Self-Help Update:
Panic Attacks

In March of this year, Deborah Harper, president of Psychjourney, conducted a 1-hour audio interview with me on the nature of panic attacks and self-help strategies you can use. We touch on the following topics:

• How a panic attack causes the fastest and most complex reaction known within the human body.
• What if you worry that the physical symptoms are an indication of a serious medical condition like a heart attack or stroke?
• What are the four complicating problems in obtaining a diagnosis?
• Why do so many people describe panic attacks as “coming out of the blue?”
• What causes panic attacks?
• What is a panic-prone personality?
• Why do more women have panic attacks?
• How do you fight panic attacks?
• How does our attitude influence our vulnerability to panic attacks?
• Why should we seek out panic and approach situations we fear?
• What are safety crutches?
• How do you find a therapist to work with for a panic disorder?  What kind of training and personal characteristics should we seek?
• What medications are recommended for panic disorder?

Here’s the link to listen to that podcast: http://anxieties.com/media/../media/harper_dr_reid_wilson_dont_panic.mp3

View their post about Dr. Wilson here:
http://psychjourney.libsyn.com/index.php?post_category=Anxiety

Professional Update:
Guided Imagery Help for Dental Anxieties

Dr. Marvin Mansky, a dentist in New York City, describes a five-minute procedure, conducted while the patient is in the operatory chair, to reduce anxiety. When the dentist learns that a patient is anxious, coaching the patient in a seven-step exercise can give the patient great control over the physical discomfort caused by anxiety.

Here’s how Dr. Mansky suggests the dentist presents the procedure to the patient:

1.      “We are going to do a short exercise to eliminate anxiety.  You will also be able to control any anxiety you feel now and in the future.  I will ask you to do certain things and after you complete each one let me know so I can give you the next thing to do.  Is that O.K.?”

2.      “Dental anxiety generally causes discomfort in the stomach, chest, head, shoulders, or the hands or arms. Close your eyes.  Travel inside your body with your mind and find the area that feels uncomfortable. When you find the area, use your hands to show me how large the area is.  Good.  Now notice that because the discomfort is mainly in one area, this area feels different and is separate from the rest of your body.”

3.      “At this point, think of the degree of discomfort you are feeling as a ‘10’ on a scale of ‘0 to 10’ with ‘10’ being the worst.  This awareness will allow you to know how well you are doing.  For example, if it gets to a ‘5’, it will mean you are doing better.”

4.      “Because the area feels isolated, be aware that it has a shape and a wall around it that separates it from the surrounding area.  Explore it with your mind.  Now tell me if it is round, oval, or square? How deep does the area go?  Does it go all the way to your back?  Halfway?  Or is it just on the surface?  Does it feel solid, mushy or fluttery? “

5.      “Now that you are familiar with the area, you can manipulate it.  Open up the surrounding wall and let it spread out into a wider area.”  (Note: This is generally easy for people to do but in some cases it may take some effort.  It is my experience that almost everyone can do this.  If the person is finding it difficult just ask them to keep trying because it is really worth it.)  “When successful, and I know you can do it, let me know how it is on a scale of 1 to 10.”  (Most likely the patient will tell you it is either a 7 or an 8.)

6.      “Now make the area smaller, about the size of a Ping-Pong ball.”  (After the patient indicates this is done then say)  “Now move it up or down or to either side.  To move the ball, open up a space above it or below it.  Move the ball into this space.  How does it feel on a scale of 1 to 10?  You are getting control over your discomfort.  In only a few more moments, you will have complete control.”

7.      “Open a pathway ‘like the Red Sea parting’ from where discomfort is to your throat.  Move the ball to your throat.  Now take a deep breath and blow the ball out through your mouth.  Where are you now on a scale of 0 – 10?  If there any left you now know how to get rid of it.  It’s a crummy feeling, so take another deep breath and blow out the rest of it.”

Dr. Mansky reports, “At this point, even from the most anxious patients is relaxed and ready for treatment.” 

Here is a link to Dr. Mansky’s complete article: http://www.personaldentistry.com/dental_anxiety_cure

Self-Help Update:
Dental Anxiety

Dr. Mansky has a nice article posted on his website for patients with dental anxiety. It discusses causes of dental anxiety and various approaches to reducing or eliminating it. This article is for you if you are someone who:

• Is afraid to visit a dentist and concerned about what will happen if you don’t go
  
  
• Feels guilty or embarrassed because of what you think a dentist will think when he or she looks into your mouth
  
  
• Feels embarrassed by your smile but are too anxious to do anything about it
  
  
• Is afraid of needles and drills.
  
  
• Puts off going to the dentist because of difficult past dental experiences

• Feels out of control in a dentist chair

Here’s the link for his article: http://www.personaldentistry.com/eliminate_dental_anxiety