Weekends can be a stressful time for those of us with social anxiety- we want to have friends, be loved, and in the know (FOMO is real!), and yet we don't. I've often wondered what it would be like to live completely free of my social phobia and attend parties with classmates, crack jokes over drinks, and heck, maybe even be the life of the party one day. However, as it stands … [Read more...]
The Link Between Exercise and Mental Health: A Psychologist and Marathoner’s Perspective
By: Melissa Tanner, Ph.D., Guest Contributor Exercise can have a profound impact on mental health, in a variety of different ways. There are the obvious ways, such as the famed “runner’s high,” which refers to the euphoric sensation caused by endorphins released after strenuous physical activity. Exercise can also promote a regular sleep schedule, which is crucial to mental … [Read more...]
3 Mental Health Apps for Youth
Today, there are dozens of online tools and applications for adult mental health. More recently, however, there are has been an influx of tools and resources just for kids, teens and young adults. Here are three apps that offer digital support just for youth and teens: MindRight MindRight offers personalized, live coaching over text message for teenagers who could use some … [Read more...]
What to Say (And What Not to Say) to Someone with a Mental Illness
Despite the prevalence of mental illness in our society, it’s still incredibly misjudged, and because there is such limited public understanding, there are countless myths and stereotypes penetrating our thoughts, behaviors, and discourse. The truth is, the way we talk about mental illness perpetuates stigma and negative stereotypes, and can be detrimental to those vulnerable … [Read more...]
The Cyber World Around Us
We now live in the digital age, a time where social media has become more important than in-person relationships and communication. The culture of social media is mainly concentrated between the ages of 15-25 but spans across all ages. I am 19 years old which means I have been alive and understanding of most huge technological advances that have taken place over the last few … [Read more...]
3 Reasons People Don’t Go To Therapy
There’s a stigma surrounding the idea of therapy. People hesitate to use say the word or to admit that they are in or are even considering therapy. Therapy tends to be a closely guarded secret. And that could be because mental health is a medical condition and one’s medical information tends to be private information. However, I think it’s more than just an issue of privacy. … [Read more...]
After College Blues: Turning a Time of Anxiety into Self-Exploration
It is a feeling of pride and joy when one goes up on stage and receive their college diploma. Our minds dream of the ideal future where a career will start right after obtaining that paper of certification that has caused sweat and tears for the last 4 years of higher education. However, that is a scenario that is too good to be true and in reality can cause the recent college … [Read more...]
Parenting a Teen with Mental Illness: A Parent’s Grief
What is the hardest thing about parenting children with mental illness? Some things are harder in the moment, while other things are harder to bear over time. For parents like myself whose struggling children do not respond to treatment and/or accommodations relatively quickly, ambiguous grief can be especially devastating. Precious childhoods are lost forever to endless … [Read more...]
Fear of Flying, Fear of Vacationing
One thing that always increases my anxiety is travel. This is a common issue with people going to new places or staying in a strange place. I usually have to leave a light on my first night in a hotel just to get some sleep! Many people are in motion towards the end of the year. Holidays make for not only travel anxiety, but the anxiety of dealing with or even staying with … [Read more...]
A SAD Story: Seasonal Affective Disorder
When I first moved to Minneapolis from California, my boyfriend who has been living here for most of his life warned me about something that can start to happen when the days get shorter and colder. SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that can come and go just like the seasons themselves, and it is much more common to develop SAD when living in an area … [Read more...]
Your Need-To-Know College Campus Mental Health Resources and Accommodations
I don’t think that there is a single person who doesn’t have at least a little difficulty when it comes to managing certain elements of college life. But when you’re also dealing with a mental health condition, some of the changes and challenges that college brings can feel even more overwhelming. It is important to know that many colleges have accommodations and resources … [Read more...]
What is Therapy and Why Should I Go? An Interview from Three Different Perspectives
I’ve always been interested in learning more about therapy and counseling. What it is, how people feel venting to a professional to help them, and the benefits of it. I believe that, in a way, it coincides with self-care. But it wasn’t until college that I decided I wanted to delve into the world of psychology and therapy. While I studied Communications in college, I took a … [Read more...]
9 Key Points When Finding a Therapist for Your College Kid
“Hey, do you know of any good therapists near campus?” That was the gist of an email I received from my friend Kate, whose child, a freshman, will be attending college with my daughter—on the other coast of the U.S. I wrote back: “You’re in luck, sugar!” attaching a file I’d put together two years ago, when we flew cross-country to deliver our daughter Grace to her new … [Read more...]
College Mental Health: Should I Transfer Closer to Home?
College life is a very big transition for many students. Especially those who are already dealing with other life problems, like a mental health disorder. Trying to learn how to live and navigate on your own can take awhile. For our whole lives, we have lived with our parent's support. Now, in an instant, we are out on our own away from home. We will come across some situations … [Read more...]
Get To Know AiT: Interview with Katie Haddad, AiT Contributor
Learning to take care of yourself, understanding which coping strategies work for you and what kind of support systems you need is critical on the path to managing and living with mental health issues. And, as we can all likely agree, it isn't a one-size-fits-all kind of solution. Each person has a unique set of strategies and support that works specifically for them. For some … [Read more...]