| Inner Space

Breaking The Cycle of Chronic Dissatisfaction

Leave a Comment / Stress Management / Inner Space Team / January 6, 2024 / anxiety disorder, how to be mindful, managing emotions, mindfulness, stress management

Breaking The Cycle of Chronic Dissatisfaction Do you find yourself constantly chasing one goal after the other? Is it difficult for you to savor happy moments and rest in them? Do you immediately worry about the next problem once the previous one is solved? Are you constantly worried about something or the other? If you answered yes to most of these questions, chances are, you are chronically dissatisfied. Something gnaws at you much of the time. Living with chronic dissatisfaction is often burdensome. In many ways, it saps your capacity to enjoy life. How does chronic dissatisfaction come about though? To understand why we are chronically dissatisfied, it is necessary to understand our way of life. I say ‘our’ because most of us live this way. Our Usual Way Of Life Most of us live our lives staying busy, finding one entertainment after another, distracting ourselves, ruminating often about our unsolved or seemingly unsolvable problems. We constantly plan to do better and forever wish to achieve more. We lament lost moments of glory, struggle with temptations we cannot give into or fantasize about the future. In other words, we live our lives in a state of ‘dukkha’. Research On Mindfulness Eager to learn more about mindfulness? We have gathered all of the recent studies on the benefits of mindfulness to help you unlock the path to greater well-being and mental clarity. Know More What Is “Dukkha”? “Dukkha” is loosely translated in English as suffering. Gautama Buddha said that the sheer way we live, forever wanting and needing more, wanting to avoid pain as far as possible, not accepting what life has brought to us and staying so attached to our belongings, ideas, opinions and relationships, is itself suffering. He said that when we have happy moments, we cling to them and fear that they will pass away; when we have difficult moments, we struggle to resolve them. And the moments in between, we spend in day dreaming, fantasizing, planning or simply staying restless and bored. Such a stressful way to live! So much suffering! Chronic dissatisfaction is a reality of the human life. You are conditioned to want more, to need more, and to stay dissatisfied; because that is the only way you will keep striving to survive. Often you are afraid of slowing down or doing nothing because you fear that the moment you stop entertaining and distracting yourself, your mind will bring up all the feelings of dissatisfaction and the related difficult emotions you are trying to avoid. Despite appearances, all human beings struggle with some dissatisfaction or another. It could be about their jobs or health or relationships or finances or even about aging. That is perhaps why even you are here, reading this, searching for something that will make your life more satisfying. Working Through Chronic Dissatisfaction: The Innate Potential For Joy The picture looks gloomy at first, but it is not all bleak. Just like the innate conditioned demon of chronic dissatisfaction there is also a tremendous innate potential for joy. In fact at the deepest level, at the core, there is just joy which is often covered up by fears, struggles and dissatisfaction, so we can’t sense it. This is the joy of simply just being! Often, we are unable to feel this joy. We are caught up in trying to fix one thing after the other. It is ironical that our very methods of dealing with unpleasant feelings perpetuate it. We try to fight unpleasant thoughts away, we try not to feel unpleasant feelings. But this only increases the suffering and the burden. There is no respite from the cycle of constantly having to think, solve, fix, be in one state, and not be in another. Sounds burdensome! Mindfulness is the art and practice of dealing with this demon of chronic dissatisfaction, so that we can uncover the inner joy of being. When we practice mindfulness we do not fight with our dissatisfaction, instead we peacefully observe it. We slowly change our relationship with our dissatisfaction and try to know it better, thus changing our habitual reactions to it. Hence mindfulness is a gentle practice of greater self-knowledge and self awareness, as a way to address our suffering and know our joy. While this is the larger goal, our practice needs to begin with small steps. About the Author This article was written by the team of Psychologists and Mindfulness Trainers at Inner Space. Ask a Therapist If you are interested to know more about mindfulness, meditation or any related topic, ‘Ask A Therapist’ is a platform for you to ask your questions related to Mental Health, Mindfulness & Emotional Well-Being to our team of qualified Therapists and Mindfulness Trainers. Ask a Therapist Related Blogs Coping With Anxiety Using Mindfulness Cultivating A Beginner’s Mind Indian Origins Of Mindfulness Meditation

Breaking The Cycle of Chronic Dissatisfaction Read More »

Coping With Chronic Stress Through Mindfulness

Leave a Comment / Stress Management / Inner Space Team / December 2, 2023 / anxiety disorder, how to be mindful, managing emotions, mindfulness, stress management

The Quiet Effects of Chronic Stress: How To Overcome It? Everyone knows that stress is not good for us. However, one pertinent question is – how do we end up becoming chronically stressed? If we know that stress isn’t good for us, why don’t we do something to minimize the stress sooner? A part of the reason is – very often, we are not even aware that we are stressed. Stress keeps building up in a mild but chronic manner within, and we don’t even realize it. Let’s do a tiny check-in to understand this better- How often are you: Preoccupied in thought Absent-minded Zoning out of conversations Low on patience Prone to being impulsive Restless and wired up Constantly shaking your foot, feeling fidgety Feeling listless and lethargic Finding it hard to put down the phone, switch off the laptop or tv, even if you know you need to Not able to bring about change in certain habits or patterns, even if you wish to Not able to introspect Not able to understand what you truly feel These situations are so common that we don’t really make much of it. We may not even notice when they happen. However, it is important to know that these things aren’t just “quirks.” These are hidden, often quiet symptoms and effects of chronic stress. What Is Chronic Stress? Stress, in simple terms, is your body preparing you to either fight a threat or flee from it. However, there are just so many things that can get us feeling mildly threatened – the coffee going cold before you drink it, your roommate turning the fan off when you want it on, missing that bus or train, your children needing you when you want those minutes to yourself, your spouse coming back home in a bad mood, your boss looking unhappy with your suggestions… need we move to more serious situations? Enough happens in our daily lives that we don’t recognize we are feeling stressed in the present moment. We don’t recognize that our bodies feel mildly wired, and that we don’t feel at rest. We tell ourselves we have dealt with the situation and moved on. However, we don’t move on completely. We carry some residual stress with us. For instance, we still might be thinking about our spouse, boss or child while having a meal hours later. We might be slightly more restless for the rest of the day. We may not eat well, or eat a bit too much. We may feel distracted. We may have bad dreams that night or even the next. These are ways how our system carries chronic, residual stress. When our system keeps accumulating stress this way, and we do not get enough opportunity to reset our mind and body, we end up carrying some stress chronically. Being in a chronically stressed state can lead to longer term effects such as- Constant thinking, brooding, rumination An inability to truly rest and be Resting physically but being tired mentally Difficulty with concentration and focus Feeling irritable, tired, short tempered A tendency to snap or overreact Anxiety, constant worry Mental confusion, lack of clarity Burnout Addictive habits – right from alcoholism and smoking to binge eating, binge watching and so on Vulnerability to headaches, digestive issues, reproductive problems, hypertension and other or physical illnesses. Difficulty sleeping Reduced immunity Relationship difficulties owing to the state one is in. When we are in a state of chronic stress, we are constantly caught up in some form of thought. We constantly live in our heads. Sometimes, we go through our daily routine in an almost mechanical way. We do what we are doing, but we feel hazy and disconnected inside. We wish to understand what is going within us, but when we try, so many thoughts and confusion comes up that we look away and into the next TV series to get into, in order to lighten up. This state is like your nervous system being stretched like a rubber band and then being held in a stretched position. It cannot work in unison with all your other mental and emotional faculties to support yourself. Instead, it’s in survival mode, simply getting through each day and seeking some pleasure from time-to-time to help push yourself forth. Despite the momentary pleasures, you are not able to truly help yourself manage and reduce chronic stress meaningfully. Research On Mindfulness Eager to learn more about mindfulness? We have gathered all of the recent studies on the benefits of mindfulness to help you unlock the path to greater well-being and mental clarity. Know More Mindfulness: The Antidote To Chronic Stress Most of us aren’t even aware of the stress we carry in our bodies. And thus, we do not do anything to address the stress. Mindfulness is the “antidote” to chronic stress. Since mindfulness is all about being in the present, it gently works with the state of chronic stress. It works with our tendency to be in chronic stress, being unaware, getting caught up in the head, remaining disconnected with ourselves, and zoning out to the next distraction. One of the main reasons to learn mindfulness is due to its ability to help you stay rooted in the present, and work on reducing the load of chronic stress from your system. How Does Mindfulness Help To Manage Chronic Stress? When you train in mindfulness, you train in noticing yourself, as you are without judgement and with total acceptance of whatever arises. When you are able to be with yourself for longer spans of time, something powerful happens. The brain becomes rewired to drop stressful tendencies. It learns to recognize its present state better. It learns to drop automatic thinking more easily and come back to the moment. It can learn to recognise difficult sensations, difficult feelings without having to suppress it or shut it out. You are able to access what you are really feeling instead of just going with the first thought

Coping With Chronic Stress Through Mindfulness Read More »

Exploring The Link Between Agoraphobia And Panic Attacks

Leave a Comment / Anxiety / Inner Space Team / September 7, 2023 / anxiety disorder, how to cope, mental health, panic attack, panic disorder, restlessness, self help

What is Agoraphobia? Agoraphobia comprises two words of Greek origin. “Agora” means “open or public space” and “phobos” means fear. Thus, agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that refers to the fear of open or public spaces, where you feel you won’t receive any help or can’t escape. If you experience agoraphobia, you may feel helpless and trapped in public spaces or in crowds. You may feel like there would be no one to help you if something happens to you. You may also feel like you will lose control in public spaces. Eventually, to avoid these overwhelming fears, you may avoid public spaces. You may also avoid going out of your house. This can negatively affect your personal relationships, work, or school. Agoraphobia is a scary, difficult experience for those who go through it. Yet, people many people are unaware of this disorder and its connection to panic attacks. This article explores this relationship between agoraphobia and panic attacks. We talk about why it is important to identify agoraphobia, and the consequences of neglecting it. We will also guide you through some ways through which you can manage agoraphobia. Symptoms of Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder. Therefore, when you think about or visit public or open spaces, you may experience extreme anxiety. Agoraphobia symptoms often overlap with symptoms of anxiety and a panic, making it difficult to make sense of. If you are experiencing agoraphobia, you may notice the following symptoms when you are in, or imagine being in open, public spaces: Fear of losing control in a public space Fear of not receiving help when needed Fear of being trapped in a public space Fear of being away from home Fear of being in crowded and open spaces These fears can be suffocating and overwhelming for you. As a result, you may experience feelings of anxiety and panic. Sometimes, the fear can be extreme, and can result in a panic attack. Due to the persistent and extreme anxiety, you may begin to avoid stepping out of your home. Going out alone to do everyday tasks can seem terrifying without a companion. And thus, you may spend most of your time at home as your fear holds you back. What Are The Common Triggers For Agoraphobia? There is a misconception that agoraphobia happens only in public spaces. There are other situations that can trigger agoraphobia as well. Agoraphobia manifests often in places such as: Shops, theaters, malls, hospitals, restaurants Public Transport Crowded Spaces A line or queue Enclosed spaces such as elevators or cubicles These situations can trigger a panic attack, or can cause anxiety symptoms like shaking, sweating, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and shallow breathing. In a world that constantly requires you to step out of your home to get tasks done, it may be difficult for you to manage things like school, work, travel, or visits to the hospital. What Is The Relationship Between Agoraphobia And Panic Attacks? There is a strong relationship between agoraphobia and panic attacks. Agoraphobia can often arise as a result of repeated panic attacks. Experiencing frequent panic attacks, especially in public spaces, can make you fear having a panic attack in public again. You may worry about not receiving help, or losing control in public. These fears can bring up feelings of helplessness and embarrassment. Sometimes, the fear of having a panic attack in public can be intense enough to trigger another panic attack. This creates a vicious and endless cycle. Therefore, the anxiety about having a panic attack becomes even more difficult to manage than the actual panic attack. You may become highly sensitive to any situation that could potentially lead to another panic attack. This sensitivity can make you avoid being in public spaces, thus leading to agoraphobia. The core of agoraphobia and panic attacks are anxiety. It is therefore important to handle the underlying anxiety in order to manage the symptoms of the anxiety disorder. Working with the anxiety and its root cause will subsequently reduce the panic and the agoraphobia. Are your anxieties holding you back? Counseling can be a great tool for you to manage and overcome agoraphobia and lead a happy, stress-free life. We are here for you. Book an Appointment Managing Agoraphobia Treating Agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders have a lot to do with regulating the nervous system, and addressing the underlying anxiety. But, How do we regulate our nervous system? Some of the best ways to do this is to: Adopt a self-care practice: Incorporate meditation, mild exercise, and mindfulness into your everyday life. These practices can reduce your stress levels, heart rate, and release happy hormones into your body. They are simple, yet effective, ways to heal from within and manage your anxiety. Go for Therapy: Therapy is a great way to seek professional guidance to manage agoraphobia. Therapists can work with you to understand the underlying patterns of thinking that contribute towards your fear of public spaces. The ideal way to treat agoraphobia would be a combination of a good self-care and self-help regime, counseling, and medications, if required. By using these techniques and with time, you will be able to manage agoraphobia and lead a joyful life. Counseling And Therapy For Agoraphobia At Inner Space, we believe that managing agoraphobia requires a multi-dimensional approach. Therefore, our therapists help you observe the underlying patterns of negative thoughts and beliefs, and regulate your nervous system and body through relaxation and somatic therapies. It is important to find the right therapist to help you through an anxiety disorder, such as agoraphobia. Going for counseling can help you learn ways to manage everyday stress and reduce symptoms. Anxiety disorders can be a tough experience to go through. However, with the right support, you can manage agoraphobia and live your life with ease. Self-Help Techniques For Agoraphobia There are numerous self-help techniques you can do by yourself to manage some symptoms of agoraphobia. Performing these techniques, along with therapy and/or medication, can improve your ability to manage the

Exploring The Link Between Agoraphobia And Panic Attacks Read More »

Navigating Panic Attacks: A Guide To Successfully Solving The Panic Puzzle

Leave a Comment / Anxiety / Inner Space Team / August 24, 2023 / agoraphobia, anxiety disorder, fear of public places, how to cope, panic attack, panic disorder, restlessness, stress management

A panic attack can be a scary and confusing experience to go through. During a panic attack, you can feel like your heart is beating faster and you are losing control. Panic attacks usually happen without any immediate or apparent reason. It can occur even if you are relaxed. Some of the main signs of a panic attack are: Feeling breathless Feeling like you are losing control over your mind and body Having cold sweats Feeling numb in various parts of your body Heaviness in the chest Rapid heartbeat or palpitations Having blurred or tunnel vision. Explaining the feelings and sensations that come with a panic attack to another person can be very difficult. Moreover, it can also be difficult for you to make sense of the experience of a panic attack. The immense anxiety, the suffocation, breathlessness, and disconnection with things around you can feel tough to put into words. Panic attacks can also make you feel like they can happen again. This can even cause to avoid certain places due to the fear of it all coming up again(agoraphobia.) This article highlights some of the strategies and things you can do when you are going through a panic attack. We also take you through certain lifestyle changes you can make to prevent panic attacks in the future. Thus, this article can be used as a “Guide on Panic Attacks.” What Causes Panic Attacks? While panic attacks may feel threatening and fatal, they could be a way for our body to cope with underlying anxiety. Our mind constantly watches out for, and protects our body against threats. These threats could be external like an animal running behind us, writing an exam, going through a break-up, or experiencing abuse. It could also be internal, like our own anxious thoughts, or feelings of anxiety. When our mind detects a threat, our body can go into overwhelm and this can manifest as a panic attack. Over time, people having panic attacks often develop a fear of panic attacks. They are afraid that an attack may come on anytime. The Invisible Underlying Cause of a Panic Attack Most often Panic Attack is the result of a chronic and suppressed anxiety. There is a non-acknowledgement or denial of the anxiety or a lack of addressing it, which then gets converted into a panic attack. Once a panic attack has occurred the fear of panic attacks itself, feeds the anxiety further, which can lead to further panic attacks. Often, the fear of panic attacks itself is used to displace and disguise the actual anxiety. The real reason for anxiety continues to be unaddressed or denied and instead the person continues to fear getting more panic attacks. The symptoms of a panic attack move our attention away from our distressing thoughts and feelings. Our body produces these strong symptoms of chest heaviness, shallow breathing, and palpitations, to take our attention away from our anxiety. After experiencing repeated panic attacks, we may develop a fear of having them again, and it may lead to fear of going to public spaces. The fear of panic attacks and avoidance then becomes the focus of our lives. And the real reason for our anxiety does not get processed. This invisible and often very real reason for panic attacks is not addressed even by mental health professionals. Thus, we need a sustainable resolution that can help us with the symptoms of panic attacks, while also addressing the root causes of it- which are leading to anxiety and stress. What To Do When You Are Experiencing A Panic Attack Panic attacks happen suddenly. It can be an overwhelming experience. But, there are some ways to reduce the extreme sensations we feel during a panic attack. Here are some steps you can follow to reduce the intensity of a panic attack: Be aware of your experience: The first step towards reducing the intensity of a panic attack, is to know that you are going through one. This will help you feel less anxious, as you are now aware of your experience. Focus on your breathing: One of the first signs you notice in panic attacks is difficulty in breathing. To work through this, inhale deeply through the nose. Then, exhale through the mouth. Focusing on your breathing can make you feel more grounded. As a result, you feel more in control of the situation. Find a comfortable place: Panic attacks can be an uncomfortable experience. Moving to a location that is airy, quiet, and spacious can put you at ease. Use Ice: Using ice is a less-known way to handle panic attacks. You can rub ice cubes on your palms, wrists, face, or neck. You may also use cold water if ice isn’t available. Ice acts like a mild “brake” to make you focus less on what is going wrong. It helps you pay attention to your surroundings. Use your sense organs: Sense organs pick up signals from our surroundings. You can guide your sense organs to pick up signs of safety from your surroundings. These signs from the sense organs can help you feel safe in your body during panic attacks. The 5-4-3-2-1 method helps use our sense organs during a panic attack. The process works as follows: Focus on your breathing. You can do this yourself or have someone guide you through it. Look around and notice five things you can see. Notice the colors, patterns, and shapes of the objects you see. Next, pay attention to four things you can touch. And focus on them, and bring your mind to how the objects feel in your hands. Now, notice three things you can hear. Notice the sounds around you and bring your attention to them. The next step is to bring your focus to two things you can smell. Find something like coffee, lime, perfume, or essential oils that have a distinct scent to draw your attention to. Finally, find one thing you can taste. Notice what flavours and textures stand out when

Navigating Panic Attacks: A Guide To Successfully Solving The Panic Puzzle Read More »

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Overcoming The Constant Battle In Your Mind

Leave a Comment / Anxiety / Parvathi / August 8, 2023 / anxiety disorder, mental health, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, self help, stress management

OCD is a deeply misunderstood disorder. Often, we see people around us referring to someone as being “extremely OCD,” when they are talking about someone who is keen on cleanliness and order. When people talk about OCD, they tend to miss out on the more difficult, less-understood parts of it. It is much more than being a “neat-freak.” Learning more about the actual symptoms of OCD can help you understand the disorder better for yourself and others around you. This way, you can seek the right type of help and be aware of the signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. This article is a guide to understanding what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is, its symptoms, treatment options, and ways to manage it. What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an anxiety disorder where you can have repeated thoughts in your mind, which causes you extreme anxiety. These are known as “Obsessions.” As a result of these thoughts, you may feel anxious. And to feel better, you may find the need to do something. These are referred to as “Compulsions.” If you experience OCD, you may also experience severe anxiety, guilt, and difficulty in leading a normal life. Thus, it would be incorrect to assume that someone who is simply particular about being clean and orderly has OCD. Common Obsessions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Obsessions are repeated, intrusive thoughts you may experience. These thoughts could be shameful, scary, or worrying in nature. Sometimes, people may also have obsessive thoughts that go against their cultural and religious beliefs. Obsessions aren’t simply “thoughts.” Obsessions are relentless thoughts and ideas that can keep bothering you and cause you a lot of discomfort. They are difficult to get rid of. While obsessions may vary with each individual, there are some common obsessions that occur in OCD. These are: Fearing that you will be contaminated with germs, or that you will be dirty. Having unacceptable intrusive thoughts about sex and religion that goes against personal and societal beliefs. Feeling like everything should be symmetrical, in order, or be “just perfect.” Worrying excessively whether you or someone you know may experience something awful (like death or an accident.) Many people may experience a fear of losing their loved ones, or may have sexual fantasies, or may feel like everything should look neat. These are quite common and normal. But, these thoughts turn into obsessions when they become intrusive and keep you from having a healthy life. Common Compulsions In Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Also, at times obsessions can feel extreme, immoral, or unacceptable. You may feel like you are unable to control or get rid of it. So a way to reduce the anxiety we feel from these thoughts is to do certain things or “compulsions.” Compulsions are actions you do to reduce the anxiety, fear, or shame created by obsessive thoughts. Some of the common compulsions are: To feel more clean and free from germs, you may repeatedly wash your hands with soap, sanitize your hands, take frequent baths, or you may avoid sharing items with others. To reduce unacceptable thoughts of sex or religion, you may pray more, or use certain rituals to avoid the thoughts. To manage the thoughts of things being perfect, you may ensure that you follow a strict routine, you may spend a lot of time ensuring things are in correct order. To handle the fear of something dangerous happening to you or your loved one, you may repeatedly check if you or others are safe. You may look out for weapons, or check if there is anything that may cause harm. Compulsions are not just “habits.” They are a response to the overwhelming fear and anxiety you may experience from obsessive thoughts. Compulsions can impact your self-esteem, ability to function normally, and may cause you to avoid situations or people that can trigger these feelings. You may feel deeply guilty, conscious, or shameful of what your mind tells you. You may also feel powerless over your mind. However, OCD is a completely manageable condition. With the right support and professional help, you can address the root cause of your OCD, and work towards a peaceful and happy life. What Causes Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Like other Anxiety Disorders, OCD is also deeply rooted in anxiety. These anxieties could be deeper fears about losing control, dying, or may fear being unattractive or unloved. Since these anxieties are too painful, uncontrollable, or difficult to process, our brain creates ways to gain a sense of relief and control over the anxiety. Thus, acting on the compulsions can bring us temporary relief from the anxious, obsessive thoughts. OCD also protects us by making us avoid things that trigger our fears. For example, those who may experience fear of being contaminated may avoid using common items, or visiting public places. OCD can be caused due to genetics, or may be linked to stressful life events. It may also co-occur with other anxiety disorders. We understand how disturbing, exhausting, and difficult OCD can be. However, with support and time, you will be able to manage these obsessive thoughts without feeling deeply anxious. Are your anxieties holding you back? Counseling can be a great tool for you to manage and overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and lead a happy, stress-free life. We are here for you. Book an Appointment Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder OCD is a condition that can be managed with the right kind of self and professional support, and lifestyle changes. We have mentioned some ways OCD can be managed below: Since OCD is an anxiety disorder, it can worsen with stress. Therefore, following a healthy diet, exercising, and taking up hobbies can reduce your stress levels and OCD symptoms. Meditation and Mindfulness are great tools for you to stay focused, present, and feel less stressed. Performing deep breathing and mindful awareness exercises can make you feel more in control of the situation. Sometimes being simply aware that you are having an obsessive thought can put

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Overcoming The Constant Battle In Your Mind Read More »

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and How To Manage Them

Leave a Comment / Anxiety / Parvathi / July 27, 2023 / anxiety disorder, managing emotions, mental health, negative emotions, self help, symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety is a common emotion that many of us are familiar with. We may all experience it on certain occasions that may be stressful. This is why not all anxiety is an anxiety disorder. However, when anxiety builds up over time, and is ignored, it can manifest in different ways. There are some common ways how unprocessed anxiety manifests in our lives, and these are known as anxiety disorders. Anxiety Disorders can cause a great deal of stress while carrying out daily activities. Normally, anxiety is a helpful emotion that warns us when we are under threat. But when we experience excessive anxiety, it starts to take control over different parts of our life negatively. The key to managing your anxiety disorders is to understand them. In this article, we look through the different anxiety disorders, and ways you can manage them. Managing anxiety is essential to help you overcome anxiety disorders and lead a well-balanced and peaceful life. When Is An Anxiety Disorder Diagnosed? “Feeling anxious” is considered to be an anxiety disorder when your anxiety starts affecting your daily life. With Anxiety Disorders, anxiety takes the center stage of your life. You may spend most of your time managing or worrying about certain symptoms coming back. For anxiety to be considered a disorder it must be so much that it impacts your social and work life. With anxiety disorders like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you may worry about your intrusive thoughts. This may lead you to engage in compulsive behaviors. On the other hand with Panic Disorder, you may begin to worry if a panic attack may occur again. You may also begin to avoid public spaces due to your fear of getting a panic attack. This fear of public spaces is known as Agoraphobia. Excessive anxiety can manifest in multiple forms. Therefore, there are different types of Anxiety Disorders. Types of Anxiety Disorders The core feature of all anxiety disorders is unresolved anxiety. This anxiety can be overwhelming and deep-rooted, and we may be unable to process or sit with it. Therefore, our mind and body bring out various symptoms to distract us from the anxiety. These symptoms over time, turn into Anxiety Disorders. They are of the following types: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD involves extreme fear or worry in almost every aspect of life. You may also experience certain bodily symptoms such as tiredness, muscle pain or stiffness, and a change in sleep and eating patterns. Social Anxiety Disorder: In this disorder, you may avoid social situations, or you may find social settings overwhelming. You may avoid speaking in public, socializing with people, or avoid eating in public. Panic Disorder: Panic Disorder involves repeated panic attacks. A panic attack is a sudden onset of extreme fear and distress in the mind and the body. It causes sweating, palpitations, chest heaviness, rapid breathing, and a fear of losing control or dying. It can be an extremely frightening experience, and it may make you worried about having another panic attack. Agoraphobia: Agoraphobia is a fear of being in public spaces. It is a fear of not being able to escape, or not receiving help. It could happen on its own, or as a result of a panic disorder. Agoraphobia with a panic disorder may cause you to worry about having another panic attack in public, and not receiving help. This can make you avoid getting out of your home, or you may only leave with a companion. Phobia: Phobias are fear of specific things, situations, or people. A fear is called a phobia when what you fear isn’t usually harmful. Some common examples of phobia are the phobia of blood, certain animals, insects, water, and flying. Separation Anxiety: This is the intense fear of being separated from a close one. If you experience separation anxiety, you may try to stay as close as you can with the close one. You may also worry if you may lose them, and may have nightmares of losing them. Thus, anxiety shows up in various forms which are broadly termed as “Anxiety Disorders.” To treat anxiety disorders, you will have to address the deeply rooted anxiety within you. It is only then you may find relief from the symptoms of anxiety. Medication for Anxiety Disorders: Is It Necessary? Whether medication is necessary for anxiety disorders or not depends upon the severity of the symptoms and the extent of dysfunction these symptoms bring to your life. Sometimes, you may deal with severe anxiety which may produce extreme symptoms. If these symptoms disturb multiple areas of your life, then medications become necessary. Medications help to treat and manage the symptoms of various anxiety disorders. Medications like benzodiazepines, for example, can help with the rapid heartbeat and anxiety during panic attacks. However, treating anxiety has a lot to do with regulating the nervous system. Medications only help the symptoms of the anxiety disorder and may be very necessary to manage the difficulty for a while. However, the deep rooted issues leading to the anxiety disorders can only be worked through by therapy and regular relaxation, meditation and other self-management practices. Are your anxieties holding you back? Counseling can be a great tool for you to manage and overcome your anxiety and lead a happy, stress-free life. We are here for you. Book an Appointment Counseling And Therapy For Anxiety Disorders At Inner Space, we believe that treating anxiety requires a multi-dimensional approach. Therefore, our therapists help you observe the underlying patterns of negative thoughts and beliefs, and regulate your nervous system and body through relaxation and somatic therapies. Learning to handle anxiety requires learning to process fears and sit with difficult emotions. These practices are crucial to overcoming anxiety and taking charge of your life again. A good and qualified therapist can help you stay with fear and process it. Therefore it is important to find the right therapist to help you through an anxiety disorder. Going for counseling can

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and How To Manage Them Read More »

Overcoming guilt in OCD can make you feel relieved

IT IS JUST AN INTRUSIVE THOUGHT!– DEALING WITH GUILT IN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

6 Comments / Stress Management / Inner Space Team / March 12, 2014 / anxiety disorder, managing anxiety, negative thoughts, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD, overthinking

If you have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, you know what it feels like to have recurrent intrusive negative thoughts. These thoughts come out of nowhere, make you anxious and make you do things to undo their effect. They make you feel guilty- guilty for just having these thoughts!

IT IS JUST AN INTRUSIVE THOUGHT!– DEALING WITH GUILT IN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER Read More »

anxiety disorder

Breaking The Cycle of Chronic Dissatisfaction

Coping With Chronic Stress Through Mindfulness

Exploring The Link Between Agoraphobia And Panic Attacks

Navigating Panic Attacks: A Guide To Successfully Solving The Panic Puzzle

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Overcoming The Constant Battle In Your Mind

Understanding Anxiety Disorders and How To Manage Them

IT IS JUST AN INTRUSIVE THOUGHT!– DEALING WITH GUILT IN OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER

We Are Here For You

Our Links

Contact Us

+91 9833985538

info@innerspacetherapy.in

Get In Touch With Us For Any Inquiry or Appointment

Quick Links

Important Links

The Art of Listening