Working from home provides unique challenges AND opportunities for those managing pain and other chronic health conditions. Shifting our mindset from the hyper-productivity so common in our culture, and instead focusing on mindful self-care and self-advocacy (which can actually promote productivity!) can start a powerful trend toward resilience and renewable energy in our workday and personal life. In this interview, Dr. Kate Truitt and Rebecca Turner, LMFT brainstorm ways to care for your body.
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations. It is what keeps us safe, quickly informing us to run when we see a fire, freeze when we see a bear, or even fight if it is the only way to protect ourselves. Healthy anxiety at the right levels contributes to our vitality and motivation for optimal performance. However, sometimes this fear can become so intense that it feels debilitating and blocks us from doing what matters. Join Rebecca and Dr. Truitt as they explore the ins and outs of Anxiety. Learn more about Rebecca’s therapy group THRIVE: Living Beyond Anxiety by clicking the button below.
Did you know that our Amygdala has a tiny nucleus in it—the Central Nucleus – that remembers the physiological aspects of trauma? Our Amygdala is so smart that is actually encodes anticipated experiences and, thus, anticipated physical experiences are also remembered. Just as a panic attack frequently feels like a heart attack—today a cough or even feeling “warm” can quickly evolve into a panic of “I have COVID!” Please know, this is your brain simply being a brain. This guided meditation brings together the Self-Havening touch, which creates the electrochemical opposite of a fear state in our brain, and guided work to decrease anxiety and increase relaxation and calm.
Anxiety is an integral part of our mind’s and body’s survival system. We often treat anxiety as an enemy, and that makes sense when it feels louder than anything else in your mind and body. Much like a young child, anxiety and other difficult emotions, often feel louder and bigger the more we try to ignore or silence them. In this meditation, Rebecca invites you to be curious about your anxiety, to listen with compassion, and to help your mind and body learn how to ride the waves of emotion. This practice can be enhanced by having a sheet of paper and a pen nearby. At any point, especially during the question section, feel free to stop the recording, and makes some notes, and then return to the practice.
It’s not hard to understand why panic and anxiety attacks have become conflated. They have enough symptoms in common that the lines get blurred even for the sufferer.
What is the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack? The two terms are used interchangeably, but do they refer to the same thing? The short answer is no. Panic and anxiety attacks stem from similar but distinct disorders.
Anxiety disorders, which are at the root of both anxiety and panic attacks, are the most common mental illness in the United States. More than 40 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from some form of anxiety issue—roughly 18 percent of the population. But only a little over 36 percent of those who suffer will seek treatment. If you’re worried about panic or anxiety in your life, doing some research is a good step. Despite the debate over panic attack vs. anxiety attack, learning about both will help you find the treatment you need.
It’s not hard to understand why panic and anxiety attacks have become conflated. They have enough symptoms in common that the lines get blurred even for the sufferer. The difference is most keenly felt in the speed, intensity, and duration of the attack.
A panic attack produces an intense feeling of fear, dread, or nervousness. It comes without much, if any, warning, and can often be so overwhelming as to disable the person while it’s happening. It is typically short, reaching a peak in about ten minutes before dissipating. However, sufferers may have several in a row.
Symptoms of a panic attack may include increased heart rate, chest pain, sweating, abdominal cramps, numbness, nausea, tingling, dizziness, shaking, or shortness of breath. A sudden fear of dying, losing one’s mind, or otherwise losing control may accompany these symptoms.
Panic attacks may accompany phobias, which are anxiety orders that involve an extreme, irrational fear regarding a specific thing like an object, place, or event. Claustrophobia, for instance, is the fear of enclosed spaces; arachnophobia, the fear of spiders; hydrophobia, the fear of water.
Although there are seemingly infinite variations, the American Psychiatric Association lists five main categories for phobias: animals, environment, injury, specific situations (e.g., flying, driving), and other (for items outside the four previous groups). Whatever is behind the phobia can trigger a panic attack.
At the heart of an anxiety attack, like a panic attack, is fear, which can be either real or perceived. But anxiety attacks don’t strike suddenly. Instead, they build over time. It may take days, weeks, or even months before an anxiety attack reaches its peak. Thankfully, the symptoms of an anxiety attack are far less intense than those of a panic attack. Still, given the duration of the event, an anxiety attack can be disabling to the sufferer.
Symptoms of an anxiety attack may include muscle tension or fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, trouble concentrating, irritability, restlessness, shortness of breath, and a variable heart rate.
Whether or not you’re able to solve the panic attack vs. anxiety attack debate on your own, there is one thing that’s certain: both conditions should be treated by a professional. While an anxiety or panic attack is certainly cause for concern on its own, it can indicate more complex mental issues hiding out of sight.
The team at Dr. Kate Truitt & Associates are nationwide experts in treating anxiety and panic. we’re able to provide you with the kind of support you need to help achieve peace of mind. Don’t lose any more of yourself to sleepless nights, tension-filled days, or moments of blind fear and panic. Our team is here to get you started on your healing journey back to a life without fear, toward a life of personal empowerment. It’s time to Live your Excellence. Call today 626-524-5525. We Look forward to healing with you.
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Dr. Kate Truitt and her team of expert psychologists and psychotherapists in Southern California specialize in cutting-edge treatments and therapy designed to empower you to live your best life.
We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience fulfillment, free from self-doubt, insecurities, psychological trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other challenging struggles. We are dedicated to safely serving patients throughout California through both in-person and telehealth appointments. Don’t wait any longer; it’s time to start living.
Contact us today to take the first step towards a brighter future.
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Federal Department of Consumer Affairs and Board Of Behavioral Science Notifications For Consumers
