One of the most common symptoms of anxiety disorder is the belief that you're going crazy. You have the sense that you are losing your grip on reality and that you are literally on the verge of a mental breakdown. Anxiety disorder can cause a deep seated fear that sooner or later you're simply going to go mad. However, despite this overwhelming fear of possible insanity, the fact that you fear it, and are aware of insanity as a state of being, is precisely why you're not crazy. Crazy means a lot things to a lot of people, however, for
Archives for August 2008
Magnification Syndrome
Magnification Syndrome is the tendency to make little things, big things. This of course is not a real syndrome or condition, but it is what anxiety sufferers endure from time to time. It is not voluntary on the part of the anxiety ridden person either it's just that when you have anxiety everything seems bigger than it is. Someone says something nasty to you and you get emotionally wounded - this is magnification syndrome. The things that people say mean so much more when you have anxiety because you are more sensitive then most people. The
Looking For An Exit
When you walk into a movie theater, eatery, or any other public facility do you look for the exits? Do you sit near the exit or at least keep an eye on the exit? Until recently I used to do this all the time and I think it added to my anxiety while I was in public since the predominate thought during my time out was always "when the hell can I get out of here". There is no such thing as a "looking for an exit syndrome", but looking for exits is a direct result of your anxiety disorder. This is because people with anxiety
Anxious Heritage
Having anxiety is an ongoing battle that can last a lifetime and take on different forms at different times. But since it's confined to you (it's not contagious like measles) it makes you focus primarily on yourself and your own feelings. But what if you knew that this could affect your kids? Being prepared for this reality can be disheartening, but it's a reality you should prepare for. Is the fear of passing on your anxiety disorder baseless mumbo-jumbo? The short answer is no. And let me assure you that I am not the eleven o'clock news
The Anxiety Guru Show: Hypochondria Ep 10
Show Notes: Hypochondria 1. Hypochondria is a health phobia that makes its sufferers believe that they are ill in the absence of disease. It is marked by constant worry about health issues. a. This is an obsession that cannot be easily alleviated. Even a trip to the doctor is not enough to calm the nerves of a hypochondriac. b. A hypochondriac will usually focus on a part of the body or certain types of disease. An example would be an intense focus on the heart because of palpitations . c. This is a condition characterized by
Japanese Swimmer Has A Panic Attack?
According to the Associated Press a member of the Japanese Olympic synchronized swimming team fainted in the pool during competition. Twenty-three year old Hiromi Kobayashi of Osaka Japan apparently started to hyperventilate after the team's routine was finished. Two rescue swimmers jumped in the pool and helped Kobayashi's teammates pull her to safety. The dramatic photos (click here ) and video (click here ) show a distressed young lady. According to a Japanese press officer she "hyperventilated because of stress... that kind of
Can Anxiety Disorders Cause Memory Loss?
Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you went in there in the first place? This happens countless times to most of us. But if you have chronic bouts of forgetfulness it could be your anxiety causing the mental miscues. This is because stress, anxiety, and even depression, can cause memory loss and mental haze. Too much stress over long periods of time can hinder brain function in a major way. One of the reasons for this is because when you become stressed your body releases a stress hormone called cortisol . This hormone, which is
The Modern Anxiety Epoch
As an anxiety sufferer it is normal to feel like you're all alone in the world. But according to some studies you are part of a growing number of people with an anxiety disorder. Some scientist believe that as much as 16% of the worlds population will have prolonged anxiety during their lifetime. That means that out of the worlds current population of 6.6 billion people a little over a billion of us will have problems with anxiety. Clearly you have plenty of company and you are by no means a special case. In fact, anxiety disorder is one of
Dr. Claire Weekes – Anxiety Superhero
Many of us spend days, weeks, or even years looking for a person that will point us in the right direction. A person that will not only explain our anxiety disorder in clear terms, but also how we can cope with it without going broke. There are so many great ways to cope with anxiety, but unfortunately many of them require a lot of moolah. Dr. Weekes on the other hand, provides inexpensive resources that can actually make you feel better. Now, Dr. Claire Weekes ( 1903 - 1990) is not a caped crusader. She was a medical doctor and