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The Connection Between Anxiety and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal discomfort associated with altered bowel movements. IBS is highly common and is said to affect 9%-23% of the population across the world. Although the symptoms of IBS vary, according to Cleveland Clinic, some of the most common symptoms include the following:

  • Abdominal pain or cramps, usually in the lower half of the abdomen.
  • Bloating.
  • Bowel movements that are harder or looser than usual.
  • Diarrhea, constipation or alternating between the two.
  • Excess gas.
  • Mucus in stool (may appear whitish).
  • Incomplete bowel movements.

Recent research has shown that “many symptoms of IBS are related to hypersensitivity of the nerves found in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.” Anxiety and digestive problems often go hand in hand. These two conditions are closely connected, and they often interact in a bidirectional manner:

  • Studies have found that higher anxiety can trigger more severe IBS symptoms.
  • One report suggests that the connection may be due to shared genetic pathways between IBS and anxiety.
  • Chronic stress and anxiety may cause a decrease in blood flow and oxygen to the stomach and contribute to low-level inflammation in the body. This may affect the gut lining and exacerbate IBS symptoms.
  • The mind and the gut are closely intertwined in what experts call the gut-brain axis, which is essentially a two-way signaling system between one’s brain and digestive tract. Anxiety and other emotional factors can influence gut function and vice versa. As explained in Impact of Psychological Stress on Irritable Bowel Syndrome, “Stress-induced alterations in neuro-endocrine-immune pathways acts on the gut-brain axis and microbiota-gut-brain axis, and cause symptom flare-ups or exaggeration in IBS.” Hence, changes in gut function can lead to alterations in mood, creating a feedback loop.

It is highly common for IBS and anxiety to co-occur as data indicates that nearly 40% of IBS patients also suffer from an anxiety disorder. While anxiety does not cause IBS, nor does IBS cause anxiety, the two disorders are known to exacerbate each other, leading to what’s often described as gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (GSA). Understanding the connections between anxiety and IBS can inform treatment protocol. IBS is a stress-sensitive disorder and effective treatment for IBS should focus on managing stress and stress-induced responses.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

How To Cope With Anxiety-Related Insomnia

Insomnia

The Oxford English Dictionary defines anxiety as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Anxiety can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Research suggests that anxiety may lead to a state of dysfunctional arousal which often results in persistent sleep-wake difficulties. Insomnia is characterized by “the subjective complaint of difficulty falling or maintaining sleep, or nonrestorative sleep, producing significant daytime symptoms including difficulty concentrating and mood disturbances.” Insomnia, and other serious disturbances of sleep, are well established as a common symptom of anxiety disorders, because people’s worries disrupt their ability to sleep well. Coping with anxiety-related insomnia can be challenging, but there are several strategies and techniques that can help you manage your anxiety and improve your sleep quality, such as:

  • Avoid an erratic sleep schedule: Develop consistent sleep patterns by having a set bedtime and following it every day, as best as you can.
  • Exercise daily: Integrating regular exercise into your routine not only helps with releasing endorphins (the hormones in one’s body associated with feeling pleasure) but can also increase the production of melatonin (the body’s main sleep-inducing hormone).
  • Eat smaller meals in the evening: Eating a large dinner can interfere with your ability to fall asleep, as your body must work extra hard to digest a heavy load. Decreasing portion sizes and switching your larger meal of the day to lunchtime can help you reduce your digestive load in the evenings, which can help you fall asleep more naturally.
  • Create a peaceful sleeping environment: Research has found that the body naturally produces certain chemicals to help increase feelings of calmness and relaxation. When serotonin, known as the “feel-good” hormone, is released in a comfortable and/ or dark environment it is converted into melatonin.
  • Refrain from using electronics at bedtime: One study found that individuals who refrained from using their smart phones and other screen-based devices an hour before bed gained twenty-one extra minutes of sleep at night.
  • Try a weighted blanket: The purpose of weighted blankets is to put additional pressure on an individual’s body while they rest to help generate deep relaxation. The weight of the blanket works by stimulating the deep pressure touch (DPT) receptors of the body, triggering the release of serotonin. This, in turn, helps people achieve more meaningful rest by helping them fall asleep, and remain asleep longer.

Overcoming anxiety-related insomnia does not happen instantaneously, rather it is a process that requires time and patience. If, however, you find that your insomnia is significantly affecting your quality of life, it is advised to seek professional guidance.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Connection Between Anxiety and Addiction

Anxiety

Anxiety, as defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), is an “emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure.” Anxiety will manifest differently in different people. The feelings of anxiety can range from mild to severe. While fleeting anxiety is unavoidable, it is atypical for an individual to experience frequent, intense, debilitating, persistent worries and/ or fears related to everyday situations, and such anxiety could be indicative of an anxiety disorder. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) asserts: “Anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions, each having unique symptoms. However, all anxiety disorders have one thing in common: persistent, excessive fear or worry in situations that are not threatening.” According to Johns Hopkins Medicine anxiety disorders affect up to 18% of the population, making it the most common mental health condition in the United States.

Substance Use Disorder

Addiction, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder. Substance use disorder is defined as a “complex condition in which there is uncontrolled use of substance despite harmful consequence.” Habitually abusing drugs and/ or alcohol will affect the way one’s brain functions, as one’s body becomes increasingly accustomed to operating with the presence of the abused substance in its system. Since the disease compels an individual to prioritize satisfying his or her substance cravings above all else, he or she will likely experience a plethora of adverse effects, including physical complications, relationship fractures, financial strain, legal challenges, employment issues, and more. Data from 2022 presented by the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, indicate that addiction affects over 20 million Americans aged 12 and over.

Anxiety and Addiction

There is a complex and bidirectional relationship between anxiety and addiction, and these two conditions often co-occur. Some individuals who suffer from severe anxiety will turn to drugs and/ or alcohol in attempt to help alleviate the discomforts of their anxiety. Self-medicating cannot only be dangerous but can also lead to a built-up tolerance, increasing one’s risk of developing SUD. Conversely, chronic substance abuse can lead to neurobiological changes in the brain, affecting areas involved in mood regulation, stress response, and decision-making. These changes can increase susceptibility to anxiety disorders. Both anxiety disorders and addiction can have genetic and environmental risk factors. These factors can overlap, making some individuals more vulnerable to developing both conditions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that people diagnosed with substance use disorder are twice as likely to suffer from an anxiety disorder than the general population.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

How to Manage Anxiety in a High-Stress Job

Manage Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It is a complex response to real or perceived threats that can involve cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes. It is an unavoidable feeling that every human will undoubtedly experience throughout one’s life. Jobs typically play a significant role in people’s lives, and it is natural to feel anxious about them from time to time, particularly when workplace pressures are especially high. According to Mental Health America’s 2021 Mind the Workplace report, nearly 83% of respondents felt emotionally drained from their work, and about 9 in 10 workers, which is equal to 85%, reported that job stress affected their mental health. Workplace anxiety generally develops in response to stress at work and can present in and outside of the workplace environment. Although some amount of stress and anxiety is to be expected when working in a high-stress employment environment, the symptoms of anxiety can be unpleasant. The U.S. News & World Report offers various strategies to help decrease stress and assuage anxiety when it presents, some of which include the following:

  • Focus on others, not yourself: Switching from an internal to an external focus can be helpful in reducing anxiety.
  • Challenge your negative, anxious thoughts: Identify the anxious thoughts that surface when you think of work, analyze them, and challenge them to discern if your initial reaction is truly how you feel or if you are just assuming the worst.
  • Draw your attention to external stimuli: Look around you and notice tangible items in your surroundings; this can be both grounding and helpful in gaining perspective over your anxiety.
  • Breathe: Focus on slowing down your breath to help pull your focus away from your anxiety and onto your breath.
  • Take a break: Carve out time each day to take regular mini breaks where you can conduct a quick body check and see where you may be feeling tension, exhaustion, or any unwanted feelings.
  • Avoid getting overwhelmed: Slow down and do one thing at a time instead of attempting to multitask. By tackling one thing at a time, you can allocate undivided attention to completing each task accurately and efficiently.
  • Acknowledge your feelings: Although it may seem that your anxiety will last forever, it won’t; by acknowledging and naming your feelings you can help diffuse your angst.
  • Arm yourself with a robust supply of relaxation tools and techniques: Test out as many different relaxation methods as you can to figure out what resonates with you best. Consider trying out meditation, yoga, reading, listening to music, journaling, etc. to quiet your mind. Research has found that meditation can help lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, improve insomnia, and more.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Importance of Sleep in Anxiety Management

Sleep in Anxiety

Anxiety is a complex response to real or perceived threats that can involve cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes. It is the body’s natural response to stress and will manifest differently in everyone. Experiencing worry, fear, and stress is considered a normal part of life when it is occasional and temporary. However, when those acute emotional reactions become persistent, they can significantly interfere with daily living activities. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety is the most common mental health problem in the United States. Over 40 million adults in America (approximately 19% of the country’s population) are affected by an anxiety disorder every year. Further, nearly all anxiety disorders co-occur with significant sleep abnormalities and vice versa.

Why Sleep Matters

Although anxiety triggers, or things that lead to an increase in one’s anxiety symptoms, are often unique to each person, certain factors are known to exacerbate anxiety, such as sleep deficits. Research suggests that anxiety may lead to a state of dysfunctional arousal which often results in persistent sleep-wake difficulties. Being sleep-deprived has been shown to lead to cognitive impairments, like increased impulsivity, poor judgment, or irritability, which is why prioritizing sleep in anxiety management is essential.

Research from the University of California, Berkeley, indicates that a sleepless night can produce up to a 30% rise in anxiety levels. The same study goes on to suggest “that insufficient sleep amplifies levels of anxiety and, conversely, that deep sleep helps reduce such stress.” Another study revealed that the quality and amount of sleep participants received from one night to the next predicted anxiety levels of the next day, with even subtle nightly sleep changes exhibiting an effect. Evidence indicates that “when one sleeps, the brain reorganizes and recharges itself, and removes toxic waste byproducts which have accumulated throughout the day.” Sleep provides the body’s neurons with an opportunity to shut down and repair themselves. Without sleep, neurons become increasing depleted and polluted, through normal cellular activities, that they begin to malfunction. Sleep increases protein production in cells that fuel growth and repair damage incurred by stress and other factors. Sleep plays a key role in regulating emotion, as good night’s sleep can significantly impact an individual’s stress levels and coping capacity.

The National Sleep Foundation created a chart that illustrates the ideal amount of sleep a person should obtain (ranging from infants into adulthood). The chart is broken up such that adults ideal sleep durations vary. Young adults between ages eighteen to twenty-five should be getting between seven to nine hours of sleep, nightly. Adults between the ages of twenty-six and sixty-four should also obtain between seven to nine hours of sleep. Adults older than sixty-five years of age are recommended to get between seven to eight hours of sleep, nightly. Healthy sleep hygiene practices can result in countless benefits and enhance one’s mental health. Therefore, prioritizing sleep as part of anxiety management is essential for overall well-being.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Effects of Substance Abuse on Anxiety and Mental health

Anxiety

Substance abuse is defined as “the use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines.” There are different ways that an individual could misuse drugs. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines alcohol abuse as a “pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent – or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter – or higher. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming 5 or more drinks (male) or 4 or more drinks (female), in about 2 hours.” Prescription drug abuse occurs when a person abuses a medication that was prescribed to them by a medical professional or takes prescription drugs that were not prescribed to them at all. It also includes taking more medication than prescribed, mixing the medication with other drugs, ingesting the medication in a way other than prescribed (e.g., crushing and snorting a pill that is meant to be swallowed), and/ or taking the medication more frequently than prescribed. Using any illicit substance is considered drug abuse. Habitually abusing drugs and/ or alcohol will affect the way one’s brain functions, as one’s body becomes increasingly accustomed to functioning with the presence of the abused substance in its system. The psychological distress associated with substance abuse can trigger anxiety and adversely impact one’s mental health.

Alcohol and Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Drinking alcohol is known to exacerbate anxiety. Alcohol reduces the amount of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that works to stabilize one’s mood, happiness, and feelings of well-being) in the brain, and low levels of serotonin are associated with increased anxiety. While drinking alcohol can result in fleeting feelings of relaxation, it is not uncommon for an individual to experience increased feelings of anxiety after the initial effects of alcohol wear off. A 2014 University of Missouri-Columbia study found that drinking alcohol as a method of getting to sleep disrupts the body’s sleep homeostasis, or sleep regulator, and adversely affects one’s natural sleep cycles. The disruption in sleep patterns caused by alcohol can affect one’s energy levels, mood, and increase one’s susceptibility to anxiety.

Substance Use Disorder and Anxiety Disorders

Studies show that substance use disorder increases one’s risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) assert that nearly half of the people “who have a mental health disorder will also have a substance use disorder at some point in their lives and vice versa.” When an individual is diagnosed with substance use disorder and another co-occurring mental health illness it is referred to as a dual diagnosis. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that people diagnosed with substance use disorder are twice as likely to suffer from a mood or anxiety disorder than the general population. The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found approximately 8.1 percent of individuals in the United States are living with mental illness and substance use disorder. Anxiety disorders and substance use disorders frequently co-occur. These two disorders have such high rates of co-occurrence that they are among the most prevalent psychiatric illnesses.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

How To Manage Anxiety While Traveling

How To Manage Anxiety While Traveling

The medical definition of anxiety provided in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is an “overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs, by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it.” It is the body’s natural response to stress and will manifest differently in everyone. For example, travel anxiety affects many people, and it can have a disruptive influence on one’s life. PsychCentral explains travel anxiety as a “feeling of worry or fear that occurs in relation to traveling.” Common symptoms a person may experience include:

  • Sleeping problems leading up to the travel date.
  • Being unable to control feelings of worry and concern about traveling.
  • Feeling restless or on edge while in airports or train stations.
  • Being irritable and short-tempered.
  • Having panic attacks, which may cause a racing heart, sweating, and feelings of being out of control.
  • Being self-conscious and worried that others are judging them.

There is no single cause of travel anxiety, and the triggers differ from person to person. Nevertheless, various techniques can help manage and treat different levels of travel anxiety. Consider the following tips and strategies to reduce your travel anxiety, provided by Healthline:

  • Prepare ahead of time: Map out your schedule and itinerary in detail so you know ahead of time what to expect.
  • Travel with others: If traveling alone is anxiety-provoking, consider asking a friend or loved one to join you.
  • Find the silver lining: Rather than dwelling on what may worry you, try to shift your focus to the new adventures and experiences afoot. This can help you replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.
  • Practice relaxing: Practicing relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, etc.) before you travel can help you ground yourself and ease anxiety.
  • Bring distractions: To avoid idle time that may exacerbate your anxious thoughts, consider bringing something to keep you busy during your journey. Some distracting activities include reading, journaling, crossword (or other) puzzles, movies or TV shows, or any other easily portable activity you enjoy.
  • Anticipate triggers: Before your trip, do some reflection work so you can anticipate the specific variables that may trigger your anxiety. Anxiety triggers refer to things that lead to an increase in your anxiety symptoms. Understanding what is behind your anxiousness can help you identify the best ways to curb anxiety symptoms beforehand and the most effective techniques to navigate them in the moment.

If you continue to experience anxiety while traveling, it may be advantageous to consult a healthcare professional who can provide you with tailored guidance and customized support.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Impact of Anxiety on Your Relationships

The Impact of Anxiety on Your Relationships

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It is the body’s response to stress and is a natural and adaptive part of human biology. Yet, anxiety can negatively influence many aspects of your life, including your relationships. Anxiety can impact an individual’s ability to connect with others in an authentic and meaningful way. Although anxiety can manifest differently in everyone, Verywell Mind highlights several symptoms and behaviors in which people might engage when they are experiencing anxiety in relationships, some of which include the following examples:

  • Consistently worrying about a loved one or partner.
  • Believing that a loved one is lying to you even if there isn’t evidence.
  • Being anxious about how a loved one’s anxiety may negatively affect your relationship.
  • Worrying that a loved one may adore others more than you.
  • Feeling concerned and overwhelmed when a loved one chooses to spend time with others.
  • Over-analyzation of what a loved one says, does, or acts.
  • Avoiding people that you love in fear that they may reject or judge you.
  • Isolating oneself from the people you love.

Anxiety can hinder someone’s ability to maintain healthy relationships and friendships. Although each relationship is unique, and the impact of anxiety can vary, there are generally two key issues that come up as the result of anxiety. When it comes to relationships, people living with anxiety disorders typically act one of two ways—they may avoid those they love, or they may depend on them all too much. Regardless of whether you are dealing with avoidance or codependent behaviors, these issues can negatively impact the quality of your personal relationships in various ways. A 2018 review in Neuroendocrinology Letters, examining studies from 1990-2017 related to anxiety disorders and how they play out in relationships, concluded that the link between anxiety disorders and family relationships is “bidirectional.” In other words, having an anxiety disorder can sour your relationship with your partner, and your partner’s attitude toward you can significantly affect your anxiety. Hence, anxiety can have a profound impact on relationships, affecting both the individual with anxiety and their loved ones.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Importance of Self-Compassion in Mental Health

self-compassion

Mental health refers to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO) explains mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” Wellness is an active and dynamic process of change and growth to reach one’s fullest potential. According to The National Wellness Institute, wellness is a “process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” There are eight dimensions of wellness, and devoting time to each of these dimensions in one’s daily life, can improve one’s mental health and emotional well-being.

What Is Self-Compassion?

Self-compassion is defined as “compassion directed inward, relating to oneself as the object of care and concern when faced with the experience of suffering.” Kristin Neff, Ph.D., one of the leading researchers in this field, explains that self-compassion is comprised of the following three central components:

  1. Self-kindness versus self-judgment: being kind and understanding toward oneself rather than being self-critical.
  2. Common humanity versus isolation: Seeing one’s fallibility as part of the larger human condition and experience rather than as isolating.
  3. Mindfulness versus overidentification: holding one’s painful thoughts and feelings in mindful awareness rather than avoiding them or overidentifying with them.

When these interrelated elements combine and mutually interact, we can cultivate a self-compassionate frame of mind when encountering personal mistakes, failure, perceived inadequacies, and/ or various experiences of life difficulty.

Benefits of Self-Compassion

There is an array of benefits to practicing self-compassion. Research indicates that self-compassion is strongly associated with psychological well-being. More specifically, experts assert that “higher levels of self-compassion are linked to increased feelings of happiness, optimism, curiosity, and connectedness, as well as decreased anxiety, depression, rumination, and fear of failure.” A 2021 paper in the Journal of Positive Psychology, asserts that self-compassion induces a feeling of security and calmness as it produces a chemical response by activating the parasympathetic system, which triggers the release of oxytocin (commonly known as the “love hormone”). This creates a sense of emotional safety, even in the face of uncertainty, which in turn lowers stress and stress-related behaviors. According to Michigan State University, “practicing self-compassion helps us to accept our own humanness and imperfections with kindness and increases people’s motivation to learn, to change for the better and to avoid repeating past mistakes.” Self-compassion research reveals that individuals who practice self-compassion are far less likely to suffer from mental health conditions and are more resilient. Empirical literature further indicates that self-compassion appears to reduce psychopathology through lessened automatic and negative thinking, reduced avoidance of negative emotions, decreased entanglement with negative emotions, and greater emotion regulation skills, all of which lead to greater life satisfaction and enhanced mental health. 

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options. 

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

The Connection Between Anxiety And Chronic Pain

Anxiety

Pain is a multidimensional experience that involves sensory, cognitive, and affective factors. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.” Pain is typically classified as either acute or chronic. Acute pain is of sudden onset that is usually the result of a clearly defined cause. Acute pain dissipates within six months, and fully resolves when the underlying cause has been treated or has healed. Chronic pain is defined as “pain that lasts more than several months (variously defined as 3 to 6 months, but certainly longer than ‘normal healing’).” To discern the prevalence of chronic pain in America, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from the 2016 National Health Interview Survey which found an estimated 20.4% (50 million) U.S. adults had chronic pain. The symptoms of chronic pain are essentially caused by a miscommunication between one’s brain and central nervous system. Chronic pain can manifest anywhere in one’s body. Experts assert that untreated chronic pain can profoundly affect a person’s quality of life and overall well-being.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, anxiety is “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” Anxiety will manifest differently in different people. The feelings of anxiety can range from mild to severe. While fleeting anxiety is unavoidable, it is atypical for an individual to experience frequent, intense, debilitating, persistent worries and/ or fears related to everyday situations, and such anxiety could be indicative of an anxiety disorder.

The Connection

The relationship between chronic pain and anxiety is often cyclical. Empirical evidence suggests that anxiety plays an important role in the exacerbation of pain perception. Studies have found a clear link between exposure to toxic stress and the development of chronic pain. For example, toxic stress causes continuous activation of the nervous system which can lower the body’s pain threshold and trigger problematic physiological reactions (e.g., muscle tension and spasms), worsening many types of chronic pain. On the other hand, the stress of living with chronic pain can lead to feelings of anxiety or precipitate an anxiety disorder. Chronic pain is known to cause structural and functional changes in the brain, disrupting the communication between brain cells, and hindering one’s ability to effectively process emotions, including anxiety. According to data published in 2023, an estimated 35% of patients with chronic pain experience anxiety. Increased chronic pain levels tend to worsen anxiety, and anxiety often leads to more frequent and/ or severe pain.

Treatment In Calabasas

Calabasas is a city in California. It is a well-known suburb of Los Angeles, located west of the San Fernando Valley and north of the Santa Monica Mountains. Over the past decade, the city of Calabasas has grown in its reputation for luxury as well as for privacy which makes it a hidden gem for residential living for society’s elite, and one of the most desirable destinations in Los Angeles County. It is also home to a plethora of highly qualified mental health clinicians providing an array of therapeutic services and treatment options.

The information above is provided for the use of informational purposes only. The above content is not to be substituted for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, as in no way is it intended as an attempt to practice medicine, give specific medical advice, including, without limitation, advice concerning the topic of mental health. As such, please do not use any material provided above to disregard professional advice or delay seeking treatment.

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