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Thoughts on the problems posed problems

anxiety, intrusive thoughts about the possible troubles of life often provoke depression. The excitement of the future is inherent in every person, but in some cases it leads to extremely negative consequences, writes Infox.

keen to fear

«A young girl came to the therapist, because she could not bear any more emotions and thoughts, depressing her. It all started with the fact that her mother shared with her grief of losing a close friend. While she listened to the mother’s story, her own thoughts were directed to the realization that my mother, too, can suddenly die. Light anxiety transformed into fear of his own death. Thus, the anxiety caused by one cause, has become many negative feelings. This is a typical example of the development of chronic anxiety.

Psychologists believe that anxiety as a negative perception of the future creates a pattern of conduct aimed at solving problems, that is, it increases the ability to adapt. However, excessive anxiety is causing more harm than good.

Pathological anxiety slows down the process of thinking. These people raised the activity areas of the brain responsible for sensation of fear and the formation of emotions. Further promotion activity of these areas of the brain leads to anxiety that begins to exist “in itself”, for it is not necessary occasions.

Implement fear

Abnormal concern about the problems and anxiety began to attract the attention of researchers about 25 years ago. Then, in the study of insomnia, and noticed their adverse impact on human welfare. If before going to bed thinking about people occurred to him one day the situation, he was guaranteed a bad dream.

In 2005, psychologist Stephen Hoffman (Boston University) found on the electroencephalogram (EEG ) by senior students, who were given the task to prepare a public speech, increased activity of those zones, which are responsible for planning, analysis of the causes and the search for explanations of situations, as well as control of emotions. And those who have increased activity exceeded the normal values, were made worse.

The work of Hoffman was the following conclusion: “Often, the more we focus on something, the more to suppress the fear and anxiety, the more real are the threats to our security and the probability of translating fears in life. Gradually, everything goes out of control ».

Forbidden fruit is sweet

An interesting illustration of the above is a fairly well-known psychological experiment conducted by a famous psychologist Daniel Wegner (Harvard University). Participants were told not to think about a white bear, but they answered spontaneously mentioned him in conversation about once a minute.

The participants of the experiment were given the microphone and asked to speak freely about what he wants, the other listened to him. Whenever people mentioned polar bear, he was stopped, and again repeated that to think about it impossible. On average, after each observation frequency of mention of the bear in question was increased several times.

«Trying to prevent myself to think that breeds anxiety, we only reinforces this feeling” — that’s the conclusion of Dr. Wegner.

Disturbing cons

anxiety experienced by constantly suppresses the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the production of adrenaline, our response to danger. When stress adrenaline rush provides increased frequency of respiration, heart rate, in order to saturate the blood with oxygen and deliver it to the organs and tissues as soon as possible. For anxiety disorder characterized by quickening the heart rate even at rest.

In addition, in varying degrees, there is hormonal imbalance, women often observed violations of the menstrual cycle, reducing the body’s resistance, constant pain with no reason.

Defeating depression

main method of treatment of anxiety disorders a cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is based on identifying the causes of fear, anxiety and develop a positive, productive behavior toward him, as well as the appointment of drugs (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, benzodiazepines, etc.) in severe, acute conditions.

Commented psychiatrist, therapist offices day hospital 13th city psychiatric hospital Akhmanov Arnold: “When anxiety becomes destructive to man, it assumes the character of serious psychological problems. In the jargon this is called “generalized anxiety disorder. The leading symptom is a constant feeling of something terrible that can happen in the future. It is often observed with mood swings – from an excessive rise to depression, or illness takes the form of anxiety-depressive disorder, anxiety increases when a weakened against the backdrop of constant depression. Depending on the predominant symptoms prescribe certain drugs: Mood stabilizers, antidepressants, protivotrevozhnogo funds.

However, the leading role of psychotherapy. Special relaxation techniques can teach a person to cope with anxiety without pills. The emphasis is on deep, controlled breathing, against which muscle relaxation is achieved. At this time, a person can be pleasant images of his life – for example, a walk along the sea on a bright sunny day. These are the basic principles of psychotherapy for any anxiety disorders ».