Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, or unease about something that might happen in the future. It's like having a little alarm bell in your mind that keeps ringing even when there's no immediate danger.

People with anxiety may feel restless, have trouble concentrating, or experience physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms. It's important to remember that anxiety is a common emotion that everyone experiences at times, but when it becomes excessive and interferes with daily life, it may be an anxiety disorder that could benefit from coping skills or professional help.

Anxiety can be managed in several ways. Here are some common strategies:

1. Healthy lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce anxiety. This includes getting regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol.

2. Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help calm the body and mind during anxious moments.

3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a type of therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety. It can provide coping skills and strategies to manage anxiety more effectively.

4. Medication: In some cases, medication may be prescribed by a healthcare professional to help manage anxiety symptoms. These are usually prescribed for more severe or persistent anxiety.

5. Support network: Having a strong support system of friends, family, or support groups can provide emotional support and understanding, which can be helpful in managing anxiety.

6. Stress management: Learning and practicing stress management techniques, such as time management, setting realistic goals, and prioritizing self-care, can reduce anxiety triggers.

7. Avoiding triggers: Identifying and avoiding triggers that worsen anxiety, such as certain situations, people, or substances, can be helpful in managing anxiety symptoms.

It's important to remember that everyone's experience with anxiety is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or therapist who can provide personalized guidance and support in managing anxiety.

I've Heard About EMDR

What is EMDR therapy?

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has extensive research supporting its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and panic disorders. EMDR is a helpful psychotherapy modality that is proven to help people reprocess trauma and other distressing life events.

What can EMDR help me with?

• Anxiety, panic attacks, and phobia

• Chronic Illness and medical issues

• Depression and bipolar disorders

• Eating Disorders

• Grief and loss

• Pain

• Psychosis

• PTSD/CPTSD

• Sexual assault

• Sleep disturbance

• Substance abuse and addiction

• Violence and abuse

What Organizations Promote EMDR therapy?

• American Psychiatric Association

• American Psychological Association

• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

• National Alliance on Mental Illness

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

• U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense

• The Cochran Database of Systematic Reviews

• The World Health Organization

How does EMDR work to help with healing trauma?

Our brains have a unique way of recovering from traumatic experiences. Most of the time, we can resolve these events spontaneously but on occasion, they can get stuck and may need some support to process. This is where EMDR comes in handy. Eye movements, similar to those in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep or other bilateral stimulation (audio or tactile) are used to help the brain integrate the memory into other adaptive information networks.

Unresolved or untreated trauma lives in the body and memories of the event will take the person back to the time of the disturbing event. With EMDR your brain changes its relationship with the traumatic event, putting the event in the past instead of remembering it like it is happening again. Reminders of that event will no longer bother you as you move forward with healing. You will no longer be controlled by the past.

What makes EMDR therapy different than other trauma therapy?

EMDR does not require talking in detail about the distressing events. The use of bilateral stimulation also helps to decrease the intensity of the event while it is reprocessed. There is no homework in EMDR therapy. EMDR supports your own brain to heal, so the therapist stays out of the way while your brain resumes its natural healing process. Depending on the complexity of the client's situation, EMDR can take fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. EMDR can be conducted in person and online with a properly trained and licensed mental health clinician.

If you are looking for EMDR therapy in North Bay, Ontario, or virtually, contact us at 705-980-0777 or email us at info@healingconnectionstherapy.ca

References

EMDR International Assoication. EMDR therapy for adults. Pamphlet in therapist resources.

Trauma Treatment Information

What is Trauma?

Experiencing or witnessing a frightening, dangerous, or violent event can overwhelm our body's natural coping abilities. Exposure to death, injury, abuse, or sexual violence are often causes of trauma. Other more common life events like job stress, divorce, or accidents can cause trauma responses as well. Even people in the same event can experience trauma differently.

Signs of Trauma

• Depression, sadness, or social isolation

• An exaggerated startle response

• Hypervigilance

• Increased irritability and/or sudden anger

• Feeling numb

• Nightmares or flashbacks that relive the traumatic event

• Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event

• Difficulty functioning in daily life

• Substance abuse and dependence

How can EMDR Therapy help?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is one form of trauma treatment that helps people heal from trauma and other distressing life experiences. EMDR therapy is backed by extensive research and it is recommended for trauma treatment and other concern including anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.

Our brains have a natural way to recover from traumatic memories and events. Sometimes this natural healing process needs support to continue to heal. EMDR therapy helps to resolve the memories that are unresolved in the brain. For many clients of EMDR therapy, their symptoms of trauma can diminish or disappear once EMDR therapy is finished.

Want to learn more about EMDR and see if it is the right fit for you? Book a free consultation with me today! You can also head over to the EMDRIA website for more information on EMDR therapy.

Book a free consultation today!

Or contact us at Healing Connections Psychotherapy in North Bay, Ontario at 705-980-0777

Reference

EMDRIA.org. Trauma Tip Sheet. Therapist Resources.