Accepting that you may have or even do have a mental illness is, in my opinion, one of the hardest things about the illness itself. On the outside, I come across as this girl that has everything together. To my friends, I’m this goofy, funny (or at least I think I am), super outgoing, and happy girl. To my parents, I am involved in everything, smart, have a lot of friends, … [Read more...]
AiT Exclusive Interview: Separation Anxiety vs Generalized Anxiety vs Social Phobias, Oh My! With Anxiety Expert Dr. Anne Marie Albano
We are pleased to have author and Director of the Columbia University Clinic for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Dr. Anne Marie Albano, Ph.D., share some great insights with us on the differences between separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and social phobia! Read on for great insights for how parents can help and what to expect in therapy. She is the author of “You and … [Read more...]
It All Changes When You Decide It To
Just when you feel like nothing is going right... ...is when you've voluntarily given up your power. Often, when we are in the midst of great anxiety or stress, we feel powerless and hopeless. Many other factors may be playing a role- like something or someone that makes us believe that we need to stay down. But, that's just not true. At any moment in time, you can … [Read more...]
Olivia’s Story: My Struggle with A Specific Phobia
I can't remember a time when I didn't have a fear of sleepovers. I actually had never slept over at anyone's house without one of my parents until after high school. At that time, even thinking about going to a sleepover caused me anxiety. I was afraid that if I went to a sleepover, I would become sick and throw up, that my friends would make fun of me or not want to be my … [Read more...]
Is OCD Ruling Your Life? KEEP BUSY!
Do constant, bothersome obsessive thoughts overpower your mind? Do you have to follow these horrible thoughts with a particular behavior or compulsion, or else your world might fall apart? Join us as we ask our most common OCD questions to Dr. Laura Kauffman, licensed child psychologist & expert contributor to Education.com: AIT: Why is that when teens with OCD try to … [Read more...]
I Am A Strong Woman
I am a strong woman. I could argue that this is the hardest story I have ever written. It is a personal story involving self-discovery, confusion, anger, ignorance, laughter, and last but certainly not least authenticity. I say “authenticity” because I want to be real with you, my reader, and do what I can to paint my story in a way that is helpful. Anxiety took form in … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Help a Friend Struggling with a Mental Health Issue
Some of you may be struggling with having a family member or friend with anxiety, depression, or some other mental health issue. If you are someone who hasn’t had a mental health issue yourself, it can be hard sometimes to completely understand what he or she is going through. This is something I have struggled with myself, as my brother was diagnosed with anxiety and … [Read more...]
Addiction: My Story
Life is hard. Life kicks you when you’re down, shoves your head in the dirt. Life punches you in the face and leaves you for dead. Life is brutal but, somehow we survive and sometimes, even thrive. Coping with life is an everyday event and, to me, it seems like our survival is based on the quality of our coping mechanisms. However, coping mechanisms aren’t always positive; … [Read more...]
How I Started Living My Life For Myself and Not My Disease
It was about 6 years ago when I first began to notice what I was feeling was not like everyone else. I had always been the type of person to worry too much about everything. My family had always teased me about my inability to just "go with the flow" or "live on the edge." I have always been the type of person to live religiously by my planner, scheduling in lunches with … [Read more...]
Just for Today Poem
Just for Today Just for today I will hold my head high, and forget my problems. I can smile and make everyone else's day better, even if behind that smile I crỵ. Just for today I will walk away from a fight, though I may feel hurt insidẹ. I will ignore what is said, and continue on peacefullỵ Just for today I will set an example, when I feel the need to hurt. I … [Read more...]
How the Arts Can Help You Ease Anxiety and Depression
I always had a thing for the arts growing up. I would pretend I was Shirley Temple and memorize every song, tap dance, and line in each of her movies. I would “mock” her characters, but put my own flare to it. My parents caught me doing this and wanted to put me in theater. I did theater in Elementary School and it felt so free to be on that stage and doing whatever was needed … [Read more...]
We Need To Talk About Mental Health
You might be in a panic right now, but I have some good news. It may take a lot of acceptance, but every rough patch has it's end and... Most of all, and we're only human and this is all really common and definitely treatable. So give yourself a break. And find a professional to talk to, like a local therapist in your … [Read more...]
Networking Skills for Introvert: a Guide to Reducing Anxiety
In today’s society, the most sought out people are usually characterized as extroverts. This leaves behind a wedge between those who are marked extroverts and introverts, almost characterizing introverts as a liability, a strange anomaly in the equation of life. As an introvert, I would argue otherwise. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert; however, the current … [Read more...]
Symptoms of OCD – Exclusive AiT Interview with Shala Nicely, MS, LAPC, NCC
Curious about what OCD symptoms really feel like? Wondering where to turn next? We're pleased to share this exclusive AiT interview with OCD expert Shala Nicely, MS, LAPC, NCC where she tells us her riveting story of her own challenges with OCD, treatment, and finally becoming a clinician to help others with this frustrating and debilitating disorder. Shala is the Co-Founder, … [Read more...]
How To Go To Therapy
I have never been a fan of therapy. After every session I tried to make up a reason as to why I couldn’t go the next week. The days prior to an appointment were spent faking a cough here and there, sniffling just enough so when the day came I could blame a sickness and say I didn’t want it to spread. I had a web of lies all to get out of therapy, that was how much I hated … [Read more...]