More and more people are seeing benefits from learning and practicing mindfulness. It helps them decrease stress and stress-related illnesses, and to improve their mental health by learning how to let go of painful thoughts or feelings. In my work, patients often ask how to be mindful around their emotions. This question usually arises after realizing that one has great difficulty controlling intense emotions (i.e. going from “0 to 100”) that may be triggered in uncomfortable or distressing situations.
[Read more…]How to Survive Holiday Stress
The holiday season can be a considerably stressful and overwhelming time. Holiday stress can take many forms. At this time of year, we might overspend, have some tense family interactions, overeat, drink to excess, or experience loneliness or disappointment as we reflect on the past year. It’s rough! Following are some considerations on dealing well with holiday stress:
[Read more…]Fear of Flying Therapy: Panic No More
The Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy offers fear of flying treatment. This therapy is targeted to those who have become reliant on alcohol or prescription medications to fly. It’s also effective for those who’d like to avoid that!
Fear of Flying
Despite numerous technological advancements to improve the safety and accessibility of traveling by airplane, 6.5% of Americans today live with a fear of flying. Even celebrities and athletes admit to flying woes!
This phobia–also known as pteromerhanophobia or aviophobia–may wreak havoc in people’s lives by causing anxiety around planning vacations, family visits, long-distance relationships, or work-related travel.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
We all know that cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia is effective. But exactly who is it for? And what does it involve?
In my experience, patients who seek therapy for depression or anxiety often report problems with sleep. These problems usually fall into one (or more) of three categories: 1) difficulties falling asleep, 2) difficulties staying asleep, or 3) waking up earlier than intended. Any of these can have a real impact on one’s quality of life.
When Is the Right Time to Get Insomnia Treatment?
If insomnia is brought on by recent life stress like trouble at work or in a romantic relationship, it is called acute insomnia. Usually, this kind of short-term insomnia resolves itself and sleep patterns return to normal. However, if insomnia persists past a few weeks (chronic insomnia), it can exacerbate other problems. It can then evolve into a vicious cycle of a) sleeplessness and b) anxious thoughts about sleeplessness. When this is the case, insomnia treatment can be helpful.
[Read more…]What You Need to Know About Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression
Depression is treated through various modalities including meditation and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Read below to learn what cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression looks like.
Example 1: Jeff
Jeff is a middle-aged man who was recently laid off. Although he has had multiple job interviews, he has been unemployed for the past six months. His confidence is wearing away and he finds it more and more difficult to get out of bed each morning. When friends ask him to go out to dinner, he declines, preferring to stay home watching TV.
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