Psychiatry & Medication Management in Oak Lawn: Medicaid, Medicare & Insurance Guide

If you are looking for psychiatric medication management in Oak Lawn, the most useful question is not simply, “Who can prescribe?” A better question is: Who can evaluate what I am experiencing, explain the options clearly, monitor what happens next, and fit realistically with my insurance and schedule?

Medication care is a process, not a prescription transaction. The National Institute of Mental Health explains that mental health medications can be an important part of treatment and are often used alongside other approaches, while responses and side effects differ from person to person. That is why medication decisions should be made with a qualified health professional who can individualize the plan. Read NIMH’s overview of mental health medications.

Wise Willow offers Medication Evaluation and Treatment at 10522 South Cicero Avenue, Suite 304, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453. Oluyemi Adeagbo, PMHNP-BC provides medication evaluation and treatment through the Oak Lawn location. If you want to compare current openings before making calls, you can see current appointment availability at CounselingAppointments.com.

Oak Lawn Metra station with tracks, platform, and surrounding neighborhood visible

Draft visual note: this documentary Oak Lawn image is being used only for human-review staging. Final creative should follow the current Wise Willow editorial-image policy.

What good psychiatric medication management should actually do

A strong medication visit should make your treatment more understandable, not more mysterious. The clinician needs enough information to distinguish the symptom you want relief from from the larger clinical picture: when it began, what makes it better or worse, what you have tried, medical conditions that may matter, other prescriptions or supplements, sleep, substance use when relevant, and the degree to which symptoms interfere with daily functioning.

The first evaluation is an information-gathering visit

A first psychiatric medication evaluation may include discussion of mood, anxiety, panic, sleep, attention, energy, irritability, trauma-related symptoms, previous treatment, family history, and current medical care. It may also include a review of prior psychiatric medications: what helped, what did not, what caused side effects, and why a medication was stopped.

An evaluation does not obligate you to start medication. It creates a clinical picture from which reasonable options can be discussed.

Follow-up is where medication management earns its name

A prescription without follow-up is not much of a management plan. Follow-up visits may examine symptom change, side effects, adherence, new medical information, dose questions, medication interactions, and whether the original treatment target still makes sense. NIMH notes that people can respond differently to the same psychiatric medication and that finding an effective medication with tolerable side effects may require adjustment over time. See the NIMH medication guide.

If you develop concerning symptoms or believe you are having a serious medication reaction, use the instructions provided by your prescriber and seek urgent or emergency care when appropriate. Do not use a blog article as a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Medication, psychotherapy, or both?

People sometimes approach treatment as if they must choose a side: medication or therapy. That is often the wrong frame. NIMH describes psychotherapy and medication as common forms of mental health treatment and notes that psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to, or alongside, medication depending on the person’s needs and medical situation. Read NIMH’s psychotherapy overview.

Medication may be aimed at a symptom cluster that is interfering with functioning. Psychotherapy can work on patterns of thought, behavior, emotion, relationships, coping, trauma, grief, stress, or other problems that are not solved simply by changing a prescription.

Wise Willow’s Oak Lawn location also offers counseling services. You can review Oak Lawn counseling services and practice information and, for example, learn more about the practice’s depression counseling information. The right combination of services depends on clinical need, preference, and the recommendations of the professionals involved.

A seven-question medication-management check before you schedule

A useful way to compare psychiatric medication options is to focus on the care process, not advertising language. Before scheduling, use this seven-question check:

1. What type of appointment am I booking? Confirm that you are choosing medication evaluation rather than a counseling-only appointment.

2. Who is providing the service? Know the clinician’s credential and role.

3. What should I bring? Have an accurate list of current prescriptions, over-the-counter products, supplements, allergies, and prior psychiatric medications if known.

4. How will follow-up work? Ask how medication response and side effects are typically monitored.

5. What is my exact insurance product? Use the plan name on the card rather than a broad label such as “Blue Cross” or “Medicaid.”

6. Is this clinician in network for this service? Practice-level participation does not automatically answer clinician-level or service-level coverage questions.

7. What should I do if something changes between visits? Know how to contact the office and what symptoms warrant urgent care.

This checklist is intentionally simple. It helps separate three issues that people often mix together: clinical fit, insurance fit, and appointment fit.

Medicaid and insurance in Oak Lawn: verify the exact plan

Wise Willow’s approved Oak Lawn insurance list includes BCBS PPO, Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, United/Optum, BCBS Community Health Plans, Molina, Meridian, Aetna Better Health, CountyCare, and BCBS Medicare/Medicaid plans.

That list is a starting point, not a guarantee that every clinician, appointment type, medication-related service, or benefit is covered under every product. Eligibility, network participation, authorizations, referrals, cost-sharing, and telehealth rules can differ.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services maintains current information on HealthChoice Illinois managed-care plans and plan contacts. Its current materials identify plan options that include Aetna Better Health, Blue Cross Community Health Plans, Meridian, Molina, and CountyCare for Cook County. See Illinois HFS managed-care information. HFS also publishes a HealthChoice Illinois plan reference.

A faster insurance-verification routine

Before the visit, take a photo of the front and back of your current insurance card. Confirm the exact plan, member information, and whether the selected clinician is participating for the service you are booking. If your coverage recently changed, use the newest card.

SAMHSA’s current guidance for finding behavioral-health care recommends checking whether a provider accepts your insurance, is taking new patients, and has appointments that fit your schedule. See SAMHSA’s guidance on finding care. Those three checks prevent a great deal of wasted calling.

What to bring to a first Oak Lawn medication appointment

You do not need to arrive with a perfect psychiatric history. A short, accurate packet is more useful than trying to remember everything under pressure.

Bring or prepare:

• Your current medication and supplement list, including doses when known

• Medication allergies or significant prior side effects

• Names of psychiatric medications you previously tried, if you can find them

• A brief description of the symptoms you most want to change

• Relevant medical diagnoses and the name of your primary-care clinician

• Recent hospital or urgent-care information if it directly relates to the current problem

• Your insurance card and photo identification

• Two or three questions you want answered before leaving

A helpful goal for the first visit is not “get the perfect medication.” It is leave with a clearer clinical plan: what is being treated, what options were considered, what was decided, what to watch for, and when to follow up.

Common questions about psychiatric medication management in Oak Lawn

Is a PMHNP the same as a psychiatrist?

No. A psychiatrist is a physician. A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is an advanced-practice nurse with specialized psychiatric training and a different professional pathway. Wise Willow’s Oak Lawn medication service is provided by Oluyemi Adeagbo, PMHNP-BC; this article does not represent him as a physician psychiatrist.

Does making an appointment mean I will receive a prescription?

No. Medication evaluation is an assessment. A clinical recommendation depends on the information gathered, professional judgment, risks, benefits, alternatives, and your individual situation.

Can I keep my current therapist and use Wise Willow for medication care?

Seeking a medication evaluation does not automatically require changing therapists. When clinically appropriate and with the necessary permission, care can be coordinated across professionals.

Does Wise Willow accept Medicaid at Oak Lawn?

The approved Oak Lawn insurance list includes several Illinois Medicaid managed-care plans, including BCBS Community Health Plans, Molina, Meridian, Aetna Better Health, and CountyCare, plus BCBS Medicare/Medicaid plans. Your exact plan, eligibility, clinician participation, and service coverage still need verification.

See current medication-management openings in Oak Lawn

If your next step is to compare actual appointment availability rather than collect another directory list, see current appointment openings at CounselingAppointments.com.

Wise Willow’s Oak Lawn office is at 10522 South Cicero Avenue, Suite 304, Oak Lawn, IL 60453. For scheduling questions, call (708) 275-0934. For medical emergencies, use emergency services; for medication-specific medical questions, follow the instructions of the clinician managing your care.

Sources

• National Institute of Mental Health: Mental Health Medications

• National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies

• Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services: Managed Care Programs

• Illinois HFS: HealthChoice Illinois Plans

• SAMHSA: Health Care and Support for Mental Health, Drugs or Alcohol

Reinventing Yourself After Trauma: Counseling and Healing in Oak Lawn

By Jennifer Pendleton

Trauma can make people feel as though their story has already been written. A painful experience may have happened recently or many years ago, yet its effects can still appear in relationships, sleep, confidence, mood, work, parenting, or the way a person responds to everyday stress.

Healing does not require becoming exactly who you were before the experience. It can mean understanding who you are now, rebuilding trust in yourself, and creating a life shaped more by your values than by what happened to you.

I’m Jennifer Pendleton, an Associate Counselor serving clients through Oak Lawn Counselors, Orland Park Counselors, and Illinois telehealth. My approach is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and centered on the individual. This article explains several ways trauma may affect identity and emotional health—and how counseling can help someone begin moving forward at a safe, respectful pace.

What can trauma look like after the danger has passed?

People can experience many reactions after a traumatic event. The National Institute of Mental Health notes that reactions may include anxiety, sadness, anger, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, or repeatedly thinking about what happened. Many reactions lessen over time. When symptoms continue and interfere with daily life, additional support may be helpful.

Trauma responses do not look identical from person to person. Someone may feel constantly alert, while someone else feels emotionally numb. A person may avoid reminders, have difficulty trusting others, experience strong reactions that seem hard to explain, or feel disconnected from the person they used to be.

These reactions are not proof of weakness. They may reflect ways the mind and body learned to protect the person during or after overwhelming experiences.

PTSD and complex trauma are not the same experience for everyone

Post-traumatic stress disorder can involve intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in mood and thinking, and feeling unusually alert or reactive. Only a qualified professional can diagnose PTSD, and not everyone who experiences trauma develops it.

People also use the term complex trauma when describing the effects of repeated or prolonged traumatic experiences, often involving relationships, safety, or periods in which escape felt difficult. Someone dealing with complex trauma may struggle with shame, identity, emotional regulation, trust, boundaries, or relationships in addition to other trauma-related symptoms.

The label is less important than understanding what a person is experiencing and what kind of support fits their needs.

Trauma can affect identity and self-worth

Trauma can influence the questions people ask themselves:

• Why did I react that way?

• Why can’t I simply move on?

• Can I trust my judgment?

• Will I ever feel like myself again?

• Am I more than what happened to me?

Counseling can create room to replace self-blame with understanding. The goal is not to erase the past or force a person to discuss details before they are ready. The goal is to help the person recognize patterns, strengthen coping skills, build safety, and reconnect with parts of themselves that may have felt lost.

Anxiety and depression may occur alongside trauma

Trauma does not always present as vivid memories of one event. Some people first seek counseling because of anxiety, low mood, sleep problems, irritability, panic, low motivation, difficulty concentrating, or feeling disconnected from others.

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that PTSD may occur alongside depression, anxiety disorders, or substance-use concerns. A thoughtful evaluation looks at the whole picture rather than assuming that every symptom has the same cause.

Counseling may help a person identify triggers, understand emotional and physical reactions, practice coping strategies, explore relationship patterns, and decide what goals feel most important.

Life transitions can reactivate old wounds

Divorce, marriage, pregnancy, becoming a parent, career change, financial stress, illness, grief, or conflict can stir up reactions connected to earlier experiences. A response that feels “too big” for the present moment may be carrying more than the present moment alone.

Recognizing that connection can be relieving. It gives the person an opportunity to respond with curiosity and care rather than shame.

Reinvention does not mean erasing your past

Reclaiming your voice

Trauma may teach people to stay quiet, minimize their needs, or avoid conflict. Counseling can help clients practice identifying feelings, expressing needs, and setting boundaries.

Rebuilding confidence

Confidence can grow through repeated experiences of safety, self-compassion, problem-solving, and follow-through. Progress does not have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

Image: rebuilding-confidence-after-trauma-oak-lawn.jpg — Alt text: Adult walking outdoors in a calm park setting, illustrating rebuilding confidence and identity after trauma.

Learning to trust yourself again

Trauma can leave people second-guessing decisions or ignoring their instincts. Counseling can support a more balanced relationship with judgment, intuition, and choice.

Developing an identity larger than a diagnosis

A diagnosis can describe part of a person’s experience, but it does not define the whole person. People also carry values, abilities, relationships, hopes, humor, creativity, and resilience.

What does trauma-informed counseling involve?

Trauma-informed counseling emphasizes safety, collaboration, choice, and respect. It should not force someone to disclose painful details before they are ready. Depending on the person’s needs and the clinician’s training, counseling may focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, relationships, self-esteem, boundaries, patterns connected to earlier experiences, or carefully processing memories.

Image: trauma-informed-counseling-oak-lawn-illinois.jpg — Alt text: Client speaking with a counselor in a warm office during trauma-informed counseling in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

The right pace and approach differ for every client. A first appointment is an opportunity to discuss concerns, goals, preferences, and whether the counselor feels like a good fit.

Trauma counseling in Oak Lawn and across Illinois

Jennifer Pendleton is an Associate Counselor who offers a warm, individualized approach for people navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, life stress, identity concerns, and major transitions. She sees clients through Oak Lawn and Orland Park locations and offers Illinois telehealth appointments.

See current openings and schedule an appointment

Coverage and network participation vary by plan, clinician, and service. Verify benefits before the appointment.

This article is educational and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for individualized care. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental-health crisis in the United States, call or text 988.

Sources

• National Institute of Mental Health — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence.

Distinguishing Healthy Guilt from Unhealthy Guilt to Safeguard Mental Health and Build Resilience

Guilt is a complex emotion that can have a significant impact on our mental well-being. While a certain degree of guilt can be a healthy response to our actions, excessive and irrational guilt can lead to severe mental health consequences. In this article, we explore the difference between healthy guilt and unhealthy guilt, and how understanding this distinction can protect our mental health from potential disasters.

Healthy Guilt: A Natural Check on Behavior

Healthy guilt is a normal and adaptive emotion that arises when we recognize that we have done something wrong or hurtful to others. It acts as a moral compass, prompting us to reflect on our actions, take responsibility, and make amends. This type of guilt can lead to positive behavior changes and foster empathy and compassion in our relationships.

Unhealthy Guilt: The Burden of Excessive Self-Blame

Unhealthy guilt, on the other hand, goes beyond the reasonable bounds of self-examination. It occurs when an individual feels excessively responsible for negative events, even when they are not directly responsible or have little control over the situation. This form of guilt can be irrational, unwarranted, and lead to a persistent sense of inadequacy and self-blame.

The Impact on Mental Health

Recognizing the difference between healthy and unhealthy guilt is crucial because they can have drastically different effects on mental health. Healthy guilt can lead to personal growth and improved relationships, but unhealthy guilt can be emotionally crippling, leading to anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth. Individuals burdened by excessive guilt may withdraw from social interactions, experience sleep disturbances, and develop a negative self-image.

Identifying Unhealthy Guilt Triggers

Understanding the triggers of unhealthy guilt is essential in addressing and managing this detrimental emotion. Unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, traumatic experiences, and unresolved conflicts are some common factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy guilt. By identifying these triggers, individuals can work towards challenging irrational thoughts and perceptions.

Strategies to Cope with Unhealthy Guilt

Overcoming unhealthy guilt requires a proactive approach towards mental well-being. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective method for challenging negative thought patterns and replacing them with healthier beliefs. Seeking support from friends, family, or a mental health professional can provide a safe space for expressing emotions and gaining perspective. Mindfulness and self-compassion practices can also help individuals accept their imperfections and cultivate a more forgiving attitude towards themselves.

Cultivating Emotional Resilience

Building emotional resilience is key to managing guilt and protecting mental health. This involves developing coping skills to navigate life's challenges, learning to forgive oneself, and understanding that everyone makes mistakes. Embracing a growth mindset allows individuals to view setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than reasons for constant self-blame.

Self-Awareness: Start by developing a deeper understanding of your emotions and how they influence your thoughts and behaviors. Recognize patterns of emotional responses and identify triggers that lead to stress or negative feelings.

1. Positive Mindset: Cultivate a positive outlook on life by focusing on the aspects you can control and the opportunities for growth in difficult situations. Practice gratitude and try to reframe negative thoughts into more constructive ones.

2. Social Support: Building a strong support network of friends, family, or colleagues is crucial for emotional resilience. Connecting with others, sharing experiences, and seeking support during challenging times can help reduce feelings of isolation and provide valuable perspectives.

3. Problem-Solving Skills: Enhance your problem-solving abilities to tackle challenges effectively. Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps, and approach them with a clear and systematic strategy.

4. Emotional Regulation: Learn to manage and express emotions in a healthy and constructive manner. Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help regulate emotions and reduce stress.

5. Flexibility and Adaptability: Life is full of uncertainties, and being flexible and adaptable is key to resilience. Embrace change as a natural part of life and develop the ability to adjust your plans and expectations accordingly.

6. Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable and realistic goals for yourself. Break larger goals into smaller milestones, and celebrate each step of progress, no matter how small.

7. Learn from Adversity: View challenging experiences as opportunities for learning and growth. Reflect on how you've overcome past difficulties and use those lessons to strengthen your resilience for the future.

8. Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize self-care, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and time for relaxation and hobbies. A healthy lifestyle can significantly contribute to emotional well-being.

9. Seek Professional Support: If you find yourself overwhelmed by emotions or struggling to cope with difficult circumstances, consider seeking help from a mental health professional. They can provide guidance, support, and additional coping strategies tailored to your specific needs.

Conclusion

Guilt, in its healthy form, serves as a guide to living ethically and empathetically. However, when guilt becomes excessive and unwarranted, it can lead to mental health disasters, affecting self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. By recognizing the distinction between healthy and unhealthy guilt and adopting strategies to cope with excessive guilt, individuals can protect their mental health and lead more fulfilling lives. Seeking professional help when needed is a sign of strength and a step towards building emotional resilience and self-compassion.

Anxiety Attacks

PANIC DISORDER TREATMENT

Now is the time to stop panic attacks from ruining your life!

We have the solution that will put you in control today

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming anxiety and fear. Your heart pounds and you can’t breathe. You may even feel like you’re dying or going crazy. Left untreated, panic attacks can lead to panic disorder and other problems. They may even cause you to withdraw from normal activities. But panic attacks can be cured and the sooner you seek help, the better. With treatment, you can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of panic and regain control of your life.

Signs and symptoms of a panic attack

Panic attacks often strike when you’re away from home, but they can happen anywhere and at any time. You may have one while you’re in a store shopping, walking down the street, driving in your car, or sitting on the couch at home.

The signs and symptoms of a panic attack develop abruptly and usually reach their peak within 10 minutes. Most panic attacks end within 20 to 30 minutes, and they rarely last more than an hour.

A full-blown panic attack includes a combination of the following signs and symptoms:

• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation

• Heart palpitations or a racing heart

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Trembling or shaking

• Choking feeling

• Feeling unreal or detached from your surroundings

• Sweating

• Nausea or upset stomach

• Feeling dizzy, light-headed, or faint

• Numbness or tingling sensations

• Hot or cold flashes

• Fear of dying, losing control, or going crazy

Treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder

Panic attacks and panic disorder are treatable conditions. They can usually be treated successfully with self-help strategies or a series of therapy sessions.

COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Cognitive behavioral therapy is generally viewed as the most effective form of treatment for panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the thinking patterns and behaviors that are sustaining or triggering the panic attacks. It helps you look at your fears in a more realistic light.

For example, if you had a panic attack while driving, what is the worst thing that would really happen? While you might have to pull over to the side of the road, you are not likely to crash your car or have a heart attack. Once you learn that nothing truly disastrous is going to happen, the experience of panic becomes less terrifying.

EXPOSURE RESPONSE PREVENTION THERAPY FOR PANIC ATTACKS AND PANIC DISORDER

In exposure therapy for panic disorder, you are exposed to the physical sensations of panic in a safe and controlled environment, giving you the opportunity to learn healthier ways of coping. You may be asked to hyperventilate, shake your head from side to side, or hold your breath. These different exercises cause sensations similar to the symptoms of panic. With each exposure, you become less afraid of these internal bodily sensations and feel a greater sense of control over your panic.

If you have agoraphobia, exposure to the situations you fear and avoid is also included in treatment. As in exposure therapy for specific phobias, you face the feared situation until the panic begins to go away. Through this experience, you learn that the situation isn’t harmful and that you have control over your emotions.

MEDICATION TREATMENT FOR PANIC ATTACKS AND PANIC DISORDER

Medication can be used to temporarily control or reduce some of the symptoms of panic disorder. However, it doesn't treat or resolve the problem. Medication can be useful in severe cases, but it should not be the only treatment pursued. Medication is most effective when combined with other treatments, such as therapy and lifestyle changes, that address the underlying causes of panic disorder.

The medications used for panic attacks and panic disorder include:

• Antidepressants. Not what you think. This is the name of a couple classes of medications. Some of them are also effective at treating depression. Some of them are better for anxiety. Just know that these medicines take several weeks before they begin to work, so you have to take them continuously, not just during a panic attack.

• Benzodiazepines. These are anti-anxiety drugs that act very quickly (usually within 30 minutes to an hour). Taking them during a panic attack provides rapid relief of symptoms. However, benzodiazepines are highly addictive and have serious withdrawal symptoms, so they should be used with caution.

SELF-HELP TIPS FOR PANIC ATTACKS AND PANIC DISORDER

When it comes to panic attacks, professional treatment and therapy can make a big difference. But there are many things you can do to help yourself, too:

• Learn about panic. Simply knowing more about panic can go a long way towards relieving your distress. So read up on anxiety, panic disorder, and the fight-or-flight response experienced during a panic attack. You’ll learn that the sensations and feelings you have when you panic are normal and that you aren’t going crazy.

• Avoid smoking and caffeine. Smoking and caffeine can provoke panic attacks in people who are susceptible. As a result, it’s wise to avoid cigarettes, coffee, and other caffeinated beverages. Also be careful with medications that contain stimulants, such as diet pills and non-drowsy cold medications.

• Learn how to control your breathing. Hyperventilation brings on many sensations (such as lightheadedness and tightness of the chest) that occur during a panic attack. Deep breathing, on the other hand, can relieve the symptoms of panic. By learning to control your breathing, you develop a coping skill that you can use to calm yourself down when you begin to feel anxious. If you know how to control your breathing, you are also less likely to create the very sensations that you are afraid of.

• Practice relaxation techniques. When practiced regularly, activities such as yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation strengthen the body’s relaxation response—the opposite of the stress response involved in anxiety and panic. And not only do these relaxation practices promote relaxation, but they also increase feelings of joy and equanimity. So make time for them in your daily routine.

ARE YOU TIRED OF PANIC ATTACKS CONTROLLING
YOUR LIFE?

• Are you afraid to go outside your home or another “safe” environment?

• Do you feel unease when in unfamiliar places for fear that you might have a panic attack?

• Do you ever suddenly feel overcome with fear or dread for no reason?

• Has your heart raced and pounded so hard that you thought that you were going to die or have a heart attack?

We would like to help you be free of panic and terrible feelings such as a racing heartbeat, sweaty palms (diaphoresis), tunnel vision, or feeling like your thoughts are racing.

You may not know what is happening when you experience those feelings and you are unsure of where they come from and how to stop them. We can help you find relief!

You may have thoughts that you will do or say something embarrassing or that you are going crazy. Maybe you even experience shortness of breath, shaking or trembling and really fear that you are about to die. Therapy can help you return to a safe place and get rid of panic attacks forever. 

Perhaps you feel stuck. You may find that you do things in a certain way so that you can feel prepared for a quick escape. For example, you might sit at the end of the aisle in a theater because you know that you can get out quickly if you need to. Or, you may use certain roads because these are your “safe” routes. When what you really desire is to be able to enjoy life and stop basing your decisions on fear and worry about having a panic attack and do things because you want to do them.
 

PANIC ATTACKS ARE COMMON

You may be suffering quietly, thinking that no one else has such fearful thoughts and scary bodily symptoms. You are not alone. In fact, according to the National Institute for Mental Health, panic disorder affects about six million people a year and is more common in women than men. But that doesn’t mean that you have to live with it. 

The body’s response, with all of these bodily sensations, goes back to the days of the cave man. If the caveman found himself facing danger, the fight or flight response was automatically triggered in his body. His adrenaline began to pump, his sense of sight and smell became much more acute and his body began to perspire to cool him down. This along with other physiological changes prepared him to either fight for his life or flee.

Because it is linked to these old survival behaviors, panic can actually be a good response.  If you walk into the street and there is a car speeding toward you, you want this alarm system to kick into action to get you out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, this response can kick in when there is no real danger. It seems to come out of the blue.

Panic disorder can develop when you begin to fear having more panic attacks. You may constantly feel a sense of dread and find that you avoid places where you had a panic attack. This can really negatively affect your quality of life. Thankfully, with the help of an experienced therapist, you can find peace and ease in your body and your mind.
 

THERAPY FOR PANIC ATTACKS CAN HELP YOU FIND LASTING RELIEF
 

You don’t have to suffer anymore.  One of the most common things that I hear from my clients is that they just want to get back to their old self. They want to do and be what they were before the panic took ahold of them and destroyed their lives.  You don’t have to live a life in fear that you will never know when your next attack is coming. 

With research based, effective therapy for panic attacks, the counselors at lighthouse have literally helped thousands of people over the last 17 years. We have a combined 64 years of experience helping people get back to enjoying life again.

Hypnosis:

In some instances, using Eriksonian Hypnosis and light hypnotic trance states can help certain people accelerate their progress. Please call and talk with us about available treatments. Let us restructure your brain’s electrical and chemical response in situations that trigger panic. Become unafraid of what many people view as deadly.

Panic attacks are a signal from the conscious and subconscious mind that something is a threat and needs to change. It is a big, scary red stop sign. But it is possible that the things that we should be afraid of Generalize to situations that we need not be afraid.

So while panic attacks seem to come out of the nowhere, they are often connected to things that happened early in life that have not yet been resolved

You, too, can get relief from panic attacks. Imagine what your life will be like when you are engaged in doing just what you want....Just the things that make you feel happy again!

No fear at having fun or gong out engaging in social settings without the fear of having a full blown panic attack. This relief is possible for you! 

You may believe that therapy for panic attacks can help you feel better and function with greater ease, but still have questions or concerns…
 

HOW DO I KNOW IF THERAPY FOR PANIC ATTACKS WILL HELP ME?
 

Give us 45 minutes. One single consultation and if you do not feel some sense of improvement, we can refer to you another mode or person for treatment. However in seventeen years of practice, we have never met anyone whom was not helped by our services. 

ISN’T THERAPY EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING?
 

Many times when people think of therapy, they think it will drag on for years. We use a time conscious approach to therapy. We want to help you get well fast!

Many people feel they are able to step down to less frequent sessions after only a handful. Some feel they are making such great gains, that they want to work on other topcs or issues as well. However Therapy is neither expensive or time consuming.

We are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois PPO insurance which is the largest insurer in Illinois. In most situations, therapy is covered with a low $15 - $20 Copay. 

Stop and think for a moment how panic attacks have impacted you? Do they stop you from enjoying your life? Do they limit you? Therapy for relief from panic attacks is an investment in your long-term well-being. How much is that worth to you? Invest in yourself. Do something good for you and take your life and your performance to the next level. 

There is a saying that we only go through life once. How do you want to go through your life?

Change is possible! 
 

Now is the time to stop letting panic attacks control your life.

Make an appointment today to start living the rest of your life tomorrow.

Triggers to Anxiety

Common Anxiety Triggers and their Coping Strategies

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a disorder that compromises your mental health to an extent that it starts affecting your physical health as well. People going through anxiety disorder respond to otherwise normal situations with fear and worry. They face constant physical symptoms such as palpitations, sweating, etc.

Common Symptoms:

There are several symptoms depending on the type of anxiety disorder. Some common symptoms are listed below:

Physical:

·       Cold hands

·       Excessive sweating

·       Palpitations

·       Having a dry mouth

·       Constant feeling of nausea or vomiting

·       Numbness or tingling sensations

Mental:

·       Feeling fear, tension, panic

·       Having nightmares

·       Continuous flashbacks

·       Irrational and obsessive thoughts

Behavioral:

·       Always feeling restless

·       Difficult to stay calm

·       Abnormal behaviors, such as shaking legs, etc.

·       Insomnia or sleeping too

Common Anxiety Triggers:

Different types of anxiety are stimulated by different triggering factors. Certain habits, situations, events, or stressors can aggravate your anxiety if they are out of your control. Some of them are mentioned below:

ü  Caffeine:

ü  Research has shown that too much intake of caffeine triggers and even worsens anxiety symptoms. Its high doses can cause panic attacks in people already going through the disorder. 

ü  Inappropriate Sleep:

Adequate sleep is really important for the proper functioning of the brain. Not having enough or quality sleep changes our mood and emotional state of mind and can be a triggering factor for anxiety.  

ü  Skipping Meals/ Inadequate Dietary Intake:

Good nutrition is really important for the optimal functioning of both mind and body. Taking an inadequate or inappropriate diet interferes with our daily life activities. Skipping meals can also trigger anxiety as it causes a lack of energy and low blood glucose levels leading to fight or flight response. 

ü  Certain Medications:

Medicines should always be used as prescribed by physicians. Using over-the-counter medicines can trigger anxiety in some cases. Some medicines that can be a triggering factor are:

-        Antidepressants

-        Corticosteroids

-        Anti-histamines

-        Thyroid medicines

ü  Self-doubt:

Low self-esteem and self-neglect are the major causes of anxiety. Ignoring your body cues and not taking care of your physical needs can aggravate stress. It makes you hopeless and irritable.

ü  Health Complications:

Encountering any severe health problem that is difficult to treat can lead to anxiety. Sadness and worry increase symptoms. Certain health conditions like thyroid problems directly cause anxiety due to hormonal imbalances.

ü  Sudden Change in Life:

Unexpected life changes can be disturbing for some people. Loss of a loved one, losing a job, or getting a new one, etc. can challenge your mental state. These events can cause anxiety or worsen the existing anxiety.

ü  Disturbed Relationships:

Having compromised relationships affects your mental health. If you are not able to manage certain arguments and conflicts, they can aggravate stress which can trigger anxiety. 

Improve your Coping with Anxiety?

When you recognize your anxiety triggers, the next step is to focus on their management. Make plans to decrease the times you experience anxiety symptoms and avoid those triggers which aggravate them. Some ways to control anxiety are given below:

o   Improve Your Physical Health:

Maintaining your physical health decreases the risk of developing stress. Avoiding excess intake of alcohol or caffeine, taking nutritious food, and staying physically active improve overall health.

o   Regulate Emotional Skills:

Learn to deal with stressful situations. Work on different tools of stress regulation like mindfulness, deep breathing, certain exercises, etc. It will help you to stay calm during a stressful situation. 

o   Meditation/Yoga:

Meditation is very good for your mental health. It enables you to focus on the present moment and helps you get rid of stressful thoughts and sad events of the past. Yoga has a very soothing and calming effect on the body as well. 

o   Stay Optimistic:

There is always a way out of a difficult situation. Try to look at the positive side of life. Staying hopeful and positive will help you decrease stress levels. 

o   Realize your Self-Worth:

Realize your self-worth. Give respect and love yourself. Work on positive self-talk. You are important and your mental health is very crucial to maintain your overall health.

o   Ask for Help:

Never feel shy to ask for help when you can’t control your situation. Go to people you feel comfortable with and share your thoughts. It will help you release your thoughts and decrease the risk of anxiety.  

o   Seek Professional Help:

Sometimes you unintentionally adopt habits to manage the anxiety that actually has damaging effects on your health. A therapist will help you recognize them and teach you to manage them. Anxiety can be life-threatening if not treated on time. Go to a professional physiologist who will help you to identify the root cause of anxiety, preventing its reoccurrence in the future. You can make an appointment with any of our counselors for in person, or telemedicine appointments at: http://www.orlandparkcounselors.com/appointment

Common Anxiety Triggers and their Coping Strategies

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a disorder that compromises your mental health to an extent that it starts affecting your physical health as well. People going through anxiety disorder respond to otherwise normal situations with fear and worry. They face constant physical symptoms such as palpitations, and sweating.

Common Symptoms:

There are several symptoms depending on the type of anxiety disorder. Some common symptoms are listed below:

Physical:

Cold hands

Excessive sweating·       

Heart Palpitations·       

Having a dry mouth·       

Constant feeling of nausea or vomiting·       

Numbness or tingling sensations

Mental Symptoms:     

Feeling fear, tension, panic·      

Having nightmares·      

Continuous flashbacks·      

Irrational and obsessive thoughts

Behavioral:

Always feeling restless·      

Difficult to stay calm·      

Abnormal behaviors, such as shaking legs, etc.·      

Insomnia or sleeping

Common Anxiety Triggers:

Different types of anxiety are stimulated by different triggering factors. Certain habits, situations, events, or stressors can aggravate your anxiety if they are out of your control. Some of them are mentioned below:

Caffeine:

Research has shown that too much intake of caffeine triggers and even worsens anxiety symptoms. Its high doses can cause panic attacks in people already going through the disorder. ü  Inappropriate Sleep:Adequate sleep is really important for the proper functioning of the brain. Not having enough or quality sleep changes our mood and emotional state of mind and can be a triggering factor for anxiety.  

Skipping Meals/ Inadequate Dietary Intake:

Good nutrition is really important for the optimal functioning of both mind and body. Taking an inadequate or inappropriate diet interferes with our daily life activities. Skipping meals can also trigger anxiety as it causes a lack of energy and low blood glucose levels leading to fight or flight response. ü 

Certain Medications:

Medicines should always be used as prescribed by physicians. Using over-the-counter medicines can trigger anxiety in some cases. Some medicines that can be a triggering factor are:

Antidepressants- Prescribed by a doctor, these medicines are sometimes necessary to combat depression or anxiety. They may be necessary, but can cause their own side effects.

Corticosteroids-        Often prescribed for inflammation or chronic conditions these medications can have subtle side effects on our thinking and feelings.

Anti-histamines-        Powerful mediators of our body’s response to infection or inflammation, these medications can have subtle effects on our thinking and feelings including a new combination of an anti=histamine and atypical anti depressant that can combat cravings in addiction.

Thyroid medicines= Indirectly mediating our cognitive processes by balancing our thyroid function which left functioning abnormally can cause what mimics agitation, anxiety and depression.

Self-doubt:

Low self-esteem and self-neglect are the major causes of anxiety. Ignoring your body cues and not taking care of your physical needs can aggravate stress. It makes you hopeless and irritable. 

Health Complications:

Encountering any severe health problem that is difficult to treat can lead to anxiety. Sadness and worry increase symptoms. Certain health conditions like thyroid problems directly cause anxiety due to hormonal imbalances.

Sudden Change in Life:

Unexpected life changes can be disturbing for some people. Loss of a loved one, losing a job, or getting a new one, etc. can challenge your mental state. These events can cause anxiety or worsen the existing anxiety.

Disturbed Relationships:

Having compromised relationships affects your mental health. If you are not able to manage certain arguments and conflicts, they can aggravate stress which can trigger anxiety.  Do you want to Cope with Anxiety? When you recognize your anxiety triggers, the next step is to focus on their management. Make plans to decrease the times you experience anxiety symptoms and avoid those triggers which aggravate them. Some ways to control anxiety are given below

Improve Your Physical Health:

Maintaining your physical health decreases the risk of developing stress. Avoiding excess intake of alcohol or caffeine, taking nutritious food, and staying physically active improve overall health.

Regulate Emotional Skills:

Learn to deal with stressful situations. Work on different tools of stress regulation like mindfulness, deep breathing, certain exercises, etc. It will help you to stay calm during a stressful situation.

Meditation/Yoga:

Meditation is very good for your mental health. It enables you to focus on the present moment and helps you get rid of stressful thoughts and sad events of the past. Yoga has a very soothing and calming effect on the body as well.

Stay Optimistic:

There is always a way out of a difficult situation. Try to look at the positive side of life. Staying hopeful and positive will help you decrease stress levels.

Realize your Self-Worth:

Realize your self-worth. Give respect and love yourself. Work on positive self-talk. You are important and your mental health is very crucial to maintain your overall health.

Ask for Help:

Never feel shy to ask for help when you can’t control your situation. Go to people you feel comfortable with and share your thoughts. It will help you release your thoughts and decrease the risk of anxiety.

Seek Professional Help:

Sometimes you unintentionally adopt habits to manage the anxiety that actually has damaging effects on your health. A therapist will help you recognize them and teach you to manage them. Anxiety can be life-threatening if not treated on time. Go to a professional physiologist who will help you to identify the root cause of anxiety, preventing its reoccurrence in the future.

Counseling for Trauma

As humans, we experience different emotions and feelings in our daily lives. Some experiences are good others are bad. There are some painful experiences that are hard to forget, and they linger with us throughout our lives, it seems irreversible to detach yourself from that feeling or emotion. When any memory or feeling severely and negatively affects us without our conscious focus, and we are not able to let go of that, it becomes a trauma. It doesn’t always need to be a physical experience, anything that severely affects your emotions negatively can be traumatic. The immediate responses to this include denial or shock. Its long-term consequences include flashbacks, unwanted and uncomfortable emotions, strained relationships, trust issues, etc. It can also have a physical impact on an individual. It alters your way of thinking and behaving.  

Psychological trauma is an emotional response to some horrible life experiences. They shatter the sense of security of an individual and make them vulnerable, so they easily get affected by even a minor bad incident. Although trauma is considered to be a normal response to any unwanted bad experience, its consequences are damaging for some people. It hinders one’s ability to live a normal life and carry out daily life routines. Every person has different responses to different damaging events. The same event can be traumatic for one person but cannot be a big deal for another. It depends on the individual’s coping strategies and inner strength, that is how they overcome the situation.

Causes of Psychological Trauma:

-        any severe accident, injury, rape

-        any natural disaster

-        loss of a loved one

-        physical or emotional abuse, childhood bullying, or neglect

-        domestic violence

There are certain situations where you are not primarily or physically involved but they impact your mental health seriously. For example, you may not be present at the site of an earthquake but watching pictures of the victims online can emotionally affect you and disturb your mental health.

How Trauma Affects you?

Trauma has a different impact on different people.

Body’s Response to trauma:

During a stressful situation, our body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol. They prepare the body to fight any danger and it is an automated response.

-        body becomes paralyzed or numb

-        trying to fight or protest

-        trying to hide from everyone around

-        seeking the pleasure of the oppressor

Effects on mental health:

Some effects on mental health are:

-        reliving that incident as if it’s happening right now 

-        having panic attacks

-        feeling disassociated with people around, feeling like the world around is unreal

-        insomnia, nightmares

-        devaluing yourself, low self-esteem, self-blame

-        having suicidal thoughts, harming yourself

Impacts on physical health:

Scientific research has suggested that traumatic event makes you vulnerable to developing certain physical problems and can lead to chronic diseases. It can weaken your immune response and delay your natural healing process.

A psychological disorder can impact the mind and body at the same time making you more anxious and stressed. It further delays the coping process.

How can you Heal? 

Every person has different experiences with healing from trauma. Different people use different approaches. Here are a few options that can be used to heal.

Physical Movement/ Exercise:

Traumatic conditions impact the natural equilibrium of your body. Staying physically active can help you restore the momentum and nervous system. Exercising for a few minutes a day help improves your mood and physical well-being. You can take a slow start with 10-15 minutes then expand it to an hour. It helps strengthen your physical and spiritual muscles. Stay mindful while doing the exercise. Try to do an exercise that uses both arms and legs. It will help you move your focus from negative thoughts and shift your attention toward your growth and healing.

Stay in Touch:

Staying in connection is also an important point in the healing process. Don’t isolate yourself in a room, it will make you more negative and hopeless. Go out, meet people, and have fun. Spend more time with nature. Volunteer in activities that divert your thoughts from the stressful event. Try to participate in social activities. Helping others will make you happy. You can also join a support group of people struggling with trauma. It will motivate you and encourage you to fight the situation.

 Ask for Help:

If anything is continuously affecting your mental peace and health, don’t sit back, ask for help from OakLawnCounselors.com. If you feel uncomfortable sharing your thoughts with family or friends, you can share them with your counselor. An Oak Lawn Counselor will listen to you and understand your situation without judging you. They can help you have a better outlook on your situation and help you find a way out of it.

No matter what the cause of the trauma is and no matter how long it happened in your life, there is always a way of healing and moving on with your life.