First Aid Tips for Anxiety: 4 Crucial Steps to Overpower Anxiety

By Michael Rayel

Excessive anxiety or worry is a disabling medical illness with serious consequences. If unrecognised and untreated early, significant distress and functional decline may ensue. Preventing excessive anxiety is vital and should be prioritized.

In First Aid Tips for Anxiety: 4 crucial steps to overpower anxiety, Dr. Michael Rayel has reintroduced the CARE approach as first aid for this medical condition. This quick and practical approach consists of a four-step process that describes how to recognize anxiety, what psychiatric or medical disorders to consider as possible causes, and how you can deal with it.

This book is divided in three parts. Part 1 deals with the mental health first aid concepts: The CARE Approach, HEAL Yourself, HELP Others, and ABCs of first aid. Part 2 focuses on relevant coping skills to address common problems. Breathing exercises, visualization, thought restructuring, and problem-solving strategies are good examples. And Part 3 is about first aid with emphasis on anxiety, its signs and symptoms, possible disorders that lead to it, and preventive and treatment strategies.

First Aid Tips for Anxiety should give you the necessary information to recognize anxiety, the confidence to face it and its associated challenges head on, and the essential coping skills to overpower it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Rayel
• Release date: Apr 19, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311522399

Michael Rayel

Fondly called "Mike" or "Doc" by friends and colleagues, Dr. Michael G. Rayel loves to laugh and to explore the world as he pursues his diverse interests — from promoting mental health to being active in sports, from hiking and traveling to writing articles and books.Born and raised in the Philippines, Dr. Mike learned the value of hard work, respect, discipline, and faith early on. At a young age, he had seen how his mother would toil as a teacher during the day and as a businesswoman at night, and still had time to pray and attend church regularly. Similarly his father, who was a farmer all his life, showed him the joy of simple living, the wonders of facing life's challenges with humor and strong resolve.Surrounded by loving family, he further developed confidence, positive attitude, and sense of humor amid the uncertainty in his community. The lack of money in the household was well compensated by loads of fun and laughter. Also, his Lola (grandmother) ensured that he would get ample advice before exploring the world on his own.As a child, his parents inculcated the value of education as the surest passport to success. His father used to say, “Success is when you’re able to add two or more letters before or after your name. Once you have those extra letters, you will never worry as jobs will chase after you.”After medical school, he moved to North America determined to chase his dreams, inspired to live the life he yearned for. Very soon, he found himself training in USA, mentored by some of the finest minds in psychiatry. He finished general psychiatry at New York Medical College, geriatric psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, and forensic and correctional psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.With a strong sense of travel and adventure, Dr. Mike and his family moved to Canada where they have settled and thrived for the past several years. In this amazing place, he has met some of the friendliest and kindest people and has experienced some of the most scenic, heavenly places on earth.Inspired by his family and surroundings, he has honed his talents, creating award-winning games (e.g. Oikos Game, Fikloo, Wordigy, and Actus Tale)and educational materials designed to help others flourish. As a board-certified psychiatrist, he has helped many individuals and families with their mental health and personal issues. Despite his busy clinical practice, he has dedicated his time in writing books, in publishing webinars in mental health and psychiatry, and in creating educational products. You may visit his blog www.shrinkyourtroubles.com/blog to learn more about his latest activities.As a hands-on Dad, Dr. Mike has been involved in most of his children’s activities and has coached his sons’ sports teams. With a supportive wife beside him, things are looking up.

Book preview

First Aid Tips for Anxiety:

4 crucial steps to overpower anxiety

By:

Michael G. Rayel, MD

COPYRIGHT © 2013 Michael G. Rayel, MD

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, inconsistency, or omissions. All case scenarios are purely fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, either living or deceased, is entirely coincidental. Any slights against people or organizations are unintentional. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of information contained herein.

Note: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author. It is intended to provide helpful and informative material on the subject matter covered. The author and publisher do not guarantee any clinical improvement, treatment, or cure.

The author and publisher specifically disclaim any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this book. Likewise, they have traced the copyright holders of borrowed materials. If appropriate citations have been unintentionally omitted or overlooked, just let them know so necessary corrections can be made.

If you do not wish to be bound by the above, you must immediately return this book to the publisher upon receipt and before use for a full refund.

Dedication

In loving memory of my beloved parents: Lourdes G. Rayel and Lorenzo S. Rayel

Preface

Are you the type of person who worries excessively about the littlest things? Has anyone called you a worrywart? Do you often feel edgy, can’t seem to relax?

If so, you’re not alone. Everyday, millions of people suffer from excessive worry, severely constricting their activities and functioning.

In First Aid Tips for Anxiety: Fearlessly facing anxiety in 4 simple steps, I have introduced the CARE approach as first aid for anxiety. This quick and practical approach consists of a four-step process that describes how to recognize excessive worry or anxiety, what you can do once it is recognized, what psychiatric disorders to consider as possible causes, and how you can deal with it.

The book is divided in three parts. Part 1 deals with the mental health first aid concepts: The CARE Approach, HEAL Yourself, HELP Others, and ABCs of first aid. Part 2 focuses on relevant coping skills to address mental, personal, and interpersonal issues. Relaxation techniques and thought restructuring are good examples. And Part 3 is about first aid with emphasis on anxiety, its signs and symptoms, possible disorders that lead to it, and early intervention strategies.

In some chapters, hypothetical case scenarios were included to showcase and explain the main ideas and concepts.

First Aid Tips for Anxiety should give you the courage to face anxiety fearlessly, the confidence to deal with its challenges, and the necessary tools to succeed in overcoming it.

I hope that you’ll find this book practical and helpful. Good luck!

Michael G. Rayel, MD

About Michael G. Rayel, MD

A board-certified psychiatrist with subspecialty in geriatric psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, Dr. Mike Rayel has published many articles and books on mental health, psychiatry, and parenting.

Dr. Rayel’s current project includes the Shrink Series for psychiatry and mental health including the First Aid Tips series. His recent works consist of Psychiatry Certification Review Series and