Build good supportive relationships. It has been found that people who have good relationships with family and friends are happier and more resilient. Adopt a hopeful outlook. Optimism has been linked to resilience. If this does not come naturally to you, ask yourself how a more optimistic friend would look at the situation. Remove [...]
In my practice I frequently work with men who experience panic or anxiety. Of course every one experiences anxiety uniquely. However, what I noticed is that men experience anxiety differently than women. In general, men trend toward thinking in categorical terms such as sick/well, strong/weak, right/wrong or win/lose. When applied to the experience of [...]
Holidays can be a time of joy and connectedness, as well as increased stress and anxiety. The anxiety often comes from a few sources; expectations, being around family members who bring up uncomfortable topics, and increased demands on our time and energy. We love the holidays, however Hollywood movies have created this myth [...]
Find out the answer to the #1 question I get about panic attacks in this short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhEJGuGLSJQ I hope you found this video helpful, I'd love to hear your feedback. If you need help overcoming Panic and Anxiety in the Chicago area, please give Dr. Helen Odessky a call at (847)529-8600.
The key to effective relaxation is to master belly breathing or diaphragmatic breathing. Please watch this short video below and practice this technique to reduce stress and feel calmer in minutes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbhFfx9Kjm8 I hope you found this video helpful, I'd love to hear your feedback. If you need help overcoming Anxiety or Panic in [...]
If you or someone you love struggles with panic attacks, please watch my new video "How to Stop a Panic Attack" https://youtu.be/Ly1JgT0Q8Y8 If you need help with Panic Attacks in the Chicago area, give Dr. Helen Odessky a call at (847)529-8600 to see if she can help.
“Face Your Fears and they’ll never bother you again!” At least--that’s the promise! Except that it does not always work. If you are like many people that I see in my office you may have attempted to face your fears and found that it provides little relief. In fact, sometimes it even makes you more [...]
It can happen out of the blue, you just had some good news, some really good news and your chest feels like you cannot freely breathe. You have felt this before, many times and yet every time this feeling comes back, it is hard not to dread it. This fantasy you have of a [...]
I frequently get asked about the difference between Social Anxiety and shyness. Shyness is the experience of discomfort or awkwardness in social situations, particularly new social situations. It can be accompanied by reticence to engage in small talk, or to be the first to approach someone new socially. Shyness is a personality trait that at [...]
“Does caffeine cause anxiety?” –I get this question a lot as an anxiety therapist. Often it is a pleading look, asking: “Do you think if I just gave up coffee, my troubles with anxiety will be over?” At other time, it is a pleading voice “Please don’t tell me to give it up-I Love my [...]