Are you bothered by a specific fear that seems irrational? Some people are frightened by particular objects, such as dogs, spiders or snakes. Others are terrified by situations, such as being in enclosed or high places.
Most people can approach these objects and situations without excessive anxiety.
SO WHY ARE YOU STILL AFRAID?
Somehow you have become conditioned to "link" anxiety to the idea of a specific object or situation. You do not know how to unlink them, so the fear remains.
YOU CAN OVERCOME THE FEAR
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Thought Field Therapy (TFT) are three approaches that can be used to help you overcome a specific fear. CBT has been used to combat fears successfully for over 30 years. EMDR and TFT are rapid variations of a CBT technique.
Here are examples of how Dr. Agigian helped two people with fears and panic.
MARY'S PROBLEM: FEAR OF HEIGHTS
THE PROBLEM:
Mary had been afraid of heights for as long as she could remember. Now 65, she was retiring and wanted to go on a trip with her husband that included Switzerland. Unless Mary could overcome her fear of heights, the trip was off.
THE SOLUTION:
Using cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) techniques, Mary rapidly eliminated her fear of heights.
RESULTS:
Mary took her trip, anxiety free, as she flew in a plane for the first time in her life. She sent Dr. Agigian a photo of herself riding in an aerial tramway and smiling.
JOSIE'S PROBLEM: PANIC AND FEAR
OF ENCLOSED SPACES
THE PROBLEM:
At age eight, Josie had been locked in a closet for several hours. She began to develop anxiety and physical symptoms (e.g.,dizziness, shortness of breath) in situations from which she could not escape, such as being stuck in an elevator or a traffic jam.
Josie wanted a job she was too frightened to take, because it required her to take an elevator every day.
THE SOLUTION:
Dr. Agigian used Thought Field Therapy (TFT) and several cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) techniques to reduce Josie's panic and fear.
RESULTS:
On a scale of 1 to 10, Josie's anxiety in formerly feared situations was reduced from 6-10 (depending on the situation) to 1 or 2. Josie also greatly reduced panic symptoms and her apprehension about them. Josie took the job in the tall building.
TAKE A FIRST STEP TOWARDS ELIMINATING FEAR
OR PANIC
If you'd like to contact Dr. Agigian for more information or to learn whether he can help you, call to arrange a free 30-minute consultation at (510) 653-7596.
He can also be reached by e-mail at agigian@earthlink.net
