Today's focus is on Agoraphobia – an anxiety disorder quite similar to Claustrophobia. In that, the cause is generally due to panic, or a fear of fear.

If you’d prefer to listen or watch me talk, so you can go about your day, click here:

This is a condition, where you begin to fear situations where escape might be difficult, or that help might not be available in the case of a panic attack. And, if the condition becomes more severe, this looks like having trouble leaving your home due to the fear that doing so may cause you to panic.

It’s estimated that more than a third of people with agoraphobia have trouble leaving their home and are unable to study or work as a result. Hence, why Agoraphobia’s translation from Greek is “fear of the marketplace”, the general out-and-about are where you buy what you need and work to earn money, which becomes so tricky with Agoraphobia.

Let's delve into the intricacies of this often debilitating condition

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In today's fast-paced world, it's essential to address the often-neglected topic of how to approach mental health conversations. Prepare to level up your communication skills and engage in those tough talks like a true champion!

Imagine this scenario: you notice a friend or acquaintance who seems off. They're not their usual self, and concern starts to gnaw at you. Well, it's time to step up and reach out because discussing mental health is a game-changer. Remember, it's better to express our thoughts and emotions than to keep them bottled up!

Creating the Right Environment:

Before diving into the conversation, let's set the stage for success. Picture a calm, neutral environment where both parties feel comfortable. Avoid choosing inappropriate settings like work events or wild parties. Instead, opt for a relaxed atmosphere where you can openly communicate. Normalizing these discussions is key!

Being Fully Present:

To have a truly impactful conversation, you must be fully present....

HSP stands for Highly Sensitive Person, and it represents a unique way of perceiving the world that 15-20% of people experience. While HSPs may be more easily overwhelmed by external stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, and strong smells, they also possess remarkable qualities that set them apart. In this article, we delve into the hidden powers of HSPs, exploring their innate empathy, creative prowess, and the ways in which sensitivity can be transformed into a source of personal and professional success.

The Art of Sensing: Unveiling the Remarkable Awareness of HSPs

Highly Sensitive People possess a heightened sensitivity to the subtleties of the world around them, granting them a remarkable awareness that sets them apart. While others may overlook the delicate nuances that color everyday life, HSPs possess an innate ability to notice and appreciate the details that often go unnoticed. This keen observation allows them to embark on a sensory journey, perceiving the world...

Are you constantly feeling anxious at work? Do you find yourself struggling to focus or complete tasks because of your anxiety?

You're not alone.

Anxiety is a common problem that affects millions of people in the workplace. But the good news is that there are several effective ways to cope with anxiety at work.

In this post, we'll explore some of the most effective techniques to help you manage your anxiety and perform at your best.

1. Identify Your Triggers

The first step in coping with anxiety at work is to identify your triggers. These are situations or events that tend to trigger your anxiety.

For some people, it may be public speaking, for others it may be a high-pressure deadline.

Once you've identified your triggers, you can start to develop strategies to manage them.

This may involve taking breaks, practicing techniques that reduce anxiety, or seeking support from colleagues or a mental health professional.

2. Stay Present

Staying focused on the present moment is a...

Hey there, it’s Michael Burrows, and I’m excited to talk to you about two powerful therapeutic approaches: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Both of these therapies aim to help people overcome trauma, anxiety, and other psychological issues, but they use different approaches to achieve this goal.

Let's dive in and take a closer look at both of these therapies.

What is EMDR?

EMDR is a therapy that was developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Francine Shapiro. EMDR aims to help people reprocess traumatic memories by using rapid eye movements, similar to those that occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

During an EMDR session, the client recalls a traumatic memory while the therapist guides them through a specific pattern of eye movements. The theory behind this technique is that the eye movements help the brain process the traumatic memory and shift negative emotions related to the event.

EMDR has been...

Welcome, my friends, to my latest blog post, where we’ll dive deep into the subject of Claustrophobia, a fear of confined or crowded spaces, and how it links to panic attacks.

Many people don't realize that claustrophobia is one of the more impairing and disruptive phobias due to crowds and tight spaces, like elevators and public transport, being a common occurrence in our modern day-to-day lives. In fact, about 2.2% of the total population experiences claustrophobia, and it’s more common among women than men.

The intensity of claustrophobia can vary from person to person, but for some, even the thought of being in a confined space can be enough to make you squirm. Some common triggers of claustrophobia include elevators, public transport, markets, and shopping malls, small cafes, airplanes, and rooms with sealed or closed windows, just to name a few.

Symptoms of Claustrophobia

Now, let's talk about the effects of claustrophobia.

Some people may only experience mild...

What causes a fear of cats, or Ailuro-phobia?

Some people are not cat people, or may dislike cats.

If you’ve ever been scratched or bitten by a cat, you may be quite wary of them.

In either of these cases, you’re not going to go out of your way to spend time with them, but you’re also not going to spend a lot of time worrying about them.

Phobias are a lot stronger than dislike.

And today we are talking about Ailurophobia, Felinophobia, Elurophobia,

Gatophobia, Galeophobia or just straight, Cat Phobia.

Ailuro originates from the Greek word for cat.

Feline from Latin

And Gato from Spanish.

Lots of ways to say, “cats really freak me out!”

With ailurophobia you might spend a lot of time worrying about encountering cats and thinking about ways to avoid them.

This can be pretty disruptive to daily life, especially as cats are a very popular pet.

Speaking of, this fear is usually about domesticated cats rather than large predatory cats.

You may...

Claustrophobia – a fear of confined or crowded spaces - has a little known connection to Panic Attacks.

Keep reading to find out more about the causes of Claustrophobia and how it links to panic.

The intensity of Claustrophobia can vary from one person to another.

It can cause severe anxiety and panic attacks.

And for some who struggle with claustrophobia, even the thought of being in a confined space may be enough to make you squirm.

In terms of numbers – about 2.2% of the total population experience claustrophobia. And it is more common among women than men.

It generally starts for people around 20 years old.

And most people don’t get any support for it (their entire lives), despite the fact that it’s one of the more impairing and disruptive phobias due to crowds and tight spaces (like elevators) being a common occurrence in our modern day-to-day lives.

Common Triggers

In fact, here are some of the common triggers of claustrophobia...

1. The first thing is, that it is not a straight upwards improvement

Sometimes when people come to see me, they can be worried that, given the wrong push, they’ll go crazy.

They’ll end up hurting someone, embarrassing themselves, or thrown in the looney bin.

There are actually 3 distinct types of anxiety that I see cause this fear of going insane.

1. Panic
2. Generalised Anxiety
3. OCD

With Panic fears, sometimes people can be afraid that if their anxiety goes any higher, they’ll lose it. They’ll go insane, or lose the plot.

This can be a fear of temporary insanity, where they panic and run out of a board meeting or punch and kick people in a desperate effort to leave a plane.

Or it can be a fear of more permanent loss of faculties, resulting in drooling in bed or in a Psych ward for the rest of their lives.

Now with Generalised Anxiety, we’re talking about what’s called Type 2 Worry.

This is when someone worries about the effect of all the worrying they’re doing.

In this instance, it’s the worry that...