April 2015
FIGHT YOUR OWN FEAR
Fear is your body’s way of trying to keep you safe from what it perceives as a threat. Scientist call it the fight-or-flight impulse. But when fear disrupts your ability to go to work, maintain relationships or engage in activities you love, you have a phobia. Certain strategies can help you identify and manage the dysfunctional thoughts causing your fear.
EXPOSURE THERAPY
With the help of a therapist, you imagine facing whatever it is that scares you−like snakes−and how you would respond. Then, if necessary, you slowly work up to being in the fearful situation.
ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY
ACT involves opening yourself up to uncomfortable istuations. That reminds you that fear and anxiety are normal feelings everyone has and that learning to accept and tolerate them will help you accomplish your goals. (For instance, maybe overcoming your fear of flying would help you travel to a country that you’ve always wanted to visit.)
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
Learning to breathe deeply and slowly gives you the confidence to know that you can do things in spite of feeling scared.
Source: Francine Rosenberg, PsyD, partner at Morris Psychological Group in Parsippany, NJ