What is a Panic Attack?

Panic attack is an anxiety condition that first appears in adolescence or early adulthood. One in 75 persons may experience this condition. There seems to be a connection with major life transitions that are stressful such as graduating from college, getting married, getting divorced, having a first child and so on in the development of panic attacks.

Panic Attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear (out of proportion) that comes without warning or obvious reason. it is far more intense that being "stressed out" that most people experience. Symptoms include:
-Racing heartbeat
-Difficulty breathing
-Terror that is almost paralyzing
-Dizziness, hotheadedness or nausea
-Trembling, sweating, shaking
-Choking or chest pain
-Hot flashes or sudden chills
-Tingling of fingers and toes
-Fear that you are going to go crazy or are about to die

A Panic Attack is not dangerous but can be terrifying. Panic Attack if not treated can lead to phobias, substance abuse, depression, medical complication and even suicide.

Psychotherapy is highly effective in treating Panic Attack. If you or someone you know ifs struggling with Panic Attacks or anxiety, give us a call at 386.736.9165 to schedule an appointment

For more information about this article go to http://www.apa.org/
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Growth

The person who is frequently challenging herself will grow more expeditiously than the person who is not. That is why I believe understanding thyself is vital, but that it is just as important to use improvements in self awareness in a practical way. What are your unique sets of challenges?

Do you feed your irrational thoughts too often? Do you handle your anger inappropriately? Maybe you feel you may be a little selfish? By becoming aware of your obstacles of growth, and by using this awareness to change the way you handle things intra-personally and interpersonally you ARE growing. Insight alone is only half the battle. Look at the millions of individuals that have been helped by AA and NA. These are the individuals that practically applied the knowledge provided to them by the 12 steps. In contrast, look at the millions that could verbalize verbatim the 12 steps but have yet to remain sober for more than a few days. These individuals have the insight but struggle with practical application.

In conclusion, I believe self awareness is a key step towards personal growth but that practice and practical application of knowledge is also crucial. When you read something, apply it. When you learn something about yourself, pay attention to how it affects your behaviors and feelings, and do something about it. Don’t sit idly by and watch what life could bring you. Participate and reach for it. Have faith in yourself and the courage to practically apply what you learn.

Gratefulness

Through a series of "fortunate events", my life took on new meaning this week when I joined with Central Florida Mental Health Associates. It's very invigorating to join this group of caring professionals who turn therapy up a notch to meet the needs of you, the client. Gratefulness is my topic today simply because gratefulness works! It sets the tone of attitude, mind, and spirit, to create into reality, exactly what the deepest desire of your heart is. Try it out today and let me know your results.

Posted by: Janice Suskey M.Ed. Ed.S. LMHC

Sleep Glorious Sleep

Sleeping is one of the most important things that we do on a daily basis. If you are like me, you find yourself at times sacrificing sleep in order to get everything you need/want to get accomplished each day. A recent survey found that more and more, people are sleeping less than six hours per night. The average person needs approximately eight hours of sleep a night, consistently in order to function a maximum level. That being said, some people are able to function with as little as six hours and other need as much as ten hours of sleep a night. Just one day of sleep deprivation is enough to alter a person's mood, physical and mental functioning.

Sleep is the body's way to rejuvenate each day. Here are a few other reasons as to why getting enough sleep is important:

1. Sleep deprivation can have an impact on your physical health, by altering your immune
functioning, impacting your heartbeat, and increasing your risk for hypertension.
2. Sleep deprivation can also affect a person's mood, increasing irritability, impatience,
increasing difficulties concentrating, causing fatigue, and increasing the likelihood of
depression and anxiety.
3. A lack of sleep can affect a person's safety, for example delaying decision making time when
driving.
4. A person's weight and metabolism can be affected by a lack of sleep, in how the body
processes and stores the food we eat.
5. Sleep impacts our ability to learn and retain the information that we have learned.

Some people find getting enough sleep is difficult due to their job or family responsibilities. Another major cause of short term sleep problems is stress. It is important to take care of both your body's physical and mental needs.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of you sleep, and combat some sleep difficulties you may be experiencing:

1. Try to establish a sleep/bedtime routine. By putting yourself on a schedule it will help your
body's internal clock know when it is time to shut down.
2. Try not to consume caffeine for about five hours prior to going to bed.
3. Try to avoid smoking or alcohol prior to going to bed.
4. Get regular exercise, but do not exercise prior to going to bed, plan it for earlier in the day.
5. Make sure your sleep environment is comfortable for you - temperature, lighting, sound.

Therapy and Depression Part II

I would like to mention one more time that it is crucial that the client feel safe, and secure with her therapist. Without this in place, both the client and therapist will not be able to do what is necessary to alleviate her depressive symptoms.

The first step in the process is to install hope within the client. This can be done in a number of ways. The therapist can educate the client about depression and simply remind her that depression can be worked through. This is important because depression breeds a great deal of hopelessness and helplessness. Also, it’s important to educate the client about therapy and to explain how therapy will help her. Moreover, the therapist should remind the client that what she is experiencing is a normal part of depression and that she is not “going crazy.” However, the client should be continuously monitored for dangerousness to self and others.

After the working alliance has been established, the client understands that she will get the help she needs and that there is hope, the therapist and client will begin to explore for possible sources of her depressed mood. Typically, I like to utilize open ended questioning, empathic listening, and positive regard to encourage the client to elaborate about her environment, moods, thoughts, physical reactions and behaviors. As she does this, I make mental notes of thought, behavior and interpersonal patterns that may be contributing to her depressive symptoms. Through this dialogue with her therapist the client should be gaining valuable insight into how she has been supporting her symptoms all along. This is important.

The next step includes encouraging the client to start making changes in her behavior and, most importantly, to start practically applying the tools she has learned in session. This final step is vital and should be discussed at length during session. As the client’s symptoms begin to abate, her therapist should continue to encourage her to implement the changes that have contributed to the alleviation of the symptoms. It is also highly recommend that books and other educational materials be included as part of the treatment to augment the sessions.

In conclusion, I hope this brief synopsis about therapy and depression has enlightened the reader about how therapy can help alleviate depressive symptoms. If anyone has any further questions or feedback regarding this matter, feel free to post your questions or feedback in the comment section.

A Very Valuable and Cherished Lesson To Pass On

Dear All:

PLEASE pass this post on to everyone you know - even to those you don't know! It is the request of a special girl who will soon leave this world due to cancer. This young girl has 6 months left to live, and as her dying wish, she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest, since she never will. She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own. By you sending this to as many people as possible, you can give her and her family a little hope, because with every name that this is sent to, The American Cancer Society will donate 3 cents per name to her treatment and recovery plan. One guy sent this to 500 people! So I know that we can at least send it to 5 or 6. It's not even your money, just your time!

PLEASE PASS ON AS A LAST REQUEST. I have forwarded this email to several Facebook Friends. Please check your email.

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly?

When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time
To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last..

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift.... Thrown away. Life is not a race.

Do take it slower
Hear the music

Before the song is over.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Emotional Abuse

Domestic violence comes in dofferent ways. It includes Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse and Sexual Abuse.

Today, we will focus on Emotional Abuse. Emotional abuse is a behavior of one person in a relationaship with the intent to control the other. Partners may be married, not-married, separated, dating, gay or lesbian. Both males and females can be victims. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and/or neglected. Even if a child is not physically harmed, they may have behavioral problems as a result.

Examples of emotional abuse include:
-Name calling
-Keeping their partner from contacting their family or friends.
-Witholding money.
-Stopping a partner from getting or keeping a job.
-Stalking.
-Intimidation.

If you are being abused remember:
1) You are not alone.
2)It is not your fault.
3) Help is available.
Go to National Domestic Abuse Hotline www.ndvh.org or call 1800-799-SAFE (7233)