Being that I have general anxiety disorder (GAD) my symptoms and sensations are like a buffet of anxiety. A little social phobia, a dash of panic disorder and sometimes I dabble in OCD but only lightly. Some people however struggle with social anxiety disorder and it cripples them, well socially. This of course can be horrible because as you all know our species is especially social. Whether people admit it or not, people need other people. Sometime in eons past our ancestors decided that the best way to survive a sometimes hostile and
Vets Sue VA Over Mental Health Care
A few days I ago I wrote a post touting the efforts of the Department of Defense for trying to bolster their efforts aimed at raising PTSD awareness among servicemen. A few days after reading that story I came across another story aired by the NPR show All Things Considered that basically took all the air out of that feel good balloon. According to the report, which was aired March 3, 2008, a group representing the vets called the Disability Rights Advocates is suing The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) over the poor quality and outright
Design Angst
As of today the design of this blog is still ongoing and I have to admit that it is causing me anxiety and frustration. You see if you want a pretty custom design you have to spend something like three to five thousand dollars. Now clearly I am not going shell out that kind of dough because I simply don't have it. I have however pumped a significant amount of money into the blog design already and I feel like I am only about 50% of where i want to be. I feel like I would of saved myself time and nervous sensations if I wasn't so frugal. Despite
Is OCD Funny?
Do you think that OCD is funny? Well as many of you know there is a television program called Monk and they think it's hilarious. When I say they I don't just mean the producers, but people all over the country. The show is funny, but I wonder what OCD sufferers really think? According to an article on healthplace.com the executive director of the Obsessive-Complusive Foundation (she has OCD) thinks the show is a riot. If you have OCD do you think that the show is funny? Should mental illness be made fun of? My short answer is yea. Don't
Anxiety Food: Fish Oil
The belly rules the mind. ~Spanish Proverb Of all the things you can do to help cope with your anxiety, the most simple would be to add anti-anxiety foods to your diet. I will be posting and podcasting about various types of foods and supplements that can help you cope with your anxiety. However, today I want to focus on fish oil. Fish oil is derived from oily fish like salmon, mackerel, lake trout, flounder and albacore tuna (eat lightly). The food that salmon and similar fish eat produces omega-3 fatty acids that you can consume by munching
Military Attempts to Address PTSD
Post traumatic stress disorder is an issue for many people around the world. But because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan thousands of American service men and women are having to deal with it in ever greater numbers. Whatever your stance on the war, the bottom line is that the American military has seen a spike in the number of soldiers, sailors and airman coming home with PTSD, anxiety and depression. The good news is that the Department of defense is taking this matter seriously and using people from their own ranks to spread the word
Palpitations
Of all the symptoms that anxiety produces in anxiety sufferers, palpitations have to be one of the most hated. This is mainly because palpitations can make you feel like you are having a heart attack and being that people with anxiety frequently feel as if their going to die, palpitations just fuels more fear, anxiety and panic. What is a palpitation? Simply put, a palpitation is an awareness of your beating heart. In 'normal' people there is not much notice of the heart beating, whereas people with anxiety tend to be hypersensitive about
The Anxiety Guru Show: Episode 2
The Anxiety Guru Show: Episode 2 Concerns of the Heart 1. One of the most common symptoms of an anxiety disorder is palpitations, chest wall pain, general and overwhelming concern about heart health. 2. Palpitations: A palpitation is an abnormal awareness of the beating of the heart, whether it is too slow, too fast. a. The heart seems to stop or skip a beat. i. This is a regular heart function – you are tuned into a ‘high frequency’ and are sensitive. ii. Caused by a compensatory pause – an extra beat that happens before the next
The Anxiety Guru Show: Episode 1
photo credit: soundman1024 The Anxiety Guru Show: Episode 1 Show Notes Introduction to the Anxiety Guru Show and Anxietyguru.net. Paul's personal experience with anxiety (the passion). Another channel of information and tips for success. Anxiety Disorders: Serious action needed for relief. Anxiety Defined: Tension, fear, for a prolonged amount of time. Caused by heredity, a traumatic experience, chemical in balance. Fight or flight: Adrenaline. Conditions covered: General Anxiety, Social Anxiety, PTSD,