Quality of Life

“I’m a different person, more confident, assertive, and organized. I’m more in control, less stressed, and handle what stress I have better. I have an overall sense of well-being I can’t describe.”

“(Fight or Flight) therapy has been a significant factor in my quest for health and quality of life. I ‘see’ in a new way. This work has provided (me) a new vantage point…like stepping up a ladder only to see greater possibilities. Career, home, life (are all) less stressful and more satisfying. I move through the day with ease."

“(Since completing my program) I have accomplished goals that I could not have seen before. This is the best my health and my life has ever been and I know it will not stop here. It (has been) an incredible journey.”

I am more focused and organized. I breathe better and laugh more! I can see the ‘big picture’ of my life. I also find that (Fight or Flight Therapy) is complementary to other modalities and helps them to work better.

Stuart is compassionate and professional and devoted to his work and clients. I highly recommend Fight or Flight Therapy for everyone.

I would strongly recommend this therapy for anyone experiencing excessive stress or overwhelm, especially in reaction to a trauma. Some common symptoms that FFT addresses are: difficulty focusing/concentrating, agitation, frequently feeling and acting defensively, hypervigilance, avoidance, and narrow-mindedness.

Essentially, FFT serves to increase the elasticity or resiliency of the nervous system so one can respond to stress, demands and conflicts with greater flexibility and fluidity. Furthermore, FFT expands an individual's potential for positive thinking and adaptive behavior, resulting in a better-balanced/integrated, more open and happier person.

Stress-relief

“I seem to be glowing. I’m functioning easier and better in my world. I am less stressed and handling new stress better. ‘Overwhelm’ is a thing of the past!”

My goals before Fight or Flight Therapy™:

• To be able to relax and enjoy life, not just survive it
• To be more comfortable in my surroundings, to be less hypervigilant
• To laugh more
• To improve concentration; use less energy
• To stop bumping into things, stop failing down
• To SLOW DOWN and be less reactive
• To stop feeling overly responsible; like I have to control everything

My life after Fight or Flight Therapy™:

• I BREATHE NOW!
• I feel less inhibited.
• I don’t feel stuck any more. I have choices!
• I am more proactive and out of my rut. I now take better care of myself.
• I am more concerned with myself and what makes me happy!
• I am learning to set better boundaries and not put up with other people’s stuff.
• I feel more willing to take risks.
• I feel more proactive and empowered.
• I am receiving insights and I AM GOING WITH THE FLOW.
• I see life with a new perspective.
• I am no longer hypervigilant.
• I am relaxing now and know what it feels like to be relaxed.
• I CHOOSE not to be stressed.
• I now realize that overwhelm was part of my daily lifestyle but no longer is.
• I LAUGH A LOT!
• I ENJOY LIFE!

Depression and Anxiety

Note: This client had been on medication for depression (10 years) and anxiety (2 years). To the amazement of his physician, during the two months of his Fight or Flight Therapy™ he was able to successfully wean himself off all medications.

After therapy:
“I am more secure in my response to emotions, mine and others, particularly family members, now knowing that I can trust my feelings to guide me without fear. …(I) feel more connected, trusting and communicative with people, as I want to be. …(I now) view life as a continuum of experiences that is constantly evolving my being and building upon the past, but not constrained by the past.

“This has truly been the most profound experience of change in my life. In such a short time, my life is renewed!!!”

Six months later:
He had mended his relationship with his wife and children, relocated and started his own business. He wrote to say:

“The good news is that I feel more alive and capable than ever in my life. Depression and anxiety are no longer places where I have to live. I am trusting insight more and like the way this feels more than the way I used to live.”

Athletes

“I was one of the best hitters on my team, but this year I couldn’t hit a thing. I had 20/20 vision but Dr. Tessler found my (nervous system had shifted into fight or flight), possibly as a result of my parents’ divorce. Now I hit better than ever. The baseball seems the size of a basketball!”

Auto Accident

“Thank heavens for Fight or Flight Therapy™. I’ve had two car accidents in the last 11 years. After each one I experienced increased anxiety, problems with concentration, general fearfulness and a feeling of being out of control. After the first accident these symptoms went untreated and developed to the point that, though I lived in the mountains, I couldn’t drive on mountain roads without trembling with anxiety. I tried a lot of therapies, quit my job and even moved to reduce the stress all this caused. But really, for 3 ½ years, nothing changed until I was referred for light therapy.

"In just two months (which required only 3 visits after my initial evaluation) all my symptoms were gone. No more anxiety and, mountain driving became a joy again. I felt smoother and softer in my life, which had the added benefit of helping me connect with my ailing mother in a deeper, more loving way. This was so special because it had seemed impossible before, but now it was effortless.

"This year I had another accident that left me again feeling anxious, frazzled and unable to cope. After several weeks of no improvement and feeling miserable, I remembered what worked before. Only 7 weeks of Fight or Flight Therapy™ later, life has once again returned to normal. I’m forever grateful.”

Auto Accident

At first I was skeptical about how such treatments (Fight or Flight Therapy) could help the many symptoms I had. But I must say the results have been more than I could have ever hoped for.

Some of my symptoms included the following:

• Dizziness
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Chronic pain
• Memory loss
• Stress overload
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Chest pains
• Sleeplessness
• Headaches
• Motion sickness
• Fear of driving or being a passenger in a car
• Organizational problems
• Lack of concentration
• Reading difficulties

I used to have to work so hard to concentrate, and when reading I’d get headaches and fatigued easily. Now concentration takes so much less effort and I can read for hours.

Other people have noticed changes in how I deal with specific situations that I wouldn’t normally have been able to handle, like multi-tasking. An example of this is how I’ve begun communicating better with my husband. Before, arguments would start because I couldn’t cope with house chores, or even conversation for that matter. Completing simple tasks would usually leave me feeling overwhelmed. I wasn’t even able to go shopping, because I would become confused with all the choices and decisions.

Now I can complete my everyday chores and tasks without feeling anxious or stressed out. I am amazed at how fast my dizziness went away, and also my fear of driving in heavy traffic or being a passenger in a car. I procrastinate less and now my multi-tasking and organizational skills are amazing! My headaches and chest pains are gone. I rarely get depressed or have sleep problems. I’m a totally different person.

The treatment procedure was fairly simple, taking only a few minutes once or twice daily. I preferred to complete my treatment at night so that my mind was clear for a restful sleep. However, if I had time to fit a treatment session in earlier, I noticed that my day would run smoother, I was more poised, and I’d have more energy.

I would encourage everyone to try Dr. Tessler’s light therapy treatment, especially people who are stuck in a life they feel is monotonous. I never thought my life of “going through the motions” would ever change, but it did!

Auto Accident

“After more than five years of post-accident treatment, my recovery had virtually stopped. Chronic neck and shoulder pain had become a fact of life. Then my treating chiropractor referred me to Dr. Tessler.

"(For years I’d been living with) blurred vision, deskwork fatigue, difficulty concentrating and comprehending, deteriorated night vision, anxiety while driving, and struggles to accurately judge on-coming traffic.

"A week into light therapy I was skeptical. Nothing seemed to be happening, but I was determined to complete my first (stage of treatment). After ten days I thought I noticed a very subtle sense of calm. I wondered if I was imagining things. I was not. From that point on, the improvements were steady.

"Two months later my chronic neck and shoulder pain are gone. So are the episodes of blurred vision. I can concentrate and comprehend while at the computer, doing paperwork and reading for extended periods of time. My driving is more confident and relaxed, and I don’t avoid night driving anymore.

“Fight or Flight Therapy™ provided the missing piece of the puzzle in my recovery. “

Auto Accident

"I was referred for Fight or Flight™ Therapy by my (chiropractic neurologist), who felt that it would be beneficial to my healing process (resulting from) a traumatic automobile accident. I was at first skeptical, because I had already seen so many medical professionals over the last year, and was paying out-of-pocket for most of it.

"Prior to the therapy, I was in a constant state of adrenaline rush, sometimes feeling like I was hyperventilating, (even) when I woke in the morning. I could not cope, focus on my work, sleep well, etc. (I was overwhelmed by even minor stresses).

"Within the first few sessions, all of my symptoms had improved. I have just completed my therapy... I can honestly say that it has helped me dramatically. (Now) the quality of my life is so much better.

"I feel that (Fight or Flight Therapy™) was a critical phase in my healing progress.”

Comments made during this client's therapy:
...dramatically calmer, less anxious, more at peace, improved focus and concentration, increased motivation, improved cognitive function, improved multi-tasking, sleeping better, more rested, coping better, less reactive, enjoying reading again (couldn't before), driving better (anxious before), not feeling inadequate or hopeless anymore.

Auto accident

“Since being involved in a serious auto accident several years ago, I had become increasingly anxious, tense and unable to relax. Driving (or being driven) was especially stressful. Fight or FLIGHT THERAPY™ has totally changed my life. I’m calm, enjoy life, and am more fun to live with (just ask my husband!) and driving is normal again.

Attention Deficit

“I was totally hyper without my Ritalin (medicine for ADD). I couldn’t sit down for a minute. I noticed a gradual improvement with (Fight or Flight) light therapy. Each session calmed me down a little more. I started reading quicker and gaining concentration. I even started doing my homework.

"Within two weeks I could actually concentrate in school. By the third week I was reading faster and more efficiently, getting much more out of what I read. I now can study for longer periods, up to …two hours, even with my little brother trying to distract me!

"Also, I no longer feel paranoid and claustrophobic when I drive in traffic.”

PTSD

"I've lived a very high stress life. I was born in Britain during the bombings and survived two civil wars in Third World countries. Though I've been a successful businesswoman for many years, I've lived with constant anxiety. My nervous system was always totally vigilant, always on 'hyper-alert.' I had an inability to unwind.

"Then I started having health problems. I tried every therapy known to man. Nothing worked for me. When something did, it was only temporary, nothing lasted. When I heard about Fight or Flight Therapy™ I was eager to give it a try.

"What truly amazed me was that after just two days I was already noticing a difference. Immediately after a session I felt extremely relaxed and calm. This was most unusual for me, and within two weeks I was finding a remarkable calmness at times when I expected to be stressed.

"Four weeks into the program I was a different person. I was thinking more clearly, doing things more efficiently and sleeping (which had been a major problem) much more comfortably. It was just so pleasant not being so uptight.

"My whole program took less than 12 weeks.

"Now I'm carefree! I feel everything in my life is different. Situations are the same, same stressful things, but I'm different. My response is different. I'm more philosphical instead of hysterical. I'm not hypervigilant, I'm not even vigilant. It's a totally different life. My therapies are working. I'm sleeping.
It's wonderful!"

PTSD (Vietnam vet)

I started seeing Dr. Tessler in June of 2003. When I started my problems were stress (9-10 on a scale of 10), jaw (tightness), dealing with a major break-up and… problems (related to my military experience) in Vietnam. I have also suffered from ADHD all of my life.

The first session (diagnostic evaluation) showed me how (much my nervous system had shifted into fight or flight, and how) narrow my view of things was. This is a time map of how far I have progressed.

1st visit
Started to have a (more conscious) awareness of everything that was going on (around me). I could see colors (more vividly) and my vision was much more perceptive. I could also feel my mind working and thinking better.

2nd visit
Felt much calmer about everything in my life. I did not seem on edge at all. I felt very alive and alert, (and was no longer depressed) over my break-up.

3rd visit
Everything was great. My life felt like it had meaning. I (was open to finding) someone to …share my life with. MUCH calmer and in touch with my thoughts. My mind was VERY CLEAR.

4th visit (4 months total)
All (my pre-therapy goals) were met and my life had meaning and purpose. I could see so much clearer (and) did not need my glasses as much. (I) felt like all my problems were minor and I could look at them with a clear mind.

I still have a lot to do but (I feel) like the walls have been torn down, and that no matter what the problem, I can deal with it.

I cannot say enough for what this therapy has done for me and recommend it for anyone who wants to deal with any problems they have had in the past. I am available for anyone to call and talk about (this) therapy and how it continues to help me.

When I was referred for Fight or Flight Therapy I was lost, sad and confused. Eleven months into my recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, I had constant anxiety, no direction in my life and still felt hopeless.

What has Fight or Flight Therapy meant for me? In just five months I have a brand new life. I no longer live in constant fear. I have direction and hope for the future. My old life is unimaginable to me now.

I feel better about myself and, instead of tearing myself down, I’m taking better care of ME. I’m eating better, exercising and have even quit smoking. Though impossible before, I’ve been able to go through the interviewing and training for employment and now have a fabulous new job.

Instead of being depressed and living in the past, I’m looking forward to my future.

Now, I wake up each morning excited about life.