Life is stressful. In moderate doses, stress, and its “hyper” cousin anxiety, are natural and even welcome. When stress and anxiety are high, and coping resources are insufficient to meet demand, problems can result. Stress and anxiety can significantly interfere with emotional well being, leaving us more vulnerable to disorders, like panic, GAD, phobias, and depression.  Psychiatric medications (tranquilizers), like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, are widely prescribed to combat the effects of stress and anxiety. These medications help by engaging a part of the nervous system called the “parasy ..read more

“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere!” So the song says. But if you are one of the 15% of Americans with a tendency toward anxiety and panic, life in New York City can come at an emotional cost. Glamour aside, The City that Never Sleeps can be a simmering cauldron of stress, worry, rumination, and obsessive thinking – the vital ingredients of anxiety and panic. Anxiety Related Stress in NYC We experience stress at work, where the pressures are high and support often lacking. NYC employers demand a high performance, often under threat of layoffs. Freelancers face their unique challeng ..read more

How Stress and Anxiety Can Trigger a Panic Attack This chart shows how stress and anxiety can build to trigger a panic attack. And once you’ve had your first attack, fear of having another can keep you close to your panic threshold. In this way, worrying about having a panic attack actually increases the chance that you will. You may find yourself avoiding places where you anticipate a recurrence, like crowded, confined spaces, or anywhere you believe you could not easily escape or get the right help (Agoraphobia). Obsessing and ruminating on these worries, and avoiding triggering situations ..read more

Action Precedes Inspiration: Behavioral Activation for Anxiety, Rumination, Depression, and Everything Else Feelings follow behavior. Cognitive Behavior Therapy is ultimately about taking action, where it truly counts, the valued ground of your daily life. Your CBT therapist will coach you in applying gradual, steady effort to make real changes in your behavior.  The goal is to develop and nurture new behavioral routines that are as fluid and familiar as the negative routines you’ll leave behind. Behavioral activation applies to all problem areas.  Emotionally, in ..read more

See Dr Hubbard's Tinnitus Website I am an experienced clinical psychologist who has worked with countless patients, including many with severe tinnitus. But the words above are not from one of my patients. They came from my own lips, when my life was hijacked by tinnitus. These panicked, pessimistic sentiments reflect a condition called tinnitus distress—a perfect storm of anger, annoyance, anxiety, fear, sadness, and despair, that impairs concentration, interferes with sleep, and disrupts functioning in all areas of life. Even as a behavioral health specialist, the relentless whine of ti ..read more

Obsessive worry and rumination is a problem that arises with many specific emotional disorders, bipolar disorder included. Obsessive thinking is often a warning sign that bipolar cycling may be taking a turn for the worst. In this article, appearing on the BP Hope Website, Dr Hubbard lends his expertise.  ..read more

Life is stressful. In moderate doses, stress, and its “hyper” cousin anxiety, are natural and even welcome. When stress and anxiety are high, and coping resources are insufficient to meet demand, problems can result. Stress and anxiety can significantly interfere with emotional well being, leaving us more vulnerable to disorders, like panic, GAD, phobias, and depression.  Psychiatric medications (tranquilizers), like Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, are widely prescribed to combat the effects of stress and anxiety. These medications help by engaging a part of the nervous system called the “parasy ..read more

Dr Hubbard describes a strategy for letting go of obsessive worry and rumination... http://www.shape.com/fitness/tips/how-use-post-workout-inflammation-your-advantage   ..read more

“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere!” So the song says. But if you are one of the 15% of Americans with a tendency toward anxiety and panic, life in New York City can come at an emotional cost. Glamour aside, The City that Never Sleeps can be a simmering cauldron of stress, worry, rumination, and obsessive thinking – the vital ingredients of anxiety and panic. Anxiety Related Stress in NYC We experience stress at work, where the pressures are high and support often lacking. NYC employers demand a high performance, often under threat of layoffs. Freelancers face their unique challeng ..read more

How Stress and Anxiety Can Trigger a Panic Attack This chart shows how stress and anxiety can build to trigger a panic attack. And once you’ve had your first attack, fear of having another can keep you close to your panic threshold. In this way, worrying about having a panic attack actually increases the chance that you will. You may find yourself avoiding places where you anticipate a recurrence, like crowded, confined spaces, or anywhere you believe you could not easily escape or get the right help (Agoraphobia). Obsessing and ruminating on these worries, and avoiding triggering situations ..read more