before you have a panic attack will prepare you to do it during the attack. So plan ahead, learn and practice calming breathing strategies ahead of time.

Learn to relax.

It can be difficult to think about relaxing during a panic attack. But if you are able to remember to relax and have practiced the skills ahead of time, you will be that much closer to managing your panic.

Understand what triggers your attacks.

Being familiar with what triggers your own panic attacks can also help you get ready for them. Is there a particular phobia you have? Do certain things stress you out more than others? Understanding what may trigger an attack can help you avoid the situation that causes panic, if at all possible (or practical) or provide you with advanced warning of an attack. At that point you can concentrate on breathing and relaxing to help limit the effects of the attack.

Keep important numbers ready.

You likely have a list of people that you can call during an attack that can help you through it. These might be friends, doctors or support groups. If you have a list handy when an attack is beginning, you will be able to get help as soon as you need it. It is also important to keep this list handy because someone else may be able to assist you by calling the people you need.

Bring a “comfort bag” with you.

We often have things in our lives that give us comfort. Pictures of friends, stuffed animals or other trinkets can help with managing panic attacks by helping to calm you down. You can put these in a bag that you can easily take with you whenever you leave the house.

Dealing with Anxiety has a lot of tips for learning how to deal with and manage your panic. You can get a some simple to use tips right away here: treatment for panic attacks

Everybody that uses essential oils has some experience with Lavender. Often, its the first essential oil you might come in contact with. It was the the oil, in fact, that began the modern practice of aroma-medicine. It has so many excellent properties, it’s even been called “a medicine chest in a bottle”. And it’s been the subject of a significant amount of laboratory research, which has validated most of the actions which alternative medicine practitioners have associated with it. Now, the latest published data has made some remarkable claims about the oil, which has the potential to help many people who may not yet have any experience with aromatherapy.

The overall action of Lavender oil is both calming and regenerating. It’s a profound effect, as our bodies need to be relieved of stress in order to heal, and lead healthy lives in general. The sweet smell alone bestows calm on folks of all ages; from the little ones all wound up when it’s time for bed, to the wizened generation whom may be recovering from illness, loss, or general fatigue. It has done the same for lab rats, hamsters and mice in research laboratories (we do not condone the testing of any essential oil on animals — yet these studies have been performed and the data is worth discussing).

The wonderful aspect of the stress-relieving action of Lavender is that it’s so easy to make use of the oil this way. For personal use, you only need to inhale deeply from a bottle, or dab a couple drops on your wrists to get a little whiff of the scent now and then. For the home, family, or workplace, there are several styles of essential oil diffusers available which release aroma into the air. Any diffuser style will work for stress reduction; it just takes a hint of the aroma in the air to have its effect.

Now, science is finally affirming the positive results of ingesting Lavender essential oil. This is a wonderful confirmation of the efficacy of the medicine that essential oils really are. Inhalation clearly works by interacting with the olfactory sense, which is tied to the limbic system and hippocampus. The result of stress reduction through inhalation has always been thought to be a response from the “emotional center” of our brains, telling the rest of our body that we can calm down, and “all is well”. Yet the possibility of our physiology responding to the oil actually floating around in our bloodstream has been casually ignored. In this case however, the oil is not being smelled at all, yet is manifesting all of its reputed anti-stress actions.

This latest research (abstracts of all research referenced in this article are available through pubmed.gov) was an evaluation of a new capsule containing 80mg of the essential oil (the equivalent of about 2 drops of oil). Study participants took one capsule daily for ten weeks, and came in every two weeks for an assessment of their mental, emotional and physical well-being. The primary focus was whether the Lavender capsule was effective at treating “non-syndromal” anxiety, which essentially means anxiety that isn’t so serious as to be all-consuming of one’s life. The results were impressive: under every evaluation technique or scale used in the study, the Lavender capsule outperformed the placebo. Participants were less stressed, slept deeper, and had better health and well-being overall.

In addition to testing whether ingesting the Lavender capsules was more effective than a placebo, the Vienna researchers also compared the capsules to a common prescription anti-anxiety drug. Impressively, the essential oil worked just as well as the drug, but without the sedative side effects — which are troublesome not only because of the drowsiness, but because of the potential for substance abuse. It becomes perfectly clear that the home practitioner can now benefit from Lavender essential oil in this way by simply ingesting a couple of drops a day — either “neat” (though it doesn’t have the greatest flavor in the world), in a cellulose capsule, or mixed with a beverage such as orange juice.

Previous research that has focused on the aroma has also produced statistically significant results. In two separate placebo-controlled trials, participants in common stressful situations were exposed to Lavender aroma. One study examined the response of people waiting to have their teeth worked on, and others were about to take a major exam. In both cases, the essential oil resulted in reports of lower anxiety.

In a more medically oriented trial, patients were exposed to Lavender essential oil vapor immediately after surgery. Impressively, it was found that, among patients exposed to the aroma, fewer required pain relieving drugs at all, and those that did required less of them.

Hopefully this has been a convincing review of the benefits of Lavender essential oil! Particularly in this day and age, with the incredible amount of stress many people are exposed to on a daily basis, this readily available, inexpensive (and great smelling) essential oil may be a worthwhile addition to your lifestyle, and perhaps to your home and work environment as well.

The author has made available reports on specific anti-microbials such as tea tree and other therapeutic essential oils.

Most of us know at least one person who has been diagnosed with depression. Maybe you think that you may have depression? Do your emotions fit the criteria for depression? Clinical depression affects millions of people. Understanding what depression is can be a first step towards getting the right help. Let’s look at some of the facts.

Feelings of sadness are normal. Everyone experiences a blue mood once in a while. But when feelings of sadness become your only feelings, and when a blue mood turns into a persistent black cloud, you may be suffering from depression.

Depression is a mental disorder. Depression can overwhelm your mind, your thoughts and your body. It affects your personality, your interaction with others, and your beliefs as well. When in depression it is just about impossible to feel hopeful about anything, including ever feeling happy again.

Since normal feelings of sadness, and the feelings of depression are very similar, differentiating between the two is usually by time and intensity. The feelings from depression are much more intense than a normal reaction to a negative event.

Two weeks is typically the threshold for diagnosing depression. If after a negative life experience you are still withdrawn and sad after more than two weeks it is possible you have entered into a depressive episode. Without treatment a depressive episode can last for months, sometimes years.

The good news is depression is treatable. Through a combination of therapy and medication, up to 80 percent of people with depression get better. But treatment takes time and involves some trial and error, so patience is a must.

No one is immune to the effects of depression. It is not an indication of weakness or failure. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be suffering from depression, it’s important to get professional advice as soon as possible.

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It can be very hard living with depression all the time. Many people though do not like the idea of taking drugs to try to combat this illness. So here are eight ways to think about that can help to beat depression without the need for any prescription drugs.

1. Maintain a balanced diet – The first thing you could do is to go on a balanced diet. A balanced diet is a great way to get your whole body feeling good. As we all know when your body feels good your mood tends to be good too.

2. Regularly exercise – By taking regular exercise you can control the amount of adrenaline in your body. Adrenaline is also important in helping you stay in a good mood.

3. Get out in the sun – Contrary to popular belief a little sunlight on the skin can be good for the body. Just do not over do the amount of time spent out in it. About 15 minutes a day can make your skin healthy which again will make you feel good about your body. This in turn will again put you in a good mood.

4. Get enough sleep – If your body is tired all the time it can lead to you feeling bad all the time. This can make many situations worse than they should be. It is vital that your body gets the correct amount of sleep in order to replenish your energy levels.

5. Keep a journal – By keeping a daily log of the things you do, it can help you to record anything that trigger’s a bad mood. This way you can learn to avoid these situations and prevent your bad moods from occurring.

6. Go out with friends – Try to live a normal life with some friends. By going out and socializing you are keeping active. It is no good hiding away from the outside world and feeling sorry for your self.

7. Herbal remedies – Instead of taking prescription drugs to combat depression have a think about herbal remedies instead. One of the most popular herbal remedies for depression is St. John’s wort. This natural herb is easily found at many local stores as well as on the internet.

8. Research – If you do some research on the effects o depression you my get some great insight in how to combat it naturally. You will find many articles and blogs related to this subject all over the internet.

In addition to depression, the writer also regularly contributes articles regarding wine bottle label and water bottle labels.

Phobias can be terrible thing to get, at least once in our live we all have suffered from some sort of fear or phobia. Here we look at some of the common phobias.

I suppose one of the most common phobias or fears is Acrophobia or the fear of heights. The fear of heights affects almost everybody to different degrees.

We have all read the papers about people that will not travel on an airplane; they would sooner travel by boat or car if possible. The fear of flying is a very common phobia that can be a real hindrance in people’s lives.

Lots of people suffer from a fear of public speaking. It can be very daunting having to stand up in front of either a crowd or even a few people and having to speak to them. Unfortunately in our lives we will eventually have to do this at one time or another.

Everyone has experienced a fear of the dark, especially as a kid. But there are still some Adults that have a fear of the dark and will not go to sleep without the light being on.

The fear of spiders is a very well known far but strangely it seems to affect women more than men. A study has shown that almost 50% of women suffer from the fear of spiders compared to 10% of men.

Another strange one is the fear of snakes. Apparently this fear is worldwide; it even affects people in countries that don’t have snakes.

The fear of rejection is a major fear in some people’s lives. I will bet that everybody has had his fear or will experience this fear at least once in their life.

Another common phobia that may have been picked up from when we were kids is the fear of confined spaces. This is evident in some people by the fact that they cannot enter an elevator or go into small rooms.

This writer also frequently gives advice about topics including small portable air conditioners and portable air conditioner units.

Anxiety- Way To Cope With It

Panic attacks can be an incredibly devastating thing. It can affect your entire life and comes at the most inconvenient times. It can happen without any warning and cause you to feel sick, scared, overwhelmed among many other emotions. Some people feel so overwhelmed by the panic attacks that they feel that they end up being nervous to leave the house and unable to function for fear that it will sneak up on them again when they do not expected.

Since we understand all the aspects of an anxiety issue, we want to take a few moments to help you deal with it. We also understand a panic attack can occur at any times, which is why we would like to go over that as well. One thing you need to know right away is medications and doctor’s offices are, from my own opinion, not the proper regimen. While they do know about anxiety, they are trained a certain way and your regimens are predictable. Take some medicine, get some rest, and call me in a few weeks. Unfortunately they fail to mention the side effects along the way.

There are tons methods of dealing with anxiety that are completely safe, very effective and can give you the relief that is needed. These methods are free and require no visit to the doctor or cause to worry about side effects, in fact they can have a positive effect on other aspects of your life when used.

The best thing a person can do to feel better when enduring anxiety is by changing their lifestyle and diet. Look at your life as a whole and find out what is important, what you plan to do, and whether or not the situation is positive or negative. In fact, make sure it’s necessary.

Changing your diet and exercise habits can make a difference in the stress that you feel and how you deal with it. Cutting down on things like alcohol, caffeine and other mood altering substances can make a difference in how you react to situations of stress and how you cope with life in general. Exercise can be a good outlet for nervous energy, help focus your mind and help you feel relax so that you sleep better, eat better and concentrate more easily on tasks through out the day.

Exercise also releases endorphins that help to elevate your mood and can create a sense of well being even when everything around you is chaotic for the remaining of the day. It can boost your self confidence and give you a chance to take time out from stressful situations.

A great exercise regimen to try is yoga. If an individual is stressed out or has anxiety issues, this can be extremely beneficial. There are many self-help books available that promote the use of yoga and meditation, to help those with anxiety issues.

The benefits behind self-help books are those peoples have dealt with the same issues you are going through right now. They tried the doctor, tried the ER, took x-rays, and basically did everything they were told with no good results. Getting an inside look at how someone else conquered it is important. This alone could spark good things around the corner.

Sometimes the best thing that you can do when feeling anxious is to divert yourself. Thinking about the problem can increase feelings of anxiety and make it worse. Keeping busy can help you to overcome such feelings and provide you with some comfort.

One thing you will notice while doing this is you will be capable to accomplish goals faster, and give yourself a sense of accomplishment. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just something to work towards and see you really show progress with your anxiety. It will also replace your panic attack tendencies with feelings of self esteem, satisfaction, and happiness.

So maybe this weekend you will take the time to clean out your closet. Then again, you may want to catch up with some friends you have not seen for long time due to the anxiety, or worried feeling of a panic attack. In the end, if you can set and reach your goals, it can help you gain the skills to conquer issues in the future.

Another method to sidetrack yourself from feelings of anxiety is to distract your mind with music. Whether it is uplifting or just your favorite radio stations top ten count down. You can change your mood and overcome feelings of anxiety by listening to music.

Most importantly, do something you love or wanted to do and never had the chance. A great example of this is playing an instrument. Many musicians will tell you that when times are difficult to deal with they just go somewhere and play. However, if you don’t want to do this, then make it worth with your favorite hobby.

Having power over your anxiety and removing those panic attacks is your overall goal. All you need is coming across the right methods to do it. However, we highly recommend taking the natural way and stay away from the medications. Ultimately it can actually damage your battle against anxiety.

Learn about anxiety and panic attacks. Find out about how to deal with it effectively. Get educated and help yourself find a solution the good solution to cure panic disorder.

Anxiety will not just affect you however it will endanger your relationship among others. This is the reason many stressed people would found themselves more confuse over their situation because the indisputable fact that they’re destroying their relationship with folk who matters to them the most is adding up to the problem.Now for you to be in a position to stop stress from even coming into your life, it is worth consider what causes anxiety.

Most of the time, stress can trigger tension in coming into the scene. Let it be known that there are really people that are more exposed to the difficulty. These are folks who are always the subject of stress like those with low self image and those fellows who don’t know the way to correctly cope with stress the correct way.

Based from in depth researches, the fact was disclosed that genetic is basically the number 1 player among those elements of what causes anxiety. It is not uncommon among folks to become concerned occasionally but those with family history of anxiety will experience more difficulty. For that reason, it is suggested that everybody would know some anxiety control strategy so they can deal of the difficulty even before it’s too late. These are some of the things which can be done to avoid those elements of what causes anxiety :

1. Get away from those situations that may lead you to experience anxiety. Although doing this will merely give temporary result but it should be known that this is very important to stop the problem before it can take its form. So if there is certain things, places, events, or people who can make you feel anxious, better get away from them before it is too late.

2. This is the time to learn relaxation methods. As easy as meditation, this may play a very large part for your success. The better news is that there are many relaxation processes which can on occasion be done by an individual as to stop stress from putting much difficulty into your own life.

3. It’ll help to practice intestinal respiring to get away of those elements of what causes anxiety. This is indicated by extremely and slowly respiring into your nose for the air to go down the stomach.It’ll help to visualise the air going thru your systems you may also release your tensions when you blew the air away thru your own mouth.

If you are interested in what causes anxiety, you will get more information at Review of The Panic Puzzle.