If a man harbors any sort of fear it percolates through all thinking damages his personality and makes him a landlord to a ghost. By Lloyd Douglas Find out about Pet Anxiety Wrap
Do You See The 3 Signs Of Cat Heat Stroke?
If you were wearing layers of clothing the whole year round, you'll get a heat stroke too. Your feline friend is prone to heat exhaustion as much as any furry pet in town. Most cat owners neglect to check on their fur balls during the summer because cats are generally independent compared to other pets. So, while your neighbor's pet poodle might get all the pampering in the world, your kitty could already be suffering from a cardiac arrest without your knowledge.
Don't be a bad cat owner-show your pet all the love it deserves. There are three signs of pet heat stroke to look out for in the summer:
Panting
Cats are generally agile animals. This means that they should be more used to rigorous activities compared to a fat Labrador. If your cat begins to show strange signs of heavy breathing, then it's best to give it a nice cool bowl of water. It would help to bring your kitty inside the house for shade, too. The most pampered felines get to stay inside their master's air conditioned bedrooms in the summer. If certain house rules prevent you from bringing your pet indoors, you should at least make sure it has a sufficiently ventilated shade to hide in once the sun gets too intolerable.
Most cats laze around during the daytime, and your furry feline is nocturnal, in every sense of the word. So when starts to get panicky and begins to pace restlessly across the room, you should check for its pulse. If your pet's heart is beating too fast for its own good, think of ways to help your pet cool down. Wrapping your pet in a damp towel is pretty effective. If nothing helps after ten or fifteen minutes, you should call the vet for more instructions.
Dark Red Gums
Your pets are generally wired the same way as you are. When the heat is up, your heart rate goes up too. A higher heart rate means a higher blood pressure, and a higher blood pressure leads to unusually red skin. Unfortunately, your pet, unlike you, is covered in fur, which makes checking for hyperactive blood vessels a little harder. Since your cat's gums are hairless, it's the best place to check if its heart is pumping too much blood. If its gums are extremely red, it's probably already having a heat stroke.
Some preventive measures
Why wait for your pet to suffer from a heatstroke if you can prevent the dreadful from happening? During extremely harsh weathers, it's only right to let your pet stay indoors. Rubbing a damp towel against your pet also keeps its body from overheating.
Your feline friend might not like this idea during colder seasons, but you could also try dipping your cat's paws in a tubful of iced water. Making a bed out of frozen peas for your pet is also a nice summer treat. This way, your pet can cool down without getting icky and wet. Too much heat can also cause cats to be too lethargic to eat or drink. If this happens, get a dropper and feed your kitty by hand.
what would be most-helpful to U in a Behavior seminar?
i'm running a seminar on Behavior Modification this Sunday,
and shelter-staff, vet staff, kennel-employees, and Pet-Owners
are all attending.
If U were either an attendee, Or Were to OFFER the seminar...
what would U think is important?
what would U want, or what would U offer?
i'll have DAP, Anxiety Wraps, video-clips of k9 body-lang, books, headcollars, and other tools on hand...
as well as Internet access.
We will discuss DS/CC, classic-conditioning, R+ training and retraining,
and behavioral breed-traits / group-traits.
we will NOT use or suggest:
* Shock
* Chokes
* Chains
this is LIMA-standard B-Mod -
'least-invasive, minimal-aversive'.
please post Ur wish-list ! and Thanks so much!!
- terry pride, apdt#1827/Certified Vet's Asst.
'change behaviors, not pets!' [tm '85]
anyone else want to list a suggestion?
please jump in!
pool's open...
What I think the most people will benefit from, if you can get them to truly take it in, is canine body language! Most average dog owners don't even realize it exists. Maybe also add in the extreme importance, to the dog, of the owner's body language.
I also think the breed/group traits are super important. Too many people haven't a clue as to why their dogs do what is perfectly natural for that breed. Or why one dog doesn't know to stay out from under grandpa's feet since their other dog knew it! Definitely breed traits!
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. By Anaïs Nin Diary1969 Find out about Anxiety Nos
Anxiety attack Remedy - A Natural Program For Getting Well
An anxiety attack is a sudden rush of overwhelming fear or anxiety. It has a number of symptoms. During an anxiety or panic attack, a person experiences trembling and shaking, chest pain, hyperventilation or shortness of breath, increased heartbeat or palpitation, stomach churning, upset stomach, hot or cold flashes, tingling sensation, muscle tension, sweating, dizziness and light-headaches, or numbness, fear of dying, going crazy or losing control and feeling detached.
If a person experiences an attack for the first time. It is important to call for a health professional.
Anxiety and panic attacks often occur to anyone without warning. So whenever someone ha san attack, it is important that you know what to do.
There are several remedies or treatments; bellow is a list of natural remedies that I recommend:
- Exercise - A 30-minute exercise, 3-5 times a week is an adequate amount to provide anxiety relief. Work out improves the well being (body and mind).
- Sleep - Quantity and quality of sleep is important. Sleep for 8 hours a day is an effective and proven technique to fight stress as well as anxiety attacks.
- Healthy diet - What you eat plays an important role in the overall health of the body. Eating well maintains the normal hormones and chemistry. Keep away from processed foods or those that include preservatives and chemicals. Like exercise, a well-balanced diet is necessary to get the best Anxiety Attack Remedy
- Avoid unnecessary stressors - Some situations and people cause unnecessary stress that result to anxiety attacks. Avoid people that stress you out, learn how to say 'no', trim down your to-do-list, avoid topics where you do not feel comfortable with such as politics and religion, etc.
- Relaxation techniques - Yoga, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, Taiji, visualization and breathing exercises can reduce anxiety and promote the feeling of relaxation and emotional well-being.
- Keep a positive outlook - While it is very difficult to maintain a good attitude when experiencing an anxiety attack, it is very crucial to be more conscious and help stay in control over the situation to effectively battle your condition.
If anxiety prevails and symptoms last for more than 1 to 2 weeks, especially if you have no idea why, see a trained therapist.
Honestly, when you talk about anxiety attack remedy and how to succeed on dealing with it, I do want to help you succeed. I suffered from anxiety and know how difficult is. It is great for me to live the life I always want
Honestly, when you talk about anxiety Attacks and how to succeed on dealing with it, I do want to help you succeed. I suffered from anxiety and know how difficult is.
Find out more here: Anxiety Attack Remedy
No items matching your keywords were found.
where can i find help to safe guard my home for my asd/bipolar daughter? goverment cant help us!?
my 11yr old daughter has aspergers/bipolar(hi suicide risk!)/general anxiety disorder/panic disorder/agoraphobia/odd. Cant get social worker as they are under funded and under staffed! cant get grant from local goverment as they have no funding left for this year! my daughter is home all the time as i cant get her in to a school! we are just being passed from pillar to post with no help or support. the longer she stays at home the worse her mental health is becoming. her home environment is not suited to her needs and i am a single parent that also has an 8yr old and 3yr old child to care for as well. please if any one nos anything or anyone that could help us we would be forever gratefull. im at my wits end i have tried everything even quoting the law and trying to talk to my mp! my other 2 children are now suffering mental anguish as well due to the lack of support.
I have a daughter with an ASD, ODD and ADHD and got no help. Ask your social services department for a common assessment and they then should organise a child in need meeting. My best advice is just to keep pushing you local services and never take no for an answer
Kavinace combines two powerful ingredients that have shown to be effective at addressing symptoms of stress, anxiousness, irritability, hyperactivity, and sleep problems. It contains the GABA derivative, Phenibut which crosses the blood brain barrier more easily than GABA.
TravaCor provides gentle support for the inhibitory neurotransmitter system through a unique combination of amino acids and vitamin and mineral cofactors. The amino acid theanine is included in TravaCor and has been widely studied for its ability to produce a calming effect and prevent over-stimulation...
Sosh⢠is an approach to social skills based on a decade of work with children, adolescents, and young adults who struggle with social difficulties. The Sosh framework divides social functioning into five areas essential to social skills development and success: Relate (Connect with Others), Relax (Reduce Stress), Regulate (Manage Behaviors), Reason (Think it Through) and Recognize (Understand Feelings)...
Includes CD-ROM with Reproducible Forms!This one-of-a-kind resource provides the busy practitioner with empirically supported treatments for seven frequently encountered disorders: major depression, generalized anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, PTSD, social phobia, specific phobia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder...
Mommy come back! Little Benjamin starts missing his mommy before she even leaves his child care center, and misses her all the way through playtime with the other children. But with the help of his teachers and the nurturing routines of a day at the center, Benjamin learns not only that his mommy comes back to get him, but that Benjamin himself will come back to child care the next day...
I have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change.... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back. By Erica Jong Find out about Dog Anxiety Behavior
Four Big Reasons for Dog Chewing Problems
Has this ever happened to you? You come home to find that your dog has been chewing on your favorite shoes--again! If dog chewing problems are a headache for you, read on to discover the four big reasons for destructive chewing.
A Bored Dog Is A Dog That Will Engage In Destructive Dog Behavior
Dogs tend to play rough. They chew on things and pick them up in their mouths to shake them, thereby "killing" them. Tearing their toys to shreds is all part of the game. This is natural dog behavior. The problem starts when it's your things the dog is playing with, not his own.
A bored dog that's left by himself too much with nothing to do will usually find something to do. Unfortunately, his idea of fun often involves destroying things, especially if he's a puppy or adolescent, and he doesn't have anything else to do to use up all his energy.
What's the solution? Get your dog plenty of exercise. Play fetch with him. Go for long walks, and give your dog plenty of time to sniff at interesting things. Walks are great training opportunities, too. They're much more than just bathroom breaks for your dog.
Make sure your dog has plenty of toys. Rotate them so he always has something new to interest him. Toys that can be stuffed with food will keep your dog happily occupied for a long time.
Separation Anxiety In Dogs
This problem often shows up with dogs who are too attached to their owners. Your dog has a panicattack whenever you leave him by himself. Dogs with separation anxiety often chew on things to comfort and soothe themselves when they're alone. It makes him feel better.
The important thing to remember is that your dog isn't chewing on your belongings to get back at you for leaving him alone. He's doing it because he's scared; punishing him will add to the problem.
Separation anxiety in dogs is a tough problem to solve, but with lots of time and patience, you can desensitize your dog so he doesn't react so strongly to your leaving.
Your Dog Wants Your Attention...
And he will do anything to get it, even if the attention is bad. A dog who doesn't get much attention unless he misbehaves is a dog who's being trained to misbehave.
It's a hard thing to understand, but dogs are reward-based. The best way to get a dog to stop doing something is to ignore him when he does it. If he gets your attention, whether it's good or bad, he's been rewarded for what he's been doing.
Give your dog lots of positive attention. Play with him, take him for walks, just spend time with him. If your dog is getting lots of good attention from you when he behaves well, he won't resort to destructive chewing to get your attention.
Fearful Dogs
Anxiety in dog is often a problem with canines who are scared of loud noises like thunder or fireworks. He'll attack doors, door frames, window coverings, screens, and walls, because he's trying to escape from whatever is frightening him.
Don't comfort your dog when he reacts fearfully to things. You're rewarding his behavior with your attention, which will only serve to reinforce it. Play with him and reward him when he responds to you, instead of whatever is scaring him.
Provide a place where your dog feels safe during a scary situation. This way he can retreat there when you're absent.
To sum up, it's important that you find and correct the reason for dog chewing problems. A good dog training course is essential so that you can learn how to end destructive dog behavior without making the situation worse.
About the Author
Darlene Norris has worked at a vet clinic and an animal shelter, and has had lots of experience with dogs. If you're dealing with dog chewing problems, visit No More Bad Dogs at http://NoMoreBadDogs.com to learn more about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.
No items matching your keywords were found.
Can a dog have anxiety???
My dog has just turned three. He is constantly chewing on himself. He did NOT used to do this at all. He does not have a flea problem. i have noticed that it increases when I am getting ready to leave the house. It is becoming constant.
Can a dog get anxiety and take it out in self destructive behavior? He chews himself until he bleeds, has bald spots, etc. I have got a natural spray medicine (with camomile, tea tree oil, and aloe ONLY) to treat the areas, but after it heals and I stop using the spray, he just goes at it again, or just choses a different area to chew at.
Please help me and my dog!
absolutely!
you dog is either having separation anxiety, or OCD symptoms. you need to do three things.
1. buy a crate, and work on crate training him so that he has a safe, comfy place to retreat to when you are gone. you can put his favorite bed, toy or treat ie. raw hides, into the crate. this provides a place for him to clam down.
2. get him into an obedience class. basic obedience are a good structure to build from. Then you need to find a dog trainer to help you work with his "special" problems.
3. you need to speak with your vet about his behavior, after you have set him up with the crate and training. allow your vet to make any recommendations about medication. and research his behaviors on line.
I've had a dog that did this too! at first i thought the dog was psycho! after i did those three things...it was like a new dog!
around the age of 2 or 3 a dogs hits puberty, and sometimes their hormones are a bit off...in which case can cause funny little quirks to appear in your pet that you have never seen before...some dogs are just this way.
Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
This booklet explains the difference between dogs who truly have separation anxiety and those that merely misbehave. Written by Patricia McConnell, it describes a dog behavior modification program for the prevention and treatment of both problems...
Lynn Hoover has put together a collection of case studies, information and proven strategies to help dogs. Families everywhere can learn how to manage and modify problem behaviors while increasing their understanding of dog's unique emotional and relationship needs...
Do you have a problem pooch? What do you do with a dog who attacks the telephone whenever it rings? Or one who chases imaginary rabbits down imaginary holes? Or one who is terrified ofmicroblinds.....
Play the part of Cesar?s apprentice and learn what you need to know in order to understand your dog?s behavior and psychology and learn how to rehabilitate him using Cesar?s three-part Fulfillment Formula and techniques...
Learn everything you need to know abot positive reinforcement puppy training in an actual six week puppy obedience class led by expert dog trainer Suzanne Harris, CPDT.Whether you watch the entire class, or jump directly to the specific section you need, Positive Puppy Kindergarten will have you and your pup making big progress othe very first day...
We live in a very tense society. We are pulled apart... and we all need to learn how to pull ourselves together.... I think that at least part of the answer lies in solitude. By Helen Hayes Find out about Dog Separation Anxiety Disorder
Your Weimaraner & Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most common problems that Weimaraners seem to develop. It's an anxiety disorder, and is defined as a state of intense panic brought on by your Weimaraner's isolation/separation from you.
In other words: when you leave for work in the morning, your Weimaraner is plunged into a state of nervous anxiety which intensifies extremely quickly and often results in complaints, from neighbours, when you return.
Weimaraner's are social animals - they need plenty of company and social interaction to keep them happy and content. No dog likes to be left alone for long stretches of time, but Weimaraner's can react a lot worse than others.
It doesn't just affect Weimaraners - some breeds are genetically predisposed towards anxiety and insecurity, which is something you should consider when deciding which breed you'd prefer (particularly if you're going to be absent for long stretches of time). A few of these breeds include Weimaraners, Springer Spaniels, German Shepherds, and Airedales.
A significant proportion of dogs from shelters develop separation anxiety. Most of these 'shelter dogs' have undergone significant trauma in their lives - they've been abandoned by their previous owners - and thus they have little trust that their new-found owner (you) isn't going to pull the same trick. A lot of Weimaraner owners can't cope and end up taking theirs to a shelter. Now imagine a Weimaraner that's also a Shelter Dog!
If you're absent much more than you're present in your Weimaraner's life, separation anxiety is pretty much inevitable. Your Weimaraner needs your company, affection, and attention in order to be happy and content.
The symptoms of separation anxiety are pretty distinctive: your Weimaraner will usually learn to tell when you're about to leave (she'll hear keys jingling, will see you putting on your outdoor clothes, etc) and will become anxious. She may follow you from room to room, whining, trembling, and crying. Some Weimaraners even become aggressive, in an attempt to stop their owners from leaving.
When you've left, the anxious behavior will rapidly worsen and usually will peak within half an hour. She may bark incessantly, scratch and dig at windows and doors (an attempt to escape from confinement and reunite herself with you), chew inappropriate items, even urinate and defecate inside the house. In extreme cases, she might self-mutilate by licking or chewing her skin until it's raw, or pulling out fur; or will engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviors, like spinning and tail-chasing.
Upon your return, she'll be excessively excited, and will leap around you in a frenzy of delight for a protracted period of time (more than the 30 seconds to one minute of a happy, well-balanced dog.)
This extended greeting is a source of some misunderstanding: without realising that such a greeting actually signifies the presence of a psychological disorder, some owners actually encourage their Weimaraner to get more and more worked up upon their return (by fuelling the Weimaraner's excitement, encouraging her to leap around, paying her protracted attention, and so on.)
If you're behaving in this way with your Weimaraner, please stop. I know it's tempting and very easy to do, and it seems harmless - after all, she's so happy to see you, what harm can it do to return her attention and affection in equal measure? - but in actuality, you're just validating her belief that your return is the high point of the day. She'll extremely happy when you return - but, when it's time for you to leave again, her now-exaggerated happiness at your presence is under threat, and she gets even more unhappy when you walk out that door.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to minimise your Weimaraner's tendency towards anxiety. Here's a short list of do's and don'ts:
Do:
- Exercise the heck out of her. Really wear her out: the longer you expect to be away, the more exercise she should get before you leave. For example, if you're leaving for work in the morning, she'll probably be by herself for at least four hours; and, if you've got a dog-walker to take her out mid-day instead of coming back yourself, she won't see you - the person she really cares about - for at least nine hours. So she needs a good, vigorous walk (fifteen to twenty minutes is the absolute minimum here!) before you walk out that door. More is even better.
- Distract her from her boredom, loneliness, and anxiety by giving her an attractive alternative to pining, pacing, and whining. All dogs love to chew - why not play on this predisposition? Get a couple of marrowbones from the butcher, bake them in the oven for 20 minutes (so they go nice and hard and crunchy - and so she can't smear marrow all over your furniture), slice them up into chunks of a few inches long, and give her one about 15 minutes before you leave. It'll keep her happy and occupied, and will act as a smokescreen for your departure.
- When you leave, put the radio on to a soothing station: classical music is ideal, but any station featuring lots of talk shows is also ideal. Keep the volume quite low, and it'll calm her down a bit and give her the feeling that she's got company.
- If at all possible, supply her with a view: if she can see the world going by, that's the next best thing to being out and about in it.
- Acclimatize her to your leaving. Taking things nice and slowly, practice getting ready to go: jingle your keys about, put on your coat, and open the door. Then - without leaving! - sit back down and don't go anywhere. Do this until she's not reacting any more. When there's no reaction, give her a treat and lavish praise for being so brave. Next, practice actually walking out the door (and returning immediately), again doing this until there's no reaction. Gradually work up - gradually being the operative word here! - until you're able to leave the house with no signs of stress from her.
Do not:
- Act overtly sympathetic when she's crying. Although it sounds very cold-hearted, trying to soothe and comfort your Weimaraner by patting her and cooing over her is actually one of the worst things you can do: it's essentially validating her concern. Make sure she can't tell that you feel sorry for her: don't ever say, "It's OK, good girl" when she's upset!
If you need more indepth information on how to deal with your Weimaraner's separation anxiety, you should click here.
It's a great learning tool for anyone who wants to learn how to deal constructively with their Weimaraner's problem behaviors.
All of the common behavioral problems are dealt with in detail, and there's a great section on obedience commands and tricks . I simply wouldn't have survived 5 years, with my own Weimaraner, without this information!
About the Author
Maya Jakes owns a 5 year old Weimaraner and knows, from experience, that they're not dogs - they're Weimaraners! You can visit her website Wonderful Weimaraner
No items matching your keywords were found.
Dog Separation Anxiety
One of the greatest joys of dog ownership is the tight bond we experience and encourage with our dogs. However, if your dog becomes too reliant or dependant on you, dog separation anxiety can develop.
Dog Separation Anxiety is an enormous problem to an estimated 10% of all puppy's and older dogs. Somewhat ironically, it is the major cause for dogs ending up in animal shelters. I wish I could say dog separation anxiety is easily fixed , but the truth is it can be a very difficult and time consuming problem to turn around.
Let's take a look at separation anxiety from your dogs perspective. You are the most important thing in your dogs life. Dogs are very sociable creatures and thrive on company for many reasons. If your dog had a choice he/she would spend every bit of his time with you. So it's only natural that when you go out, your dog can experience varying degrees of distress and anxiety. He becomes confused, vulnerable, doesn't know where you are going, why he can't be with you and if you will be coming back to him. When you are separated all he wants is to be reunited with his pack - which is you.
Punishment is never the answer to treating dog separation anxiety!
There's every chance your dog is suffering from a Separation Anxiety disorder rather than another dog behavior problem if:
1. Your dog gets really worked up and anxious when you are preparing to leave the house. Things like picking up your car keys or putting on your coat can trigger the behavior.
2. Your dog engages in inappropriate behavior only when you are separated. I expand on this topic further down the page, but behavior such as urinating inside, excessive barking and destructive behavior are common symptoms of Separation Anxiety in dogs.
3. Your dog follows you everywhere you go and immediately becomes distressed if he can't be near you.
4. When you arrive home your dog is over the top with his greeting and takes a while to calm down.
Why Do Dogs Suffer From Separation Anxiety?
There are many theories on this one. In some cases the cause or trigger can be pinpointed to a particular event, but often there appears to be no explanation for the Separation Anxiety to commence. What I can say is that Separation Anxiety in dogs regularly occurs:
- Straight after a change in routine. Such as your work hours changing or a family member leaves home. Remember dogs are creatures of habit and any changes can be very unsettling to them.
- If you have been on vacation or unemployed for some time and have been spending heaps of time with your dog. When you go back to work your dog becomes anxious and distressed.
- Unfortunately dog's rescued from animal shelters contribute a highly disproportionate number of Separation Anxiety cases.
- After your dog experiences a traumatic event while on his own. If a thunderstorm lashes your home while your dog is alone, this can trigger Separation Anxiety in the future.
- If your dog is rarely left alone and becomes overly reliant on his pack.
- When you move house to a new neighbourhood.
How Does Dog Separation Anxiety Manifest Itself?
- Barking
- Whining
- Licking
- Destructive Behavior
- Chewing
- Howling
- panic attacks
- Digging
- Inappropriate Urinating
- House Soiling
- Self Mutilation
- Escaping
- Diarrhea
- Loss Of Appetite
- Excessive Salivation
- Vomiting
- Jumping Through Windows
- Crying
What Can You Do To Help Your Dog Overcome Separation?
The treatment administered to your dogs separation anxiety problem depends on its severity. You will find lots of theories and suggestions regarding the correct way to treat separation anxiety - I'll just inform you of what's worked for me.
The 4 Step Program I Used To Fix My Dalmation's Separation Anxiety Problem
My dalmation Harrison developed Separation Anxiety seemingly for no reason when he was about 7 years old. He would start digging and crying as soon as I left the house, even if my other family members were home. My Veterinarian suggested this training process, it achieved the desired result but took plenty of time and patience.
Aside from the 4 step program listed below, I continued to practice the general day to day duties of responsible dog ownership. By this I mean things like providing a safe and comfortable bed, plenty of exercise and obedience training.
Harry would start to get anxious (his whole body would shake) at the very first sign of me leaving the house. This typically would be putting my shoe's on or turning off the TV or heater. It became a real problem for Harry, myself and the rest of my family, this is how we eventually solved it:
Step 1
Since Harry was always by my side when I was home I had to slowly teach him that he didn't always need to be close to me. I started out by ignoring his attention seeking behavior (jumping up, barking etc.) and then did some solid practice of his down stay. Little by little we extended the time and distance we spent apart, until he was happy to be alone for up to 30 minutes. Of course, we still spent lots of fun time together.
Step 2
The next step was to get him used to being outside when I was inside. Again we started off with very small periods apart and gradually lengthened the time over a couple of weeks. If you try this Separation Anxiety treatment make sure that you don't just leave your dog outside to get all worked up and stressed. The trick is to start out leaving your dog out for a few seconds, then going out and reuniting before he shows any signs of Separation Anxiety. Give your dog a treat or dog toy to keep his mind off missing you. Only initiate contact with your dog when he is calm and quiet.
Step 3
The next step in fixing Harry's Separation Anxiety problem was to eliminate the distress caused by me getting ready to leave the house for work. What I did was write a list of all the triggers that started Harry's anxiety. I then set about desensitizing him to these triggers. I'd put my shoe's on, and not go anywhere. Put my coat on, then sit down to read the paper. Pick up my car keys and just carry them around with me, jangling along as I went about my business. After a while (about 3 weeks) Harry barely offered a sideways glance at my shenanigans.
Step 4
When Harry was completely calm in situations that would have unsettled him in the past, I left the house. At first I just stepped outside, shut the door and came back inside within 20 seconds - before he made a sound. Again this was a slow process, similar to step 2. I extended the time outside the front door and then graduated to starting the car, then driving around the block before I came back inside. You can provide a tasty treat to your dog on your way out the door, something that he can work on for a while. Harry's favorite was a frozen Kong stuffed full of peanut butter and a few liver treats, this eventually kept him occupied for hours. Remember that when you return home, don't make a huge fuss. Come inside, get changed, pour yourself a nice hot coffee, then greet your calm dog.
This process did prove effective for me and my anxious dalmation. All up the 4 steps took about 5 weeks to work through and fix Harry's Separation Anxiety problem. My Vet suggested that I supplement this training with some medication. I didn't go down that path, but it would have been my next step if required.
Whichever method you choose to treat dog separation anxiety, be sure to stick with it and don't expect any immediate results.
A hundredload of worry will not pay an ounce of debt. By George Herbert Find out about Separation Anxiety Behavior Dog
training To Solve Canine Separation Anxiety Behaviors
Dog separation anxiety is one of the most common problems dog owners face. Dogs come down with separation anxiety for several reasons. Some of the most common reasons are lack of exercise, a traumatic event, or a sudden change in schedule. Separation anxiety symptoms are expressed in a various ways. There are plenty of different symptoms. Minor signs include changes in body language and whining. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may wreck furnishings or injure themselves. Fortunately, separation anxiety can be solved using behavior modificaton drills. What is Behavior Modification Training Behavior Modification is a type of dog training that is used to replace on type of behavior with another. For example, Let's say your dog pulls at the end of the leash when you walk him, you can teach him to heel using obedience (the heel command), or you can teach him to walk by your side by rewarding good behavior (walking next to you), and correcting or ignoring bad behavior (the pulling). The best thing about behavior modification is that it shows dogs to behave a specific way when you aren't there to say the command. There are a number of great drills for dogs with separation anxiety. Desensitization drills are highly recommended. As you get ready to leave your home, you may notice your pet becoming anxious. Dogs are smart. Your dog has figured out you are leaving by how you behave before you leave. If your dog knows you are going to leave when you pick up your keys, grab your keys more often. Throughout the day, you can put on your coat, and pick up your keys, then walk to the door. When you get there, turn around and go back to what you were doing. This causes your dog to lose the association of you going away with you putting on your jacket. It takes a bit of effort, but it's worth it to put in the effort. Once you have completed a number of desensitization drills, your dog will be calm and happy when you leave.
Dog separation anxiety is one of the most common problems dog owners face. Dogs come down with separation anxiety for several reasons. Some of the most common reasons are lack of exercise, a traumatic event, or a sudden change in schedule. Separation anxiety symptoms are expressed in a various ways.
There are plenty of different symptoms. Minor signs include changes in body language and whining. Dogs with severe separation anxiety may wreck furnishings or injure themselves. Fortunately, separation anxiety can be solved using behavior modificaton drills.
What is Behavior Modification Training
Behavior Modification is a type of dog training that is used to replace on type of behavior with another. For example, Let's say your dog pulls at the end of the leash when you walk him, you can teach him to heel using obedience (the heel command), or you can teach him to walk by your side by rewarding good behavior (walking next to you), and correcting or ignoring bad behavior (the pulling). The best thing about behavior modification is that it shows dogs to behave a specific way when you aren't there to say the command.
There are a number of great drills for dogs with separation anxiety. Desensitization drills are highly recommended. As you get ready to leave your home, you may notice your pet becoming anxious. Dogs are smart. Your dog has figured out you are leaving by how you behave before you leave. If your dog knows you are going to leave when you pick up your keys, grab your keys more often. Throughout the day, you can put on your coat, and pick up your keys, then walk to the door. When you get there, turn around and go back to what you were doing. This causes your dog to lose the association of you going away with you putting on your jacket. It takes a bit of effort, but it's worth it to put in the effort. Once you have completed a number of desensitization drills, your dog will be calm and happy when you leave.
About the Author
Dog separation anxiety doesn't go away on it's own and can become a huge problem. In fact, it often gets much worse. Don't delay treatment until your dog hurts themselves, or destroys your property! In order to learn the secrets of behavior modification training, and how to dog separation anxiety cure, visit http://www.dogseparationanxietyhelp.com.
No items matching your keywords were found.
How can I deal with separation anxiety in my dog?
I have an 8 month old Norwegian Elkhound puppy who I have had since she was 9 weeks old. She is very well behaved and very obedient! She has gone through puppy preschool, and in house training, knows many commands, and honestly is PERFECT when anyone is with her. However, when she is left alone, no matter for how long, she defecates, urinates, and destroys things. We were working with a trainer in our house and he has us "correcting her" in her kennel at the first signs of anxiety by making a loud noise. She stops when we do this, but when we are gone, the behavior continues to be bad. I feel like this may not be the best way to go about correcting her problems and don't know what to do, we have tried many things... nothing is working!!! HELP!
My dog suffered from awful separation anxiety for months before I figured out how to help her. As another poster suggested, correcting an anxious dog will only serve to make her MORE anxious and you may regress quite a bit. And again, as that same answereer suggested, there is a book called "I'll Be Home Soon!" by Patricia McConnell. McConnell is about my favorite behaviorist when it comes to dogs with anxiety, whether general, specific or separation. She teaches you in an easy, fun way. The book itself is quite short (only about 30 pages, I think) and will have to be bought on Amazon or something. I read that book, implemented this training into Belle's life and, 6 months later, she happily goes to her "place" with a peanut butter filled Kong and is perfectly content until we return (unless there is a thunderstorm...we're still working on that).
Separation anxiety is such a sad thing and seemingly impossible to fix because hey, you're not there to correct it. But it can be corrected; I know, I've done it. And it wasn't always the easiest or most convenient thing to do, but it was accomplished. And you're lucky - your dog sounds pretty normal in all other aspects...mine was affixed with a whole slew of problems that we're working through one at a time.
Keep loving her, check out the book, get rid of the trainer and see what you can do for yourself! Good luck, hon!
Get more information about Separation Anxiety Behavior Dog
Learn everything you need to know abot positive reinforcement puppy training in an actual six week puppy obedience class led by expert dog trainer Suzanne Harris, CPDT.Whether you watch the entire class, or jump directly to the specific section you need, Positive Puppy Kindergarten will have you and your pup making big progress othe very first day...
Play the part of Cesar?s apprentice and learn what you need to know in order to understand your dog?s behavior and psychology and learn how to rehabilitate him using Cesar?s three-part Fulfillment Formula and techniques...
This booklet explains the difference between dogs who truly have separation anxiety and those that merely misbehave. Written by Patricia McConnell, it describes a dog behavior modification program for the prevention and treatment of both problems...
Lynn Hoover has put together a collection of case studies, information and proven strategies to help dogs. Families everywhere can learn how to manage and modify problem behaviors while increasing their understanding of dog's unique emotional and relationship needs...
Do you have a problem pooch? What do you do with a dog who attacks the telephone whenever it rings? Or one who chases imaginary rabbits down imaginary holes? Or one who is terrified ofmicroblinds.....
Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
Nerves and butterflies are fine - they're a physical sign that you're mentally ready and eager. You have to get the butterflies to fly in formation that's the trick. By Steve Bull Find out about Dog Separation Anxiety Behavior
Dog Separation Anxiety Help - Relieving Anxiety by Being the Pack Leader
Separation Anxiety in Dogs is the second most common reason dogs are sent to a shelter. Unfortunately, some dogs never get out of the shelter, or have to be put to sleep because they are so scared of being alone, that they don't become good household pets. Luckily, you can do some specific training to resolve most dog separation anxiety problems quickly.
Be the Pack Leader!
In order to have a succesful relationship with your dog, you need to make sure that you are the pack leader. Being the pack leader is a state of mind. You set the rules and call the shots. Dogs with a strong alpha leader tend to be calm and happy, because they know they have someone looking out for them.
In terms of separation anxiety, a dog that thinks that they are alpha is more likely to develop anxiety because they feel responsible for you, and are upset that you are breaking from their pack. Being the pack leader is stressful for a dog, and stress causes anxiety.
In the wild, the alpha dog can come and go as they please. By ensuring that you are the top dog, you can mitigate some of the stress the dog feels when you are leaving.
How to Be The Alpha Dog
Being the Alpha dog is a combination of two things; actions and attitude. Alpha dogs are calm and fair members of the pack. They rarely get into fights or confrontations with other dogs in the pack because the other dogs know that they are the boss. However, alpha dogs will put another dog in it's place. If they need to correct or discipline another dog, it is done quickly, calmly, and without serious emotion.
You may have heard advice where you should stick your hand in the dogs food bowl, or take it away then give it back to prove that you are alpha. While this works, it's not something that a pack leader in the wild would do. In the wild, the alpha dog eats first, then turns over the rest of the meal to the lower pack members. In your case, always eat before your dog. When you have finished eating, feed them. You can give them a set amount of time to eat, like 15 minutes, then pick up the uneaten food.
Training for Separation Anxiety in Dogs
In any training program for Separation Anxiety, you must show yourself to be the alpha leader. Once this has been established, you can move on to training your dog using behavior modification techniques. Behavior Modification training techniques are the most powerful, easiest ways to replace your dogs anxious behaviors, with more calm happy behaviors.
Jennifer Middleton is a dog behavior researcher and trainer. From the suburbs of Chicago, Jennifer works with people and their dogs to help them overcome separation anxiety.
Jennifer created the Dog Separation Anxiety website and training program, to help dog owners solve their dogs anxiety problems.
No items matching your keywords were found.
would like to know how to deal with a dog I got a week ago,he has bad separation anxiety. He is big and barks?
He is a large dog, barks and charges my door.help!how do I correct his behavior?
I'm with mestchic and sandshark on the dog trainer and crate. It's also critical that your dog gets plenty of excercise; to include walking and playing around with you in the yard, etc. The long walks will get rid of some of that nervous energy. The backyard playtime is quality one on one time with you that every pet needs. Big dogs need love too!
Get additional details about Dog Separation Anxiety Behavior
Don Sullivan The DogFather The Shocking Truth About Separation Anxiety
Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
Learn everything you need to know abot positive reinforcement puppy training in an actual six week puppy obedience class led by expert dog trainer Suzanne Harris, CPDT.Whether you watch the entire class, or jump directly to the specific section you need, Positive Puppy Kindergarten will have you and your pup making big progress othe very first day...
Play the part of Cesar?s apprentice and learn what you need to know in order to understand your dog?s behavior and psychology and learn how to rehabilitate him using Cesar?s three-part Fulfillment Formula and techniques...
This booklet explains the difference between dogs who truly have separation anxiety and those that merely misbehave. Written by Patricia McConnell, it describes a dog behavior modification program for the prevention and treatment of both problems...
Lynn Hoover has put together a collection of case studies, information and proven strategies to help dogs. Families everywhere can learn how to manage and modify problem behaviors while increasing their understanding of dog's unique emotional and relationship needs...
Do you have a problem pooch? What do you do with a dog who attacks the telephone whenever it rings? Or one who chases imaginary rabbits down imaginary holes? Or one who is terrified ofmicroblinds.....
As a cure for worrying work is better than whiskey. By Thomas A. Edison Find out about Cat Behavior Separation Anxiety
The Most Annoying Cat Behavior – Urine Spraying
Cat spraying urine in the house is one of the most annoying and frustrating cat behavior problem. Constant urine smell is pretty hard to tolerate and sadly but not surprisingly, some cats will have to take a one way trip to the shelter.
However, as with most cat behavior problems, there is a reason as to why the cat sprays. Identifying the cause can greatly help you in finding the right solution to stop this annoying habit.
Why do they spray?
Spraying should not be confused with inappropriate urination since it is an intentional act.
In entire cats, urine spraying is part of a normal and natural behavior. It is a way to convey territorial and sexual messages to other cats. Not only tomcats spray, queens in heat will spray too to let others know they are ready to mate.
In neutered cats, the most common reasons for spraying is competition and territorial disputes between cats in multi-cat households, moving to a new house, arrival of a new baby or another pet and situations where the cat feels unsafe and insecure so it may feel the need to 'reinforce' its 'territory'.
How to stop them spraying
Firstly, your cat should have a health check to make sure there is no underlying medical condition causing its behavior. It is possible the cat has cystitis or some other elimination problem.
Since urine spraying in entire cats is primarily a sexual behavior, neutering can help to control this behavior in most cases. In addition, it will also reduce territoriality and aggression between cats. Yet, it is not necessarily a cure-all and don't expect your cat will stop spraying right away - it may take two to three months.
Clean soiled areas thoroughly. You can purchase cleaners and odor neutralizers at your local pet store or simply use diluted vinegar. Stay away from products containing ammonia - they could stimulate the marking behavior as urine also contains ammonia.
If you own more cats, you will need to provide each cat with one litter box and you should have one extra box for the house. Cats don't like dirty boxes!
Try to identify the reason why your cat sprays. If for example a new person has moved into the house, have him or her feed your cat to establish a bond between them.
If your cat is anxious then try to reduce the stress levels by playing with it in areas where it tends to spray.
If your cat is spraying in one room only, keep the door locked. If it is spraying only in one or two locations and you cannot keep the cat out, make it to a feeding and playing area. Most cats are very clean animals and will not urinate near their food.
Use Feliway spray or diffuser (a synthetic equivalent of feline facial pheromones) in all areas where your cat marks. Feliway makes the cat feel comfortable and safe and decreases its instinctive urges.
If you have more cats and they don't get along, you should initially separate them to see if spraying continues. Then you could gradually reintroduce them in situations that create positive associations such as playing and feeding in combination with calming effect of Feliway.
You should never punish your cat by dragging it to its litter box, rubbing its nose in litter or smacking it. In fact, you will make the matters much worse. Your cat will then associate punishment with you and the litter box; it may become anxious and start to spray even more.
If nothing works then ask your vet for advice or referral to a cat behaviorist. In severe cases, where all cat behavior training and modification techniques fail your vet can prescribe appropriate medication (usually anti-anxiety drugs
About the Author
Sarah is a vet with special interest in cats. She owns Cat Behavior Site where people can find practical tips & advice on cat training
No items matching your keywords were found.
Weird cat behavior....separation anxiety?
Whenever I am gone, and when I turn out the lights to go to sleep my cat starts the howling and finds the nearest plastic crinkly thing and carries it around in his mouth making the craziest howling sounds and then sometimes he goes over to the dogs toys and starts humping them and meowing really loud. The sounds he makes are out of this world. He IS neutered. One he find me sleeping in my bed then he is totally fine and starts purring really loud and curls up next to me. I cant figure out the strange behavior.
Some cats just don't like being alone. Especially if they are new to their location and aren't quite used to it yet.
I have a rescue cat who used to cry all the time anytime he couldn't find someone. Now he's settled in and knows where to find us, so he doesn't do it as much. Now it's only a few minutes after my SO leaves for work in the morning. I just call him and he comes to curl up with me and all is right in his world again
Get more news about Cat Behavior Separation Anxiety
Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
Many of our fears are tissue-paper-thin and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them. By Brendan Francis Find out about Dog Behavior Separation Anxiety
Stop Your Dog Separation Anxiety
Dogs do behave badly when they are going through separation anxiety. Some of this misbehavior can be damaging and risky to the dog or even the public around them.
Behavior problem connected to separation anxiety includes, undue barking, chewing, damaging property, scratching, unacceptable urination, defecation, and other self damaging conduct.
These misconduct often comes up in the absent of the owner for extended period. For the health and the safety of the Dogs, they need to be trained to deal with long period of separation.
Here are some things that you can do to reduce your Dog Separation Anxiety:
1. Having a preparation and scheduled separation with the dog. This will increasingly adjust the dog to get used to being on its own and separated with the owner.
2. When parting with the dog, keep it monotonous and simple, like a simple bye will do it. Do not and exaggerate your farewell as this will raised the separation anxiety in the dog. They are social animal and they can feel your unwillingness to leave them.
3. Leave your dog with plenty things to be busy with, like chewing toys, balls, treats, etc.
4. Have a planned play time; this is the time where you can offer your dog your complete attention. This is helpful to relieve boredom and anxiety in your dog.
5. Giving your dog with plenty of exercise will be a good way to relieve separation anxiety as the exercise will provide him with a good rest when you are absent from him.
6. If your dog is still a puppy, it is crucial to get him familiar to being alone, this can be done by crate training.
7. In more complicated case, it is necessary for the owner to take no notice of the dog for an extended period of time. This will diminish the dependency of the dog to its owner.
8. Prescription although not recommended, sometimes can be used to help reduce the anxiety in the dog.
9. Naturally the last and most effective approach to help your dog overcome separation anxiety that is harmful and very destructive is by training him the correct way. Do not just believe the claim being made by dog trainer, if you love your dog, you should find out more on the correct method of dog training yourself. This will give you a more satisfactory relationship with your dog.
There you now have the 9 methods to help you ease your dog separation anxiety. This is very important as your dog can cause a lot of harm to himself or to the people around him with his destructive and damaging behavior.
Remember that your dog well being and the people you love are at risk and should you think that you are not able to cope with your dog behavior problem, consult with the professional. It is better to do it as early as possible before you face unnecessary heartache or even unwanted lawsuit because of your dog behavior problems.
About the Author
For Free Information and Tips on Proven, Simple and Effective Dog Training Leo Enoch highly recommended You visit:
I recently adopted a 2 year old male german shepherd. He barks everytime I leave for work, and would even attempt to hold me back by biting on my hand. Is there a method to help him stop this behavior?
Whenever I leave my dog I usually crate him, putting his food and water as well as one of his favorite toys and a blanket in his cage and turn on the radio and he's usually pretty good. When I dont crate him I usually use homeopet anxiety drops on him. It works well. you should give em a try. Im a vet tech and we always recommend them the owners always come back thanking us for the recommendation seeing as their pets are alot less stressed when having to be left alone and such.
Get further details about Dog Behavior Separation Anxiety
Music can soothe the savage beast¿including your dog! Millions of dog guardians have grappled with behavior problems caused by their dog¿s anxiety¿ from fits of barking when their beagle is left home alone to the nervous whimpering of their dachshund during a thunderstorm...
Learn everything you need to know abot positive reinforcement puppy training in an actual six week puppy obedience class led by expert dog trainer Suzanne Harris, CPDT.Whether you watch the entire class, or jump directly to the specific section you need, Positive Puppy Kindergarten will have you and your pup making big progress othe very first day...
Play the part of Cesar?s apprentice and learn what you need to know in order to understand your dog?s behavior and psychology and learn how to rehabilitate him using Cesar?s three-part Fulfillment Formula and techniques...
This booklet explains the difference between dogs who truly have separation anxiety and those that merely misbehave. Written by Patricia McConnell, it describes a dog behavior modification program for the prevention and treatment of both problems...
Lynn Hoover has put together a collection of case studies, information and proven strategies to help dogs. Families everywhere can learn how to manage and modify problem behaviors while increasing their understanding of dog's unique emotional and relationship needs...
Do you have a problem pooch? What do you do with a dog who attacks the telephone whenever it rings? Or one who chases imaginary rabbits down imaginary holes? Or one who is terrified ofmicroblinds.....
Learning too soon our limitations we never learn our powers. By Mignon McLaughlin The Neurotic's Notebook1960 Find out about Cognitive Behavior Therapy Anxiety Disorders
panicattacks - How Cognitive-behavioral Therapy Can Help
Are you struggling to deal with anxiety and panic attacks in your life? No matter how overwhelming your problem may seem, there are effective treatments for it. Medication can provide some relief from your symptoms, but some people are reluctant to take drugs or would prefer to limit the duration. Another option that is often recommended for panic attack sufferers is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on changing your thoughts and behaviours. It deals primarily with solving problems in the here and now. Unlike some types of therapy, you don't have to analyze every little event from your childhood or spend many hours in the psychologist's office. People who have a great deal of anxiety usually think and behave in ways that are counterproductive. In therapy, you will learn ways to change your thoughts and actions so that you feel better and are less prone to anxiety and panic.
People may not realize how deeply their thoughts influence their emotions. Those with high levels of anxiety often suffer from "wrong" thinking. While some individuals take an optimistic view of life, anxious people may interpret events in the worst possible light. They distort and exaggerate events in their mind to make them seem more catastrophic than they truly are. They may fret about problems that don't really exist or aren't important. Negative and unrealistic thoughts like these contribute unnecessarily to anxiety, panic, and depression. The therapist can gently steer you away from unproductive thoughts, put things into perspective, and teach you more helpful and realistic ways to think.
Using cognitive-behavioral therapy, you can learn how to stop a panic attack before it develops. For example, there is a cycle you may get caught up in. It goes like this. You feel a little anxious. You become hypersensitive to the internal bodily sensations you associate with a panic attack. You start worrying that a panic episode is imminent, which adds another level of anxiety. Thinking and worrying can escalate those mildly anxious feelings into a full-blown panic attack. However, if you can interrupt this cycle, you can prevent an attack from occurring.
One CBT technique that can give you relief from panic attack symptoms is proper breathing. Breathing patterns can affect how you feel and how much anxiety you experience. If you tend to hyperventilate (breathe rapidly and shallowly), you will increase your anxiety. Instead, you want to learn how to breathe deeply and slowly. Practice is essential, so that it becomes second nature even when you're feeling panicky. Your therapist can also teach you other ways to reduce anxiety, such as relaxation exercises or biofeedback.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can produce very good results for panic attack sufferers. It will teach you more constructive and rational ways to think about situations and events, reducing your anxiety and worry. Instead of being held hostage by panic, you become empowered and capable of changing how you feel.
Has anyone had cbt on the nhs? I have an assessment next week and want to know what happens?
I am having cognitive behaviour therapy assessment next week and i am so scared, i find it very hard to trust people and open up and i also have social anxiety so going there is a challenge. So can anyone reassure me and tell me what will happen? What will they ask about?
This is a one to one session to decide if they can help and will offer me any appointment.
I have recurrent depressive disorder, social anxiety and very low self esteem.
I have already posted this question but only had a few answers, i am so scared please any info would be good
hey i had my assessment for my cbt about a month ago on the nhs i was like you i dint no what to expect and was slightly scared
but really don't worry all that happens is you go to your appointment you will meet one of the therapist they take you to a room and make you feel very comfortable and basically ask you how your feeling and what kind of problem you have and ask you abit about your family and background but they make sure your comfy and don't have to tell them anything you don't want,they talk to you for about half an hour and tell you if they think they can help you and how many sessions you will need..they told me i would need about 12 and they think they could really help me and i have similar problems to you,,after the easement they just tell you to wait to hear off them on the nhs it can be anything up to 6 months before you actally start your cbt coursee but it could be less..if you fancy a chat at alll email me i will try and help you out and answer any questionss you have
Get further information about Cognitive Behavior Therapy Anxiety Disorders
How to Live With OCD : OCD Treatment: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M...
A Clear and Effective Approach to Learning DBT Skills. First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by overwhelming emotions...
Developed by two master clinicians with extensive experience in cognitive therapy treatment and training, this popular workbook shows readers how to improve their lives using cognitive therapy. The book is designed to be used alone or in conjunction with professional treatment...
Loneliness insomnia and change: the fear of these is even worse than the reality. By Mignon McLaughlin The Second Neurotic's Notebook1966 Find out about Cognitive Behavior Therapy Anxiety Disorder
The Mystery of Fibromyalgia and How Cognitive-behavioral Therapy Can Help
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is the medical terminology used to represent a complex clinical disorder of symptoms characterized by soft tissue pain, stiffness, and altered deep pain threshold with psychological fallout. It can mimic or accompany symptoms of joint injury, but it is not an arthritic or neurological condition. The disorder affects between 3 to 6 million people – or as many as one in 50 Americans. About 80 and 90 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women.
There is usually an emotional overlay of depression and anxiety that affects the sufferer. There are numerous reasons why this is true. Many within the medical community have discounted fibromyalgia as a bona fide disease. Patients have been told that they are over-dramatizing their pain and that the stiffness or soreness has been psychologically induced. Others have been told that the condition was fabricated for attention or perceived by health providers as feigned helplessness. These assertions from medical experts make patients with FMS feel ignored, mistrusted, alone and without support. Patients often turn to self-blame, which fuels the pain cycle.
The pain and symptoms of fibromyalgia are real and have a definite physical basis. There is no known cause for fibromyalgia. Some researchers have speculated that physical trauma or viral influences have triggered FMS syndrome in many patients. There are no known abnormalities in the muscle tissue of fibromyalgia patients that would account for the disease.
Current research has focused on regions of the FMS patient’s brain and the susceptibility of certain brain locations to pain sensitivity. The brain receives a pain signal from the muscles and stays in a state of alert. For unknown reasons, the brain fails to let go of the pain signal and sets up a chronic pattern or pain syndrome. The brain stays in a constant feedback loop, consisting of a system of amplified pain signals.
Recent brain scan research studies have shed new light on this disorder. Results published in the May 2008 edition of the Journal of American College of Rheumatology shows that neuroscientists have been able to conduct scanning technology to areas of the brain affected by fibromyalgia. Mild pressure on trigger points of the patient has produced measurable brain response in processing the sensation of pain. The elevated response of pain in FMS patient’s brain scans was significantly different from those in the control group of the study. This is one of several studies that validate the reality of fibromyalgia as a disorder affecting the brain's response to muscular and neuropathic pain. Hopefully, future studies will lead to new treatment options.
Currently, treatment options consist of the use of a multidisciplinary approach. Medication management, physical therapy, meditation, exercise, alternative therapies, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are useful. CBT is a valuable therapeutic treatment option for those suffering from pain syndromes. One of the byproducts of pain can be the escalation of anxiety and depression. Likewise, anxiety and depression can intensify the impact of pain and make it more debilitating.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy’s goal is to teach the FMS patient to embrace pain rather than fight it. Cognitive distortions, such as magnification and “catastrophizing” need to be addressed so that patients learn to de-escalate fueling the pain process. How one thinks about his pain affects its impact. One can learn to rationally respond to pain by sayin
"Although this problem is difficult, I can learn to manage it."
"What's the use of getting all upset about my pain, it won't help anyway."
"If I relax and walk into my pain, maybe all this will feel less troublesome."
"I'm not alone in this. I have the support of my family and friends."
"I'm not helpless, I have many strategies I can try to minimize the effect of my pain. Just keep moving!"
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can assist the fibromyalgia patient to identify stressful triggers that exacerbate pain. This may involve examining family struggles, exploring inner-conflict, and working with core, self-defeating assumptions that affect thinking and behavior. Teaching the patient mindfulness meditation as a way of relaxing the sympathetic nervous system is beneficial.
Through the use of CBT, a therapist can provide the fibromyalgia patient with structured homework assignments that will help pain sufferers to experiment with new behaviors such as increased involvement and activities. Motivating the client to set realistic goals for everyday functioning can be helpful. Encouraging a multidisciplinary approach involving exercise, physical therapy, rehabilitation and pain management are essential.
Fibromyalgia patients fear that their disorder will cause them to lose the ability to function at work and at home. Teaching patients to focus on what they can do rather than their limitations is important. There is a tendency for fibromyalgia patients to distort reality by focusing on negative perceptions to the exclusion of the positive. Helping the patient and family to accept physical limitations is a necessary component to successful treatment.
Fibromyalgia patients can easily get enmeshed in a cycle of pain and associated emotional symptoms. It is the goal of cognitive-behavioral therapy to assist the patient in coming to terms with his disorder and making plans to manage it. This is accomplished through acceptance and teaching the patient positive ways of thinking about his condition and multiple ways of treating it.
About the Author
James P. Krehbiel is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist. His first book, Stepping Out of the Bubble is available at www.booklocker.com. He specializes in working with children and adults experiencing anxiety and depressive disorders. He is the Shrink Rap columnist for TheImproper.com, an upscale news and entertainment resource located in NYC. He has published numerous counseling-related articles, most available via Google searches. He can be reached at jkboardroomsuites@yahoo.com.
No items matching your keywords were found.
Can Any one who has had success with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy give me some advice please????
I am having these sessions for my agoraphobia and anxiety disorder as its pretty bad and I can't really go out hardly anywhere.Has anybody had success with their cbt and if so can you give me some advice to help it work well for me to and what you did to get as well as you are now!! I am so desperate to be well again. I want to live my life again so if anybody can help me with some advice or cbt techniques that they have learnt that help while coping with those bad anxiety situations then please help me.Thanks so much!!xx.
i succeeded after hospitalization, go and purchase the " feeling good handbook". bottom line with cbt is that you have to challenge your irrational thoughts that are causing you too become anxious and fearful. you mentioned you cannot go out of the house? you have and were born outside of your house, you have been out of your house many times in your life, and nothing happened to you. your fears are baseless and irrational, if your house was on fire would you fear going outside of your home? if you had to walk to a store everyday to obtain food of you would starve, would you still continue to stay in the house? your fears are irrational, and baseless. there is nothing wrong with you except that you have irrational fears, i just dont think that doctors should label this stuff an illness, just irrational thoughts. your perception of the world has to change, their is nothing bad about leaving your home, nothing will happen to you leaving your house. my neighbor really upset me when someone burglarized my house, she saw them do it, and when i had her subpeonaed to show up in court to identify the perpetrators that got my widescreen, jewelry etc. she then advised me that if she leaves her house she gets completely sick to her stomach and has panicattacks, she refused to go to court and the perps got off free!!!! i never spoke to her again! i moved out! you do not have to live in fear, but you chose too. you make a choice to be scared and submit yourself to anxiety and make yourself sick because you went out of your house. you can talk to 50 shrinks, and take meds etc. but the fact is, you werent born in a house and you went to schools etc, you go to the doctor etc. therefore just do it, leave your house and dont think about it. besides, your going to gain weight sitting on the couch waiting for a social security check ea month when you could be makin some doe. life is short, dont let some doctors lable you as having an illness, the more illnesses they have, the more they get paid. stop selling yourself short, read the feeling good handbook, youll be surprised. good luck...
Get additional information about Cognitive Behavior Therapy Anxiety Disorder
The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M...
A Clear and Effective Approach to Learning DBT Skills. First developed for treating borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective as treatment for a range of other mental health problems, especially for those characterized by overwhelming emotions...
Developed by two master clinicians with extensive experience in cognitive therapy treatment and training, this popular workbook shows readers how to improve their lives using cognitive therapy. The book is designed to be used alone or in conjunction with professional treatment...
US $39.95
Posted in 
Tags: 
