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Not surprisingly half of all the cigarettes consumed are by those who are suffering from some type of mental health issue. This could be Stress, Anxiety, Depression or an Addiction.

Any attempt to stop smoking would require resolving the root cause of this problem. Before we understand how the Psychologist will help you resolve these mental health problems lets understand what they are:

Stress:

Demystifying one point is that Stress is not completely bad, without stress some of the most brilliant ideas would never have happened, but stress is the body’s way of reacting to a situation over which you perceive not to have control. Stress in life is inevitable, what is of importance is how you react to that stress.

Anxiety:

Is a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or nervousness about an event in the future. Anxiety would about the result of an exam or the outcome of a job interview etc. Again in life there will be anxiousness about many facets, the key is how you react to these feelings of things not being in your control.

Depression:

Depression is a feeling of complete despondency and dejection. However, every human being will suffer from various levels of depression during their life. No one person will live life without depression. Depression can be diagnosed to be mild or severe or some degree in between these extremes. How an individual reacts to depression is within their control, or with the help of counseling or even anti-depressant medication. Drugs, alcohol or nicotine is never an answer to depression.

Addiction:

Addiction is a complex condition of the mind, where a person is unable to control their need for a particular substance or activity. Moreover, one may be addicted to food, exercise, sex, alcohol, drugs or nicotine. This chronic dysfunction of the brain where it needs “rewards” and is indicated by a lack of self-control is resolved with counseling and other techniques that an experienced Psychologist is equipped with.

In conclusion, if you or someone you love needs to stop smoking cigarettes, it is best advised to consult with an experienced Psychologist who will treat the problem at the root cause instead of treating it superficially.

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About the Author: Dr. Prerna Kohli – Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist for over 25 years. She is a four-time gold medal winner for her academic excellence. She has been awarded by the President of India for her contributions to Mental Health. Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli.

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay.

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder. It is the fear of public places. The person is afraid to step out of his home and thinks his home is the safest place to be at.

How does it start?

It begins with experiencing a discomfort in some place. Agoraphobia develops with each incident that involves the trigger resulting in extreme stress.

The discomfort is followed by a panic or anxiety attack making the person afraid to visit the same place. It could be a park, a supermarket, a restaurant, etc. The person develops fear because he starts associating things around and situations to that feeling of extreme discomfort he went through.

To be classified as Agoraphobia a person should have the fear of at least two of the following things:

• Open Spaces
• Public Transport
• Enclosed Spaces
• Being in a crowded place
• Being outside of their home, especially alone

What does a person go through?

The phobia can hamper the quality of life a person leads. He may be unable to do perform activities outside his home, for example, going to work, school, interacting with friends and family outside of their comfort zone. Over a time the person becomes isolated because he is unable to socialize due to his fear. This may lead to a major illness like depression. He may start opting for unhealthy methods to cope with his situations like the use of drugs, alcohol or develop an eating disorder. He may understand that his fear is irrational but because it has overpowered his rationality, he may end up feeling helpless. This can severely affect his self-esteem.

Some simple tips

If you or someone you know is agoraphobic below are tips to manage the illness.

Breathing techniques

When you are going through a panic attack, you face difficulties in breathing. It becomes fast and shallow. You must concentrate on taking slow and deep breathes, through your nose.

Lifestyle Changes

Adopt a healthy lifestyle to improve your well-being. Avoid alcohol and caffeine and include a workout session in your daily routine. Make sure you take enough sleep every day in order to keep yourself away from stress due to sleep deprivation.

Relaxation techniques

You can learn some relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, hypnotherapy, etc. Explore and follow that suits you best.

Consult a professional

Talk to a mental health professional. If your fear is keeping you away from leading a normal and happy life, you need to help.

There is no guaranteed way to deal with the phobia. But dealing with your anxiety and stress can be really helpful. Do not let a phobia take control of your life. Take the charge and make the change.

Learn more about Dr Prerna Kohli

Read more about tips to control anxiety