Social Phobia

Social Phobia

Social phobia, also called social anxiety disorder, is a disorder characterized by overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. People with social phobia have a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being watched and judged by others and of being embarrassed or humiliated by their own actions. Their fear may be so severe that it interferes with work or school - and other ordinary activities. Social phobia sufferers often worry for days or weeks in advance of a dreaded situation. 

Social Phobia can be limited to only one type of situation - such as a fear of speaking in formal or informal situations, or eating or drinking in front of others - or, in its most severe form, may be so broad that a person experiences symptoms almost anytime they are around other people.

Physical symptoms often accompany Social Phobia include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, and other symptoms of anxiety, including difficulty talking and nausea or other stomach discomfort. These visible symptoms heighten the fear of disapproval and the symptoms themselves can become an additional focus of fear. Fear of symptoms can create a vicious cycle: as people with Social Phobia worry about experiencing the symptoms, the greater their chances of developing the symptoms.

How common is Social Phobia

• About 3.7% of the U.S. population ages 18 to 54 - approximately 5.3 million Americans - has Social Phobia in any given year
• Social Phobia occurs in women twice as often as in men, although a higher proportion of men seeks help for this disorder
• The disorder typically begins in childhood or early adolescence and rarely develops after age 25

What causes Social Phobia?

A small structure in the brain called the amygdala is responsible for the symptoms of Social Phobia. The amygdala is the central site in the brain that controls fear responses and produces the symptoms of anxiety disorders such as social phobia.

Investigation shows the environment's influence on the development of social phobia. People with Social Phobia may acquire their fear from observing the behavior and consequences of others, a process called observational learning or social modeling.

What treatments are available for Social Phobia?

To eliminate social phobia, the cause of the phobia must be addressed directly. The Amygdala does not respond to medication or psychotherapy, a more direct approach is required. The Linden Method addresses the root cause of social phobia and is simple to implement, permanent and guaranteed!

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Anxiety & Panic Attacks Recovery : Videos

Anxiety & Panic Attacks Recovery Made Simple - By Charles Linden
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Panic Attack Symtom :Depersonalization

Unreality / Depersonalization‚ Derealization

There is a symptom not often mentioned in panic attack literature that I would like to discuss. It is the sensation of unreality‚ this sensation is called depersonalization by psychologists. Many people who experience panic attacks and anxiety attacks become distressed by this sensation and feel they may be losing their mind.

People who experience panic attacks report feeling disconnected from their world‚ or having a sensation of unreality. The sensation is described as if the world has become nothing more than a projection of a film. This sensation is quite distressing as it often leads to the individual believing that some permanent damage has been done to their brain‚ causing these sensations.

A typical manifestation of this depersonalization is when the individual may be having a conversation with someone and suddenly feels alarmingly isolated and removed from the situation. Once the sensation arises it can make such an impact that it takes days to leave the eerie feeling behind and stop thinking about it.

The sensation is caused by delayed perception. While under constant stress or anxiety there is a build up of stress chemicals in your system that causes a delayed response in the transmission of information between neurotransmitter sites in your body. This slight delay between experience and thought can create a momentary sensation of unreality. The same effects are experienced under the influence of marijuana but people do not react with fear in this situation because they are aware it is the drug causing the sensation; it is when the sensation arrives while you are doing your tax returns that things feel a little scary!

I mention depersonalization because the condition is not often spoken about‚ and to reassure those of you who may have experienced this sensation‚ that it is only a side–effect of excessive anxiety and will pass as soon as the body learns to relax. Once the body returns to a normal level of relaxation it then has the opportunity to dispel some excess chemicals.

It is very easy to start imagining all the terrible mental illnesses that this could be but don’t worry you haven’t caused any damage to yourself you will return to the person you were before depersonalization crept in. You will have to trust me on that.

The quickest way out of this disconnected feeling is to really accept it for the time being and have faith that it will pass shortly. Shrug your shoulders and relax into it. You can take this relaxed attitude to it because you know that you will return to normal when you move out of this period of anxiety. It is a phase you are moving through so be patient with yourself while you are in it.

What really moves people out of this sensation quickest is adopting an attitude that all is well. And it is. These unusual sensations of depersonalization are just a nuisance‚ but it will pass. Not feeling connected to yourself in this manner is solely due to the anxiety in your system and it is then reinforced by your constant checking to see how you are feeling. It is like you are over analyzing yourself all the time and that can make you feel even more strange. I appreciate how uncomfortable it can feel but don’t worry about it‚ it will leave.

Don’t let the thoughts sucker you into thinking you are alone and stuck with this feeling of depersonalization all your life. Those thoughts are not valid. The more you can flow along with it and not react the more quickly you will return to feeling more yourself. It takes a little practice but that change in attitude will make a big difference for you.

You will look back in the very near future and wonder what all the fuss was about and that anxious person will seem like the stranger.

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Depression dan Anxiety

Historically, anxiety and depression have been strongly linked. But are they related? That depends on the answer to one question!

The question is: What came first, the anxiety or the depression? I don't mean the diagnosis by a doctor, but the actual anxiety or depression symptoms.

If your answer is that depression came before the anxiety, then chances are that you are suffering from true clinical depression. If you answer that your anxiety came before the depression, chances are you have anxiety-related depression and that's a completely different and very treatable condition. Anxiety causes mood changes which mimic true depression!

There is a big difference between anxiety caused by depression and depression caused by anxiety. Clinical depression is a chemical mood disorder that requires drug treatments. Stress, phobias and anxiety can cause 'depression like' symptoms but rarely true clinical depression.

If you have depression and anxiety is a symptom of that depression, we can help you to undermine that anxiety, in turn allowing you to tackle the issues which caused you to experience depression in the first place.

If you have anxiety which has created depression and changed your mood we can show you the solution by removing your unwanted anxiety completely, allowing the depression to lift.

Most of our anxiety sufferers (about 80%) experience feelings of depression, of course they feel depressed, anxiety is miserable, I KNOW, I have been there!

Anxiety, stress and phobias can cause massive shifts in a sufferer's mood but we can untangle that knot and return the sufferer to a full and active life.

What you must understand, however, is that in tens of thousands of sufferers of anxiety and depression that we have treated at The Linden Center using The Linden Method, every single one who complies, becomes completely anxiety and depression free! EVERY ONE! Plus, it's fast and permanent!

Stress - Do you suffer from stress?

Stress - Do you suffer from stress? Do you know what causes it?

Stress- Definition

'Mental or physical tension that results from physical, emotional, or chemical causes.'

Stress is the condition that results from life and/or work pressures. It's all too easy for some people to say that they suffer from stress but what most actually mean is that they feel inappropriate amounts of pressure at certain times. Stress can come on slowly or suddenly and presents usually as a combination of symptoms.

Symptoms of Stress

Stress normally manifests itself as a range of quite distinct symptoms such as insomnia, headaches or migraine, muscle aches, mood swings, digestive problems, anxiety, morbid thoughts, panic attacks or depressive thoughts for example.

It is common for stress sufferers to experience panic attacks, anxiety and phobias. Having developed these conditions, the stress sufferer can experience a wide range of both physical and psychological thoughts and sensations, often misdiagnosed by medical practitioners in isolation.

Many stress sufferers experience a small group of symptoms which can be misdiagnosed by doctors who, regrettably, do not take a look at the larger picture surrounding the development of the stress symptoms by the sufferer. In isolation, these stress symptoms are often mistreated by practitioners.

Addressed quickly, stress symptoms, anxiety and panic attacks can be eradicated quickly and permanently given the correct treatment methodology.

Types of Stress

Stress can be caused by a wide range of stressors or catalysts. Stress often occurs during periods of work pressure, after bereavement, divorce, moving house or other stress inducing life situations.

Some stressors are easier to eliminate than others. Work practice stress can be eliminated by adjusting your work practice but life issues such as abuse, divorce or other personal problems can give rise to situations which are not so simple to overcome.

Stress and Anxiety

The Link between stress and anxiety is strong; in fact the majority of stress sufferers who visit their doctor are diagnosed with anxiety. Stress and anxiety account for more days off work than any other condition.

Causes of Stress

Stress is caused by perception, not fact. If you perceive your task at hand or situation as threatening or overwhelming, your reaction to it will also be negative.

If the stressful situation is perceived as a welcome challenge or something for which you are prepared, the pressure of the task at hand will not manifest itself negatively and you will not develop any of the symptoms of stress. This explains why some people thrive on stress and others suffer at its mercy.

Stress Treatment / Cures

Drugs / Medication

There are no medicinal cures for stress. Stress, as mentioned earlier, is caused by an inappropriate perception of the task at hand; no drug exists which can alleviate the problem. Once stress conditions are formed, some doctors will try to remove them using drugs, but this is untargeted and inappropriate treatment.

Stress conditions can only be successfully treated using behavioral techniques, administered by professional, qualified and experienced support specialists.

 

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can assist in undermining stress related conditions, but is sporadic, inaccessible and takes a lot of valuable time to administer. Psychotherapy is used mostly to identify and discuss the source of mental illnesses. Stress is not a mental illness.

 

Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies can offer stress sufferers some respite during their condition, but are far from curative. Coupled with other mechanisms, alternative therapies can be very useful, especially when used alongside massage, yoga or meditation for example.

 

Phobias – what are they?

Phobias can be divided into two distinct types:

Specific Phobia

Specific phobias are usually to things such as dentists and doctors, heights, flying, dogs or snakes for example. Whilst specific phobias can cause anxiety and even panic to happen on exposure to them, they are not caused by generalized anxiety or an underlying anxiety disorder.

Social Phobia

Social Phobia is anxiety caused by exposure to social situations and interaction with other people. Includes fear of public speaking or performance, eating in public, writing in front of someone and other social interaction.

Social phobia sufferers experience an overwhelming and frightening fear of being scrutinized or of being embarrassed or humiliated. This can lead to avoiding situations where this could happen, which means missing out on many pleasurable aspects of life.

Agoraphobia – what is it and how can YOU overcome it?

Agoraphobia is officially defined as the fear of the marketplace and although not strictly a phobia, rather a symptom of anxiety, it can be categorized as such because of the specific reaction it causes. Agoraphobia often affects sufferers in far more diverse places than just crowded or open places. Agoraphobia is taken to mean a reaction to a geographic location – this could be far from home, where escape or retreat is restricted (e.g. theatre, cinema, train) or anywhere when you are alone and feel vulnerable.

Agoraphobia develops as a coping device in high anxiety. Sufferers develop symptoms and thoughts of which they become scared, they start to depend on a person or place of safety and this place becomes their sanctuary, where they feel calm or experience a reduction of their anxiety symptoms.

Agoraphobia, like all other phobias can be eliminated using a structured program. Agoraphobia, is, in fact, the easiest phobia to cure as its existence is directly linked to your anxiety disorder – without the underlying anxiety, agoraphobia simply can’t exist.

Social Phobia (social anxiety) – what is it?

Social phobia (social anxiety) is an anxiety reaction to any situation which means that you must interact with other people. Social phobia (social anxiety) can cause mild anxiety to extreme panic attacks and the situation which creates anxiety could be interaction with just one or perhaps a crowd of people. Every social phobia (social anxiety) sufferer is different.

Some social phobia (social anxiety) can happen when you go on dates, talk to a person in authority or just interact with anyone with whom you are not fully comfortable as well as causing problems in larger groups or when confronted with having to perform or speak in public.

Many social phobics experience problems when they have to eat or write in front of another person also.

Social phobia (social anxiety) is a symptom of an anxiety disorder. Because the sufferer’s general anxiety levels are artificially raised all of the time, just a slight increase can cause an anxiety reaction and even panic.

The good news is that social phobia (social anxiety), can be eliminated by addressing the underlying anxiety that causes it.

Phobia Elimination – is it possible?

Phobias are symptoms of an anxiety disorder and NOT stand-alone disorders. Anxiety disorders occur when the 'anxiety switch', the Amygdala, in the brain, becomes stuck in the ON position as a result of repeated anxiety provoking situations or, less commonly, a one-off trauma which has caused the sufferer to experience high anxiety.

The Amygdala is the organ in the brain that regulates and stores the anxiety response and it is this which MUST be addressed in order to return the anxious response back down to normal in order to eliminate your agoraphobia… in fact any phobia, completely.

There is an effective way of overcoming and conquering phobias permanently.

With anxiety, it is important to gain control of this response as soon as you feel it developing. The Linden Method will show you how you can take control simply and effectively, no matter how long you have suffered.

Our clients who suffer from agoraphobia and social phobia find that by reducing and eliminating the anxiety which causes and drives their phobias, they can become anxiety free, more confident and more effective in their lives.

Our Linden Method Specialists are trained to help, support and advise you at every step of your journey and will always be there to do so whenever you need them.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder symptom, NOT a stand-alone condition. OCD is characterized by anxious obsessive thoughts causing the sufferer to carry out rituals and compulsions. OCD is is sister to Pure O, which causes inappropriate thoughts, sometimes of an aggressive or sexual nature or about health and illness for example.

But like I said before, OCD doesn't actually exist as a stand alone condition...

Why?

Because OCD never exists without an underlying anxiety disorder; take away your inappropriate anxiety and your obsessions will simply fade away. OCD is fueled by anxiety-driven 'what if' or 'catastrophic' thought processes which are stored like habit in the brain.

If you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals in order to stave off anxiety. These Obsessive Compulsive Disorder rituals can be very fast to carry out, such as checking light switches or making sure you have turned off the stove, but many require large quantities of time and concentration.

 

As a sufferer of OCD:

• You may be obsessed with germs or dirt, washing your hands, clothes, home or furniture repeatedly
• You may be filled with doubt and feel the need to check things many times over
• You may have frequent thoughts of violence, and fear that you will harm people close to you
• You may spend long periods touching things or counting
• You may be pre-occupied by order or symmetry
• you may have persistent thoughts of performing sexual acts that are repugnant to you
• You may be troubled by thoughts that oppose your religious beliefs

The disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions, and the rituals that are performed to try to prevent or get rid of them are calledcompulsions.

If the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferer does not carry out the ritual that their subconscious mind wishes them to, the anxiety level can become overwhelming. Panic attacks and all of the associated anxiety symptoms, thoughts and sensations can ensue - and it is this which forces the sufferer to become a slave to their compulsions and rituals in order to prevent an anxiety reaction.

Even non-anxious people recognize some of the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 'Checking' behavior is common in non-sufferers, but when this behavior becomes obsessive, the OCD sufferer can spend much of their day checking the gas, the light switches or the locks. Some OCD sufferers spend much of their day carrying out the rituals they have developed which can be very intrusive and destructive for both themselves and family members.

Most OCD sufferers realize that what they do makes no real sense, but the fear of the consequences of NOT doing it forces them to continue.

There are many OCD sufferers who are so entrenched in their behaviors and routines that they seem oblivious to the fact that what they do is not what you would call 'normal' behavior.

Who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects over 4 million Americans and this figure is echoed across the world. OCD affects men and women equally and normally develops in younger people and children first. Approximately 1/3 of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers first experienced their symptoms as a child.

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder tend to avoid situations where there may be a chance of confronting their fears or obsessions. Avoidance techniques support the anxious behavior and often phobias accompany the OCD behavior, such as agoraphobia or social phobia.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) sufferers find it very difficult to maintain healthy relationships or to hold down a job because of the intrusive and very visual nature of their conditions - often employers will find the visible symptoms difficult to work with and careers can be severely affected.

What is 'Pure O'?

Pure O is the obsessive thoughts experienced in obsessive compulsive disorder but without any resultant compulsion to carry out any specific actions such as hand washing, ordering or word repetition. Pure O can often center around obsessive thoughts of a sexual or aggressive nature.

Can Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) be cured?

In a word... yes! Most definitely and most permanently.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an Anxiety Disorder symptom, and can, therefore, be eliminated by addressing the subconscious reaction which causes and perpetuates the anxiety which fuels it. This sounds difficult, but it isn't - kids of seven do it in days, so I know you can..

There is an internal 'anxiety switch' which is activated by anxious stimuli and it is by controlling and altering this reaction that OCD and the anxiety that fuels it can be permanently eliminated, very quickly and very permanently.

Panic Reduction Tactics

Anxiety Tips - Panic Reduction Tactics

Here are a few examples of some tactics to use whilst having an attack. Practice them, they really work!

1. Splash face with cold water - this produces the dive reflex and causes your brain to send messages to your body to slow down
2. Distraction - Count down from 100 as fast as you can, repeat over and over. Do maths problems or anything else that occupies your mind
3. Listen to your favorite music loudly and sing along to it
4. Say to yourself - this has never hurt me, it has never hurt anyone else and it never will. I know what it is and it means nothing - disempower the attack
5. Tell yourself that what you are feeling are sensations; nothing more and that sensations never hurt anyone
6. Watch a funny video on TV, laugh out loud
7. Don't look at yourself in the mirror
8. Keep some apples in the fridge. Eat one, then another if you wish
9. Gently slap your cheeks and dance around - confuse your thoughts to distract them
10. In the night, get out of bed, turn on the TV, get a drink, eat an apple and keep moving
11. Talk to someone or phone someone - don't discuss your anxiety
12. Do something physical if you can
13. Do not sit down! Keep moving

Do any amount of these diversion tactics simultaneously if possible. They won't cure your anxiety, but they may help.

Panic Attact /Anxiety Tips : Posture

Most people neglect correct posture and on the whole never experience any negative effects until quite late in life, back ache and neck pain being the most common of these. If a person with anxiety also suffers with incorrect posture this can have a profound effect on the level of anxiety symptoms.

I have already discussed that breathing is one of the factors in the Holy Grail of anxiety disorders. If you correct the breathing patterns and anxiety levels will fall.

Posture has a profound effect on breathing, if muscles and bones are compressed a certain amount of restriction has to be expected.

Anxiety can cause a person to become guarded, they feel, subconsciously, that they need to protect themselves from danger. Like a scared hedgehog that roles itself into a ball to protect its soft vulnerable belly, we too tend to sit with our arms crossed, our legs tucked tightly to our bodies and our shoulders and torso rolled at the waste when we are anxious.

This posture is achieved totally subconsciously but is seriously unhealthy; it compresses internal organs including the heart and lungs and it inhibits good circulation and causes muscle, tendon and nerve pain.

If you feel that you are doing this try and correct it, the more you are aware of what you are doing, the more you can practice good posture. If necessary, ask your relatives and friends to tell you when you are doing it, if you change this you will feel better almost immediately.

Our evolution - what it's done to our bodies and anxiety levels

In our modern life we are less likely to stand, walk and run for extended periods of time. Over the last one hundred years human habits have evolved quicker than at any other time in history; we have more stressors, life is faster, more expensive and definitely more competitive.

Our bodies, however, have not evolved to accommodate these changes in life practice; this can cause incompatibility between physiological makeup and activities. Over sustained periods of physical and mental pressure caused by these incompatibilities, physical problems can develop which manifest themselves as stress. Physical activity promotes more effective circulation, muscle fitness, cardiovascular fitness and healthier lungs.

Lack of exercise, bad posture and poor air quality in our modern offices can be very damaging. The average person that works in an office probably sits for at least five to six hours of the working day and only moves to walk to the coffee machine, to grab a quick cup of stimulant, just to kick-start that adrenaline. Sitting in an office chair is not bad in itself but should only be done for short periods with activity in between.

What does sitting do to your internal organs and anxiety levels?

The sitting position compresses the torso and the organs below the diaphragm are pushed upwards towards the chest cavity restricting the lungs and heart. If you are overweight, this compounds the problem. Shorter shallower breaths are taken and blood oxygen and blood carbon dioxide levels are compromised.

Most of my work is done seated at my computer. I have recently bought a kneeling chair, which has improved my posture, but I used to feel terrible if I had been seated for long periods. The discomfort was not always apparent immediately, but would sometimes carry over to the next day showing that breathing can be altered drastically and persistently over extended periods.

Incorrect posture

Compressed chest cavity causes short difficult breaths and compacts internal organs.

Correct posture

Chest expanded, back straight, lungs and internal organs relaxed.

I feel that bad breathing and posture could explain many of the symptoms associated with work related stress. It doesn't take too long for a person's natural breathing patterns to be altered enough to cause some unpleasant symptoms including anxiety, panic disorders or depression.

Couple incorrect posture with radiation from monitor screens, poor quality recycled air or air conditioning, lack of fresh air, central heating, coffee drinking, long hours and an angry boss and it is easy to see why the epidemic of 'work stress' related illness is developing.

To improve bad posture, it is important to find a seat that keeps the back straight, try not to lean onto the desk. In this position the chest cavity is at its optimum size whilst sitting. Physical activity helps maintain good circulation and allows the skeleton, muscles and other bodily tissue to stretch, opening up the joints and allowing the body to breathe.

Try to avoid drinking too much coffee or tea, as they are both stimulants. Make sure you get copious amounts of good quality, fresh air, open a window if you can and try to get outside of the building during break times if possible.