Social Work Career Choices

How To Treat Panic Attacks

2010-05-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

Before I get into the treatment of panic attacks, we'll go over some of the basics as to what causes panic attacks to occur. Excessive anxiety is on of the main reasons why panic attacks occur, in fact, all a panic attack is a sudden spike of fear/anxiety that comes unexpectedly and without any obvious reason. If you are reading this article, however, you probably are well acquainted with panic attacks, and probably know more than you want to about them.

There is no need to worry if you suffer from anxiety, or panic attacks. Nearly 1/3 of American adults have at least one panic attack, but don't develop repeated attacks. Surprisingly, with all the talk about OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), bipolar disorder, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), etc, panic attacks actually surpass those in terms of emotional disorders.

If you think you suffer from panic attacks, but are unsure, listed below are the most common symptoms of panic attacks:

- difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
- very fast-paced heartbeat
- excessive nervousness, shakiness, or stress
- paralytic terror every once in a while
- choking or chest pains
- dizziness, nausea, or feeling light-headed
- sudden chills and/or hot flashes
- excessive anxiety or fear
- “pins and needles” on your fingers and toes

If you suffer from a significant amount of those symptoms, there's a good chance that you suffer from panic attacks. There are many ways to find information on how to treat anxiety attacks, unfortunately, there is no one set way to teach so I won't be able to go over all of them in this article. You can contact local agencies to get you the help and/or the prescriptions you need to get over this problem. Don't fret, however, it is a curable disorder and shouldn't be left alone.

Do an internet search on some of the following agencies: American Counseling Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, Anxiety Disorders Association of America, Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Freedom From Fear, NAMI, National Anxiety Foundation... the list goes on. After finding websites to some of those different organizations, you can either call or usually write an Email and they will get back to you with some questions on your panic attack “level” and tell you the best possible way to treat your panic attacks.

Panic attacks can alter our moods, our perception, and ruin some of the many moments in life that we would otherwise find breathtaking. Nobody should have to deal with panic attacks when there is help available—and there is plenty of help available when it comes to panic attacks and anxiety attacks.

Learn more about Effects of Stress and find out about Trauma Psychotherapy

Causes Of Depression And Your Life Style

2010-05-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

Depression is a feeling that we get when something bad happens and we are unable to deal with it. Even though depression is now known to have serious effects if it persists for a long length of time, the actual causes of depression are not well defined. There are some theories that suggest a multiple number of reasons, both internal and external factors which can cause depression.

There are other theories about the cause of depression arising from genetics. With this theory the family and their behavior has a predisposition towards depression. There are numerous studies and research that has shown family members who are affected by depression have a genetic makeup that is very different from family members who are unaffected by depression.

It has been noted that changes in the brain structure or even brain functions may be one of the causes of depression. While there is no clear evidence of brain functionality or genetics as being predisposed towards depression, there is ample research data to suggest that this is the case.

Low self esteem and pessimism are thought to be the other causes of depression. With these mood traits a person suffering from low self esteem will regard themselves with feelings of pessimism, worthlessness, a desire to end their life and perhaps even attempts at suicide. In this case the person who suffers from low self esteem and depression will only see the negative aspects of life. These low self esteem and pessimistic feelings maybe some of the causes of depression, as they invoke the response towards depression.

Being overwhelmed by stress can easily lead a person into a state of depression. The many pressures that we face in our lives and the great expectations that are placed on us contribute to this feeling of stress. Therefore as more stress enters our lives depression begins to set in. Low self esteem, pessimism and stress are considered to be psychological causes of depression.

Other causes of depression can include any physical changes that occur to our bodies. Severe medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, heart attacks, strokes and diabetes can make the individual believe that there is nothing worthwhile living for. This emotional state in many cases causes the person to drop into a depressionphase. By feeling depressed the rate of recovery is delayed.

While it is not completely clear what the exact causes of depression are, there is agreement that certain physical, emotional, and genetic traits can lead towardsdepression. Whatever the actual cause is, the end result is that the individual who is suffering from depression has a very poor quality of life. Therefore until we can define what are the real causes of depression, all that we can do is to help them become better.

Learn more about Effects of Stress and find out about Trauma Psychotherapy

Know What Causes Anxiety

2010-05-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

Anxiety disorders are among the top reasons for psychological consultations to doctors and medical experts today. Causes or factors contributing to this condition vary according to the nature or type of anxiety disorder. For one to understand the many causes of anxiety, it is important to know that each type of anxiety disorder differs in noted factors or causes and the causes may also vary in a case to case basis.

There are instances when a person who is suffering from an extreme case of anxiety is not aware of his condition. He tends to have sudden agitation and nervousness attacks. When this happens, he will eventually lose concentration in what he is doing, thus, resulting to less productivity and control of life.

Although cases of anxiety disorders differ from one person to another, the root patterns of each patient are somewhat alike, particularly in anxiety-prone families. Studies show that majority of people with anxiety disorders also have one or two family members who also suffer from anxiety.

Anxiety indeed has numerous causes or roots, and each patient’s condition is notably unique. With this, it is best to know what causes anxiety in order for one to treat it properly. This will ready the sufferers on how to manage anxiety attacks next time they trigger.

Factors and causes of anxiety

Psychological disorders associated to anxiety have a number of factors that are known to contribute to the intensity and degree of these conditions. There are really no single factor that can trigger anxiety. The factors contributing to the development of anxiety cases often impact or complement one another.

The following are the must-know causes or factors of anxiety disorders:

1. Personality traits
Individuals who are diagnosed to have anxiety disorders always alienate themselves to other people as they regard the society as a threatening place. Majority of those with serious cases of anxiety have low coping skills and poor self-esteem.

2. Environment
Least known to many, the environment also contributes to the development of anxiety conditions. Certain painful and trying events in a person’s life can definitely trigger chronic anxiety. These events can be a separation from loved ones, money problems, and other personal issues involving family life or work.

3. Brain complexity
Studies claim that certain imbalances and abnormalities in a person’s brain chemistry make a person more susceptible to acquire anxiety disorders. With this, majority of prescribed medications for anxiety aim to remedy such chemical imbalances in the brain.

4. Traumatic experiences
Anxiety is also known to develop due to a person’s traumatic life experiences. Examples of traumatic life events are marital separation, abuse, and death. Traumatic experiences can be very damaging and depressing for an individual, thus, resulting to the development of anxiety disorders.

5. Hereditary
Studies claim that anxiety disorders are hereditary. Those who are diagnosed with extreme anxiety conditions oftentimes have history cases of mood disorders, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders. People who are also innately vulnerable to stress are the ones known to have anxiety disorders.

Learn more about Effects of Stress and find out about Trauma Psychotherapy

How to Juggle College and Being a Single Mom

2010-02-01T17:20:00.000-08:00

I spoke with Cindy the other day who has two kids and works full-time at a bank. She has been wanting to get more into management and saw a friend get a promotion who has a college degree. Cindy brought up in our therapy session that she really thinks getting a degree can help her boss consider her for future advancements as well as allow her to even change jobs if she wished.

However, she also feels that she is already continously busy and doesn't see a way to take classes. When she priced the tuition it was not in her budget. Because her niece is applying to colleges, she was told that there are both scholarships and grants for women as well as single moms. Her niece will be a freshman and gave her a list of a lot of general scholarship opportunities from soda companies to walmarts and other big corporations.

Cindy and I discussed how it would be a great idea to even take two classes part-time while working and if she received a scholarship that this was do-able. Some scholarships can also be used for online courses so this was another idea she was thinking about to make things work. She'll also be speaking to her manager about whether the company offers college scholarships for back to school moms and what the committment would be to the company if she is eligible. She is not sure
she wants to get locked into that job but it may be short-term. The most important thing to me is she now has more hope about her future. She also picked up a cookbook that has meals with 5 ingredients that someone recommende at work and her plan is to make three meals a week with the book, eat out one meal and do frozen foods for the other weeknight dinner.

Read more about Scholarships for Single Mothers and
get information on Finanical Aid for Returning to School

Job Hunting After Social Work School

2010-01-19T01:28:00.001-08:00

It can be scary to leave academia and start the job search process. There are so many horror stories about people still looking a few years after graduation as well as grim news reports. However, social work is a field where there are a variety of opportunities in different settings. As most people know, the pay for social workers and teachers isn't the highest, but the rewards are.

First of all, be sure your cover letter and resume are updated. Don't forget to put in different interests you have as well in a section at the end. I know I received interesting questions in interviews as people asked me about yoga and meditation which I had listed in my personal interest section.

Also, even if you are looking for something full-time, don't turn down interviews for part-time social work jobs as you can put two positions together or expand it down the road very likely. Sometimes, employers are trying to avoid giving benefits. Other times, they want to test someone out.

A mental health clinic is a nice place to start at a community center because you'll get a range of clients and this is a good way to learn more about your local town's issues as well as get more experience. In the interview, show confidence but also show an openness to learning from your supervisor and expanding your knowledge.

Discouragement is something that needs to be fought hard because you'll be sending out resumes often and not getting a response. There are also hospital positions that are weekend shifts where they often need help so don't rule these out. Also some second or third shift counseling jobs as well as on-call hospice work can be very rewarding. Don't forget to network as well. If you can go to nasw meetings you can make some good connections. This is how I found a part-time job working with the elderly at an assisted living facility.

If you are looking for a Part Time Social Work Job stop by to see both opportunities as well as job tips at Social Work Programs

Returning to School: Moms and College Program Scholarships or Grants

2010-01-18T01:58:00.001-08:00

If you are a mom, you know how busy you are. You are constantly aware of your children's needs as well as probably
working as well. If you are a single mom, then the amount of responsibilities you have can be overwhelming. You probably
can't even imagine how you can handle college courses in terms of your time as well as finances. If you already have a job, you can often advance in salary and position by additional education and certification. It's also a means to start your own business, do consulting work and fulfill wishes you've had for a while.

You may feel intimidated due to the cost of course tuition and fears of how to afford returning to school. Fortunately, there are different financial aid packages. You can take steps by first finding out about the federal aid application known as FAFSA. This embraces various forms of federal money including the Pell Grants. Some of the Pell Grants are over five thousand dollars which can be a significant help for covering tuition, books and other college expenses.

Workforce stimulus money is also something many have found to be a good source of aid. In Florida, over 150 million dollars was available in 2009. It is helpful to go to the financial aid office of the college you are considering to discuss options. This has helped many single moms returning to school as well as those who have been recently unemployed. There are various scholarships, grants and forms of funding that you'll be introduced to.

Organizations within the community also offer scholarships. These can be found through churches, synagogues, retail stores and a number of corporations looking to make a better world. You may feel rusty about returning to college, but this is often due to a lack of confidence. You will gain not only new knowledge and skills but also connect with others socially that are trying to improve their careers and family circumstances. What a wonderful lesson also to give to your children as they see you taking on this challenge.

Find out more about Financial Aid for Mothers to find ways to cover college costs on this exciting journey and learn about options such as Social Work Programs

How To Overcome Anxiety And Panic Attacks Permanently

2009-12-03T21:15:00.001-08:00

The desire to overcome anxiety and panic attacks permanently is only natural considering the debilitating effects these issues can have on your life. It should be understood that while the process of overcoming these attacks does require time and dedication, it is possible to overcome anxiety and attacks permanently without the use of prescription medications. If you are interested in how to overcome these attacks once and for all, read on for more tips.

Understanding the connection between anxiety and panic attacks is one of the first steps in learning how to overcome them permanently. While panic attacks can occur from completely out of the blue, in some cases they do occur as a result of anxiety. Furthermore, the fear and anxiety of experiencing another panic attack once you have experienced even one can lead to debilitating effects that profoundly affect the rest of your life. It is not uncommon for an individual to only experience one panic attack but be so consumed by the fear of having another that they develop other conditions, such as agoraphobia.

It is also important to understand that panic and anxiety attacks can actually be linked to your body’s rather natural response to danger. Whenever your body feels threatened it is natural for the pulse to become elevated and for other physical symptoms to arise. Regardless of whether the fear is real or only perceived, your body is likely to respond in the same manner-with a heightened sense of anxiety. These symptoms leave us with two choices-to either stay and face the fear or flee from it. Considering the overwhelming physical symptoms, most choose the latter option. Learning how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks permanently therefore involves learning how to prepare for the feelings associated with panic and anxiety attacks and conquer them.

One way to handle this is through ongoing therapy which can help you to address the fears which may result in panic and anxiety attacks. No matter what you are afraid of, whether it is a real situation or something that you perceive to be of danger, it is important to understand that you can unlearn the behaviors that have produced panic and anxiety attacks in the past. Coping skills like relaxation techniques and imagery skills can help you learn how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks permanently over time.

Learning how to overcome these issues may also involve actually unlearning anxious habits that have developed over the years. The brain must actually learn how to forget the anxious behavior it has practiced over time and replace that behavior with actions that are not anxious in order for this to work. Quite naturally, this will require time, but it is possible and it does work.

No matter which techniques you utilize in order to overcome anxiety and panic attacks, please be aware that you must dedicate time and effort to the process. In many cases this may mean practicing those techniques on a daily basis in order for them to be successful. Despite the effort and time required, the payoff is definitely worth it. Over time you can learn how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks permanently and take back control of your life.

Find out more about the Social Work Licensing Exam and Social Work Career Choices

Depression Leads To Weight Loss-Gain

2009-12-03T21:15:00.000-08:00

Depression is said to be is one of the severe most condition of life to survive with. Persons suffering from depression experiences gain in weight, which is an extra tension. Sudden change in weight can be a symptom of depression, as well as a side effect of other medication. Several people experiences certain change in their body weight. Without significant details of your diet, work out habits, and previous medical history, it is hard to decide exactly what effect cortical levels will have on your body weight. Cortical is a hormone secreted by the body that regulates blood pressure and metabolism. It also plays a vital role in the stress response, and has become known as the stress hormone. When a person experiences stress, the body is in such a state of aggressiveness in most of the cases.

Serotonin is the brain element which helps us stay joyful and happy. Eating carbohydrates helps to develop serotonin levels and may explain why we sometimes desire these foods. So if you experience depression, do not pursue a controlled or low-curb eating plan. Fine carbohydrates include foods like oats, whole wheat bread, pasta, basmati or wholegrain rice, and beans/legumes. Small quantity of selenium is also helpful in the treatment of depression. Selenium can be obtain by eating foods such as total wheat bread, bran, brazil nuts, tuna, onions, tomatoes and broccoli. Include some of these foods on a regular basis it will be more beneficial. Individuals should include adequate salads and vegetables in the diet plan. They should also include fish with their meals in a week twice with the main course of diet.

Fatty acids and antioxidants present in these foods are very helpful to protect brain cells from getting into depression and aging as well. There are several programs that helps one to lose weight that one has gained due to depression. These programs not only make the individual to lose weight but also provide lots of support for getting out of depression state. A daily routine helps to maintain stable metabolism and blood-sugar levels, which in turn improves mood, and should therefore help to improve some symptoms of depression. Exercise may be advantageous than drugs in treating mild to moderate depression. If it is not possible to exercise of 1 hour that just start with 15-20 min daily. A quick walk, cycling or swimming are superb way to begin. As it is said that start with a single step to achieve the highest goal.

Learn more about mental health issues and get a list of good Social Work Books and recommended Social Work Programs

How To Control Panic Attacks

2009-12-03T21:11:00.000-08:00

If you suffer from anxiety you most likely know that learning how to control panic attacks is an important step in the recovery process. Many people; however, find that traditional prescription medications provide little relief and often leave them feeling groggy and completely unlike their normal self. The good news is that there are ways in which you can control panic attacks that do not require any prescription medications. Read on for more details to find out how.

One of the first steps in learning how to control panic attacks is understanding that even though a panic attack can certainly be frightening at the time, there is no danger that you are going to die from it or that you will be hurt. While many people may feel as though they are going to lose control or go crazy during an attack, this is not actually accurate. Your body is simply responding in a biological manner to a perceived threat. The symptoms you experience during a panic attack are simply your body’s way of releasing the energy you will need to either remain and fight the danger that is perceived or flee from it. Even though you may feel as though you might be having a heart attack, losing control or going crazy, this is not the case. Work on re-training your mind to understand that none of this is going to happen.

It is also important to focus on slowing down in order to learn how to control panic attacks. One of the most common symptoms of a panic attack is an increased rate of breathing and heart rate. You can learn to control this; however, by regularly practicing breathing techniques and exercises. This will help to calm your racing thoughts as well as physically slow down your body. You can do this by inhaling and exhaling slowly and counting as you do so. As your body begins to calm and slow down many of the symptoms associated with panic attacks will also decrease including trembling, dizziness, confusion, muscle aches and tingling.

Other ways in which you can control panic attacks including contacting someone from your support system when you begin to feel first symptoms of a panic attack. This can help you to immediately take control of the situation. Even if you must speak to the person on the phone rather than in person, explaining how you are feeling can provide a good deal of comfort to immediately ease the situation.

Taking a walk to burn off the excess energy and adrenaline your body is releasing can also prove to be quite helpful.

Occupying your mind with something else when you begin to feel anxious is another great way to control panic attacks. Good ways you can do this include noticing details of what else is going on around you and listening to music. Even these simple acts can help to take your mind off the possibility of a panic attack and focus it on something more positive.

With these techniques and guidelines you can learn how to control panic attacks and begin to make the journey toward recovery.

Find out more about the Social Work Licensing Exam and Social Work Career Choices