In this new state of anxiety, they struggle to concentrate on tasks such as decision-making regarding treatment options, diet requirements, medication regimens, and just everyday life decisions. Sometimes people who have had such an experience suddenly feel that they fret about everything. With a life altering diagnosis we cannot fight it, flee from it, or hide from it, this can increase feelings of fear and helplessness. This fight, flight, freeze, fawn response is completely automatic and the way in which our body gets ready to defend itself from injury and attack. We feel our heart race, breath quicken, and cannot seem to focus on those around us. Forcing ourselves to undergo treatments we do not really understand, and to return to the environment that we associate with frightening information and loss of control can activate our Sympathetic Nervous system. When we get a diagnosis, which alters our relationship with our future we feel extremely vulnerable. Both systems are necessary for survival.Īlthough we may not be facing a large lion, or bear in our lives we can face threats which are just as frightening but may be less obvious. In short Parasympathetic Nervous system (PNS) is “rest and digest” and the Sympathetic Nervous system (SNS) is “fight or flight”. The autonomic nervous system is held in balance between the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for rest and rejuvenation and the sympathetic nervous system responsible for action and survival. When we are alert to potential danger, we are more likely to behave in ways that increase our ability to avoid life threatening situations. This is perfectly natural, and it contributes to our survival as a species. Often when a person has had a stressful and anxiety provoking experience the autonomic nervous system becomes activated. I also offer hypnotherapy to manage insomnia, chronic pain, and habit alteration like smoking cessation. I offer both individual and group counselling depending on your preference. My clients include people who may have received a life‑altering diagnosis such as cancer, are managing a chronic condition like Crohns or diabetes, or are experiencing a developmental transition like aging or menopause. I provide counselling for clients in Nova Scotia using telephone, video, and in person delivery. I am a member of both the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. I am a certified Hypnotherapist through Daybreak Therapy and Training. I have a Master of Education in Lifelong Learning from Mount Saint Vincent University, and a Master of Education in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Acadia University. I have worked for 22 years as a registered Nurse in the Canadian health care system after graduating from Saint Francis-Xavier University with a BSc in Nursing in 1988.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |