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  OVERCOMING ANXIETY, DEPRESSION & ANGER Chronic pain can lead to hopelessness, depression, anger and anxiety disorders such as panic, generalised anxiety, hypochondriasis and post traumatic stress disorder (see studies cited in Winterowd, Beck& Gruener, 2003). This is not surprising as chronic pain sufferers may have many other negative events and stressors to deal with such …

Anxiety sufferers are advised to pay attention to dietary and lifestyle factors which can aggravate anxiety (Andrews, Creamer, Crino, Hunt, Lampe & Page, 2003). Caffeine Avoid or limit caffeine. Chocolate, some high energy drinks, hot chocolate beverages, coffee, tea & cola drinks all contain caffeine, a stimulant which accelerates the fight or flight response. Caffeine can …

Regular physical exercise is a simple and effective means of reducing stress. Physical exercise is the outlet for the body when it’s in the fight or flight state. Exercise releases the natural chemicals — such as adrenalin — that accumulate during stress. Exercise relieves chronic muscle tension, reduces insomnia and decreases depression and anxiety. Exercise also: …

What does cognitive behavioural therapy involve? Cognitive behavoural therapy posits that how you think affects how you feel, and that your emotions influence your behaviour. Therefore if you think realistic, helpful thoughts you will feel and function better. The example below  — for someone who fears having a panic attack on a train — highlights the …

Exposure therapy is often essential if you are to overcome your anxiety disorder.The cognitive behavioural treatment of  conditions such as: panic with agoraphobia, simple phobias, social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress usually entails an exposure component. That is, you must subject yourself in the situations you are worried about. Although this sounds frightening, your therapist will give …

Many anxiety sufferers breathe too fast and shallow. When confronted with a feared scenario  they breathe rapidly which leads to increased shortness of breath and further hyperventilation. Some Symptoms of Hyperventilation dizziness lightheadedness lump in the throat fatigue poor concentration choking sensation difficulty swallowing racng heart shaking blurred vision shortness of breath chest pain disorientation tingly …

Our bodies respond to anxiety provoking thoughts and feared situations with muscle tension. When an anxious person interprets a situation as threatening the fight or flight response is triggered , hormones are released and the involuntary nervous system gets the muscles tense ready to help the individual to respond to danger (Andrews, Crino, Hunt, Lampe & …

Medication can be very helpful for sufferers of anxiety as its decreases anxiety symptoms whilst you are taking it. HOWEVER, MEDICATION DOES NOT CURE ANXIETY DISORDERS. Some people may choose not to use medication, others will choose to combine cognitive behavioural therapy or some other type of therapy with medication, and some people may only utilize …