** As seen in the North Shore News - October 2017
Monitoring and modifying how we think has a huge impact on our mental health.
It turns out that our brains are unable to tell the difference between a real threat in our environment, and one that is imagined. In other words, simply thinking about something stressful can activate fight or flight responses in the body. When this happens, we feel as though our lives are in imminent danger.
People with anxiety have the tendency to worry about the future, or believe that something really bad will happen. This is referred to as a “Catastrophic Thinking Style”. In an attempt to prepare for challenges or setbacks, catastrophic worriers imagine worst-case scenarios. But as we already know, focusing on what could go wrong increases the chances of activating the fight or flight response. Rather than feeling prepared, anxiety sufferers end up experiencing nausea, shakiness, dizziness, and other uncomfortable sensations. To further complicate matters, these sensations are often experienced as threatening, and the fight or flight response intensifies.
What can be done to interrupt this cycle of anxiety?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) works by “rewiring” thinking patterns. Therapy starts with learning to monitor thoughts, and identifying situations when clients engage in a catastrophic thinking style. The next stage is about modifying specific thoughts and beliefs that provoke the fight or flight response. For example, instead of thinking “my life will be ruined”, clients are encouraged to explore alternative phrases, such as “this is going to be very challenging”. Over time, the brain starts to automatically produce thoughts that don’t trigger our survival response.
In addition to attending regular therapy sessions, clients are given activities to do at home. This continuous practice helps them learn to successfully apply new skills in their day-to-day lives. CBT is one of the most highly supported therapies for treatment of stress and anxiety, and clients often start noticing relief within the first few sessions.
If you are experiencing anxiety, book your first CBT session with Laurel at Bellevue Natural Health Clinic at 50% off.
Email info@bellevuenaturalhealth.ca or call 604-913-2262