Margaret Wehrenberg – The New Face of Anxiety, Treating Anxiety Disorders in the Age of Texting

You can learn new ways to treat this condition by watching this engaging and unique video of anxiety with today’s client.

Margaret Wehrenberg – The New Face of Anxiety, Treating Anxiety Disorders in the Age of Texting

Texting Instead of just talking. Gathering “likes” Followers and friends. A gaming console can help you make friends. News cycles that are unrelenting throughout the day.

Ready or not the rise of The world of social media has changed. the How we relate to each other (and ourselves) is what matters. in Its wake brought forth a whole new set of people of There are many challenges for those who use it.   Therapists see people. of All ages can relate to these issues:   The girl who can’t put her phone away during session. The boy who isn’t sleeping after reading messages on social media.

“Friends” of All ages are guilty of shaming each other and arguing by text.  The Socially anxious young adult who is unable to meet new people because of social anxiety in All people are one of His “friends” They are available online.  The Parent who must deal with “Facebook shaming” Every parenting decision is important.  The Senior adult who feels lost of Touch and disconnect  The Impact is widespread and pervasive. Treatment should be sought. of anxiety doesn’t look the The same is true today.

You can learn new ways to treat this condition by watching this engaging and unique video of anxiety with today’s client.

You’ll discover:

• To uncover problems in use, ask the following questions: of Technology
• Excessive screen time can have negative effects on mood, anxiety, self-esteem and other aspects of our lives.-Worth in Clients of All ages
• Tools that help clients manage their emotions and make smart decisions (online and offline).
• Innovative techniques for promoting healthy use of Technology with clients
• Strategies for managing time, device use, and other issues “information overload”

1. Evaluate the Persistent impact “screen time” Exposure can lead to exposure. the Psychological and neurobiological health of clients.
2. Strategies to reduce excessive use of Technology that causes anxiety and increases avoidance
3. Increase clients’ capacity to utilize technology in a healthy manner to decrease risk of Anxiety and other mental health symptoms.
4. Establish clinical procedures that reduce rumination. the stress of the digital world.
5. Give clients five strategies to overcome irrational fear of Social interaction in To improve clinical outcomes.
6. Apply cognitive-Behavior strategies to challenge distorted beliefs the “comparison fallacy” As related to online interactions

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Neurobiology: The Impact of Internet Access Available 24/7 “Information Overload”

• Is it an addiction or something else?  The Role of dopamine
• Variable interval reward:  The most powerful reinforcement
• Perpetual state of “fight or flight”
• Impact of Technology the prefrontal cortex
• “Multi-tasking”:  Changing the Landscape of Learning
• The Impact of Screen time during rumination
• Impulse control at all ages:  Instant v. delayed gratification

Why? the • Increase in Anxiety? 

Understand the Problem to Help Clients Find Solutions

• The The psychological hook of “checking in”
• Skills deficiencies for dealing with everyday situations
• Collective anxiety from 24/7 news cycles
• Generational differences
• Illusions of Perfect online
• New Digital media can increase or decrease fears
  • Negative evaluation/rejection
  • Public posting of behavior
  • Fear of FOMO: Missing out
  • Confrontation
  • Assuming responsibilities“Adulting”)
  • Nomophobia
• Use of Technology to prevent emotional experiences
• The Meaning of “friend” It has changed
• Cyberbullying for all ages  The power of anonymity

Strategies to Promote Healthy Use of Technology

• The key questions that reveal anxiety around digital media use
• Methods to provide meaningful psychoeducation
• Use “demand delays” to diminish impact of rapid screen shifting
• You can use these tools to set device boundaries and create more balance
• “Be still” Techniques to manage time without devices

Therapy Tools to Improve Emotional Regulation. Anxiety You can Build Yourself-It is worth

Exposure Therapy/Coaching

• Avoid avoidance!
• How to provide psychoeducation that is meaningful
• The 3 C’s:  Calm, Competent and Confident
• Accurate anticipation  The power of imagination exposure
• Methods to teach social skills
• 5 Ways to Overcome Fears of Social situations
• Utilize FOMO (fear of Missing out) as a tool in goal development
• Address “adulting” Fears

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• Challenge the “comparison fallacy” of Online interactions
  Challenge distorted beliefs the Self

• Create new self-Talk about changing the script
• Stop perfectionism and procrastination
• Ellis’ ABCD approach to identify inhibiting beliefs

Stress Management         

• Eliminate the stressor – incorporate media “time outs”

• Time and environment management
• Shifting attitudes

Mindfulness and Relaxation

• Skills to calm the A vigilant nervous system

• Stop ruminating and increase resilience
• Apps to promote calm breathing techniques

Clinical Considerations

• Identify and address personal bias/countertransference issues
• Between-Recommendations for strengthening skills
• Limitations of the Potential risks and research