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PHOBIA LIBRARY

Read up on fear, panic and phobia to get a general overview of phobias and trauma and fear management. Learn mindfulness based self care principles and exercises for managing phobias from my books on trauma and self care.
JUMP TO A CHAPTER
​Fear | Function | Thought | Treatment | Coping
For Help See: Fear in the Brain | Fear Dictionary

THE LIBRARY TOPIC HOME PAGES
​
​Introduction to Trauma, Fear and Phobia
Part 1: ​Defining Fear and the Fear Response
Part 2: Emotional & Cognitive Functions of Fear
Part 3: Maladaptive Thought Processing
​Part 4: Professional Therapy & Mindful Self Care
​THE PHOBIA COLLECTION DOWNLOADS
​
Browse Collection of Phobias by Topic
Download Collection of Phobias
Download Dictionary of Fear and Phobia
Download Self Care Guides for Coping

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PART FOUR - TREATMENT​
​
​TREATMENT OPTIONS
MINDFUL SELF CARE
​
Learn the cognitive treatment options for self care centered in mindfulness, common defense mechanisms, boundaries, stressors, and strategies for coping with anxiety and panic for fear
TREATMENT | THERAPY | SELF CARE

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DOWNLOAD THE SELF CARE GLOSSARY

TREATMENT DIRECTORY

>> Treatment Home Page - Disclaimer
​

​PROFESSIONAL THERAPY OPTIONS
Make the Best of Professional Therapy
Search for Medical Professionals (external)
Therapy Options
  • Cognitive Behaviorial Therapy (CBT)
  • Exposure Therapy
  • ​Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Online Therapy Fact Sheet
​INCORPORATING SELF CARE OPTIONS
​
SELF CARE: Defining What It Really Means
Core Elements of Mindfulness
  • ​Meditative Mastery of Breath Control
  • ​Repetition Fuels the Power of a Mantra
  • Principles of Mindfulness Meditation ​​
  • How Mindfulness Rewires Your Brain
  • Cognitive Benefits of Mindfulness
  • Mindful Self Care is Self Compassion
  • Strategies to Practice Mindfulness
  • Tips to Master Mindful Living
​Mindful Coping Strategies
  • ​​How We Cope With Stress
  • Armed With Self Defense Mechanisms ​
  • Defining and Enforcing Your Boundaries
  • ​Dealing With Stressors and Triggers​
  • Combat Strategies for Anxiety and Panic​ ​​​
​Self Care is not a substitute for professional therapy and treatment. Author is not a medical professional.

​RELATED SELF CARE GUIDES BY KAIROS
​View All Downloads
  • Promoting Mindful Self Care
  • ​Embracing Self Care Glossary
  • Principles of Mindfulness for the Soul
  • Mind Your Mindfulness Glossary
​ALL CONTENT PROVIDED BY MY BOOKS ON MINDFUL SELF CARE FOR TRAUMA AND FEAR
Download for Free Here
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SELF CARE

Cognitive Benefits of MINDFULNESS

The beauty of self care centered in the meditative practice of mindfulness. Learn mindful coping mechanisms for managing anxiety, panic and fear.
Mindfulness practice is self care for the health and well-being for the mind, body and soul.
​

PRACTICE CHANGES BRAIN STRUCTURE
MINDFULNESS PROMOTES HEALING
NEXT >> SELF COMPASSION

MINDFUL SELF CARE DOWNLOADS

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THE MINDFULNESS GLOSSARY
Promote a Mindful Approach to Self Care
Guide to Learn the Principles of Mindfulness
​ Companion Glossary of Mindfulness Terms
Collection of Mindfulness Poetry by Kairos​
Understanding and Coping With Stress
VIEW ALL DOWNLOADS

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COGNITIVE BENEFITS


HELPFUL RESOURCES
​Download
: Dictionary of the Mind and the Brain​: Helpful neuroscience terms. See also:
  • ​The Brain Constructs of Fear and Trauma: Overview of fear structures in the brain

COGNITIVE EFFECTS
Mindfulness meditation doesn't need a prescription or a trip to a therapist's office. You can practice it sitting or walking, or even through some types of yoga.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience has discovered that long-term practitioners of meditation have larger amounts of gyrification, or folding of the brain’s cortex, compared to people who don’t meditate. Gyrification increases the surface area of the brain and enhances neural processing; this may imply that regular mindfulness practice can only lead to improvement in the way the brain processes information, makes decisions, and forms memories.

EFFECTS ON ANXIETY
People who regularly do mindfulness meditation have been found to have lower levels of stress hormones when they're in settings or situations that cause anxiety, like when you feel helpless and out of control.

​EFFECTS ON TRAUMA
There is a significant amount of data supporting mindfulness as a treatment for PTSD. In fact, science paved the way for mindfulness to be approved by the FDA as one of the four treatment options for PTSD. Mindfulness has been studied extensively in combat war veterans with the disorder. Research into the impact of mindfulness on the brain demonstrates changes in the brain structure and functions that may account for the reduction of symptoms of PTSD. Deregulation of the brain areas associated with emotional regulation and memory are key contributors to symptoms due to the over stimulation of the fear center located in the amygdala. Mindfulness reverses these patterns by increasing prefrontal and hippocampal activity, and settling down the overactive amygdala. Brain scans confirm that mindfulness is correlated with an increase in gray matter in the hippocampus, a decrease of gray matter in the amygdala, and further neuroimaging studies have determined that mindfulness helps to activate the prefrontal cortex.

A study was performed to look at the neural functional impact of mindfulness on those with PTSD and implicated the interaction of two “opposing” brain networks during meditation. This study divided 23 male combat war veterans into different treatment groups. Only one group used mindfulness-based exposure treatment (MBET). Results indicated that while each treatment group showed promise, the group receiving MBET experienced actual post-treatment structural brain changes that indicate mindfulness could potentially help in the treatment for PTSD. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) indicated at the start of the study that veterans showed increased activity in brain regions associated with perceived external threats. After MBET, the fMRI showed increased activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN). The DMN consists of the interaction between brain regions associated with internal focused meandering and wandering thoughts. fMRI also showed that the DMN increased connection with the Executive Network, which is associated with the shifting of attention.

Both networks were working in sync, providing insight into how mindfulness can enable people to train themselves to get unstuck from the vicious loop or cycle of negative thinking. The small sample size, associated gender bias in the group, and the inclusion of only war veterans demonstrates the need for more extensive empirical exploration in the study of the effects of mindfulness in PTSD.

EFFECTS ON EMOTIONAL REGULATION
A study used neuroimaging to see how mindfulness practice changes the brains of parents. The results suggest that mindfulness practice seemed to activate the part of the brain involved in empathy and emotional regulation (the left anterior insula/inferior frontal gyrus) and that the children of parents who showed the most activation perceived the greatest improvement in the parent-child relationship.

MINDFUL EFFECTS ON ATTENTION
Research shows meditation improves attention and concentration. A study has found that after just a couple of weeks of meditation training participants demonstrated improvements in focus and memory. Studies have shown that improved attention seems to last up to five years after mindfulness training, again suggesting trait-like changes are possible. Like mindfulness meditation, yoga increases dopamine levels and strengthens the prefrontal cortex. Studies have shown that improved attention seems to last up to five years after mindfulness training, again suggesting trait-like changes are possible.

Mindfulness meditation strengthens your ability to control your attention. It teaches you how to observe yourself and to focus on something. And it trains you to bring your wandering mind back into the moment when you get distracted. It can also make you more aware of your emotions so you're less likely to act impulsively. Mediation is thought to help with attention issues because it thickens your prefrontal cortex, a part of your brain that's involved in focus, planning, and impulse control. It also raises your brain's level of dopamine.

Although the brain makes up only about 2% of the body’s mass, it burns about 20% of the body’s metabolic energy, even when we’re doing nothing. When we’re not focused on a specific mental task, the brain’s default mode network (the node connecting the prefrontal cortex to the limbic system) becomes highly active. Thoughts weave together emotions, hopes, and dreams into a cohesive self-narrative. Meditation disrupts that process, training us to notice when our mind wanders and bring it back into focus. By doing that repeatedly, researchers speculate, we strengthen the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the default mode, and that quiets down the self-obsessed mind.

EFFECTS ON FOCUS
Although the brain makes up only about 2% of the body’s mass, it burns about 20% of the body’s metabolic energy, even when we’re doing nothing. When we’re not focused on a specific mental task, the brain’s default mode network (the node connecting the prefrontal cortex to the limbic system) becomes highly active. Thoughts weave together emotions, hopes, and dreams into a cohesive self-narrative. Meditation disrupts that process, training us to notice when our mind wanders and bring it back into focus. By doing that repeatedly, researchers speculate, we strengthen the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the default mode, and that quiets down the self-obsessed mind.

EFFECTS ON HABITUATION
Researchers have found that meditation helps to counter habituation—the tendency to stop paying attention to new information in our environment.

EFFECTS ON RUMINATION
Mindfulness meditation decreases activity in the default mode network (DMN), the brain network responsible for mind-wandering. The DMN is on when our minds are just wandering from thought to thought. Since mind-wandering is actually ruminating and (worrying) it’s the goal for many people to slow it down.

EFFECTS ON PROBLEM-SOLVING
Researchers found that students who meditated for 20 minutes solved significantly more unsolved problems from the pre-test session. Further analysis showed that maintaining an alert state during meditation resulted in more insight regarding the unsolved problems.

EFFECTS ON COMPASSION
Many well-designed studies have shown that practicing loving-kindness meditation for others increases our willingness to take action to relieve suffering. It appears to do this by lessening amygdala activity in the presence of suffering, while also activating circuits in the brain that are connected to good feelings and love. Other studies have found that compassion meditation strengthens the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the brain’s circuits for joy and happiness.

​EFFECTS ON BRAIN WAVES
All humans have five different types of electric patterns or what are known as “brain waves.” Brain waves can be seen on an EEG. These waves are produced by electrical pulses from neurons during communication with each other. When messages are transmitted between neurons, this creates a current. Brain waves are “neural oscillations.”

Meditation allows us to move from high-frequency brain waves to a lower frequency brain wave, which in turn activates (and deactivates) certain areas of the brain. For example, it can decrease neurological connections to the medial prefrontal cortex, or the “me center,” diminishing traits such as fear, stress, and anxiety. Meditation can also build new neural pathways to the parts of the brain responsible for traits like focus and decision-making. This assists in quick thinking and problem solving in an event of high stress.


The wave speed is measured in Hertz (cycles per second) and changes according to actions and feelings. When a slower brainwave is dominant, you feel slow, sluggish, or tired. And when a faster brainwave is in control you feel wired or hyper or alert. Multiple streams of brain waves may occur simultaneously but only one is dominant at a time.

Gamma Brain Waves are the fastest brainwaves (high frequency). They are associated with simultaneous processing of information from different functional brain areas. This is important for cognitive functioning like learning, memory and information processing. Gamma waves dominate when our minds are actively learning or in hyperactivity mode. They boost learning and information is easily retained. Uncontrolled gamma waves can cause anxiety. Experiments monitoring the brain waves of experienced Tibetan meditators during meditation showed gamma waves two to three times higher than the resting level. This produces a high level of alertness even in a profound, relaxed state. Monitoring showed sustained gamma synchrony which demonstrated harmony.
  • Too much results in anxiety, hyperarousal and stress
  • Too little results in attention deficiency, depression, or learning disabilities

Beta Waves (12 – 40 Hz) are associated with normal consciousness and the heightened states of alertness, logic and critical reasoning. Optimum levels make us focused. Deficiency increases arousal, stress and anxiety.
  • Too much results in anxiety, adrenaline, high arousal, inability to relax, stress
  • Too little results in attention deficiency, daydreaming, depression, poor cognition
  • Optimal Levels lead to focus, memory, problem solving

Alpha Waves (8 – 12 Hz) are dominant during quiet thought, deep relaxation, daydreaming or meditation. Alpha is the frequency between our conscious thought and our subconscious. This is the Flow State Zone. Alpha waves tend to dominate when we’re engaged in activities that relax the mind and body. Alpha waves are thought to protect the brain from paying too much attention to superfluous thoughts and stimuli. Neuroscientists showed that an increase of alpha brain waves reduced depressive symptoms and increased creative thinking.
  • Too much results in daydreaming, inability to focus, deep relaxation
  • Too little results in anxiety, high stress, insomnia, OCD
  • Optimal Alpha Waves result to: creative flow state

Theta Waves (4 – 8 Hz) occur in sleep but may be also dominant during deep meditation. In this state we are in a dream with imagery, intuition and deep awareness. This improves intuition, creativity, and triggers the Flow State Zone.
  • Too much results in attention deficiency , depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattentiveness
  • Too little results in anxiety, poor emotional awareness, stress
  • Optimal result in flow state, creativity, emotional connections, intuition, and relaxation

Delta Waves (0 – 4 Hz) are the slowest. They are experienced in a deep, dreamless sleep and in very deep meditation. Deep sleep triggers the healing process and regeneration.
  • Too much results in brain injuries, learning problems, inability to think, severe attention deficiency
  • Too little results in Inability to rejuvenate body, revitalize the brain, and poor sleep
  • Optimal results in stimulation of healing, aids in restorative sleep

NEXT >> SELF COMPASSION
Quick Links to the Elements of Mindfulness
  • ​Meditative Mastery of Breath Control
  • ​Repetition Fuels the Power of a Mantra
  • Principles of Mindfulness Meditation ​​
  • How Mindfulness Rewires Your Brain
  • Cognitive Benefits of Mindfulness
  • Mindful Self Care is Self Compassion
  • Strategies to Practice Mindfulness
  • Tips to Master Mindful Living

This content is provided for informational purposes only. Author is not a medical professional. Talk to your doctor to determine what therapy is right for you.
Self care techniques are meant to supplement professional treatment not replace it.
PRIME DIRECTIVE OF THE LEARNING LIBRARY


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BROWSE PHOBIA COLLECTION​
​Phobia collection is presented in eight themed parts

​VIEW LIST INDEX or ​JUMP TO A PART
PART [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 8 ]

START PHOBIA COLLECTION

PHOBIA COLLECTION BY TOPIC

common ~ abstract ~ ordinary ~ bizarre ~ catastrophic ~ psyche ~ icky - academic ~ knowledge ~ education ~ literary ~ art ~ music ~ religion ~ political ~ law ~ order military ~ war ~ discrimination ~ science ~ chemical ~ energy ~ time ~ numbers ~ technology ~ nature ~ environment ~ astronomy ~ weather ~ geography ~ people ~ family ~ community ~ anatomy ~ medical ~ disease ~ emotions ~ senses ~ sensations ~ movement ~ conditions~ love ~ relationships ~ sexuality ~ lifestyle ~ places ~ events ~ objects ~ clothing ~ tools ~ vehicles ~ home ~ cooking ~ food ~ entertainment ~ sports ~ recreation ~ toys ~ games ~ monsters ~ characters ~ spooky ~ nightmares ~ delusional ~ joke ~ fiction
​​DOWNLOAD PONDERING THE PHOBIA
​
Now Available for​ Download for Offline Reading
All the phobias in one download. Browse by both topic/subject and by alphabetized list
Download/Share: http://bit.ly/ponderingphobia

​OTHER PHOBIA AND FEAR DOWNLOADS:

​Dictionary of Trauma, Phobia and Fear
Self Care Guides for Fear & Phobias
​
DOWNLOAD PHOBIA COLLECTION

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Library articles provided by my series Healing the PTSD Mind ​ and my series on mindfulness based self care Be Mindful Be Well​. The books are written from a trauma perspective. Content applies to fear, phobias and panic. Learn self care treatments with mindfulness techniques.
BE MINDFUL. BE WELL.
​Books copyright 2021 by By Kairos
DOWNLOAD SELF CARE GUIDES

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  • Beautifully Obscure Words
    • Tracing the Etymology of a Word
    • Typing the Typeface of Writing Types
    • WORD LIST: Feelings and Emotions >
      • FEATURE: Our Capacity for Love
    • FEATURED WORD LIST COLLECTIONS
    • BEAUTIFUL WORD LISTS
    • WORD LIST: Translating Your World >
      • Index of Untranslatable Words (Alphabetical)
  • WORD LIST: Rolling Log of Beautiful Words
  • WORD LIST: The Languages From Around the World
    • FEATURE: Words of the World >
      • DEFINING LOVE with a French Romance >
        • Fantastic Flair of Everyday French - Nature
  • IT’S ABOUT TIME! Website Housekeeping
    • FULL SITE INDEX - SITEMAP - All the Beautiful Words
    • A SERIES OF BEAUTIFUL WORDS - My Vocabulary Books and Blogs >
      • Download - The Logophile Lexicon - Words About Words
  • WORD LIST: People, Places and Things
    • To Sleep Perchance to Dream
  • WRITING SYSTEMS