Did you know that anxiety disorders are some of the most common types of mental illness in the United States? An estimated 40 million adults over the age of 18 deal with anxiety every year, which equates to about 18.1 percent of the population. Anxiety can manifest in many different ways, depending on the person and the circumstances surrounding the disorder. For some, anxiety means nervousness, worry, and self-doubt, whereas others deal with overwhelming feelings of dread. Those who have never dealt with anxiety can have a difficult time understanding what people who do have anxiety are going through. Numerous factors may contribute to a person’s anxiety, from high stress levels to relationships, work, school, and social networks. What is Anxiety? Anxiety is part of our body’s natural defense system. It acts as a warning system that communicates to you that something just isn’t right. When this occurs, the body responds by releasing adrenaline and increasing blood flow. This is your body’s “fight or flight” syndrome. While anxiety is a natural function of the body, it can become a problem when it occurs too often and affects our ability to function properly. Generally speaking, anxiety can present itself as a…
Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. Everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their life. For some people, anxiety is a normal response to stress and can be helpful in motivating them to take action. However, for others, anxiety can be a mental health concern that’s excessive and debilitating. Anxiety can manifest in numerous ways, including physical symptoms like a racing heart, dizziness, or shortness of breath; cognitive symptoms like feeling constantly on edge or unable to concentrate; and emotional symptoms like feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or scared. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how best to deal with anxiety or similar mental disorders. Some people find relief through medication, counseling in Carrollton TX, or self-care measures like exercise, meditation, or journaling. Others find that a combination of different approaches works best for them. Here are a few of the most common coping strategies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on changing the way you think and behave. It can be especially effective in treating anxiety. CBT teaches you how to identify and change your thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your symptoms of anxiety. Exposure Therapy Exposure therapy…
When do you need to seek the services of a career counselor? The answer is simple—whenever you feel the need for help in making the right choice of career. This is when the question of how do you know when it is time to make use of these services arises. Here are some of the signs that indicate when to seek professional help. When Should You Choose Career Counselling? Career counseling can be a great way to help you find a job that fits your skills and interests. It also helps you figure out what to do with your life if you’re unsure about where to go next. But there are some times in life when career counseling is more valuable than others. Here are some of those times: If You Don’t Have Work Experience Yet or Just Starting Out in the Workforce. Career counselors can help you determine what jobs would be good fits for your personality and skills. They can also help you develop a plan for getting that first job—whether it’s volunteering, taking an internship, or going back to school for training. If You Want to Make a Career Change but Aren’t Sure What the Best…
Have you ever felt like you were struggling to breathe? Is there a tightness in your chest, and it feels impossible to relax? You’re not alone. Anxiety is the number one mental health issue that affects many people today. Of course, we’re all human, and it’s okay to feel anxious about certain things. But, when it takes over your everyday routine, it’s time to ask yourself, ‘what can I do about this?’ If that sounds like you, then the lifestyle tips in this article are tailor-made for you. 5 Lifestyle Tips to Manage Anxiety Effectively There are a lot of lifestyle changes that people can make to give themselves a better chance of living a happy life, and people need to know what these are. Here are some great lifestyle tips for someone struggling with anxiety: 1. Exercise Daily Exercise reduces stress and releases endorphins—the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise, which can be just a walk in the park, and some stretching or other muscle-strengthening activities. You can also try practicing mindful meditation, as it has been proven to reduce stress, decrease blood pressure, and even improve sleep quality. 2. Eat Right A healthy diet…
Anxiety can creep into your life from the moment you wake up until it’s time to go to bed at night. Even mild anxiety can disrupt your daily activities and make it hard to get through the day. If you want more control over ongoing anxiety, then implementing a daily morning routine is a great option to consider. Following a consistent morning routine sets a pattern for the day, creating a solid foundation that carries into the afternoon and evening. The goal is to develop a sense of confidence and peace in yourself, helping the rest of the day feel more manageable. Try implementing a morning routine to see how much your anxiety levels come down. Setting Yourself Up for Success with a Morning Routine As with any other new habit you want to form, it takes practice to dial in the right strategy for your new morning routine. Even with the best intentions, it’s hard to stay consistent if you don’t design the proper structure for your new habit. Consider these factors when you are starting your new morning practice: Choose the Right Amount of Time: If it isn’t realistic for you to set aside an hour in the…
Anxiety Can Make Most Social Interactions Overwhelming Unfortunately, many stigmas surround most, if not all, mental health disorders. Whether people don’t understand the effect mental illness can have on someone or do not believe in them, far too many people cannot comprehend what someone else is going through, making it hard for them to understand why people do the things they do. That is often the case for people with anxiety. Anxiety is one such condition that can be debilitating and affect one’s daily life. These feelings often lead individuals to isolate themselves to better cope with their symptoms. In many cases, social situations are triggers for people with anxiety. Unfortunately, there are things that people with anxiety do that come off as “rude” to those that don’t know or understand this disorder. Those living with anxiety have developed coping mechanisms that may come off as rude but are only a result of their anxiety disorder. For those with no knowledge of these mental health disorders, it’s hard for them to recognize signs or symptoms of anxiety and are quick to write off those with this disorder. Today we will look at a few things people with anxiety do that…
It’s Normal to Feel Anxious Before Your First Session Making the decision to see a therapist is a huge step towards improving your mental health. It shows that you are willing to make choices to improve your situation. While going to therapy is beneficial to your mental health, that doesn’t mean you have to be completely comfortable going. Seeing a therapist for the first time can create a lot of anxiety towards therapy in general, especially if you have no experience interacting with a therapist. But you should know that these feelings are normal. Even though you may have agreed to go, it does not mean your anxiety towards therapy goes away. These initial interactions can make you feel uncomfortable. After all, you have to share not only information about what you are struggling with but also basic information about your entire life. Your therapist will ask about your family, career, close friends, romantic relationships, background, and much more. Revealing all of this information to a stranger is daunting. A fear many people have before their first session is if they are going to like their therapist or not. If not, they will have to go through this process all…
Consuming Caffeine Leads to Mimicked Anxiety Symptoms Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the entire world. In fact, about 85% of the American population consumes caffeine in one way or another every day. Caffeine is an extremely powerful stimulant. It keeps you alert and energized, but it can also have adverse reactions. Too much caffeine consumption can lead to increased anxiety or worsen existing anxiety disorders. According to the Nation Institute of Mental Health, roughly 31% of U.S. adults experience some form of anxiety disorder throughout their life. Because of this, caffeine can lead to worsened anxiety symptoms. Correlation Between Caffeine and Anxiety When consumed, caffeine encourages the body to release the stress hormone, cortisol. Cortisol leads your body to experience a stress response. These responses are synonymous with feelings of anxiety and panic, making you feel on edge. To further prove this connection between anxiety and caffeine, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association’s guide to help healthcare professionals diagnose mental disorders, currently includes four caffeine-related disorders: Caffeine intoxication Caffeine withdrawal Unspecified caffeine-related disorder Other caffeine-induced disorders (anxiety disorder, sleep disorder) Symptoms Anxiety is our body’s response to situations that are…
Almost everyone experiences anxiety every once in a while throughout their lives, whether it is before a big job interview, when you are having financial troubles, or when you are speaking in front a large group of people. In fact, anxiety here and there when stressful events arise is quite normal. However, it is quite different if your anxiety is something that affects your daily as well as affects your quality of life. If you find that many events accompany your anxiety, that your anxiety becomes bigger than what you are facing, or that your anxiety is interfering with activities such as your job performance, relationships, or school work, you may be suffering from an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders are often accompanied by frequent, persistent, and excessive worry and fear over everyday circumstances. When the worry and fear set in, occasionally, it can escalate quickly and even turn into a full-on panic attack. A few examples of common anxiety disorders include: Generalized anxiety disorder Separation anxiety disorder Social anxiety disorder (or social phobia) Specific phobias While anxiety disorders can present struggles in day-to-day life, they can be managed with the help of a medical professional. If you think you may…
When your child is experiencing anxiety, stress, or depression, it can be extremely difficult for you as a parent. Many parents are surprised in finding out just how young children can begin experiencing bouts of anxiety. Knowing how to address your child’s mental stress and pain can seem foreign, and of course, as a parent, all you want to do is help. Although it can be tolling, trying to understand your child’s mental health is of utmost importance, as well as knowing how you should address it. While you cannot shield your child from experiencing anxiety, you can take steps to help them learn how to manage it. #1 Keep Calm It is important to not display anxiousness and worry yourself when your child is feeling bouts of anxiety or stress. This will only encourage and increase the negative and scary thoughts your child is feeling. Children learn how to behave and how to react from observing how their parents behave and react. Make sure to always do your best to set a good example in front of your child in terms of reacting to certain situations as they will learn to cope partly from watching how you cope. #2…
