In recent days, we have seen a new strain of COVID-19, a continued rise of COVID-19 cases, political chaos in the United States, and a violent insurrection in the Capitol building. As these events unfold, many people are asking themselves questions such as, “Am I…
This is the last article in our blog series on the crippling mental health phenomenon of panic episodes. To review, here is a brief summary of what we’ve covered in this series: Panic can present in various different ways – mental, emotional, and physiological, as…
Some people often speak about the “Mind-Body connection” as if our minds and our bodies are somehow two separate parts of how we experience life. However, the uncomfortable experience of panic symptoms is one of the clearest ways we know that mind and body are…
Much has been written and researched about Mindfulness and how helpful it can be for our general health, as well as our ability to cope with mentally distressing states, such as panic and anxiety. At its core, mindfulness is essentially a way of intentionally…
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:…
We live in what many describe as a new Golden Age of Television. There are numerous cable channels and streaming services with critically acclaimed and award winning shows. Many of these shows have compelling characters and storylines that are rich with psychological underpinnings. CBT SoCal’s…
Many places in California and around the world are beginning to lift restrictions related to sheltering in place. People will soon begin to venture outside their home more and are experiencing anxiety about the dangers of infecting themselves and their loved ones. Many people are…
Stay at home orders are being lifted in many places around the United States and the world. However, the easing of restrictions does not mean that danger is no longer present. Many people are feeling anxious about leaving their homes and beginning to return to…