Anxiety
One focus of my practice is working with those suffering from anxiety, and anxiety can be complex. Follow this blog for updates and discussion about the origins of anxiety, how anxiety can show up in our lives, and what we can do to alleviate suffering, including:
Fear versus anxiety (what is normal and what isn’t)
Levels of anxiety (the spectrum from mild worry to severe panic)
Behavioral theory about how anxiety becomes conditioned and how Cognitive Behavior Therapy works to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to reduce anxiety
The anxiety-avoidance cycle, what is happening in the brain, and how to resolve it
Anxiety as a signal from something else or unconscious conflict
What defense mechanisms are, their connections to anxiety, and healthy, mature defenses
Anxiety as an ingrained trait (personality) as opposed to a temporary mood state, and the possibility of trait change
Existential anxiety, which is turmoil about our life’s meaning, our freedom, and death
Anxiety disorders, psychiatric treatment, and an overview of commonly prescribed medications, and their benefits and risks
Anxiety that’s caused by other psychiatric conditions, medical conditions, or substance use
I’m also going to review several books related to anxiety including:
Dr. Judson Brewer’s book, Unwinding Anxiety and his theory that anxiety is a habit loop we can interrupt
Self-Compassion, by psychologist Kristin Neff, about how mindful self-compassion may foster healthy self-esteem, compared to being critical of ourselves and striving for high self-esteem
The Healing Power of the Breath by Brown & Gerbarg: a book by two psychiatrists, about breathing techniques that may alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and trauma
Dr. Robert Lang’s book, Death Anxiety, and links to symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced by many during the COVID pandemic/era
A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters by Dr. Steven Hayes, about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how it’s used to ease troubling symptoms, connect us to what is important, increase our mental flexibility, and create change
And finally, in a future blog post I’m going to discuss a technique from Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills for severe anxiety, that many say brings rapid relief to a particularly bad episode of anxiety.
Stay tuned! ~ Lisa Baker, DNP, PMHNP-BC