Modern School: California Seeks to Legislatively Cut Suspensions: In the 2009-10 academic year there were over 750,000 suspensions in California schools, Kathryn Baron wrote in a piece for Topics in Edu...

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is an anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear in social situations causing considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some part of daily life. Sure, many people get nervous when giving a speech or during an interview, but social  anxiety disorder or social phobia is more than just shyness or occasional nerves.  SAD is one of the most common mental disorders with up to 13% of the general population experiencing symptoms at some point in their life.

The difference between shyness and SAD relates to the severity and persistence of the symptoms that are experienced. Those who suffer, experience overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations. They have an intense fear of being watched and judged by others, making work, school, and other ordinary activities very difficult. Those dealing with SAD, many times realize their fears are excessive or unreasonable, but are unable to overcome them.

If left untreated, this can become severe. In severe cases, social situations are avoided at all costs.

Panic Disorder
Individuals with panic disorder have repeated, unexpected attacks of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, chest pain, heart palpitations, or a feeling of choking. Sufferers of panic attacks often report a fear or sense of dying, "going crazy," or experiencing a heart attack or "flashing vision," feeling faint or nauseated, a numb sensation throughout the body, heavy breathing (and almost always, hyperventilation), or losing control of themselves. Some people also suffer from tunnel vision, mostly due to blood flow leaving the head to more critical parts of the body in defense. These feelings may provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began (a consequence of the sympathetic "fight-or-flight response"). 

People who have full-blown, repeated panic attacks can become very disabled by their condition and should seek treatment before they start to avoid places or situations where panic attacks have occurred in the past.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can develop following a traumatic or life-threatening event such as war, the unexpected death of a loved one, rape, assault, a plane crash or a natural disaster.  The normal response to any trauma is shock, however, over time these symptoms lessen. With PTSD, you remain in this heightened state of mental shock and symptoms worsen, instead of the normal gradual decrease in symptoms.

Diagnostic symptoms for PTSD include re-experiencing the original trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma, and increased arousal—such as difficulty falling or staying asleep and  anger.

Symptoms of PTSD can be severe and cause significant problems at home, work, or other areas of life.  With treatment, PTSD can be dealt with.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions. Symptoms of the disorder include excessive washing or cleaning; repeated checking; extreme hoarding; preoccupation with sexual, violent or religious thoughts; aversion to particular numbers; and nervous rituals, such as opening and closing a door a certain number of times before entering or leaving a room.

Individuals with OCD often recognize their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors as irrational, but still feel unable to resist them. It's normal, on occasion, to double-check if the stove is on, or to be concerned about the well-being of a loved one. But if these thoughts or behaviors become excessive and begin to keep a person from performing the responsibilities necessary to lead a normal life, seeking professional help is recommended.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational worry about everyday things that is disproportionate to the actual source of worry. Individuals typically anticipate disaster, and are overly concerned about matters such as health issues, money, death, family problems, friend problems, relationship problems or work difficulties. This excessive worry often interferes with daily function.

This type of constant anxiety takes a physical toll causing body aches, poor sleep patterns and constant exhaustion.

Let’s face it, our society has everyone in a tizzy. We want everything faster, quicker, now and right now!  With stress levels so high, more and more cases of anxiety related issues are being diagnosed. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect 40 million Americans yearly. Unlike the anxiety caused by a single stressful event, anxiety disorders last 6 months or more and can get worse if not treated.

So what is anxiety or anxiety disorder?

Anxiety is a normal, natural and sometimes necessary emotion. It’s an adaptive response to stress and danger. Anxiety helps people to cope with a tense situation and can even motivate us to work harder. In some cases, it makes us focus on solving an important problem or coming up with a solution. In general, it helps us manage many challenges in our daily lives.

For some, anxiety can become excessive, irrational and even debilitating. However, when anxiety interferes with our ability to function in daily life it may be due to a medical condition called anxiety disorder. When worries and fears prevent you from living life the way you'd like, or from being in a loving healthy relationship,  you should consider contacting a counselor or  anxiety therapist for a complete evaluation.

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Each person suffering from anxiety disorder has unique symptoms, however a common theme involves excessive anxiety, irrational fear and dread. Examples of anxiety symptoms include:

•    Chest pain or Heart Palpitations
•    An inability to be still and calm
•    Feelings of panic, fear, and nervousness
•    Uncontrollable, obsessive thinking
•    Repeated thoughts of traumatic events
•    Nightmares, problems sleeping
•    Excessive sweating or numbness in the hands or feet
•    Shortness of breath, hyperventilation
•    Dry mouth, Nausea, Dizziness

Before a treatment can be administered, a patient will need to be evaluated by a physician to determine if the symptoms of concern are caused by an anxiety disorder or another medical condition.

If your doctor has diagnosed you with a anxiety disorder and you wish to start counseling, New Life Pastoral Counseling can assist you.  Take the first step, by contacting us or scheduling an appointment for a free consultation.



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Send an email to counseling@newlifepastoralcounseling.com  or media@newlifepastoralcounseling.com  to contact Dr. Chester about your project now.

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Dear Workshop Participant,
Thank you for registering for our upcoming event: How To Make Godly Decisions (Class)

Due to the upcoming event in downtown Long Beach - The Grand Prix - at the same time as our scheduled event, we are forced to reschedule our event. The parking and noise level is not conducive to an event at this time and wish to give our guests the best possible experience.

We apologize for this inconvenience and are extending an individual appointment (free of charge) to every participant to assist with this inconvenience. Our online booking center will assist you with available dates.

Please select a time that works best for you:  http://NewLife.Clickbook.net    Select Upcoming Events --> How To Make Godly Decisions (Class)

The class WILL NOT be held on this date at the office.

Again, we apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to sharing this events information with you soon.

Events @ New Life

Good morning, God. Good morning, Jesus. Good morning, Holy Ghost. Thank You for this day which You have made. We will rejoice with praise and thanksgiving and be glad in it. Thank You, God for all that You have done for us, America, Washington, DC. Thank You for all that You are doing right now. Thank You for all that You are going to do for us. Thank You for hearing our cries and answering our prayers. We count all things that are not as though they are, according to You Word. In Jesus' Name.

Father, teach us to do Your will. Bring all the devices of the devil to nought everywhere. Make the devices of men of none effect. Let the wicked be snared in the work of his own hands and sunk down in the pit that they made. Cover us, Lord, with the Blood of Jesus which cleanses from all sin and destroys all the works of the devil. Abide with us, abide in us. In Jesus' name.

God, while we are in this Easter season, give us understanding of what Jesus did for us and why He did it. We had a debt that we could not pay, the penalty for sin is death. Jesus paid that debt for us because that was the will of His Father. God's will for us is not to perish, but, have everlasting life. Help us,God, fix our hearts. Help us to humble ourselves, pray with a sincere heart and accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and follow Him.

Lord, let "in God we trust" reign in our hearts and in our land again. Send Your love, joy & peace, and praise with thanksgiving throughout our land, America, Washington, DC. Bring America back to her first love, back to You. Thank You for blessing and keeping all the women and men in all branches of our Armed Forces. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us in Your divine care. In Jesus' Name we pray. Thank God. Amen and amen.

via Martha E. (President Prayer Team)

(Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger)