Anxiety

The Linear Way Panic Disorder Leads to Agoraphobia

The Linear Way Panic Disorder Leads to Agoraphobia 2560 1706 Long Island Counseling Services

Phobias are intense fears of a very specific “stimuli.” For example, a person might intensely fear snakes, public speaking, or flying on a plane. Encountering these leads to severe anxiety and distress that can be debilitating, so people will go out of their way to avoid those objects, animals, or experiences. Agoraphobia is a type of phobia where a person fears being in unfamiliar and/or public places. People with agoraphobia may either not be able…

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Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety – Differences and Similarities

Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety – Differences and Similarities 1707 2560 Long Island Counseling Services

Some people are naturally socially. They love to talk to people, and they get excited about the idea of social interaction. But not everyone is that socially active. Many people dislike or struggle to be social for different reasons, and may describe those reasons using different terms. Some of the most common of these terms are “introvert,” “shy,” and “socially anxious.” These terms can share similarities, but they mean very different things, and – for…

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Should We Consider Panic Attacks to be Traumas?

Should We Consider Panic Attacks to be Traumas? 150 150 Long Island Counseling Services

Panic attacks are intensely physical events, where an individual experiences chest pain, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, and other symptoms – combined with a feeling of doom that can cause those with panic attacks to genuinely feel like they are about to die, or that something terrible is about to happen. Even though panic attacks tend to occur when no danger is present, the rationality of a panic attack is often irrelevant. The experience itself can leave…

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Helping Your Child or Teen After a Traumatic Experience

Helping Your Child or Teen After a Traumatic Experience 150 150 Long Island Counseling Services

A traumatic experience can cause a period of intense stress, fear, and other challenging emotions. Because of the intensity of these feelings, the brain can struggle to process the event and holds onto these emotions to create ongoing emotional challenges after the event has passed. When these traumatic events happen to children or teens, the way that younger people experience and process them can be different from the way that adults do. Children are still…

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What Are Intrusive Thoughts?

What Are Intrusive Thoughts? 1920 1280 Long Island Counseling Services

Our brains are fascinating. We often like to think that we have control over our thoughts and our feelings. But the truth is that the thoughts we have are not always in our control, and there are situations where a person may have thoughts they do not want, with no explanation as to why they are occurring, and no easy way to stop them. We call these “intrusive thoughts.” Intrusive thoughts are a symptom of…

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How Anxiety Causes Physical Symptoms

How Anxiety Causes Physical Symptoms 150 150 Long Island Counseling Services

Anxiety disorders are often associated with feelings of worry, stress, and fear, but anxiety is not only a mental occurrence. It is also a physical one. This is true whether you are experiencing anxiety as a result of frightening or stressful events or you are dealing with an anxiety disorder that can often cause both mental and physical symptoms to occur when you may actually be safe. These physical symptoms of anxiety are a significant…

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