Do you tend to focus on the worst-case scenario or spend time thinking about how terribly things will go? Catastrophizing is a common component of anxiety and depression. Learn how to address it.
Imagine this situation: you’re running late to catch a train to visit some friends, and despite rushing to catch it, you miss it by a few minutes. The next train isn’t for another 90 minutes, which means you’ll be late and miss part of your visit.
[Read more…]If you suffer from anxiety, you may have moments when you wonder if you’re losing your grip, or “going crazy.” For some people, this is just a passing thought. For others, however, it can become a major fear. The more the idea dominates your thought process, the more it can seem like you really are going crazy.
Fainting is always concerning and can happen for many reasons. Learn about the most common type of fainting, vasovagal syncope, and what causes it.
Syncope is the medical term for passing out or fainting. Fainting is a relatively common experience. Around 3-3.5% of people experience fainting at some point in their life. It can happen at any age, to any person.
Vasovagal syncope is the most common type of fainting. This type of fainting comes from a sudden dip in your heart rate and blood pressure that’s caused by certain triggers (listed below). These dips make it harder for blood to reach your brain, which is what causes you to pass out. Most fainting episodes last less than one minute. But, if you try to get up too soon after fainting, you may faint again because there isn’t yet enough blood flowing to your brain. Lying down and elevating your legs can help you recover.
[Read more…]If you suffer from panic attacks or have been diagnosed with panic disorder, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be beneficial for you. Learn about this treatment option and how it can help.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that is especially effective for anxiety and insomnia but is also effective for other problems including substance abuse, difficulties managing intense emotions, depression, OCD, eating disorders, and addictions. It is more practical and more skills-based than traditional therapy. CBT therapists typically give patients homework exercises to do between sessions. This homework helps to build the skills needed to address the relevant problem.
[Read more…]People meditate for many reasons. They want to clear their minds, to reduce stress, to get centered… but are any of these things really the goal of meditation? Not quite.
Ask people what their goal is when they meditate, and you’ll hear a variety of answers. “To deal with stress.” “To calm down.” “To get rid of my thoughts.” “To feel connected to the world.” There are lots of opinions out there.
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