Anxiety Treatment Sought By Anchorwoman

Anxiety treatment was sought by anchorwoman Robin Meade who suffered with panic attacks for quite some time. Take a look by copying and pasting the link below in your browser:

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/arts/stories/2009/09/10/1A_ROBIN_MEADE_Q_A.ART_ART_09-10-09_D1_BEEVFD3.html?sid=101

One statement I hear often from anxiety sufferers when they first walk into my center for anxiety treatment is "Why me? No one else seems to have anxiety or panic attacks. I look around at all of these confident people and feel so weak."

This is a widely held false belief.

Millions of people suffer with anxiety. Just take a look at the statistics in any given year (check out one of my earlier blog post for specifics).

Now consider this anchorwoman. For those of you who have seen her, doesn't she always appear very confident and poised? Many would assume that she has never had anxiety - certainly not panic attacks. Well, clearly that's an incorrect assumption.

If you're suffering with panic attacks, you are not alone. You also are not weak. Being "weak" has nothing to do with it.

Also, don't assume that based on how someone appears, that they do not or have not suffered with anxiety.

And then, do what this well-known anchorwoman did - dispense with your shame and get some help.

Follow this link for more on panic attacks and anxiety treatment.

Phobia: Some very harmful effects

A Phobia can have some very harmful effects - if the appropriate treatment isn't sought and then completed, that is.

Take a look at this article about a man with a common swallowing/choking phobia that is withering away (just copy and paste the link below into your browser):

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/health/860872/man-withering-away-with-swallowing-phobia

I found the article's statement that "Mr Buckingham's condition has baffled doctors, dieticians and psychologists while his wife Debbie has watched him wither away" fascinating.

Why baffling?

There is no mystery here!! Mr. Buckingham has a PHOBIA.

And a common one at that.

I treat swallowing/choking phobia frequently at The April Center for Anxiety Attack Management - Los Angeles.

This man's struggle describes a common phobia: A scary or uncomfortable experience with an object, situation or event perceived as dangerous followed by an individual developing an irrational fear and then engaging in avoidance to protect oneself. The avoidance then leads to more anxiety and the reinforcement of fear.

It is a diagnosable anxiety disorder when the fear significantly interferes with life.

The more he continues to avoid eating, the more afraid of swallowing/choking he will become.

This man needs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy with Exposure and Response Prevention. His phobia, like all phobias is extremely treatable. It is done gradually with specific strategies and techniques to build confidence and move towards desensitization.

A phobia can have some very harmful effects if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner.

Follow this link for more on treatment for a phobia and anxiety

Can Panic Disorder Be Preceded By Overwhelm?

Panic Disorder can be preceded by overwhelm.

Here is the typical sequence from which many initial panic attacks are derived:

Anxiety can often strike us when we feel overwhelmed. Especially if we are unaware of steadily increasing stressors.

When unaware of our stress load and lacking healthy coping methods, a strong adrenaline surge can follow - that old "fight or flight" experience. For many when this happens, unless one has the proper skills to handle it, a panic attack can follow.

If not handled quickly with awareness and specific strategies, more panic attacks can follow leading to Panic Disorder.

Panic Disorder is defined by at least a month of recurring unexpected panic attacks with a fear of having more, tendency to avoid situations or experiences where panic attacks have occurred leading to a lack of freedom, and an extreme concern about what the panic attacks might imply or result in (ex. loss of control, sanity, death).

The good news is none of the above has to happen if you are familiar with how to handle anxiety and those adrenaline surges - in addition to your stress level.

Follow this link for more on anxiety treatment for Panic Disorder