By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Debbie_S_Williams]Debbie S Williams
Those suffering from food phobias have restricted diets varying in extreme from avoiding meat to only eating a handful of items. However, some food phobics and fussy eaters have a list of food so limited, it seriously affects their health and many have issues adding variety to their main diet.
We all have foods we can't tolerate. Sometimes the taste, texture, origin or look of a food simply puts us off. Yet someone with extreme food phobia feels this way over a large variety of foods leaving precious little to nourish them.
Luckily, this type of eating disorder can be successfully treated. NLP and hypnosis treatments can help sufferers to add more variety and content to the limited range of what they deem, acceptable food.
Nutrition Studies and the Body's Resilience
A controversial study with very interesting findings on diet and nourishment was carried out by Professor Werner Kollath at the University of Rostock. He fed animals a junk-food type diet of processed foodstuffs devoid of virtually all minerals apart from zinc, potassium phosphate and a little thiamine. Up until their thirties they managed on this nutritiously low diet and grew normally. However, a rapid deterioration followed after that.
He also discovered that if the animals were then fed healthy, mainly raw foods, their previous junk-food diet did not have a negative impact on their long-term health, even though nutritionally bereft. The power of a living being to heal and repair itself is immense and beyond comprehension.
Why and How do People Get Food Phobias - Client Case Studies
Many NLP and hypnotherapy practitioner's typical clients are male, sometimes in their late teens, who realise they cannot go out with their friends for meals. Other's are men in their late twenties or early thirties who suddenly become worried about the health implications of not eating well. Often, practitioners wonder if a client's unconscious mind prompts them to do something at this age. Perhaps they realise they must change or, suffer the future implications if they do not eat a balanced diet.
Each food phobic or restricted eater has different reasons for their eating disorder. However, commonly, their problems start in childhood.
Many sufferers have childhood memories involving the decision to shun certain foods for varying reasons such as the taste, texture, smell or look of the food.
Another factor is power. The decision can be a means to exert their will and have a degree of control in their world. Many children will decide on a whim they no longer like tomatoes or peas this week and bananas and pears the next.
Emotional Challenges
One client refused to eat his mother's food to punish her for barring his father from their home. He was angry that Dad was no longer welcome in the house. Their separation was disturbing for him and this was his way of expressing his emotions. By default, his actions bought him attention, quickly learning he could manipulate situations. Looking back, he realised his mother was living in guilt and would compensate through giving him treats.
Forced to Eat Certain Foods
One food phobic's problems started in childhood, as many do. She now won't eat meat because she was forced to as a child. Steak, kidney and liver were the worst. To this day, the sight and smell makes her heave, as does boiling pork. So at six years of age she became a vegetarian. Some of her family owned farms so her decision wasn't well received. However, for her, this helped her decision because she'd made friends with many of the animals so eating them didn't seem right.
Of course, the particular phobic reasons for her vegetarianism pose no problem nutritionally or socially.
Another client would only eat white foods. Chicken, potatoes (no skin!), pasta only or with 'mushroom soup sauce' with the mushrooms strained out, white bread and chips. Any type of crisps were allowed as was chocolate. However, he became addicted consuming around ten bars a day. He had no recollection of when, why or how long he'd been this way.
Treatments
Luckily, in order for those with this type of eating disorder to heal, it is not necessary to know details of how they became this way. The special techniques of NLP and hypnotherapy can help remedy food phobias, often in two to three sessions. Also there are hypnosis recordings which can help overcome the issue in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Debbie Williams invites you to visit her page where she shares information about how hypnosis can help you to learn to eat more variety and enjoy it http://www.debbiewilliamsassociates.co.uk/overcome_food_phobia.htm also her you tube channel has many helpful videos about hypnosis http://www.youtube.com/user/DebbieWilliamsNLP?feature=mhee
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Food-Phobias-and-Fussy-Eating:-How-to-Break-Out-of-the-Restrictions-and-Fear-of-Eating-Certain-Foods&id=6566689] Food Phobias and Fussy Eating: How to Break Out of the Restrictions and Fear of Eating Certain Foods
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Banish That Phobia Now!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Patricia_A_McBride]Patricia A McBride
Emotional Resilience is a big issue for business at the moment because having the feeling of emotional strength and the ability to bounce back from setbacks is obviously an important ability at work as well as at home.
One such setback is developing a phobia. It is estimated that as many as 20% of the population have a phobia which can be defined as an irrational fear. Part of my role is as a hypnotherapist and I regularly see clients with phobias and, believe me, they know their fears are irrational. They always say 'I know this is stupid but...' and my reply is always 'actually it's not stupid'. It's thought that phobias happen when the brain perceives a threat and attempts to protect us from that threat. It sets up a pathway that says 'Recognise this (plane/bridge/ spider/whatever) as a threat and avoid it at all costs'. Unfortunately the protective mechanism is too strong so that instead of a practical cautiousness, a phobia is born.
It sometimes happens that phobic people can't identify the reason for their phobia, perhaps because they've had it so long the memory is lost. Others have clear explanations - 'I'm phobic about flying because I was on a plane where there was really terrible turbulence and I thought I was going to die.'
People can be phobic about anything, even apparently irrational things such as buttons. This type of phobia could happen, perhaps, because a loud noise made the person jump just as they were looking at a button and there brain added two and two and made five. But we have to represent that phobic fear to ourselves in some way. Some people see a picture in their mind of a plane crashing, or a bird flying very close to them, or themselves in a car crash or whatever their phobic topic is. Others sense their phobia by a crippling sense of fear. Yet others 'hear' something - the flapping of a bird's wings, a sudden loud noise, a car horn.
My job as a hypnotherapist who also uses neuro linguistic programming is to change the way the person experiences their phobia and thus neutralise it. We start a session by fully exploring how they 'do' their phobia and then we set to work to eliminate it. This might involve them changing the picture for example, making it smaller, moving it, turning it upside down, having it blow away. Or it may be that we need to change a sound, make it quieten down, or sound completely different. Or we may even change the feeling the person experiences when they see or think of their phobic object to a feeling of calm or enthusiasm or whatever feeling they would like instead of the fear response.
There are a wide range of techniques to achieve these altered states of awareness of the phobic response and the trick is to find the technique that works best for the person concerned. What I love so much about working with phobias is that they are usually so quick to fix. Often one session of 1.5 hours is all that's needed. Although one person who had a flying phobia did come back for a second session because 'I'm worried that I'm not worried about flying'! We worked on that and she flew to Australia happily and has recommended several people see me since.
Patricia McBride
Product Director
Cerentas Ltd, Specialists in Employee Wellbeing http://www.cerentas.co.uk
[mailto:info@cerentas.co.uk]info@cerentas.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Banish-That-Phobia-Now!&id=6562390] Banish That Phobia Now!
Emotional Resilience is a big issue for business at the moment because having the feeling of emotional strength and the ability to bounce back from setbacks is obviously an important ability at work as well as at home.
One such setback is developing a phobia. It is estimated that as many as 20% of the population have a phobia which can be defined as an irrational fear. Part of my role is as a hypnotherapist and I regularly see clients with phobias and, believe me, they know their fears are irrational. They always say 'I know this is stupid but...' and my reply is always 'actually it's not stupid'. It's thought that phobias happen when the brain perceives a threat and attempts to protect us from that threat. It sets up a pathway that says 'Recognise this (plane/bridge/ spider/whatever) as a threat and avoid it at all costs'. Unfortunately the protective mechanism is too strong so that instead of a practical cautiousness, a phobia is born.
It sometimes happens that phobic people can't identify the reason for their phobia, perhaps because they've had it so long the memory is lost. Others have clear explanations - 'I'm phobic about flying because I was on a plane where there was really terrible turbulence and I thought I was going to die.'
People can be phobic about anything, even apparently irrational things such as buttons. This type of phobia could happen, perhaps, because a loud noise made the person jump just as they were looking at a button and there brain added two and two and made five. But we have to represent that phobic fear to ourselves in some way. Some people see a picture in their mind of a plane crashing, or a bird flying very close to them, or themselves in a car crash or whatever their phobic topic is. Others sense their phobia by a crippling sense of fear. Yet others 'hear' something - the flapping of a bird's wings, a sudden loud noise, a car horn.
My job as a hypnotherapist who also uses neuro linguistic programming is to change the way the person experiences their phobia and thus neutralise it. We start a session by fully exploring how they 'do' their phobia and then we set to work to eliminate it. This might involve them changing the picture for example, making it smaller, moving it, turning it upside down, having it blow away. Or it may be that we need to change a sound, make it quieten down, or sound completely different. Or we may even change the feeling the person experiences when they see or think of their phobic object to a feeling of calm or enthusiasm or whatever feeling they would like instead of the fear response.
There are a wide range of techniques to achieve these altered states of awareness of the phobic response and the trick is to find the technique that works best for the person concerned. What I love so much about working with phobias is that they are usually so quick to fix. Often one session of 1.5 hours is all that's needed. Although one person who had a flying phobia did come back for a second session because 'I'm worried that I'm not worried about flying'! We worked on that and she flew to Australia happily and has recommended several people see me since.
Patricia McBride
Product Director
Cerentas Ltd, Specialists in Employee Wellbeing http://www.cerentas.co.uk
[mailto:info@cerentas.co.uk]info@cerentas.co.uk
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Banish-That-Phobia-Now!&id=6562390] Banish That Phobia Now!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Terrified of Elevators? Use Hypnosis for Your Fears!
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eli_Bliliuos]Eli Bliliuos
Having a fear of elevators can be very disruptive, because, in many cases, you can't avoid them. After all, what are you going to do if you get a job in an office on the 26th floor? Turn it down? What happens if you need to visit a sick relative on the 8th floor of the hospital?
If you're tired of letting your fears consume you, hypnosis for phobias can help. In fact, hypnosis for fear of elevators can have a dramatic effect on your life - and relatively quickly, too!
To understand how hypnosis for fear of elevators can help, you have to understand exactly how this fear works:
If you have a fear of elevators, you are not afraid of the elevator itself. Instead, you are afraid of what is going to happen while you're in one. Whether you're consciously aware of it or not, you are actually afraid of two things - being suffocated and being restricted. You are terrified that the elevator is going to break or that the power is going to go out, and you're going to be stuck. You're convinced that you're going to run out of air before you get to your desired floor.
Having a fear of elevators is not a rational fear. In fact, if you've fallen victim to it, you probably know that it's not rational. However, that doesn't mean it's not a strong fear. You probably think that there's nothing you can do to get rid of it.
Luckily, hypnosis for fear of elevators can give you the power you need to overcome it.
Hypnosis for all phobias is a powerful tool because it attacks problems at their root - in the subconscious mind. Conscious tools and techniques - like willpower - simply aren't strong enough to overcome your fear of elevators because they are no match for your powerful subconscious.
So, when you use hypnosis for your elevator fears, what happens?
You will go into a trance-like state, during which your consulting hypnotist will have full access to your subconscious. You will be able to learn exactly why you are so afraid elevators - whether it's a faint memory that's been blown out of proportion by your subconscious mind, behavior that you've modeled after one of your parents, or something entirely different.
Next, your session will go where other hypnosis for phobias sessions go - towards convincing your subconscious that it is overreacting. Once you teach your subconscious mind that the fearful response it comes up with every time you step into - or even think about - an elevator is unnecessary, it will stop it.
When you use hypnosis for your fear of elevators, it won't take long before you'll be able to reach new heights!
Eli Bliliuos is the founder of The New York Hypnosis Institute. He specializes in helping clients overcome the fear of elevators.
To learn more about Fear of the Dark hypnosis, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/]Fear of Elevators Hypnosis NYC.
New York Hypnosis Institute LLC
241 West 30 street
New York, NY 10001
877-800-6443
To learn about hypnosis training, click here: [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/hypnosistraining.php]Hypnosis Training New York.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Terrified-of-Elevators?-Use-Hypnosis-for-Your-Fears!&id=6591919] Terrified of Elevators? Use Hypnosis for Your Fears!
Having a fear of elevators can be very disruptive, because, in many cases, you can't avoid them. After all, what are you going to do if you get a job in an office on the 26th floor? Turn it down? What happens if you need to visit a sick relative on the 8th floor of the hospital?
If you're tired of letting your fears consume you, hypnosis for phobias can help. In fact, hypnosis for fear of elevators can have a dramatic effect on your life - and relatively quickly, too!
To understand how hypnosis for fear of elevators can help, you have to understand exactly how this fear works:
If you have a fear of elevators, you are not afraid of the elevator itself. Instead, you are afraid of what is going to happen while you're in one. Whether you're consciously aware of it or not, you are actually afraid of two things - being suffocated and being restricted. You are terrified that the elevator is going to break or that the power is going to go out, and you're going to be stuck. You're convinced that you're going to run out of air before you get to your desired floor.
Having a fear of elevators is not a rational fear. In fact, if you've fallen victim to it, you probably know that it's not rational. However, that doesn't mean it's not a strong fear. You probably think that there's nothing you can do to get rid of it.
Luckily, hypnosis for fear of elevators can give you the power you need to overcome it.
Hypnosis for all phobias is a powerful tool because it attacks problems at their root - in the subconscious mind. Conscious tools and techniques - like willpower - simply aren't strong enough to overcome your fear of elevators because they are no match for your powerful subconscious.
So, when you use hypnosis for your elevator fears, what happens?
You will go into a trance-like state, during which your consulting hypnotist will have full access to your subconscious. You will be able to learn exactly why you are so afraid elevators - whether it's a faint memory that's been blown out of proportion by your subconscious mind, behavior that you've modeled after one of your parents, or something entirely different.
Next, your session will go where other hypnosis for phobias sessions go - towards convincing your subconscious that it is overreacting. Once you teach your subconscious mind that the fearful response it comes up with every time you step into - or even think about - an elevator is unnecessary, it will stop it.
When you use hypnosis for your fear of elevators, it won't take long before you'll be able to reach new heights!
Eli Bliliuos is the founder of The New York Hypnosis Institute. He specializes in helping clients overcome the fear of elevators.
To learn more about Fear of the Dark hypnosis, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/]Fear of Elevators Hypnosis NYC.
New York Hypnosis Institute LLC
241 West 30 street
New York, NY 10001
877-800-6443
To learn about hypnosis training, click here: [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/hypnosistraining.php]Hypnosis Training New York.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Terrified-of-Elevators?-Use-Hypnosis-for-Your-Fears!&id=6591919] Terrified of Elevators? Use Hypnosis for Your Fears!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Hypnosis for Panic Attacks - It Can Stop Them for Good
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Eli_Bliliuos]Eli Bliliuos
If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you are not alone, and you know just how terrifying it is. Thanks to that feeling of helplessness and that feeling of pure fear, panic attacks can take over your entire life. Make no mistake - when you suffer from these attacks, you are a victim of panic disorder. When you have panic disorder, the basic fear of having another attack can be paralyzing in and of itself.
So what's the best way to these attacks?
With hypnosis for panic disorders!
You may know what's bothering you and causing your attacks - like a specific phobia; but you just can't stop it. Whether you know exactly what's causing the problem or not, hypnosis for panic attacks can help.
How?
Hypnosis focuses on your subconscious mind, and your subconscious is where most of your thoughts and actions stem from. By getting your subconscious under control, you can eliminate your attacks. But unless you address the problem in your subconscious, your panic attacks will likely never go away for good.
When you work to these attacks with hypnosis, you will start by identifying the underlying problem. For example, is something in your past to blame for your current condition? Even if you know that you have a specific phobia that triggers your panic attacks, you need to know where that phobia is coming from - and why it's playing such a big role in your subconscious mind.
Once you know what's causing your attacks, you can work to combat it. If, for example, you determine that your attacks started when you got your driver's license and only happen when you are behind the wheel, you can work to train your subconscious not to be so scared of driving.
How exactly do you do that?
You and your consulting hypnotist may work to show your subconscious that driving may be risky, but as long as you're careful, there's no reason to panic every time you get behind the wheel. Sure, plenty of people die from car accidents every day, but your subconscious' reaction to that fact is completely irrational.
You may also use visualization techniques. By picturing yourself getting into the car, backing out of the driveway, pulling into traffic, and driving to the grocery store and back without incident, you can show your subconscious that you're able to get yourself around town without incident.
Why doesn't traditional counseling typically work? Why should you try hypnosis for panic attacks?
In traditional counseling, you work on "accepting" things. Having attacks isn't something that you need to "accept"; it's something that you need to stop. Discussing your problem with a traditional therapist, will not likely make it go away. You need less talk and more action.
In just a few sessions, hypnosis for panic disorders, can help you can put an end to your suffering for good!
Eli Bliliuos is the founder of The New York Hypnosis Institute. He specializes in helping clients overcome panic attacks.
To learn more about Hypnosis for Panic Attacks, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/]Panic Attack Hypnosis NYC.
New York Hypnosis Institute LLC
241 West 30 street
New York, NY 10001
877-800-6443
To learn about hypnosis training, click here: [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/hypnosistraining.php]Hypnosis Training New York.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hypnosis-for-Panic-Attacks---It-Can-Stop-Them-for-Good&id=6592004] Hypnosis for Panic Attacks - It Can Stop Them for Good
If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you are not alone, and you know just how terrifying it is. Thanks to that feeling of helplessness and that feeling of pure fear, panic attacks can take over your entire life. Make no mistake - when you suffer from these attacks, you are a victim of panic disorder. When you have panic disorder, the basic fear of having another attack can be paralyzing in and of itself.
So what's the best way to these attacks?
With hypnosis for panic disorders!
You may know what's bothering you and causing your attacks - like a specific phobia; but you just can't stop it. Whether you know exactly what's causing the problem or not, hypnosis for panic attacks can help.
How?
Hypnosis focuses on your subconscious mind, and your subconscious is where most of your thoughts and actions stem from. By getting your subconscious under control, you can eliminate your attacks. But unless you address the problem in your subconscious, your panic attacks will likely never go away for good.
When you work to these attacks with hypnosis, you will start by identifying the underlying problem. For example, is something in your past to blame for your current condition? Even if you know that you have a specific phobia that triggers your panic attacks, you need to know where that phobia is coming from - and why it's playing such a big role in your subconscious mind.
Once you know what's causing your attacks, you can work to combat it. If, for example, you determine that your attacks started when you got your driver's license and only happen when you are behind the wheel, you can work to train your subconscious not to be so scared of driving.
How exactly do you do that?
You and your consulting hypnotist may work to show your subconscious that driving may be risky, but as long as you're careful, there's no reason to panic every time you get behind the wheel. Sure, plenty of people die from car accidents every day, but your subconscious' reaction to that fact is completely irrational.
You may also use visualization techniques. By picturing yourself getting into the car, backing out of the driveway, pulling into traffic, and driving to the grocery store and back without incident, you can show your subconscious that you're able to get yourself around town without incident.
Why doesn't traditional counseling typically work? Why should you try hypnosis for panic attacks?
In traditional counseling, you work on "accepting" things. Having attacks isn't something that you need to "accept"; it's something that you need to stop. Discussing your problem with a traditional therapist, will not likely make it go away. You need less talk and more action.
In just a few sessions, hypnosis for panic disorders, can help you can put an end to your suffering for good!
Eli Bliliuos is the founder of The New York Hypnosis Institute. He specializes in helping clients overcome panic attacks.
To learn more about Hypnosis for Panic Attacks, click here [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/]Panic Attack Hypnosis NYC.
New York Hypnosis Institute LLC
241 West 30 street
New York, NY 10001
877-800-6443
To learn about hypnosis training, click here: [http://www.tryhypnosisnow.com/hypnosistraining.php]Hypnosis Training New York.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Hypnosis-for-Panic-Attacks---It-Can-Stop-Them-for-Good&id=6592004] Hypnosis for Panic Attacks - It Can Stop Them for Good
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Living With Agoraphobia
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Aimee_B_Pickett]Aimee B Pickett
I suffer from agoraphobia. I am a 31 year old female who has had panic disorder since I was 13 years old, although I can remember being anxious even earlier in my childhood. The agoraphobia set in when I was around 18 by starting off with my fear of going into stores and riding in the car to certain places, mainly the interstate scared me. I could bore you with all the events leading up to my agoraphobia, but I won't. Instead I am going to inform you on how it is to live with agoraphobia. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart who is, thankfully very understanding. We married at 20 years old and I can say that I was doing pretty well at this point in my life. I was working as a waitress and he was a laborer for our little city. I still drove during this time. I did not, however drive anywhere I felt uncomfortable due to an extreme panic attack at the age of 18 that put this fear into me. In fact, most of the time my husband would drive me to work. I worked, my husband worked, and on our days off we would hang out with our friends. We were pretty normal back then.
I started to notice around the age of 22 that I was becoming more anxious and also noticed that the panic attacks started coming more frequently and even more severe. I got to a point where I would not drive at all. At 23 I decided to quit my job because my fear had become so bad. I was scared to leave our home, scared to go into big stores, and scared to travel anywhere outside of my comfort zone. I would only leave the home if absolutely necessary, and I would be a nervous and shaky mess the entire time. My husband had to work, so he would take me to either his parents house, my parents house, or my grandmothers house while he did so. The doctors that I would see kept telling me that I had social phobia. I was prescribed an anti-depressant and sent home. It was never even suggested for me to seek counseling. This was a very dark time for me, but imagine how hard it was for my husband who was used to seeing me full of life and happiness. I became very depressed, but rarely showed it to anyone besides my husband.
The internet was my outlet and I actively sought out forums for people with anxiety disorders. I joined an awesome forum and read one post about a member who applied for social security disability due to their disorder. I decided to apply for SSD (social security disability) as well. SSD is not easy to be approved for at all. I applied in 2004 and was denied 3 times before finally being approved in 2007. I am very thankful to receive SSD, but at the same time I feel bitter because I can not work and I want to. I have to rely on my husband or my parents (mainly my mother) for everything. Sure, I can cook, shower, comb my hair, etc., but I have to have my husband or someone else that I feel safe with in my presence in order to do so. I can not stay alone, I can not drive alone, and I can not go many places due to the fear of the fear (anxiety).
I have been through numerous types of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication but none of them magically allowed me to do things outside of my comfort zone. I have been in therapy, but again, it has not magically allowed me to do things that I am fearful of either thus far. The will to get better IS in me, but the fear is so strong that I can not even attempt to expose myself to the things that make me so scared. Living this way is tough, but I am very thankful that it is not worse. I know that my husband gets frustrated because we can not do many things, but he is very understanding. I use to be very embarrassed by this condition, but the older I get, the more open I am with my disorder. What has helped me more than anything is my faith in God and the forum that I am a member of. Knowing that you are not alone is the most important step in the recovery process. One day I will get better, and if you are reading this and have agoraphobia as well, then keep in mind that you will get better one day as well.
Aimee Pickett
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Living-With-Agoraphobia&id=6589462] Living With Agoraphobia
I suffer from agoraphobia. I am a 31 year old female who has had panic disorder since I was 13 years old, although I can remember being anxious even earlier in my childhood. The agoraphobia set in when I was around 18 by starting off with my fear of going into stores and riding in the car to certain places, mainly the interstate scared me. I could bore you with all the events leading up to my agoraphobia, but I won't. Instead I am going to inform you on how it is to live with agoraphobia. I am happily married to my high school sweetheart who is, thankfully very understanding. We married at 20 years old and I can say that I was doing pretty well at this point in my life. I was working as a waitress and he was a laborer for our little city. I still drove during this time. I did not, however drive anywhere I felt uncomfortable due to an extreme panic attack at the age of 18 that put this fear into me. In fact, most of the time my husband would drive me to work. I worked, my husband worked, and on our days off we would hang out with our friends. We were pretty normal back then.
I started to notice around the age of 22 that I was becoming more anxious and also noticed that the panic attacks started coming more frequently and even more severe. I got to a point where I would not drive at all. At 23 I decided to quit my job because my fear had become so bad. I was scared to leave our home, scared to go into big stores, and scared to travel anywhere outside of my comfort zone. I would only leave the home if absolutely necessary, and I would be a nervous and shaky mess the entire time. My husband had to work, so he would take me to either his parents house, my parents house, or my grandmothers house while he did so. The doctors that I would see kept telling me that I had social phobia. I was prescribed an anti-depressant and sent home. It was never even suggested for me to seek counseling. This was a very dark time for me, but imagine how hard it was for my husband who was used to seeing me full of life and happiness. I became very depressed, but rarely showed it to anyone besides my husband.
The internet was my outlet and I actively sought out forums for people with anxiety disorders. I joined an awesome forum and read one post about a member who applied for social security disability due to their disorder. I decided to apply for SSD (social security disability) as well. SSD is not easy to be approved for at all. I applied in 2004 and was denied 3 times before finally being approved in 2007. I am very thankful to receive SSD, but at the same time I feel bitter because I can not work and I want to. I have to rely on my husband or my parents (mainly my mother) for everything. Sure, I can cook, shower, comb my hair, etc., but I have to have my husband or someone else that I feel safe with in my presence in order to do so. I can not stay alone, I can not drive alone, and I can not go many places due to the fear of the fear (anxiety).
I have been through numerous types of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication but none of them magically allowed me to do things outside of my comfort zone. I have been in therapy, but again, it has not magically allowed me to do things that I am fearful of either thus far. The will to get better IS in me, but the fear is so strong that I can not even attempt to expose myself to the things that make me so scared. Living this way is tough, but I am very thankful that it is not worse. I know that my husband gets frustrated because we can not do many things, but he is very understanding. I use to be very embarrassed by this condition, but the older I get, the more open I am with my disorder. What has helped me more than anything is my faith in God and the forum that I am a member of. Knowing that you are not alone is the most important step in the recovery process. One day I will get better, and if you are reading this and have agoraphobia as well, then keep in mind that you will get better one day as well.
Aimee Pickett
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Living-With-Agoraphobia&id=6589462] Living With Agoraphobia
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Ways to Overcome Entomophobia
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Irena_Pergjika]Irena Pergjika
We all have some kind of fear that stops us from living life the way we want. Although we've tried to overcome it, the fear keeps coming back to haunt us. Whenever that feeling comes over us, we are unable to shake that stressor/anxiety away. How can we cope with our phobias? The answer is coming so keep on reading...
The word phobia comes from a Greek word Fobos which means fear. Those of us who face their phobias on a daily basis are unable to interact and cope with many situations in life. As opposed to the mild anxiety and adrenaline rush associated with a normal fear, the fear response in a person afflicted with a phobia goes haywire, and is characterized by rapid/increased heartbeat, sweating, vomiting, and trembling. I like to think of phobias as anxiety attacks. Let's first discuss the most common phobia of all: Entomophobia.
Also known commonly as insectophobia, this phobia is associated with the acute fear of insects. Since there is no differentiation between species, the list of feared animals includes, but is not limited to: mosquitoes, cockroaches, bees, ants, fleas, maggots, worms, and even the arachnids such as scorpions and spiders. When we a person with entomophobia comes close to an insect, or just sees or imagines one, the stress response kicks in, jump starting their heart and circulatory systems, triggering a sense of panic and anxiety. Basically the whole body is coaxed by the sympathetic nervous system to run as fast and far away from the stressor as possible. This is called the Fight-or-Flight response.How about we slow down for a minute and stop running?
Imagine your friends planning a camping trip for the weekend. You happen to have a entomophobia and are unable to go just because the sheer thought of being surrounded by bugs makes you break out in cold sweat. Wouldn't that simply suck? You bet it would!
Some other stuff I recommend doing to overcome your fear,
while making sure you won't miss any other weekends with your friends are:
Admit you have a fear - denial never helps.
Cognitive therapy - you may try to seek professional help which helps you rationalize your fear.
Come face to face with your fear - at first I am sure it will be unpleasant and stressful, but imagine how good life would once you overcome it. If you see an insect don't run way! Stay where you are, taking deep breaths and thinking positive. They won't even approach you. Trust me; they're more scared of you than you of them. Remember, who's bigger, you or them?
Bug spray - Spray on and do what you want! One thing is for sure: They won't come near you!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-to-Overcome-Entomophobia&id=6595178] Ways to Overcome Entomophobia
We all have some kind of fear that stops us from living life the way we want. Although we've tried to overcome it, the fear keeps coming back to haunt us. Whenever that feeling comes over us, we are unable to shake that stressor/anxiety away. How can we cope with our phobias? The answer is coming so keep on reading...
The word phobia comes from a Greek word Fobos which means fear. Those of us who face their phobias on a daily basis are unable to interact and cope with many situations in life. As opposed to the mild anxiety and adrenaline rush associated with a normal fear, the fear response in a person afflicted with a phobia goes haywire, and is characterized by rapid/increased heartbeat, sweating, vomiting, and trembling. I like to think of phobias as anxiety attacks. Let's first discuss the most common phobia of all: Entomophobia.
Also known commonly as insectophobia, this phobia is associated with the acute fear of insects. Since there is no differentiation between species, the list of feared animals includes, but is not limited to: mosquitoes, cockroaches, bees, ants, fleas, maggots, worms, and even the arachnids such as scorpions and spiders. When we a person with entomophobia comes close to an insect, or just sees or imagines one, the stress response kicks in, jump starting their heart and circulatory systems, triggering a sense of panic and anxiety. Basically the whole body is coaxed by the sympathetic nervous system to run as fast and far away from the stressor as possible. This is called the Fight-or-Flight response.How about we slow down for a minute and stop running?
Imagine your friends planning a camping trip for the weekend. You happen to have a entomophobia and are unable to go just because the sheer thought of being surrounded by bugs makes you break out in cold sweat. Wouldn't that simply suck? You bet it would!
Some other stuff I recommend doing to overcome your fear,
while making sure you won't miss any other weekends with your friends are:
Admit you have a fear - denial never helps.
Cognitive therapy - you may try to seek professional help which helps you rationalize your fear.
Come face to face with your fear - at first I am sure it will be unpleasant and stressful, but imagine how good life would once you overcome it. If you see an insect don't run way! Stay where you are, taking deep breaths and thinking positive. They won't even approach you. Trust me; they're more scared of you than you of them. Remember, who's bigger, you or them?
Bug spray - Spray on and do what you want! One thing is for sure: They won't come near you!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Ways-to-Overcome-Entomophobia&id=6595178] Ways to Overcome Entomophobia
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Curing Your Fear of Driving
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Brian_P._Wexel]Brian P. Wexel
Driving is something that many of us do without much thought at all. But for some people, the fear of driving can truly affect their quality of life as well as their employment options and social activities. There are ways, however, to deal with this fear.
For many of those who suffer from this fear, the root cause is based on a traumatic event they experienced in the past. This might have been a wreck or it might have been the loss of a loved one who died in a driving accident.
The fear of driving is considered an anxiety disorder and as such there are treatment options available to help people deal with this fear. Because each person is different, the techniques that work for you may not be the same as what works for someone else.
When considering treatment options, it is best to first determine the level of fear. For some people the fear level is mild, while for others it is far worse, even to the point that they will not drive at all or even take public transportation. The level of disorder often determines the appropriate treatment option.
One technique is known as exposure therapy. This type of treatment is done with a professional therapist and it involves the person being exposed to their fear. This treatment option helps the person to regain control over his or her emotions when faced with driving. This method should not be attempted alone unless directed by your therapist.
Another technique is through relaxation. There are numerous relaxation methods available today, all with the goal of helping the person to relax and remain calm during stressful events. Deep breathing is just one of the many techniques you can explore. With deep breathing you simply inhale as you count to four; then hold and count to five, and exhale as you count to six.
If you driving and symptoms begin to come upon you, you use a method called distraction therapy. This method involves inserting something other than your negative thoughts into the environment. This can be done by turning on the radio and listening to music. Or, you can concentrate on how certain things feel to you such as how the steering wheel feels in your fingers.
Distraction therapy does not mean that you lose focus on your driving which can lead to an accident. The issue of distraction is to take your mind off the symptoms, not the road. If your symptoms persist, pull over and do some deep breathing exercises until the symptoms fade.
By practicing or using the above techniques, you can begin to take back control of your life. You do not have to suffer with this fear if you take action to fight back. While some methods require more time to bring about results, the investment is worth the time and effort. Start exploring your treatment options and master those that work for you. You will be glad you did!
Interested in [http://www.anxietypanicsolutions.com/overcoming-fear-of-driving.php]overcoming fear of driving? Read more about the best way to cure [http://www.anxietypanicsolutions.com/panic-attacks-while-driving.php]panic attacks while driving.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Curing-Your-Fear-of-Driving&id=6613539] Curing Your Fear of Driving
Driving is something that many of us do without much thought at all. But for some people, the fear of driving can truly affect their quality of life as well as their employment options and social activities. There are ways, however, to deal with this fear.
For many of those who suffer from this fear, the root cause is based on a traumatic event they experienced in the past. This might have been a wreck or it might have been the loss of a loved one who died in a driving accident.
The fear of driving is considered an anxiety disorder and as such there are treatment options available to help people deal with this fear. Because each person is different, the techniques that work for you may not be the same as what works for someone else.
When considering treatment options, it is best to first determine the level of fear. For some people the fear level is mild, while for others it is far worse, even to the point that they will not drive at all or even take public transportation. The level of disorder often determines the appropriate treatment option.
One technique is known as exposure therapy. This type of treatment is done with a professional therapist and it involves the person being exposed to their fear. This treatment option helps the person to regain control over his or her emotions when faced with driving. This method should not be attempted alone unless directed by your therapist.
Another technique is through relaxation. There are numerous relaxation methods available today, all with the goal of helping the person to relax and remain calm during stressful events. Deep breathing is just one of the many techniques you can explore. With deep breathing you simply inhale as you count to four; then hold and count to five, and exhale as you count to six.
If you driving and symptoms begin to come upon you, you use a method called distraction therapy. This method involves inserting something other than your negative thoughts into the environment. This can be done by turning on the radio and listening to music. Or, you can concentrate on how certain things feel to you such as how the steering wheel feels in your fingers.
Distraction therapy does not mean that you lose focus on your driving which can lead to an accident. The issue of distraction is to take your mind off the symptoms, not the road. If your symptoms persist, pull over and do some deep breathing exercises until the symptoms fade.
By practicing or using the above techniques, you can begin to take back control of your life. You do not have to suffer with this fear if you take action to fight back. While some methods require more time to bring about results, the investment is worth the time and effort. Start exploring your treatment options and master those that work for you. You will be glad you did!
Interested in [http://www.anxietypanicsolutions.com/overcoming-fear-of-driving.php]overcoming fear of driving? Read more about the best way to cure [http://www.anxietypanicsolutions.com/panic-attacks-while-driving.php]panic attacks while driving.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Curing-Your-Fear-of-Driving&id=6613539] Curing Your Fear of Driving
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