Panic Attacks

Who has experienced panic attacks?

Panic attacks are actually common! How many people have almost gotten into a car crash and felt your face getting hot, palms sweat, heart race, perhaps even a fear of driving or getting into a car afterwords? Adrenalin is released during a panic attack exactly like during a good work out!

During a panic attack, the "flight or fight response" isn't actually directed at something that is life threatening. In other words, if you were held at gun point, flight or fight is appropriate! Being held at gunpoint, chased after a lion, almost falling off a bridge are examples of times when fear triggers our "fight or fight response" so we can save ourselves! However, those experiencing panic attacks "out of the blue" experience panic without actual present danger: the fear is a fear of panic itself. A panic attack is like the fire alarm going off when there isn't an actual fire.

Panic attacks feels like an overwhelming sensation of fear (panic) coming over you: you begin to sweat, hands may feel tingly, shortness of breath, trembling, feeling dizzy, lightheaded or faint, choking sensation, feeling detached from surroundings, chest pain, and feeling numb.

This is taken from Anxiety and Depression Association of American Webpage:

"Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only about one-third of those suffering receive treatment.
Anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one-third of the country's $148 billion total mental health bill, according to "The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by ADAA (The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 60(7), July 1999).
More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of health care services; people with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events."



Good news is anxiety and panic attacks are VERY easy to treat with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy!!! If you or someone you love suffer from anxiety or panic attacks, please find a skilled CBT therapist!!! I have worked for years with individuals suffering from anxiety disorders and would be happy to answer any questions!

#ADHD

 What is ADHD?

There are three types of ADHD:
1. Hyperactive Impulse ADHD which is characterized with hyperactivity without inattentiveness
2. Inattentive ADHD (formally ADD) marked by impared concentration and attention
3. Combined ADHD which includes symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity and Impulsivity. This is the most common type. 

• Inattention is categorized as difficulty paying attention and often details are overlooked. An individial with attention difficulty may get easily distracted, procrastinate, not finish what they started, unable to stay focused on tasks and appear disorganized. Often, I have seen individuals "trail off" in the middle of a conversation with someone.
• Hyperactivity is marked by LOTS of activity. Individuals with hyperactivity may fidgit, jump out of their seat, unable to play quitely (children), talking excessively, "the bouncing off the walls syndrome". Often times, hyperactivity is seen before age 7. 
• Impulsivity includes blurting out answers, impatience, not being able to wait turn, and interrupting at inappropriate times.  

What treatment is available?

Behavioral therapy for ADHD has several steps from behavioral modification, skills intervention  and parent child interactive therapy (pcit: ages 2-7) which helps with relational skills and communication at home. 

The behavioral modification addresses the maladaptive behaviors ie impulsive behaviors (screaming, calling out, jumping out of seat, etc) and does a great job at reining in those behaviors and teach new, appropriate behaviors. 

Skills training helps with school work and concentration and any opposition defiant behavior at home i.e. Ignoring parents. Often times, the issue with learning is with executive functioning:  their motivation to do their homework is high but they just can't start or finish. 

A  licensed child therapist with specific cbt training can work with the child. Mindfulness based therapies can also be effective in helping to bring self awareness. Acceptance skills can also help improve self esteem basically rather than beating yourself up and feeling angry, bad, that you are having a hard time in school, finding ways to accept (all the while implement changing behaviors). 

It's once a week sessions generally.

Any questions? Should I clarify or "add" (no pun intended!) anything? Please let me know!