Five Forms of Anxiety

The symptoms of anxiety cannot be compartmentalized into a single diagnosis; there are a number of conditions for which anxiety may be one of the symptoms. For this reason, when a person is experiencing symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweaty palms, or dizziness, their doctor will need to investigate further to determine which form of anxiety is the cause.

For example, the doctor may ask in what setting the anxiety symptoms tend to occur or if the patient uses any type of prescription medication or illicit drugs. The doctor will also probably gather information about any traumatic events the patient has experienced in the past. With these questions, and perhaps additional testing, the patient’s healthcare provider can develop a diagnosis as to what type of anxiety is present.

Anxiety can take many forms. Here are five of the most commonly diagnosed forms of anxiety.

·         Social Phobia symptoms include an intense fear of being judged by others or of becoming the center of attention. It can cause the patient to avoid social contact and to worry incessantly about being humiliated weeks before a social occasion.

·         Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety that results from traumatic events in the past. The symptoms of PTSD may not be displayed immediately after the trauma, but the patient may later begin reliving the event mentally, suffering from extended insomnia, withdrawing from everyday life, or being easily startled. PTSD symptoms take different forms, but the central factor of having lived through some form of trauma is a constant.

·         Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is actually a form of anxiety that causes a person to obsessively perform certain rituals that can hamper their ability to work, be in relationships, and otherwise function normally.

·         Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is diagnosed when the patient reports feeling largely anxious or fearful without an obvious cause. This overall feeling of anxiety can keep the patient on edge, irritable, or overly emotional.

·         Panic Disorder is present when the person reports severe attacks of anxiety that appear without warning. The patient may have difficulty breathing, feel dizzy or nauseous, have an accelerated pulse rate, or experience chest pains. These episodes are usually not connected in any way to the person’s circumstances at the time.

Treatment for anxiety depends upon which form the disorder takes and also on the severity of the symptoms. The more details a patient can furnish their doctor or therapist, the more accurate the diagnosis and the more successful their treatment will be.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Ten Common Physical Symptoms of Anxiety

When we face difficult or unfamiliar situations in life, whether meeting a partner’s parents for the first time or struggling to pay bills, each person’s body has natural anxiety reactions. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as some of those physical reactions to stress actually help prepare us to face these situations both mentally and physically; however, when these anxiety reactions become the norm and begin to hamper everyday life, it’s time to seek help.

Long-term physical and mental anxiety symptoms have been documented to increase insomnia, high blood pressure, depression, headaches, asthma symptoms, compromised immune systems, and a whole host of negative impacts. In addition, the presence of untreated anxiety in workers has been found to increase the incidence of workplace accidents.

Knowing the symptoms of an anxiety disorder can alert you to the fact you need help. Keep in mind, having occasional, intense reactions to stress probably doesn’t indicate an anxiety disorder. The rule of thumb is that the anxiety symptoms must recur for at least six months.

Use this checklist as a general guideline for understanding what you might be experiencing, but don’t stop there. Talk to your doctor about what’s happening so that a determination can be made as to whether an anxiety disorder may be causing your symptoms and then an appropriate treatment can be recommended.

1.       Excessive perspiration when your physical environment doesn't warrant it can be one of the ways your body signals anxiety.

2.      Rapid heartbeat occurring on a regular basis can be a warning sign your body is overstressed.

3.      Dizziness when accompanied by other anxiety symptoms may mean your body’s stress hormones are on overdrive.

4.      Nausea and other digestive upset can also be caused by stress hormones pumping through your body. Again, when it’s caused by an anxiety disorder, it recurs over time.

5.      Racing thoughts or recurring, unwanted thoughts can indicate an anxiety disorder if they become common occurrences.

6.       Difficulty breathing can come on suddenly in response to a perceived threat. This is one of the classic symptoms of an anxiety attack.

7.      Being fearful without apparent reason is a warning signal that your body is no longer handling stress well.

8.       Agitation or moodiness on a regular basis could be anxiety indicators.

9.       Insomnia that isn’t resolved by practicing better sleep habits is one of the most common ways an anxiety disorder is first recognized.

10.  Being unable to concentrate on daily tasks may mean that anxiety is becoming a problem.

Anxiety disorders can limit your ability to function well, and over time can contribute to other serious medical conditions. If you’ve been experiencing some of the symptoms above over a period of time without relief, it may be time to get professional help in relieving your anxiety.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Panic Attack Symptoms Alleviated with Biofeedback

The physical symptoms of a panic attack are overwhelming. To suddenly experience symptoms such as hyperventilation, nausea, an intense feeling of approaching doom, rapid heart rate, chills, or dizziness in the midst of a non-threatening situation will send most people rushing to their medical care provider.

Armed with the latest research, that provider may very well suggest biofeedback training as one way of helping to alleviate those symptoms. Here’s a basic explanation of what happens when a panic attack strikes and how training the patient in EEG biofeedback exercises can relieve the duration and intensity of the symptoms.

Although the medical world once dismissed panic attack symptoms as the result of an emotional disorder, it is now known that panic attack episodes can happen to anyone, and the physical symptoms are real and devastating. To the person in the midst of a panic attack, immediate relief is imperative.  Learning to retrain brain waves through biofeedback can help provide that relief.

EEG biofeedback training, a process in use since the 1960s, involves retraining brain waves to normal activity via customized training exercises. It is completely non-invasive and allows the patient to avoid the possible long-term and immediate side effects of psychopharmaceuticals.

While the exact causes of panic attacks have not yet been pinpointed, individuals experiencing episodes will display abnormal brain wave activity when measured by an EEG (electroencephalogram). Learning how to retrain the brain as abnormal electrical activity between cells (brain waves) begins to occur, may be useful in preventing a full-blown panic attack.

How, exactly, would that training look? Summed up briefly, the doctor will perform preliminary testing to establish where in the brain the abnormal activity is occurring. Using that information, training exercises using visual or auditory stimuli will commence.

The patient who has suffered a panic attack might be shown an image on a computer screen, or be introduced to a sound, that indicates, during a series of exercises, normal brain waves have been achieved. The patient is actually learning methods of retraining their own brain waves back into normal rhythms.

Once that skill is gained, the prospect of another panic attack can be much less frightening, as the patient knows they have the tools to normalize their own brain activity. All this can be accomplished without medication or invasive procedures.

Experiencing the symptoms of a panic attack can drastically change a person’s outlook on life, but it doesn’t have to. That same person can experience significant relief from subsequent episodes when guided to the tools available to them through EEG biofeedback training.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR PANIC ATTACKS AND ANXIETY

Gentle Relief with EMDR Therapy

Treatment of patients traumatized by painful memories can be a lengthy process. Fortunately, the introduction of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has dramatically reduced the time required to assist patients in processing trauma and moving forward to emotional recovery.

EMDR therapy is based on the results of years of credible research and is approved as therapeutic for treating traumatized patients by such organizations as the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Therapists trained in EMDR techniques lead their patients through remembering the traumatic event and then allowing the mind to reframe it in a healthy, positive way. As this multi-step process is being followed, the patient is also taught eye movement techniques that encourage the release of the painful memories being stored in the memory areas of the brain.

The above is a very simple explanation for a complex process that occurs within the brain. To better understand the startling success rate of EMDR therapy, consider that during dreaming, when the brain is processing old memories and recent events, the eyes are in constant movement known as REM (rapid eye movement.) The development of EMDR is, in some ways, an extension of that natural process.

Careful training is required for clinicians to assist the person suffering from the after effects of trauma to break free from destructive behaviors, depression, frozen emotions, and anxiety. The careful coordination of eye movements (or in some cases other stimuli) with this process is crucial. For that reason, this training is restricted to licensed medical or social work professionals with advanced education in the provision of mental health services.

From the patient’s viewpoint, EMDR therapy can allow them to make great strides in a shorter time period. With proper preparation and guidance, they can recall the painful events triggering their emotional disturbance and then learn to see them in a different way. The gentle, non-invasive relief that EMDR offers can release them from the troubling symptoms that caused them to seek help in the first place.

EMDR therapy has been beneficial to thousands of patients in relieving the long-term effects of trauma. It does not involve medication and is practiced by well-trained, licensed professionals. The significance of the mind/body connection that is the basis for this form of treatment is still being explored and may offer hope for even more forms of emotional dysfunction in the future.

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Using Biofeedback for Anxiety

Anti-anxiety medicines include many adverse unwanted effects, but biofeedback for anxiety provides a natural and noninvasive treatment alternative. Prior to deciding to begin a prescription medicine, you need to explore all of the available alternatives. This will help you to determine the very best strategy for you, without taking on unnecessary risks along the way. Biofeedback can offer effective relief for signs and symptoms of tension, while being gentle in your mind and body.

So How Exactly Does Biofeedback Work?

Biofeedback functions by teaching patients to consider in nondestructive ways. By teaching the individual how you can correctly react to their anxiety, biofeedback might help sufferers of anxiety to manage their signs and symptoms without medication. Biofeedback functions by giving the individual the opportunity to view their physiological reactions to worry. Probably the most noticeable and customary signs and symptoms of tension that biofeedback therapy trains patients to acknowledge include:

·         Cold Sticky Hands

·         Alterations in Skin Temperature

·         Shallow and/or Rapid Breathing

·         Muscle Tension

·         Elevated Heartbeat

·         Alterations in Brainwaves

So How Exactly Does Biofeedback Affect Anxiety?

Numerous research has proven great enhancements in patients receiving treatment with biofeedback for anxiety. It's been proven to aid in dealing with both chronic and episodic panic attacks. Doctors have seen that biofeedback helps patients with controlling an array of anxiety signs and symptoms for example racing heartbeat, breathlessness, and muscle tension.

The outcomes were sustained publish treatment, with lower self-reported anxiety maintained after 6 days. Neurofeedback is really a revolutionary type of biofeedback that particularly concentrates on redirecting brainwaves that might be leading to anxiety, together with many other nerve conditions like chronic discomfort and stress attacks. It may be particularly helpful for training the mind to consider in healthy normal designs, and steer clear of falling into designs that cause anxiety. Follow the linked text to understand more about neurofeedback.

Is Biofeedback Suitable for Me?

With the information provided it can help to determine whether biofeedback for anxiety can help you together with your signs and symptoms. The good thing is biofeedback has proven no unwanted effects, so giving it a go has fairly little downside. Embracing dangerous anti-anxiety medicines isn't your main option, and you ought to consider natural remedies before putting yourself in danger.

There's not just one easy cure-all for the disorder, but you will find steps you can take to create coping with anxiety simpler. Anxiety patients often discover that by exploring all of the treatments, they're able to better find relief for his or her signs and symptoms and their anxiety in a workable level. Coping with anxiety does not have to feel impossible, be positive regarding your treatment and you may learn how to seize control of the disorder.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

The Effects of PTSD on the Brain

How PTSD Changes the Brain

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is primarily considered a psychological disorder and that leads many to the unfortunate misconception that for sufferers, it's "all in their head." In a manner of speaking, that's true: it is all in their head, but not in the way naysayers or ignorant people think. In fact, exposure to a traumatic event actually changes the chemicals in an individual’s brain. These chemicals regulate things like mood, impulsivity, contentment, happiness, fight-or-flight responses, and much, much more.

Here is a quick guide to the neurological effects of PTSD:

1.       The brain starts over producing cortisol. This is one of the most powerful stress hormones that the brain releases; it comes from the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that controls the autonomic nervous system and other functions, like thirst, hunger, sleep, and emotional responses. An excess of cortisol can slow the body's ability to heal itself, interfere with sleep, slow down the sex drive, and cause constant anxiety.

2.       The brain's "fight or flight" system goes haywire. In folks with regularly functioning brains, the "fight or flight" system is fairly well regulated. Upon seeing something potentially dangerous, the amygdala gears up to start our instinctual "fight or flight" reaction, and it does this all the time in response to any perceived danger or threat. In most people, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex then goes to work rationalizing the situation, and the hippocampus provides context, which, if the situation doesn't turn out to be dangerous, ends up overriding the panic response and just gives us a little "thrill." However, PTSD disrupts the balance of these areas of the brain, giving the amygdala free reign to respond with "fight or flight" reactions to slight or perceived, threats. This is likely at the heart of signature PTSD symptoms like night terrors and "shutting down" in the face of normal, everyday stressors.

3.       The hippocampus doesn't work as well as it should. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that provides context for a situation in the "fight or flight" response by regulating memory. However, PTSD affects the operation of the hippocampus, causing memory loss or difficulty retrieving memories in appropriate situations. The science isn't conclusive on how this works; however, chronic sufferers of PTSD definitely have smaller hypothalamuses, but researchers aren't sure why. It's possible that the overproduction of cortisol actually shrinks the hypothalamus, thus affecting memory creation and access over time, or it could be that people with genetically smaller hypothalamuses are more prone to PTSD than others.

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The Ways That Therapists Help Patients

How Therapists Can Help

Therapists use a variety of approaches to help people who are struggling with hard times, or with chronic mental illness, to overcome difficulty and to create a sustainable, lasting plan for positive change. In the case of mental illness, they usually work in concert with a pharmaceutical treatment (medication designed for the particular disorder) or a natural therapy like biofeedback.

Here is a quick rundown of the most common approaches therapists take when attempting to help patients, and a little information about each of them:

1.       Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This therapy has proven to be very effective for people who are suffering from depression. It consists of two major components: cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation. Cognitive restructuring helps a patient to change negative patterns of thinking that their disorder sometimes "traps" them into, helping them to force a more positive perspective and prevent themselves from spiraling into depression. Behavioral activation is centered on using activities that an individual enjoys in order to help them learn how to overcome emotional and mental difficulties in their life.

2.       Functional Analytic Psychotherapy. This is often used on its own or in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. It has shown to be particularly effective for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapists start with what they perceive as clinically relevant behavior, such as the problem the patient presents while in session with them, and through a variety of methods, works to form a strong therapeutic alliance with the patient. The patient usually learns verbal processes to help them develop a new or more stable concept of themselves, and through behavioral analysis, learn why they feel compelled to behave in certain negative or destructive manners, and how they can curb or curtail those behaviors in the future.

3.       Jungian Psychotherapy. Also known as analytical psychology, this is a school that one of Freud's students, Carl Jung, developed in the 20^th century. It focuses on helping a patient live a meaningful life through personality development, self-awareness, transformation, and self-actualization. By helping patients change their views, understand their environments and their relationships to it, as well as their perspective or attitude, the patients gain the ability to take satisfaction from contributing to society. Jungian psychotherapy is heavily associated with mythology and symbolism, and the popular Myers-Briggs personality type test is based on Jungian principles.

4.       Process Psychology. This is described as a transpersonal psychology that often emphasizes mystical and spiritual concerns in patients who are seeking help. Process psychology is heavily influenced by Jungian psychology and the principles of systems thinking, a theory that states thought is a product of a system, so all parts of the system must be in good working order to produce positive mental health. 

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

An Overview of the History of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Looking into the history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is complicated, and we're truly still finding and understanding a complete detox from the disease. It’s a comparatively new term for a disorder that has influenced soldiers for 1000's of years. Signs and symptoms demonstrative from the going debilitating mental results of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder happen to be recorded throughout the history of warfare.

A brief history of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder takes us back completely to reports from Ancient Greece. In documents through the Greek historian Herodotus, he writes about signs and symptoms including conversion responses along with other common mental signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which are well recorded in the current soldiers suffering from PTSD today. For instance, in one record of the Spartan commander Leonidas he mentions he needed to refuse warriors that wanted to the fight because he would often see these men were psychologically exhausted in the previous battle.

We know by searching in the annals of history for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that this condition hasn't only affected soldiers. In documents concerning the Great Fire based in London of 1666, one Englishman describes inability to be asleep or awake with no anxiety about fire consuming him. These signs and symptoms endured for several weeks and led to him falling into deep despair and anger. Many modern Post Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers can also understand and will often present with these signs and symptoms.

Recognition of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder made large strides in 1678, when Swiss military doctors formally recognized and named the audience of signs and symptoms associated with the disorder. They called the condition “Nostalgia”. Around the same time frame, German doctors were figuring out exactly the same signs and symptoms within their troops, and created the word “heimweh”, which means homesickness. Afterwards the Spanish language modified a phrase just a little nearer to striking the emotional experience with Post traumatic stress disorder, calling it “estar roto”, meaning literally to become damaged or broken.

Regardless of the knowledge of the existence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder spanning to ancient cultures, Western doctors and leaders in modern wars happen to be unwilling to address and acknowledge the disorder. From the over 800,000 US troops that were in the actual fighting in World War 2, nearly 40% of these experienced from such severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that they were released permanently. The intense mental damage was blown off as “battle fatigue”. Following the Korean War, roughly one 4th of soldiers in combat experienced Post traumatic stress disorder. Nearly 1 out of 3 of Vietnam veterans have displayed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder signs and symptoms.

In 1980, the American Psychological Association finally created the descriptive phrase, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and recognized it as being the official mental disorder that is known today as PTSD. Scientific studies are still unclear but it's believed that approximately 25-50% from the American troops coming back in the Middle East suffer or are affected by Post traumatic stress disorder.

While it’s good to look at history for examples of Post traumatic stress disorder, we have to also take a look at its future. The signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are extremely serious, and may have a major effect on an individual's existence and quality of life in the long term.

The most typical signs and symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder include:

·         Re-experience with a distressing event

·         Depression, insufficient hope

·         Elevated anxiety, fear, and emotional reactions

·         Avoidance of memory joggers of event

·         Suicidal ideas or feeling

Should you or somebody is struggling with Post traumatic stress disorder, there's help available. Lots of people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder show an incredible reaction to treatment, but it's regrettably common for sufferers to not look for help.

You will find some good treatments available, including:

·         Psychotherapy -With psychotherapy a counselor helps the individual learn how to change how he considers the trauma and it is aftermath. By understanding how to change and prevent destructive thought designs, the individual has the capacity to react more normally to stimuli.

·         Exposure Therapy - With exposure therapy, by speaking having a counselor about ideas and feelings concerning the trauma, the individual has the capacity to stop fearing them. The individual has the capacity to securely face their fears and discover to beat them.

·         Neurofeedback Therapy - This therapy uses computer systems for brain-training exercises to redirect wayward brainwaves to a structured, healthy pattern. Using this method, the mind gets to be more stable and efficient. Research has proven so that it is good at dealing with an array of nerve conditions. See more about neurofeedback

·         Medication - A physician will sometimes prescribe antidepressants, anti-psychotics, or anti-anxiety medicines. However, such medicines ought to be carefully supervised because of serious unwanted effects and chance of dependence.

NEUROFEEDBACK THERAPY FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Who Should Take a Social Anxiety Disorder Test?

Is There a Social Anxiety Disorder Test?

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To those that don't live with social anxiety disorder, it's impossible to explain how this disorder affects those that suffer from it. It's not well understood by the world at large – to say nothing of the medical world – but it can significantly reduce a person's quality of life by causing anxiety and fear in social situations, and causing individuals to sometimes avoid social contact altogether.

If you have been described as "painfully shy" or you have been known to actively avoid social engagements because of fear or anxiety, you may have this malady. Luckily, there is a quick and simple social anxiety disorder test you can take to find out whether you present with the most common symptoms.

Please note that onlya doctor can make a diagnosis. If you believe you may have social anxietydisorder, talk to your doctor or another health care professional.

Each of the questions on this social anxiety disorder test are "yes" or "no." At the end of the test, tally your scores for your results.

1.       You feel shy or awkward about talking on your cell phone in public. This sometimes presents as a creeping fear that other people are listening to what you say and judging you.

2.       You have difficulty getting up the motivation to go to normal social functions. Of course, many people are naturally introverted and avoid loud parties and big crowds because they simply don't like them. However, if the idea of attending social functions, such as small celebrations for family and friends, or celebratory events at work or church, fills you with dread, you may be experiencing social anxiety.

3.       You have difficulty accepting criticism, even if it's constructive. Are you highly sensitive to evaluations of your professional performance, suggestions for how you can improve at work or in other endeavors, or constructive criticism from friends and family? Do you avoid competitions or other activities where you feel you could be judged? Do you subject yourself to intense self-criticism or experience depression and guilt over perceived failures?

4.       You hate being the center of attention. This is one of the most common symptoms of social anxiety disorder – the thought of being at the center of it all. If you are uncomfortable with a large group of people focusing on you, even when giving a presentation at work or at your own birthday party, you may be experiencing social anxiety.

5.       You feel painfully self-conscious. If you are constantly aware of what you are doing, how you are acting and how others perceive you, you may have social anxiety. A little self-consciousness is normal, but if you feel it every day, or at least in social situations, mark this question as a "yes."

That's the end of this social anxiety disorder test! If you answered, "yes" to:

0-1 questions: You probably experience a normal level of anxiety that all people feel from time to time, or it is slightly higher than the general population.

2-3 questions: You are more self-conscious or anxious about social situations than the general population. If you feel that your social anxiety affects your life in an inordinately negative manner, talk to a doctor.

4-5 questions: Your social anxiety is probably negatively affecting the quality of your life in a big way. Speak with your doctor about a professional social anxiety disorder test.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

How to Treat Panic Attacks in Children

Seeing panic attacks in children is heartbreaking for anyone, but it's especially awful when you realize your own child is dealing with a panic disorder. No one that young should have so much to fear and so much to worry about.

Unfortunately, panic attacks in children exist, and they can be debilitating for young people. However, the good news is that for most children, panic attacks are isolated, meaning that they don't reoccur and aren't necessarily indicative of a chronic condition.

There is a small portion of the population of children in America that do suffer from a full-blown anxiety disorder. Regular panic attacks in children can grow out of a variety of causes: Post-traumatic stress, confronting a specific phobia (such as heights or spiders) or more mysterious origins that lay in a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Though a chronic condition is less common in young children, panic disorder afflicts around five percent of teenagers.

There is a wonderful, comprehensive article over at the web page of the Massachusetts General Hospital about panic disorder in children, and what to look for in terms of symptoms and recurring patterns. This is important information for parents to have, as panic attacks in children don't always look the same as panic attacks in adults.

Massachusetts General Hospital makes the following recommendations concerning treatment for young people affected by panic disorder:

·         Do everything you can to help them avoid panic attack

s at home. This includes being calm and comforting when they are experiencing an attack, listening to their concerns and helping them to remember that they survived previous panic attacks and will survive this one. If you notice that a child has recurring triggers, anticipate attacks by giving them extra love and support when those triggers are present. Lastly, teach them relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and counting, and give them lots of praise and affirmation when they make it through their panic attacks.

·         Do everything you can to help them avoid panic attacks at school. Many people working in education are sympathetic to panic attacks in children but don't understand them well. Make sure that your child's teachers, nurses and school staff understand your child's needs so the school can give them the support they need to achieve academic success.

·         Seek medical help. Psychological help, such as through counseling (whether school-based or psychotherapeutic) is often enough to carry a child through to a point where they can learn to manage their attacks. In some cases, doctors may feel it's necessary to prescribe medications to help reduce a child's symptoms. There are also alternative therapies available, including herbal treatments and technology-driven treatments like neurofeedback, which helps children learn to control their body's reaction to the sudden onset of feelings like anxiety and fear.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Diagnosing Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating disorder, also known as social phobia that is characterized by excessive and unreasonable fears of social situations. Individuals suffering from this disorder experience intense nervousness and are extremely self-conscious in social settings. They fear that others are watching them closely and will judge and criticize. As a result, they are afraid of making mistakes and fear being embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. Individuals with social anxiety disorder usually lack social skills and don’t have much experience in social settings, and tend to avoid these types of situations.

Symptoms

People suffering from social anxiety disorder sometimes feel as if something is “wrong” with them, but often don’t realize that they are plagued by an actual illness. According to WebMD.com, symptoms of this disorder include:

·         Intense anxiety in social situations

·         Avoidance of social situations

·         Physical symptoms of anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach, and diarrhea

For children suffering with this disorder, their symptoms may include crying, clinging to a parent, or throwing a tantrum.

Social Anxiety Disorder is Quite Common

An estimated 19.2 million American are thought to have Social Anxiety Disorder, making it the third most common mental disorder in the U.S. after depression and alcohol dependence. While being more common in women than men, it can appear at any time, from childhood into adulthood. Although it is not known exactly what causes this disorder, research suggests the possibility that there are biological, psychological, and environmental factors that are responsible:

·         Biological: Social anxiety disorder may be related to abnormal functioning of brain circuits that regulate emotion and the "fight or flight" response center in the brain.  Genetic factors may also contribute, because social anxiety may be somewhat more likely to occur when it is also present in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child).

·         Psychological: The development of social anxiety disorder may stem from embarrassing or humiliating social experiences in the past, such as being bullied or neglected by peers.

·         Environmental: People with social anxiety disorder may develop their fear from observing the behavior of others or seeing what happened to someone else as the result of their behavior (such as being laughed at or made fun of). Further, children who are sheltered or overprotected by their parents may not learn good social skills as part of their normal development.

How is Social Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed?

If it is determined that there are symptoms of social anxiety disorder present, the physician will generally conduct an evaluation by asking questions about your medical history and, although there are no tests to verify the presence of social anxiety disorder, a physical exam is usually conducted to rule out other possible illnesses. If there is no sign of a physical illness, you will probably be referred to a mental health professional that is trained in diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.

Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating disorder, also known as social phobia that is characterized by excessive and unreasonable fears of social situations. It is very prevalent in the U.S. and while there is not a specific test to determine if a person has this disorder, generally an evaluation and a physical exam will rule out other illnesses. A referral is then usually given to a mental health professional that is trained in diagnosing and treating social anxiety disorder

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR ANXIETY

Two Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder versus Panic Disorder

There are several different types of anxiety disorders that are recognized by healthcare professionals. They all have common factors, but are distinct from one another. All anxiety disorders are marked by fear, uneasiness, obsessive thoughts, and sometimes physical symptoms such as nausea or lightheadedness. Two types of anxiety disorders that are easily confused with one another are generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Although they have much in common, they are officially recognized as two distinct and separate diagnoses.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is among the most common mood disorders. The recognized symptoms of this disorder include: • Excessive, unrealistic worry or anxiety • An unrealistic view of problems that evokes excessive fear and apprehension • General restlessness or a feeling of being on edge • Irritability • Muscle tension • Headaches • Sweating • Difficulty concentrating due to increased worry • Difficulty sleeping People with GAD often exhibit physical symptoms that reflect their state of worry and fear. These include: • Muscle tension • Sweating • Trembling • Headaches • Stomach discomfort • Nausea Although physical symptoms such as these do tend to present themselves in people with GAD, this is distinct from a true panic attack, which characterizes panic disorder. GAD and panic disorder may occur together, but they are two separate disorders.

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized primarily by recurrent panic attacks. A panic attack goes beyond the shakiness, sweatiness, and other discomforts that are physically associated with anxiety in generalized anxiety disorder, although people with GAD may also have panic attacks. While anxiety in GAD is generally associated with life circumstances, such as irrational worry about school, work, or relationships, the main source of anxiety in panic disorder is fear of having another panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden, acute attack of extreme anxiousness, i.e. panic. This presents with a wide range of physical symptoms. A panic attack can last up to ten minutes, and is marked by: • Difficulty breathing • Chest pain or pounding heartbeat • An intense feeling of dread • A sensation of being smothered or choked • Dizziness or feelings of faintness • Trembling and shaking • Sweating • Nausea • Tingling and numbness, especially in the fingers and toes • Chills or hot flashes • A fear of losing control, or of being about to die The panic attacks are often prolonged or exacerbated by the fear that the person having the attack is actually having a cardiac event. The racing heartbeat, feelings of dizziness and inability to breathe, and numbness in the extremities, are accompanied by an intense sense of dread. This dread is almost like an eerie, otherworldly feeling that death is approaching and can be difficult to accurately describe. Individuals with panic disorder are highly anxious about the possibility of having another panic attack. Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are similar and share some symptoms in common. They are also likely to occur together; however, they are two distinct and separate types of anxiety disorders, and are recognized clinically as two separate diagnoses.

What Are Complex PTSD Symptoms?

Complex PTSD is similar to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. However, while PTSD is associated with acute trauma, complex PTSD is the result of repetitive, chronic patterns of interpersonal trauma, such as child or domestic abuse. It is marked by problems with emotional regulation, sense of self, and attachment to other people.

Currently, Complex PTSD is not formally recognized as a discrete diagnosis separate from PTSD. However, many clinicians and researchers have made a case for complex PTSD as a disorder in and of itself. They have proposed lists of Complex PTSD symptoms for use in diagnosing the disorder.

A Set of Complex PTSD Symptoms

On their website, the Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH) proposes the following set of criteria for diagnosing complex PTSD:

I.                    Alteration in Regulation of Affect and Impulses

a.       Affect regulation

b.      Modulation of anger

c.       Self-destructive behavior

d.      Suicidal preoccupation

e.      Difficulty modulating sexual involvement

f.        Excessive risk-taking

II.                  Alterations in Attention or Consciousness

a.       Amnesia

b.      Transient dissociative episodes and depersonalization

III.                Alterations in Self-Perception

a.       Ineffectiveness

b.      Permanent damage

c.       Guilt and responsibility

d.      Shame

e.      Nobody can understand

f.        Minimizing

IV.                Alterations in Relationships with Others

a.       Inability to trust

b.      Re-victimization

c.       Victimizing others

V.                  Somatization

a.       Problems with the digestive system

b.      Chronic pain

c.       Cardiopulmonary symptoms

d.      Conversion symptoms

e.      Sexual symptoms

VI.                Alterations in Systems of Meaning

a.       Despair or hopelessness

b.      Loss of previously sustaining beliefs

These criteria encompass the basic symptoms that distinguish complex PTSD.

Complex PTSD Symptoms in Children versus Adults

Some psychologists propose making a distinction in diagnostic criteria in cases of Complex PTSD in children, versus Complex PTSD in adults.

A “Child and Adolescent Symptom Cluster” for Complex PTSD has been proposed, encompassing seven domains:

·         Attachment

·         Biology

·         Affect or emotional dysregulation

·         Dissociation

·         Behavioral control

·         Cognition

·         Self-concept

An “Adult Symptom Cluster” for Complex PTSD symptoms would include:

·         Difficulty regulation emotions

·         Variations in consciousness, including psychogenic amnesia, dissociation, or intrusive flashbacks of traumatic episodes

·         Changes in self-perception; this often involves a chronic sense of helplessness, along with irrational self-blame and feelings of shame and guilt

·         Varying changes in perception of the person perpetrating the abuse; this may involve attributing too much power to that person, being preoccupied with revenge, or even idealizing that person

·         Alterations in relationships with others; this may take the form of isolation and withdrawal, inability to trust, or reliance on the idea of a “rescuer”

·         Loss of faith, or overwhelming sense of despair

There is not yet a formally accepted set of Complex PTSD symptoms to be used as diagnostic guidelines. The DSM-IV and DSM-V, as well as the ICD-10, do not include Complex PTSD as its own separate disorder. However, symptoms have been identified and listed by clinicians and researchers. Complex PTSD is the result of prolonged trauma, often in the form of interpersonal abuse, and impacts the victim’s sense of self and attachment patterns in interpersonal relationships in a way that is not necessarily reflected in the accepted diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR COMPLEX PTSD

Weighing Alternative Treatments for ADHD

Sifting Through the ADHD Treatment Muck

With medication and therapy coming at high costs – monetarily and health-wise – many people are wondering if alternative treatments for ADHD are viable options that can actually help treat and control the problem. Though many of these treatments have been written off as hokey or impractical, they have actually experienced some degree of success if administered correctly. At the very least, they are at least worth looking into and considering.

Dietary Changes Lack Proof

When speaking about alternative treatments for ADHD, one of the first things that comes to mind is dietary modification. Historically, there was always thought to be a link between ADHD and sugar intake. This hypothesis has been researched extensively over the last several decades, and it has never once been conclusively shown to be true. Alternatively, in recent years, the thinking has shifted to adding more high-fiber and whole foods into a child’s diet may subdue ADHD symptoms or defeat the disorder altogether. While promoting a healthy and balanced diet in the lives of our children is certainly of paramount important, unfortunately research has again debunked this as a worthwhile combatant for ADHD.

Is the Answer in Your Back?

One really interesting theory that has surfaced amongst alternative treatments for ADHD has been that the disorder can be controlled through chiropractic medicine. Doctors have utilized several methodologies, including the correction of spinal imbalances and the realigning of cranial bones. Where the first method might have a little validity (although research has been inconclusive), the second one has been laughed off by most doctors, who are quick to point out that cranial bones do not move and therefore cannot be realigned.

Neurofeedback: The Last Treatment Standing

While most of the alternative treatments for ADHD have been debunked both here and elsewhere, there are some interesting new methods that actually are backed up by scientific research. One such method is called neurofeedback, a painless and noninvasive process in which the brain is taught to regulate dysfunctional patterns that may in fact be at the root of ADHD and its symptoms. After a comprehensive assessment, patients are taken through a series of guided brain exercises over the course of their treatment sessions. These exercises slowly but surely retrain the brain to vigilantly police its own activity, and thereby quelling the more problematic symptoms of ADHD.

Now that you have sorted through the various alternative treatments for ADHD, it is time to embrace BrainCore’s dynamic and transformative neurofeedback therapy; to learn more click here today.