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Deal with stress with the help of proper strategies

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Is excessive stress, anxiety and depression destroying the peace of your life? If so, take the necessary steps and do not allow anxiety to destroy the charm of life. Stress can be defeated with the help of a positive mindset. Very often, we believe that stress has made our life a pressure cooker. It is because when the level of stress crosses its limit, we land in a helpless condition. A little stress is very common in life, but when the stress starts crossing all the limits, then it can wreak havoc in your life.

The online psychologist understands the human mindset. They know how to identify and pinpoint the exact area where the pressure is generated in the human mind. They know how to give patients hope and courage. If you are feeling overwhelmed by stress, it is good to take help from professional experts because a lack of action can aggravate the problem.

How does stress affect life?

Stress can cause a myriad of mental health problems. You can fall into the grip of depression, insomnia, memory problems and even panic attacks. Most people admit that they have difficulty concentrating. When a person regularly deals with stress, it impacts their health. The quality of life has seriously deteriorated. We become less productive and start living in negative thoughts. Many people even admit that they deal with their family in a very harsh manner. Most people do not look for any social support. There is also a possibility that your confidence level will go down. With the help of anxiety counselors, you can deal with stress in a much better way. If you are struggling with some chronic illness, then the presence of stress can create further complications. Many people struggle with chronic headaches, and the reason is extreme stress.

Live in the present moment to deal with the stress

Breathe deeply when you struggle with intense stress and live in the present moment. You can neither change your past nor, you can change future events. So, you must concentrate on the future. Whenever you are stressed, take a shallow and short breath. Try to calm your mind and mood through all possible means. Do not worry about the future, you can never interfere with your future. Learn the capacity of your body and try to understand that stress is a temporary part of life. You must realize that everything that begins comes to an end. Your stress will also come to an end, just live your life with this perception. A positive mindset allows us to fight stress. You should also practice self-kindness.

You must learn the art of convincing. Just convince your heart and mind that everything will get better very soon, and the situation will stabilize. You can also indulge in some meditation. Learn how to control your breath, thoughts as well as emotions. With the help of an online psychologist, you can learn the skills that can be used for combating stress. This way you will be able to defeat big problems. You must cultivate relationships with such people who have a positive mindset. If you are feeling alone and isolated during a stressful time, then the company of such people will act as a support system. You can manage stress in a much better way.

Opt for a self-care plan

Everyone has a different mindset. Some people take problems very seriously, and they stop indulging in other activities. There are others who are optimistic, and they prefer to fight. Some people prefer to spend time with others because they socialize. You must opt for a self-care plan. Spend time with your friends and enjoy cups of coffee. Create a list of activities in which you want to participate. Devote time to such activities and enjoy your life.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Manage your Stress with Promising Techniques to Relax your Mind

Anxiety

Stress management is the goal of any form of intervention to achieve anxiety relief. Stress is a specific response of the body to emotions and thoughts arising in the mind. Stress not only exhibits changes in behaviors, but also physiological changes which are all characteristics of stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are often used interchangeably. However, the distinction between them is that stress is a response of the body to anxiety.

Stress management is therefore an integral part of the treatment of anxiety. Psychologists and counselors often work hard with the patients suffering from anxiety disorders to teach them how to manage their stress and therefore how to stop anxiety. They teach their patients about what does anxiety feel like, what is an anxiety attack, dealing with anxiety and how to calm anxiety. The last two are basically the methods of stress management which we shall describe in detail in this article.

Stress management techniques:

The following are some of the most practiced stress management techniques having excellent efficacy in controlling stress:

  • Regular physical exercise Regular exercise in the form of walk, cycling, stretching, swimming or any other aerobic exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress on a long-term basis. Regular exercise has proven to decrease stress levels in individuals significantly and is often the first and most important techniques advised by a therapist to any patient of anxiety disorders.
  • Breathing exercises Breathing exercises are specifically designed exercises focusing on breathing by the patients of anxiety disorders. Deep breathing is commonly demonstrated to the patients and they are asked to practice it regularly throughout their and especially in moments where they perceive high stress. Deep breathing not only provides relief from acute stress at once, but it also reduces the appearance of signs of anxiety on a long-term basis, if practiced regularly.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation technique Progressive muscle relaxation technique is a slow and progressive relaxation of the muscles of the body. In this technique, groups of the muscles of the body are allowed to relax progressively in groups starting from muscles of the forehead or muscles of the feet. Once completed, progressive muscle relaxation leads to disposal of stress from the body. Muscle relaxation is accompanied by deep breathing to yield greater results in stress management.
  • Living in the present One of the most effective ways of managing stress is learning to live in the present. People suffering from stressful periods and anxious states are often apprehensive about the future or remorseful about their past. Focusing on the present gets rid of both of these states to ensure a stress-free time.
  • Mindfulness Mindfulness means focusing on something deeply to get rid of stressful thoughts.
  • Meditation Techniques Meditation focuses on living in the present and mindfulness. Meditation techniques like yoga, Tai Chai and prayers help a lot in managing stress.

 

If you have been experiencing Depression please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

Acute Stress Disorder

Anxiety

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is an anxiety disorder, and more specifically a trauma and stressor related disorder, where the person has suffered a trauma, or witnessed a trauma, and certain symptoms follow. The disorder may sound very similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), and some argue that ASD is a precursor to PTSD, as they are very similar. The differences include ASD having solely anxiety and fear-based symptoms, while PTSD has some symptoms that are not normally associated with anxiety. For an ASD diagnosis, the symptoms must occur anywhere from three days after the traumatic event, to one month later.

Acute stress disorder symptoms can include:

  • A subjective sense of numbing, detachment, or absence of emotional responsiveness
  • A reduction in awareness of his or her surroundings (i.e., “being in a daze”)
  • Derealization
  • Depersonalization
  • Dissociative amnesia (i.e., inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma)

While it is easy to see what causes acute stress disorder, it is harder to determine who will develop this anxiety disorder. The stressful event is obvious, but many people are able to cope with trauma without developing ongoing symptoms. What is known is that people with other mental health conditions seem to be more vulnerable to developing ASD. Also, having had a history of trauma and stress, and an avoidant coping style are shown to be connected to developing ASD and PTSD. An avoidant coping style means that a person attempts to bury their problems rather than address them.

One thing that is known to help people cope with trauma and stress is a psychological debriefing, following the stressful event. A psychological debriefing is often very helpful in preventing the development of any further mental health problems after a trauma. A debriefing is a structured group session, where everyone involved in the trauma talk about what they saw and experienced, their reactions, and receive some basic education on what is normal coping and what is potential problematic coping. Preventative interventions are frequently seen as the intervention of choice after a traumatic event.

There is also treatment available for people who have already been diagnosed with ASD. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness interventions have been shown to help treat anxiety disorders. Medication is available to help treat some of the symptoms of the disorder, and education of appropriate, and helpful ways to cope with an anxiety disorder.

Being a part of a life-threatening trauma can be hard enough, but sometimes it’s the after effects that are most painful. If this sounds like you or someone you care about, please reach out for help. The sooner you get the help you deserve, the easier it will be to overcome the symptoms.

 

If you have been experiencing Depression please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety

Dec 30, 2020

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.”

It is important to understand the difference between normally occurring anxiety and a diagnosable anxiety disorder that is disruptive to daily life and requires professional intervention. Everyone experiences anxiety at times throughout their life. It is a normal and biologically helpful response to certain types of stress. Anxiety is not always a bad thing; in some instances it may keep you safe and even alive.

Anxiety distress, or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune, is a natural response to many of life’s events. For example, while awaiting the results of a serious medical test it is common to feel some anxiety. It is stressful and worrisome not knowing if you have a life-threatening disease. During this time you may have trouble sleeping, or concentrating on work. These responses are to be expected, and do not indicate that you have an anxiety disorder. After the results are in, and the crisis is over, the anxiety dissipates, and life returns to normal.

Similarly, if you experience a fright, like seeing a rattlesnake while hiking, you might momentarily experience some intense feelings of anxiety. Your heart rate might increase and you will find yourself in fight, flight or freeze mode. Those are necessary, and useful responses to the physical threat of a poisonous snake in your path. That instinct is your body’s way of keeping you safe and alive. Once the danger has passed, your heart rate returns to normal, and the fight, flight or freeze response subsides.

The APA describes a patient as having an anxiety disorder when they are,“having recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns” and the level of anxiety they are experiencing is out of proportion with the reality of their surroundings. Physical symptoms may be present, such as nausea, increased heart rate, or excessive sweating. Persons with an anxiety disorder often find their daily life disrupted by powerful physical and emotional symptoms. They often miss work or school, have trouble sleeping, find concentration difficult, all without a clearly definable stressor of a magnitude equal to their response.

 

If you have been experiencing Anxiety please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

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Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.

How to deal with Acute Stress Disorder

Acute Stress Disorder - Learn how to identify a panic attack.

Acute Stress Disorder

April 15, 2018

Acute stress disorder (ASD) is an anxiety disorder, and more specifically a trauma and stress or related disorder, where the person has suffered a trauma, or witnessed a trauma, and certain symptoms follow. The disorder may sound very similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD), and some argue that ASD is a precursor to PTSD, as they are very similar. The differences include ASD having solely anxiety and fear-based symptoms, while PTSD has some symptoms that are not normally associated with anxiety. For an ASD diagnosis, the symptoms must occur anywhere from three days after the traumatic event, to one month later.

Acute stress disorder symptoms can include:

  • A subjective sense of numbing, detachment, or absence of emotional responsiveness
  • A reduction in awareness of his or her surroundings (i.e., “being in a daze”)
  • Derealization
  • Depersonalization
  • Dissociative amnesia (i.e., inability to recall an important aspect of the trauma)

While it is easy to see what causes acute stress disorder, it is harder to determine who will develop this anxiety disorder. The stressful event is obvious, but many people are able to cope with trauma without developing ongoing symptoms. What is known is that people with other mental health conditions seem to be more vulnerable to developing ASD. Also, having had a history of trauma and stress, and an avoidant coping style are shown to be connected to developing ASD and PTSD. An avoidant coping style means that a person attempts to bury their problems rather than address them.

One thing that is known to help people cope with trauma and stress is a psychological debriefing, following the stressful event. A psychological debriefing is often very helpful in preventing the development of any further mental health problems after a trauma. A debriefing is a structured group session, where everyone involved in the trauma talk about what they saw and experienced, their reactions, and receive some basic education on what is normal coping and what is potential problematic coping. Preventative interventions are frequently seen as the intervention of choice after a traumatic event.

There is also treatment available for people who have already been diagnosed with ASD. Cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness interventions have been shown to help treat anxiety disorders. Medication is available to help treat some of the symptoms of the disorder, and education of appropriate, and helpful ways to cope with an anxiety disorder.

Being a part of a life-threatening trauma can be hard enough, but sometimes it’s the after effects that are most painful. If this sounds like you or someone you care about, please reach out for help. The sooner you get the help you deserve, the easier it will be to overcome the symptoms.

 

If you have been experiencing acute stress disorder please start a FREE trial of online counseling and get help today.

Free Trial

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this post and any associated articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect opinions or policies of eTherapyPro. These posts and articles are shared for your enjoyment and consideration. Read them or not at your sole discretion and liability. They are not intended to replace counseling services rendered by licensed professionals. Consult with your counselor before implementing any content from these articles into your life.