Part 4 of this series discussed how preventing a panic attack is much more effective than trying to cope with one once it has started. We also highlighted the need to confront the issues or fears behind the panic, rather than avoid them. We will…
A very common question we are asked as specialists in treatment for anxiety is “What is the best way to cope with a panic attack?” This can be a tricky question. Since panic can be so overpowering and uncomfortable, typically all we want when we’re…
Photo credit: Alexandra Gorn If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know firsthand how horrible it feels. You also know how natural an impulse it is to want to do anything possible to avoid having another panic attack again in the future. Unfortunately, some…
Photo credit: Nabeel Syed In part 1 of this series, we addressed what a panic attack feels like. In this article, we’ll shift to address the question of “Why?” we panic, which is often more nuanced than we might initially think. Colloquially, people often assume…
What does a Panic Attack feel like? Even if you’ve never experienced a panic attack yourself, you probably know someone who has, or have seen one portrayed in the media. Panic Disorder affects 2-3% of individuals in the United States in a given year (Source:…
CBT SoCal’s Dr. Jason von Stietz recently appeared on the IGTV channel of Invictus AC Feminae, a Women’s Premiere Soccer League (WPSL) team located in the South Bay. He was interviewed by the WPSL team’s head coach, Coach Aaron Rodriguez. Dr. von Stietz and Coach…
The CBT SoCal team enjoys sharing its expertise in the treatment of Anxiety Disorders and OCD through writing and speaking opportunities. Harm OCD is a sometimes overlooked form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that involves unwanted, intrusive thoughts about harming oneself or others. The general public…
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a well-known mental illness that affects 1 in 100 adults, according to the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). Although there is a growing awareness of OCD, there are still common myths about the debilitating disorder. The IOCDF compiled a list of…
Often times we look back on a situation and wish we would have behaved more assertively. Perhaps we were passively putting others before ourselves. On the other hand, we may have acted aggressively acted by only considering ourselves. In previous articles, we discussed the challenges…
The term exposure therapy sounds intimidating and possibly dangerous. If given the option between choosing a treatment called exposure therapy, which sounds scary, and choosing something that sounds much safer and more welcoming, it makes sense that someone would choose the safer option. So, what…
Social media influencers, celebrities, and even everyday people commonly depict themselves as living perfect lives on social media. Viewing someone’s social media account, in many ways, is similar to viewing their personal highlight reels. They take photographs or record videos of their biggest accomplishments…
The coronavirus pandemic is pushing many people to their emotional limits. People’s lives have been disrupted and it is unclear if and when the world will ever go back to normal. For many people dealing with quarantine and other pandemic-related stressors can be traumatic. In…