Anxiety 2 CalmAnxiety 2 CalmAnxiety, Panic Attacks and Phobias - Getting over them! Loads of information and personal experiences. 
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Celexa and Nightmares/strange dreams
2007-02-21 01:36:00 Just a little extra personal experienced of celexa (citalopram) that came my way. It was reported that after slowly dropping from a standard 20mg dose to a 10mg dose strange things happened during sleep. These consisted of: Very vivid and frightening nightmares of the type that leave you in a strange mood all day Very vivid dreams which are odd but not necessarily unpleasant Feeling very sleepy even after a long nights sleep Difficulty getting to sleep despite being too tired to do anything else Needing stimulants like coffee to keep you going in the day All of these tend to effect each other as a vicious circle. Like all side effects of Citalopram however, sleep disturbances are temporary (It should always be remembered that in a tiny amount of cases people suffer long term effects of SSRI medication). I think it's always best to taper slowly! Other Interesting Articles: Celexa / Citalopram Withdrawing from Citalopram Celexa and weight gain del.icio.us tags: celexa, drea... More About: Dreams , Strange , Stra , Mare , Nightmares
Mental Health Bill Defeated
2007-02-19 21:55:00 UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has suffered a humiliating defeat over his plans to detain people with "mental illnesses" indefinitely. Many amendments were made to the bill which many campaigners considered to be draconian, and lacking in forethought. It was indeed likely that the new rules would have deterred people from seeking help, thus making the public less safe. This whole debacle has been one big vote winning exercise where the actual needs of society and patients have taken a back row. At Anxiety 2 Calm we welcome today's events. Here is the BBC article on the matter: Ministers lose mental health vote The government has suffered three defeats in the House of Lords over plans to detain mental health patients who have not committed an offence. The Menta l Health Bill would allow people with severe personality disorders to be confined if judged a threat to themselves or others. Peers voted that treatment could only be given if it is likely to help. They also voted to remove... More About: Mental Health
Just say "No"!
2007-02-18 17:28:00 Oftentimes, it is thought, anxiety and stress can in part be due to a lack of control. Anxiety and panicky feelings often tend to appear when life runs away with us. Most people like things there own way. Some people are more pushy about it than others. I, for one, generally sense what others want and therefore don't push them into doing things with me or for me that they don't want to do. Not everyone is like that. Many people are so narrow minded and focused on their own lives that don't notice what other people want, and assume that everyone one wants the same as them. Another group of people just want everyone else to do what they want them to do. They will sense when people are not very good at saying no and use that to their advantage. All of this takes control away from us. Getting control back. Everyone has their own problems and I would urge people not to judge those who are self-centred, narrow minded, or who use friends to their own ends. I don't think ther...
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2007-02-12 09:00:00 Anxiety 2 Calm - Sleep Technique Good relaxation technique for insomnia More About: Links
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2007-02-10 09:00:00 Musafir's Musings: Iraq - The Human Costs of Their Lies good iraq musings More About: Links
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2007-01-31 09:00:00 Anxiety 2 Calm Celexa and weight gain More About: Links
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2007-01-30 09:00:00 Anxiety 2 Calm GSK Paxil Scandal More About: Links
Hypnosis may help anxious teens
2007-01-05 14:02:02 Interesting article from the BBC about self-hypnosis. Seems the BBC is taking mental health seriously this year! My personal opinion on self-hypnosis, like all hypnosis, is that it can be used to help you to relax and maybe meet some minor targets, but it rarely makes major inroads into anxiety. I base this opinion on personal experience and on what I have been told by others. Of course many people out there insist that Hypnotherapy or self-hypnosis is a wonder cure. Most of these people seem to me to be either hypnotherapists themselves or part of the Power Therapy backslapping brigade, that likes to "big up" anything or anyone that will reciprocate to their own designer therapy that is currently making them a millionaire. There are of course well documented exceptions, people managing to have surgery with nothing but self-hypnosis for an anesthetic. But these are rare. In this article obviously the hypnotherapist is much more convinced than the medical professional. ... More About: Teens , Help , Hypnosis , Hypnos
Phobias 'to be cured on the web'
2007-01-04 14:02:01 I came across this on the BBC and I thought I?d share it with you. Basically, it is the idea to make virtual reality software available to phobics over the internet, so they can be exposed to things which cause them anxiety. Certainly flight simulators have been useful for some people with a fear of flying, at least as a precursor to exposure. My only issue with this is that the expert quoted here, Prof, David Alexander, says that to treat a phobia you have to expose yourself to what you fear. I would take some issue with that statement. Yes, you do have to face your fears gradually. But sometimes, when we have several or complex phobias like agoraphobia, what we see as a simple phobia is our own unconscious attempt to protect us from something we dread, so a more analytical approach can be useful to get to the bottom of things. Ultimately, if you suffer from many anxieties and phobias you might find that as you understand yourself and your motivations mo... More About: The Web , Bias , Cure , Phobias , Phobia
Women drinkers 'depression link'
2007-01-04 14:02:01 I wanted to show you this from the BBC. It is interesting that there is a link between binge drinking and depression, but remember that alcoholism can be triggered by depression and anxiety as well as aggravating it. When tackling addictions it can be worthwhile look for the cause of the addictive behaviour, answering the question: why do I want to use this substance to alter my mind state? Here?s the article: The link between binge drinking and depression is stronger in women than men, a study suggests. US and Canadian researchers quizzed 6,009 men and 8,054 women about alcohol intake and their history of depression. They found women who were binge drinkers were more likely to be clinically depressed than men. But moderate drinking was not likely to increase the risk in either sex, the journal, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, reported. The study measured alcohol intake for the previ... More About: Women , Drink , Depression , Press , Men
The BBC on Homesickness
2007-01-04 14:02:01 Hi, I included this from the BBC as homesickness is relavent to many who have travel anxieties and issues based in attachment. Which I believe may be behind a great deal of phobias and agoraphobia. It may also be helpful to those who are worried about passing on anxiety issues to their offspring. Here's the link. Home sickness should not be an automatic experience for children staying in unfamiliar surroundings, say psychologists. In the journal Pediatrics they suggest simple steps, including the offer of counselling, could prevent it. US surveys suggest 90% children staying at summer camps get homesick - 20% severely so. Youth camps are not common in the UK, but experts say children staying long term in hospital could also benefit. Dr Christopher Thurber, a staff psychologist at Phillips Exeter Academy, a boarding school in New Hampshire, said: "For over 100 years, camps and schools have patted homesick children on the back, tried to ke... More About: Homes , Sickness , Ness , Homesick
Anxiety 2 Calm - Anti-Anxiety New Year's Resolutions. Happy
2006-12-31 19:58:02 A very Happy New Year wherever you are! From emails I can tell that 2006 has been a successful year for some and of course a struggle for others. Either way, we all made it through as ever and this coming year will be full of opportunities to come out of ourselves and achieve what we want. I thought of a few good resolutions that might be worth considering in order to be calmer and happier in 2007 an onwards. 1. Decide to give yourself the time you need to recover. Take pressure off yourself and make sure others stop pressing you as well. 2. Give up wasting money on Instant Cures from "gurus". 3. Consider from where it is best to seek help. If you think you need psychotherapy but are worried that it takes two years remind yourself that if you had started this time last year you would be half way through! 4. Make sure your doctor is fully understanding and sympathetic to your situation. If s/he is not then they must change or you must find another doctor. Nei... More About: Anxiety , Solutions , Anti
Depression versus Anxiety
2006-12-28 07:56:02 Depression is the reaction to having lost something that was considered important. The roots lie in the past. For example, you can lose someone you love deeply and that can produce depression. On the other hand, if you lost ten cents and that was all the money you had in the world, that can equally produce depression. Anxiety , on the other hand, is a fear of the future, whether known or unknown. For example, awakening in the morning and feeling fear in the pit of your stomach and yet having no idea why. Or, it could be a feeling of fear prior to making a speech to a small group of family members at a dinner party. E... More About: Press , Versus , Sion
Kava Kava for anxiety
2006-12-28 07:56:02 Hi I have recently come across questions regarding kava kava and valerian. They are both famous for the relaxing, calming properties and have been muted as fantastic alternatives to conventional tranquilizers such as valium and xanax. There have also been detractors. Certainly in the UK it is quite hard to fins Kava Kava as many healthfood shops stopped selling it due to somewhat dubious health scares. In truth it has been used for so long and so frequently by Pacific Island communities that it is hard to believe that it is highly toxic. It is not uncommon for alternative medicinal products to get black... More About: Anxiety
Anxiety, guilt and finding the help and support you need
2006-12-25 07:55:01 A lot of people who suffer from anxiety experience feelings of guilt and somehow think that this means they are weak. This guilt is brought about by the realisation that someone who at one time could do things so easily, now struggles to get through the day. They may be in a relationship, or have children, and feel guilty that they can no longer do the things they once could with their partner or children. They may even fight their way through the day, putting on an act to prove to themselves that this thing will not get the better of them, only to go to bed at night more tired and anxious than ever. Anxiety can affect people from every profession, even doctors, the very people we first go to for help, so let me stress that you have nothing to feel guilty about. Some partners may be very understanding about how you feel, but some may not. They may put pressure on you to ?pull yourself together? and the constant strain of trying to cope can tire you further, your partner?s lack ... More About: Port , Find , Support , Help , Need
Cannabis 'affecting young minds'
2006-12-11 07:45:02 An interesting BBC articles about the effects of Cann abis use on future mental health. Regular "recreational" drug use is inadvisable for people with panic disorder, anxiety and depression. Half of young people using cannabis suffer side effects such as paranoia and blackouts, a UK survey suggests. More than 80% of the 727 young people in their teens and early 20s polled by Young Mind s had tried the drug - the vast majority before they were 18. The charity is calling for urgent research on the effects of cannabis on the developing teenage brain. It is releasing guidance for young people and professionals on the effects cannabis may have on mental health. 'Vulnerable brains' Barbara Herts, YoungMinds chief executive, said: "Many young people are experimenting with cannabis from a young age. "We are extremely concerned that there is still very little known about the effects of cannabis on the developing teenage brain and it is crucial that mor... More About: Anna
Panic Attacks
2006-12-09 19:43:01 Hi I recieved an email requesting help in the case of a teenage boy suffering from panic attacks. As I am not a doctor, and have never met the person in question, I did not want to give out specific advice. I did however want to share some ideas with them, so I wrote the following reply. If anyone cares to differ about any of the advice or has something to add I would be very pleased to hear from you. I have blanked out a small part of the following to protect the privacy of those involved. Hi I am sorry to hear about this chaps current problems, sadly these difficulties are not uncommon amongst teenagers and young adults. I will advise you as best I can as someone who has been in a similar situation and come through it, but I should stress now it would be unethical of me to diagnose or be overly prescriptive as to your next step. I can however give you food for thought. Also, I don't know the --- area but I think the treatments available should be more or less uniform ... More About: Attacks , Panic , Tacks , Attack , Panic attacks
Celexa, Effexor, know your drug!
2006-08-30 01:51:08 When it comes to anti-depressants, and in particular Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, one wonders if the doctors that prescribe them have any knowledge about them at all! Through my research I have discovered that doctors seem to know little about what they are prescribing on a daily basis. Let me give you some examples. A doctor once decided to prescribe an anti-depressant for the treatment of insomnia and persistent free-floating anxiety. She told the patient (and I have this from the horse?s mouth) that she would prescribe either Venlafaxine (Effexor) or citalopram (Celexa, Cipramil). When questioned she informed the patient that the side-effect profile and the ease of withdrawal were largely the same with both drugs. As anyone that does a little research can tell you, this is not true. Venlafaxine actually seems to have a much worse side-effect profile than citalopram, and due to its relatively short half life seems to be more difficult to come off (something which ... More About: Your , Know , Drug
ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE WILL NOT TAKE AWAY YOUR FEARS
2006-08-27 19:48:01 By: Stanley Popovich Your fears, anxieties, and other problems have the best of you and you don?t know where to turn for help. At some point you feel totally helpless as you struggle each day. No matter what you do, you cannot run away or hide from your fears. In these cases, some people will use alcohol or other substances to feel better. Alcohol and substance abuse or any other addictions will not take away your problems and fears. In the short run, they might make you feel better, but in the long run these addictions will only make things worse. So what do you do to make your problems and fears go away? Well, since you can?t runaway from them, then the best solution is to tackle your fears head on no matter how strong they may be. The key is to be smart in how you try to manage these fears. Here are some ways in how to manage your persistent fears and anxieties. The first step is to learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you will get through the r... More About: Abuse , Take , Fear
FINDING AND OVERCOMING THE SOURCE OF YOUR FEARS
2006-08-21 19:42:02 By: Stanley Popovich A sure way to overcoming your fears and anxieties is in finding the source of your fears and being able to manage it. In dealing with any kinds of fears or anxieties, try to learn what is the real source of your fears and anxieties. Knowing what is causing your anxieties can go a long way in finding the solution. A person can find the source of his or her own fears by doing More About: Source , Your , Find , The Source , Fear
LEARNING HOW TO OVERCOME YOUR OUT OF CONTROL ANXIETIES
2006-08-20 19:39:02 By: Stanley Popovich Learning how to manage your out of control anxieties can be extremely difficult. The first thing you need to do is to seek the services of a professional and/or counselor who can teach you how to manage your fears and give you the help that you need. In the meantime, here are some ways to cope with your fears and anxieties. The first step is to take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get your mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, watch TV, play on the computer or do an activity that will give you a fresh perspective on things. This will distract you from your current problem. Most importantly, doing something will give you the self- confidence that you can do your tasks and that you can get through the rest of the day. Remember that things change and events do not stay the same. For instance, you may feel overwhelmed in the mornings with your anxiety and feel that this is how you will fe... More About: How To , Your , Earn , Over
HOW TO OVERCOME A FEARFUL AND SCARY SITUATION
2006-08-18 19:36:03 By: Stanley Popovich All most everybody worries about what will happen when they face a stressful and scary situation. The prospect of not knowing what to do can be frightening. As a result, here is a list of techniques and suggestions on how to manage the fear of an upcoming situation. The first thing a person can do is to visualize doing the scary task in their mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind. Imagine that you are playing in front of a large audience. By playing the game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation. Try to find the motivation from within before performing the task. You will be more successful if you have a solid reason for doing the task. If you are not sure why you a... More About: How To , Scary , Fear , Over , Come
OUR FEARS AND WORRIES CAN DISTORT THE REALITY OF THE SITUATI
2006-08-17 19:33:03 By: Stanley Popovich At times, our worries and anxieties can overwhelm us. In addition, our worries can distort our perception of what is reality and what is not. Here is a brief list of techniques that you can use to help gain a better perspective on things during your anxious moments. When feeling anxious, stop what you are doing and try to do something relaxing. A person should take a deep More About: Reality , Fear , Stor , Real , Tort
FINDING THOSE TECHNIQUES THAT WILL MANAGE YOUR ANXIETIES
2006-08-17 19:33:03 By: Stanley Popovich Are you having trouble finding effective ways to overcome your fears and anxieties? It can be difficult to find all of the answers in managing your anxieties. The best way to overcome your persistent fears is to find those coping skills that effectively mange the fear and anxiety. The first step is to take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk More About: Tech , Technique , Hat , Your , Find
anxiety and eating habits
2006-08-17 19:33:03 Were are what we eat as the old adage goes, but how does this effect panic and anxiety? There are two aspects of food that in my opinion definitely do effect anxiety and panic attacks. Obviously what we eat effects how we feel and our overall emotional state. There are many theories as to what foods we should and should not be eating. Common aggravators are: Wheat products such as bread, More About: Habits , Anxiety , Eating , Abit , Habit
ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD WILL NOT TAKE AWAY YOUR FEARS
2006-08-15 19:30:20 By: Stanley Popovich All the money in the world will not take away your fears and anxieties. You can be the most successful person in your business, however your money and success will do nothing in getting rid of your stresses and anxieties. So what do you do to make your fears and anxieties to go away? Well, since money and fame are not the answers, then the best solution is to be smart in how More About: World , Money , Take , Your , The World
NEVER LOSE HOPE IN DEALING WITH YOUR FEARS AND DEPRESSION
2006-08-14 19:27:04 By: Stanley Popovich When your fears and depression have the best of you, it is easy to feel that things will not get any better. This is not true. There is much help available in today?s society and the best way to deal with your fears is to find effective ways to overcome them. As a result, here are some techniques a person can use to help manage their fears and anxieties. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep. Even if the thing that you feared does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you can?t predict which can be used to your advantage. These factors can change everything. Remember: we may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that one percent to make a world of difference. Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you feel fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that... More About: Depression , Press , With , Your , Hope
WHEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW STRUGGLES WITH FEAR AND ANXIETY
2006-08-11 19:21:01 By: Stanley Popovich What do you do when someone you know has to deal with persistent fears, anxieties, or even depression? Well the first thing you need to do is to get the person to seek the services of a professional who can lead them in the right direction and give them the help they need. In addition, here are some other techniques you can use to help the person cope. Learn as much as you More About: With , Fear , When , Know , Anxiety
Anxiety ? To cure or not to cure, that is the question!
More articles from this author:2006-08-11 19:21:01 People selling expensive anti-anxiety programmes often tell us that anxiety can be cured. An increasing number of mainstream therapists and the medical establishment tell us the opposite: it is with you for life and can only be managed with therapy and drugs. So what?s the truth? To cure or not to cure ? that is the question. There are two things that need to be cleared up at the very More About: Question , Hat , Quest , Anxiety , That 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 |
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