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Articles by Bill White

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72 articles by Bill White · showing 22

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By Bill WhiteJul 31, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and "Who Gives a Hoot": The Perfect Couple

There are so many management strategies and techniques available to help us manage our panic attacks, agoraphobia, derealization, depersonalization, avoidance, and whatever else panic and anxiety may throw our way. Some of them are incredibly simple; however, our occupied minds roll right over them. It isn’t too awfully surprising that we don’t at times see the forest for the trees, is it? Well, one of the techniques I’ve used over the years to help me publicly cope with pani

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,133 views3/5 (1)

By Bill WhiteJul 29, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and the "We Do It Intentionally Paradox"

One could write and talk for days about the potential contributors to panic attacks. So much so that I choose to use the term “contributors,” not “causes.” And that’s because I believe using the term “causes” throws a very unnecessary roadblock in the path toward relief, as it attempts to find solid and defined explanations for why panic attacks occur. Ultimately, that’s great; however, I find it limiting in the immediate. At any rate, I want to discuss a very common psycholo

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,722 views

By Bill WhiteJul 28, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and Pre/Perinatal Trauma: Why Couldn't It Be a Factor?

Always trying to learn whatever I can about panic attacks, and always thinking outside of the box, I came upon some interesting information regarding the potential role of prenatal and perinatal happenings in the generation of panic. It’s pretty heady stuff, and I wanted to share it with you. First of all, let’s get some terminology handled. Prenatal psychology considers the psychological and psychophysiological impact of an individual’s before-birth experience. While perinat

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,641 views1.5/5 (4)

By Bill WhiteJul 28, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks, the Amygdala, and the Limbic System: A Paradox of Protection

The amygdala, situated equally in both brain hemispheres, is an almond-shaped (“amygdala” is derived from the Greek for “almond-like”) grouping of nuclei approximately one-inch long, located just a few inches from each ear, inward and in a direction toward the forehead. It’s considered to be the most primitive component of the brain’s basal ganglia; a grouping of nuclei deep within the brain associated with movement, motivation, emotion, reward, and addiction. The amygdala m

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

3,376 views

By Bill WhiteJul 26, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks & Getting Into a Zone: The Truly Incredible Can Occur

I’m sure you’ve heard someone say, “Dang, she’s really in a zone!” Or maybe you’ve thought, “Man, am I in a zone!” This “zoneness” is well worth discussing because it can really very positively impact a panic sufferer’s life. Tune in! Before we go any further, what exactly does “getting into a zone” mean; and why is it so “well worth discussing?” Getting into a zone is when one finds that very special place during an activity where everything just seems to flow. It’s as if yo

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,056 views

By Bill WhiteJul 25, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and Biochemistry: The HPA Axis (what?)

Well, buckle those seat belts tight, ‘cause I’m bringing you some pretty heady stuff here. But, we’ll get through it together just fine. I want to discuss something known as the HPA axis. This physiological interrelationship is of major importance to panic sufferers, so I’m going to get into a good bit of detail. The HPA axis involves the interaction of the brain structure known as the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland (just below the hypothalamus), and the adrenal glands (a

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

2,733 views

By Bill WhiteJul 25, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks, Comfort Foods, and Carb Cravings: It All Makes Perfect Sense

I’d like to present what I believe is need-to-know information for panic and anxiety sufferers. I don’t think it’s front page news that what we eat and drink has great impact upon the onset and intensity of panic and anxiety. And one of the most prolific examples is the ingestion of food and drink loaded with simple sugars, a.k.a. simple carbohydrates. Now, one might think staying away from potential trouble would be an easy decision to make; however, as we all know, it all t

Primary topic: Anxiety

2,649 views

By Bill WhiteJul 24, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks & Connecting the Dots: Symptom Identification and Association

In my eWorkbook, Panic! …and Poetic Justice, I share a story about crossing the I-43 bridge, with its open view of Green Bay (the actual bay) to the northeast, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As I was driving the incline of the bridge, the whole experience was bombarding me with all sorts of mental, emotional, and physical aggravation. Among these, my upper abdomen tightened-up and wanted to spasm, my breathing became fast and shallow, I began to physically feel like a two-by-four,

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,165 views

By Bill WhiteJul 22, 20091 topic

Anticipatory Anxiety and Panic: Tomorrow's Dread, Today

Anticipatory anxiety is awful. Am I right? And it so often accompanies panic, perhaps being the precursor to avoidance phenomena such as agoraphobia and social anxiety. Of course, anyone can experience anticipatory anxiety, just as anyone can experience measures of panic and social discomfort. But within the context of the anxiety disorders, anticipatory anxiety generally comes in buckets. Well, let’s talk about it; as that’s always the first order of business when approachin

Primary topic: Anxiety

3,136 views

By Bill WhiteJul 20, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and Fear: Going with Logic and the Odds

Fear, be it a thought or an emotion, is at the very foundation of panic. And, of course, panic sufferers find all sorts of creative ways to generate fear; and it generally has much to do with overreaction and misinterpretation. Am I right? Well, I propose these self-defeating dynamics can, in time, be reversed with consistent dosages of logic. That said, let’s take a look at some statistics. How ‘bout we call them facts... Your chances of dying on a single airline flight on o

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,512 views

By Bill WhiteJul 18, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks Acute Care: Gentle Expressions of Hope

So often, my working relationship with a panic sufferer begins with an initial email of all-consuming pain, fear, bewilderment, and desperation. The writer has visited my website, identified with the content, felt a glimmer of possibility, saw my invitation to write, and did exactly that. But as this person wrote, just what were they really looking for? And what do they really need to receive at this most vulnerable, yet opportunistic, time? Those are hugely important questio

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

1,666 views

By Bill WhiteJul 15, 20091 topic

Derealization & Depersonalization: Peculiar Bits of Business

The most troubling phenomena my panic and anxiety readers and clients report are the dissociative states, derealization and depersonalization (DD). I've written two Internet articles on DD; however, I wanted to share some fresh thoughts. Please understand my deep frustration in not being able to offer the solutions for which you may be looking. Unlike so many "authorities" that offer "miracle cures," I simply won't lie to you. But ongoing study and discussion of DD serves to

Primary topic: Panic Attacks

4,395 views3/5 (1)

By Bill WhiteMay 9, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and Anxiety Healing: Let's Talk Neuroplasticity

The brain performs countless miracles every second of each and every day. I’d like to discuss one such miracle that brings so much hope for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders. It’s an amazing compensatory process of the brain known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is all about the brain reorganizing its neuron-to-neuron connections in response to new circumstances and environments. Though it performs its magic primarily during infant, toddler, and pre-pub

Primary topic: Anxiety

9,737 views4/5 (2)

By Bill WhiteMay 2, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks & Cerebellar-Vestibular Dysfunciton (Huh?)

This may surprise you; however, pivotal to any discussion of the biology of panic attacks is the inner ear; home of our ability to hear and, for the purposes of this particular chat, our balance and equilibrium headquarters. No doubt, this consideration doesn’t get as much press as other biological triggers of panic, so tune-in. Okay, then – we’re going to need to discuss a wee-bit of anatomy here, so hang with me. Within the extremely complex environment of the inner ear is

Primary topic: Anxiety

3,064 views5/5 (1)

By Bill WhiteApr 29, 20091 topic

Psyched in the E.R.: She's Pregnant and Shooting Heroin?

So I answered the phone and the details were tough to hear. Yes, one of those cases that requires a gut-check before making the scene. Seems a woman, seven-months pregnant no less, was about to inject her daily heroin fix when her fiancé intervened and called the police. Out they came to the house, arrested the woman, and stopped by the E.R. for a medical assessment before taking her in for booking. By the way, I found out later that one of my colleagues got the first call; h

Primary topic: Addiction and Recovery

Addiction and Recovery

1,096 views

By Bill WhiteApr 26, 20091 topic

Trichotillomania: And That Is?

Trichotillomania (TTM), what I’ll call “trich,” is a fascinating, albeit brutal, mind variance (my stigma-reducing term for “mental illness”). Now, if you’ve elected to read an article addressing treatment you more than likely have a pretty good idea as to just what trich is. But to make sure no one’s left in the dark I’m going to offer some details. The DSM-IV-TR, the book of formal psychiatric diagnoses, categorizes trichotillomania as an impulse control disorder. That wou

Primary topic: Psychology

2,315 views

By Bill WhiteApr 22, 20091 topic

That Three-Pound Mass in Your Skull - It's Yours!

I was involved in a situation several days ago that rekindled some thoughts I’d been having over the past few months. I’d like to share what’s on my mind. I had been summoned to an emergency department to do a psych assessment on a woman who just hours before had her suicidal plan interrupted by a police officer. Going in to the case I was aware of what had happened and I’d also been informed the woman was acting upon the influence of the delusion that the FBI wanted her to

Primary topic: Therapy and Counseling

Therapy and Counseling

759 views

By Bill WhiteApr 20, 20091 topic

Warped Thinking: Anxiety's Fuel

In my panic disorder recovery days, when it came to intrapersonal issues most everything in my mind revolved around my disorder, the warped way in which I viewed myself, and my entrapment in a disorder-tainted world. Now, it’s really important to understand that if you’re in the midst of a mind variance, warped thinking is most likely a major part of your life right now, as well. Because of all you’ve endured there’s a pretty doggone good chance that you’re not seeing yourse

Primary topic: Anxiety

3,018 views

By Bill WhiteApr 13, 20091 topic

Panic Attacks and the Amygdala: Biological Answers

I’ll tell you right up front, this article in a “longie.” But if you hang in there a read it all, I’ll guarantee you’ll learn tons of stuff about why panic attacks occur. And, of course, with that information in your back pocket you can also learn how to make them go away. In my opinion, the key anatomical player in the generation of panic attacks is an almond-shaped, one-inch long grouping of nuclei (cluster of nerve cells) in the brain called the amygdala. And what do you

Primary topic: Anxiety

1,225 views

By Bill WhiteApr 10, 20091 topic

Control: The Falsest Security

How ‘bout I start things off with a simple, yet direct, statement - don’t be a control freak! This article actually comes from an eworkbook I wrote for panic attack and anxiety sufferers; however I’m thinking the information really applies to most any of us. And that’s why I’m sharing. Now, I know the concept of control seemingly means so much to us, especially in these rocky times, with so many out of work and struggling to deal with the financial fallout. However, in many

Primary topic: Happiness

703 views

By Bill WhiteApr 9, 20091 topic

Panic & Anxiety: Adios! to Derealization & Depersonalization

For those who’ve read my previous article, Panic Attacks and Anxiety: Derealization and Depersonalization - You Aren’t Going Crazy!, this is the perfect follow-up scoop. But if you’ve yet to read it, not to worry, there’s still much to be learned here. Now, in review, derealization and depersonalization all too often accompany panic attacks and anxiety. In general terms, derealization is a frightening feeling of detachment from one’s exte al environment, and depersonalizatio

Primary topic: Anxiety

5,487 views

By Bill WhiteApr 9, 20091 topic

Panic & Anxiety: Derealization & Depersonalization - You Aren't Going Crazy!

Two of the most horrifying little goodies that so often accompany panic attacks and severe anxiety are derealization and depersonalization. Both can be absolutely crippling and take you right to the turnstiles of your perception of insanity. This article will discuss what these spooky phenomena are and what may cause them. Coming from personal experience, derealization is a deep and disturbing sensation of unreality and detachment from one’s immediate world, rather an altere

Primary topic: Anxiety

9,118 views5/5 (1)

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