Phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Smoking Cessation Family Systems

Phobias are classified as irrational fears that impede on normal daily life. While everyone has one or two irrational fears, they are minor. However, if irrational fears become so intense that they cause extreme anxiety that interferes with normal life, it is time to get therapy to help overcome these fears.

The most important thing people should understand is that phobias can be controlled and even cured. Between self-help strategies and professional phobia therapy, anyone can overcome irrational fears and start to live a life of freedom from phobias.

Phobias can interfere with life when you are forced to face them on a regular basis. People with phobias are generally afraid of things that pose little to no real danger at all. People with phobias generally fear heights, clowns, flying, driving, insects, small spaces, wide open spaces or needles.However, phobias are not limited to this, but to anything about which the fear is highly exaggerated.

While phobias are usually developed during childhood, adults may also develop new phobias. People will go to extreme lengths to avoid exposure to whatever they are phobic about.

The good news is that phobias are easily treated using a range of therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help a person recognize their phobias and find different ways to react to their exposure to the things they fear. Desensitization therapy helps a person to learn how to manage being exposed to what they fear in a safe environment. A therapist will help the person understand that their fears are unfounded and as such, manage and eventually cure the phobia.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers phobias and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an anxiety disorder that usually starts within the three months of a traumatic incident. It has been reported that in rare cases, PTSD symptoms may only occur after a number of years.

Three groups of symptoms are present in people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Increased anxiety / emotional arousal includes anger or irritability, overwhelming shame or guilt, sleeplessness and self-destructive behaviour. The second group of symptoms, known as intrusive memories, causes flashbacks to the traumatic event and upsetting dreams. The third group of symptoms that a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder patient may experience, includes emotional numbing or avoidance. This group of symptoms includes memory problems, poor concentration, feeling emotionally numb, a sense of hopelessness, and an avoidance of activities that the person used to find enjoyable.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms may be present for a while, disappear and then return again. General stress may increase the symptoms, as can reminders of the traumatic incident.

Therapists who address  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder generally use one, or a combination of trauma therapies to treat it. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is commonly used and can help a person to change their reactions to traumatic memories.

Exposure therapy can help a person reduce the amount of fear related to the feelings and thoughts associated with past traumatic events. Cognitive therapy helps a person to change the way he or she thinks about the event and the aftermath of a traumatic incident. It will help a person to identify thoughts that cause fear and anger, and learn ways to replace those thoughts with less stressful and more empowering thoughts.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Smoking cessation can be tough, but knowing that there are several options and by preparing yourself mentally for the process, you can make it easier on yourself.

Tobacco smoking is a psychological habit and a physical addiction. Nicotine is addictive because it offers a temporary high, and when you eliminate that you will experience physical symptoms, such as cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.

Many people habitually smoke to help them cope with boredom, anxiety, depression and stress. After doing it habitually for a while, it can become ritualistic - an automatic response. You will find that you smoke automatically as part of other activities. Socially, smoking is a way in which people relate to one another.

Successful smoking cessation requires a change in the routines or habits, as well as beating the addiction. More people are looking for healthier options to quit smoking than using nicotine patches and prescription medications.  Many therapists now offer smoking cessation counselling and use a wide range of techniques and approaches to address tobacco addiction.

Hypnosis is a common method that helps people to create negative associations with cigarettes while the client is in a deep state of relaxation. It is nothing like what stage hypnotists do, and is in fact a serious and effective therapy for many. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a fantastic approach that helps people establish new habits to cope with smoking cessation. The therapist will help you to understand the reason why you smoke, and explore the associated emotions and feelings. You can quit smoking with the help of an experienced smoking cessation therapist.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your smoking cessation issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.