Everyone worries from time to time, but sometimes anxiety can become all-consuming, inhibiting everyday life. Most of us have experienced anxiety at some point in our lives. It is a normal response to threatening situations. Under certain circumstances, anxiety can actually help us to evaluate and mobilize our resources in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones. In moderation, it can also help us to be more efficient and improve our performance in some tasks. Sometimes, however, anxiety can become all-consuming, hindering our abilities and interfering with our daily lives. At extreme levels, it can severely impair our functioning.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Anxiety Disorders affect about 40 million American adults, age 18 years and older (one out of every five people) in a given year. Anxiety Disorders are the most prevalent health problems in the United States, surpassing alcohol and drug abuse. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event (such as speaking in public or a first date), anxiety disorders last at least 6 months and can get worse if they are not treated.

The Anxiety/Stress Management Program at Specialized Therapy Associates treats the various types of anxiety including:
 Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
 Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
 Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
 Panic Disorder
 Specific Phobia
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the primary approach used to treat Anxiety Disorders. CBT is a therapeutic approach that integrates cognitive (thought) restructuring and behavior modification techniques. Essentially, CBT is about reprogramming habits, changing the way you think and changing the way you act.

The goals of the program are to help develop:
 Knowledge about anxiety conditions
 Self-management techniques
 An understanding of how automatic thoughts, unconscious rules/beliefs, and thinking styles contribute to anxiety
 The ability to use graduated exposure to reduce symptoms of anxiety
 Goal setting and follow-through
 Positive coping strategies to replace negative coping strategies
 The ability to manage symptoms of anxiety

Specialized Therapy Associates offers a weekly support group for adults who are suffering from anxiety. The group is held every Thursday evening from 7:00pm to 8:00pm in our Hackensack office.  The group’s focus involves providing members with support, guidance, and treatment related to their own progress. We aim to help develop and promote healthy social interaction and provide the opportunity to receive peer feedback in a safe, supportive, nonjudgmental environment.

The support group is a great opportunity to establish relations with others who can appreciate the daily challenges of this potentially disabling condition.

The goals of the group are to help develop:
 Knowledge About Anxiety
 Self-Management Techniques
 An Understanding of How Automatic Thoughts, Unconscious Rules / Beliefs, and Thinking Styles Contribute to Anxiety
 Goal Setting and Follow-Through
 Positive Coping Strategies to Replace Negative Coping Strategies
 Ability to Manage Symptoms of Anxiety
 Improved Self Esteem

-Dr. Jennifer Stevenson, PsyD., LPC.

Register online today!

Click here for more information.

The post The Anxiety/Stress Management Program first appeared on Specialized Therapy.

The post The Anxiety/Stress Management Program appeared first on Specialized Therapy.

Many psychotropic medications increase one’s sensitivity to the sun and heat, increasing chances of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Those taking psychotropics can review the listed side effects for heat sensitivity and take special precautions.  It is a known fact that many medications come with side effects, most minimal, while others are more serious.  It is important to be aware of the purpose of your medication and its possible side effects, including heat sensitivity precautions.

Medications taken for ADHD, Bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression may increase sun and heat sensitivity.  Certain classes of medication can cause a higher risk of heat sensitivity side effects, such as sunburn, skin rashes, or skin irritations due to the body’s interaction between the medication and time spent in the sun.  These medications may impact the body’s ability to retain water and naturally cool itself.  In this instance, you may not feel thirsty which infers with the body’s ability to perspire, raising your overall body temperature.  When the body is not able to properly cool itself, its ability to protect itself from heat exposure or heat stroke decreases.  While the summer is often about beach time and other outdoor activities, being aware of your medication’s possible side effects and your reaction to your medication becomes important.

In addition to psychotropic medications, medications that treat physical/medical ailments have the potential for side effects in the face of summer heat exposure.  Medications used to treat skin conditions, allergies, joint problems, infections, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease, in addition to many other ailments, may increase summer sun and heat sensitivity.

Heat exhaustion can occur in both active and sedentary people. It happens suddenly and may be quite brief and requires medical attention.  Depending on the person and the situation, recovery may be spontaneous, or intravenous fluids may be required to prevent unconsciousness.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

– Irritability or change in behavior
– Low or normal temperature
– Slightly low blood pressure
– Rapid, full pulse and heartbeat
– Cold, pale skin
– Profuse perspiration
– Dizziness, headache, and weakness
– Nausea, vomiting
– Body cramps

Symptoms of sun and heat sensitivity are similar to those of sunburn: an itchy, burning, and/or stinging feeling, followed by a redder than normal looking burn. If you do not have a reaction the first time you’re exposed to the sun while taking medication, this does not eliminate the chance of a heat sensitivity related problem in the future.  If a person displays symptoms of heat exhaustion, he or she should be taken to a cooler place as soon as possible, given water, and encouraged to rest.

Heatstroke, the most serious heat-related illness, occurs mostly during heat waves and, if left untreated, can be fatal. Individuals with chronic illnesses are most vulnerable to heatstroke. Symptoms include:

– Agitation, confusion, seizures, lethargy, or coma
– High body temperature (104ºF or above in adults)
– High blood pressure or low blood pressure
– Rapid pulse and heartbeat
– Rapid, shallow breathing if the person is moving about; slow and deep breathing if the person is still
– Hot, dry, flushed skin

Immediate action must be taken at the first sign of heatstroke.

– Call 911 immediately
– Loosen or remove outer layers of an individual’s clothing
– Move the person to a cool place
– Immerse individual in ice water or try to bring down body temperature with cold compresses
– Use CPR, if needed
– Replace fluids and sodium only under medical orders

Preventions of heat illness are important during the hot summer months, particularly during periods of high temperature and humidity. To lessen the chance of heat illness avoid over-exertion while outside, apply sunscreen as need, drink plenty of fluids, keep a salty snack on hand (to replace salt lost to perspiration), and dress in loose-fitting clothing.

If you want to learn more about summer Weather and Medications on your moods and functioning – call us, Specialized Therapy Associates,  at 201-488-6678.

The post Summer Weather and Medications first appeared on Specialized Therapy.

The post Summer Weather and Medications appeared first on Specialized Therapy.