Are you an introvert or an extrovert? When you take a test you are trying to fit yourself into an introvert / extrovert category. The problem is the characteristics of these types suit those on the extreme ends of the spectrum. Only a small percentage (maybe 10 to 15%) of the population fit very closely […]
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Overcome Obsessive Thinking
How to overcome OCD and obsessive thinking. ‘Brain lock’ by Jeffrey Schwartz is a brilliant book. We highly recommend it. It is a book about overcoming obsessive compulsive behaviour but it can also be used for overcoming obsessive thinking. The central idea in the book is a 4 step process that you can use as […]
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Do you have a sensitive temperament?
Elaine Aron has written a superb book called, ‘The Highly Sensitive Person’. Here is a list of statements inspired by the questionnaire in the book. Are the statements below… Not true, fairly true, or true for you? Peace and quiet are really important to me. I feel a very strong connection with nature. I am […]
In this TED Talk David Burns, the author of The Feeling Good handbook gives both a personal and insightful talk into cognitive therapy. He talks about the central idea of cognitive therapy (that your thoughts create your feelings), and he also talks about the distorted thinking patterns, which creates anxiety and depression. He tells us […]
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Is mindfulness any good for anxiety?
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. The key to understanding mindfulness is ‘focusing on the present moment’. This is a wonderful thing to do as so much stress is caused by worrying about the past and […]
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The problem with positive thinking
You may well think surely it is better to be positive rather than negative… and of course that’s true. However, there is still a problem with positive thinking and it is this thinking you have to think yourself into feeling positive or thinking you have to think positively all the time so you feel positive……………..this […]
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Is this your problem?
In the age of the internet, do you, as we all do, go and Google how to overcome your anxiety. Do you find plenty of definitions of the fight or flight response and explanations of the different types of anxiety and………. lots of therapies and self help ideas with a variety of solutions. But now, […]
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Breathing is the key.
Why is your breathing so important? It is because when you’re stressed or suffering from anxiety, you breathe more quickly from higher up in your body, from your chest… and when you breathe from your chest, you will have more activity and stressful thinking going on in your head. but when you are relaxed, you […]
First of all anxiety is not an illness. Although it is often called a disorder, it is better to think of it as a state. If you get anxious before an exam, a driving test or before speaking in public you have the symptoms of anxiety. You are in an anxiety state. We accept this […]
Severe anxiety symptoms are those which have reached a point where they have taken over our lives. They interfere with, and stop us from leading, normal life, from working and being able to carry out everyday activities. They stop us from being in control of our life. These symptoms are at the extreme end of […]