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Don Goodman | Ph.D., C.C.Ht., CDMHRS (818) 917-4524
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Stress

Home Stress

Stress in a Modern World

While cave man probably only raised his Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) when he had to hunt the Saber Tooth Tiger, today, it seems everything is a Saber Tooth Tiger to us. We are on constant SNS overload feeling as if everything around us could attack us. Terrorism, finances, jobs, family, relationships, illnesses, etc.,  all combine to keep the SNS engaged. Similar to driving a car where the idle is stuck on high which eventually causes the engine and all the parts to burn out. Biofeedback,

Hypnosis, Relaxation, visualization, breathing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy all combine to provide coping skills for us to proactively engage the Para-sympathetic system thus shutting down the SNS and allowing that idle to finally come back down to normal. This is how we can return to a powerful state of health; becoming parasympathetic dominant.

The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System

The Human Body is the most amazing machine ever invented. At the speed of light, decisions are made regarding whether to run or whether to fight. When the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is engaged, the body hunkers down, goes into stress mode and begins releasing cortisol, adrenaline, epinephrine, and a whole host of other proteins, enzymes and hormones. This raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, raises body temperature and brings blood up to the head and heart to protect these vital organs.

Stress, the Human Body, and Disease

For years we have known that stress and disease are intimately linked. When we lower stress our body can heal. When stress lingers over time, the body breaks down.

Breathing as the Number One Coping Mechanism

The most insidious catch-22 in physiology and anxiety is the following: When we breath wrong we become anxious and when we are anxious we breath wrong. The easiest and most fundamental way to decrease anxiety is to engage in proper breathing techniques.

A Different Disorder

Stress Performance Connection
Anxiety
Performance Anxiety
Depression
Anxiety

Sigmund Freud theorized that anxiety was at the core of most issues that we as human beings deal with. This anxiety is often defined as a inner state of conflict which drives people to escape through various means. Aside from using defense mechanisms as a form of escape, we often use other means such as drugs, medications, impulses, shopping, gambling, hair pulling, nail biting, smoking, etc.

Anxiety is often connected to such issues as ADD and ADHD, Bi-polar disorder, impulsive disorders, PTSD, other mood disorders and even depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, relaxation all serve to decrease anxiety and therefore ameliorate many of these  issues.

Performance Anxiety

Whether its tests, auditions, speeches, stage performances or sports competitions, anxiety brought about by an overriding fear of embarrassment and rejection will often creep into our experiences and negatively effect the outcomes. Research has shown that while too much anxiety is not desirable for a good performance, too little can have the same negative outcome. Below is an image of the Yerkes-Dodson Theory of Anxiety. It illustrates how too little or too much anxiety is not desirable.

So how do we find a happy medium?  There is a prevalent notion in the world that what we need to do is eliminate the anxiety. Nothing could be further from the truth. What is actually needed is to properly be able to manage anxiety and use it to our benefit. Dr. Goodman will guide you through a series of cognitive behavioral exercises combined with neurohypnologic visualizations designed to alter the memory of past negative traumas as well as implant suggestions for present and future successes.

Depression

Depression and anxiety disorders: not the same. Depression and anxiety disorders are different, but people with depression often experience symptoms similar to those of an anxiety disorder, such as nervousness, irritability, and problems sleeping and concentrating. But each disorder has its own causes and its own emotional and behavioral symptoms.

Many people who develop depression have a history of an anxiety disorder earlier in life. There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, but there is clear evidence that many people suffer from both disorders.

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Google Reviews
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Google Reviews
Website Customer Reviews

His depth of knowledge in this area is truly impressive, but I find his expertise and insight into all aspects of psychology, life, culture, the arts, and any number of other topics as equally impressive and beneficial.

Rich
Los Angeles

Dr. Goodman is a great listener, very bright so understands what you’re explaining, compassionate, very patient and gives excellent advice.

Margi
Westlake Village, CA

Wonderful fulfilling year of council
Put me back on track with successful results
Thank you Don

tony
La quinta

I went to Dr. Goodman as I had recurring pain that was very difficult to manage. My wisdom grew thanks to the psychological modalities and techniques I learned from him and I was able to manage any pain so it was no longer an issue. The empowerment this gave me changed my life, giving me the freedom to accomplish goals I would not have been able to otherwise. I highly recommend Dr. Goodman, I wish there were more psychologists with his wisdom.

Matt
Los Angeles, CA

I’ve seen a few therapists before dr. Goodman, and I’d have to say we truly “click”. He’s tremendously helped me with my anxiety – He not only listens, but provides useful tools and exercises. I’m so grateful for him!

Bo
Venice, CA

When I came to Dr. Goodman, I was extremely anxious, suffered from low self-esteem and often experienced discomfort, or seemingly unresolvable conflict, when communicating with friends and family members. My life has improved tremendously as a direct result of therapy Dr. Goodman. I feel more confident and happy about myself and in my relationships. My communication skills have improved because my anxiety has decreased. I appreciate Dr. Goodman’s genuine concern and thoughtful advice he has provided me during therapy sessions. I consider my therapy with Dr. Goodman to be invaluable and worth every dollar I spent on therapy.

Margy
Agoura Hills, CA

Dr Goodman has given me back my breath! I now have tools to use for every situation. My PTSD Anxiety and depression are nearly all under control thanks to Dr Goodman! My trust in Dr Goodman is profound.My fears were real and debilitating, Dr Goodman retaught me breathing awareness acceptance and mindfulness. I am forever grateful to continue to have him in my team!

Lisa
Malibu, CA

The Buddhists say that in a journey of 1000 miles starts with the first step. I am so glad that Dr Goodman was recommended to me. What a breath of fresh air.

Rick
Thousand Oaks, CA

Dr. Goodman treated me successfully for chronic health anxiety from Sep 2020 to Jan 2025. We met face-to-face weekly through 2020, then bi-weekly.
I look back with satisfaction and some amusement at the long list of physical symptoms that I urgently handed to Dr. Goodman at one of our first meetings. Today, in hindsight, it seems obvious that most of these were imaginary symptoms or at worst symptoms whose severity I exaggerated in my mind.
How did Dr. Goodman cure me? We talked. He taught me breathing for relaxation early on. We talked more and he found common ground with me on many fundamental problems in life.
My natural inclination towards health anxiety was exacerbated by benzodiazepine prescriptions that various MDs fed me starting 2005, initially from my primary care physician for a not-sleeping-well complaint. However, starting in 2008, a series of MDs specializing in psychiatry kept me in a state of agitated addiction to various benzodiazepines, what they euphemistically called “dependence”. This was done despite well-known, even famous, public info on the harmful effects of benzodiazepine addiction by prescription. Think: the book and movie, “I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can” and the Rolling Stones song, “Mother’s Little Helper”.
My breakthrough came in March 2021 when I decided to quit taking the benzos and quit seeing the latest psychiatrist who was ostensibly trying to taper me off benzos, but in fact was prescribing doses on a roller coaster trajectory in line with my current reported level of heath anxiety.
How did I reach a psychological state where I could objectively assess my prospects without benzos vis-a-vis a continuation of my life ever fearful for my health and addicted/ dependent on benzos? Credit Dr. Goodman.
Subsequent meetings with Dr. Goodman after March 2021 helped me consolidate my newly transformed prior obsessions with physical symptoms. Additionally, our meetings afforded me the opportunity to discuss a variety of life issues with a man of great knowledge, judgment and compassion – Dr. Don Goodman.

Doug
Los Angeles
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