Sometimes, the problems we see others facing are so huge and complicated that we think there is no way to help. The truth is, there is always some way to help, especially a loved one. When it comes to mental illness, parents are a huge factor of affecting it. You either make it better or you make it worse, there is no in between. The good news is, you can follow the steps in … [Read more...]
How To Confront Your Demons: Acknowledge The Darkness & Find The Light
Coming to terms with your past isn't always easy, especially when it's still haunting you. However, you may find some comfort knowing that you're not alone in that everyone has their demons. Whether you're 16 or 65, all the years of life leading up to the present are what made you who you are today. Yet some of us stand in the quicksand of a haunted past, feeling like every … [Read more...]
How To Cope with Anxiety Through the ESPN
An image of a football game has probably crossed your mind already just by reading the title (Go Patriots!), but contrary to where your mind has probably taken you; the ESPN I am referring to here is not the famous sports channel. Instead, it is the 4 way step to self care during anxiety; Exercise, Sleep, Plan and Nutrition. Sleep is the first point to be addressed … [Read more...]
Anxiety From Election Results – How To Cope On Inauguration Day
January 21st. It is an important day in United States history, and one that is causing a lot of stress and anxiety for Americans. If you are particularly nervous about your future, review some of these tips to reduce anxiety on Inauguration Day: Find some space to breath alone. In the midst of all of the madness on social media, take some time to disconnect and breathe. I … [Read more...]
Social Media, Others’ Perceptions of Mental Illness, and Coming Clean
I'll be the first to admit it. My Instagram persona is not me. This persona is a bad ass chick who is always looking tough, dressed awesome, and at fabulous places. You'll never catch her in a vulnerable state of crippling anxiety or depression. She is me, minus all the parts of me that I don't like. I use Instagram to create my "brand," and that is a brand/image that hides … [Read more...]
5 Ways People With Mental Health Illnesses Communicate Differently
Communicating with a person who is suffering from mental health illness can be difficult for both sides. This is because those suffering from mental illness often have extreme difficulty communicating exactly how they feel. This difficulty may stem from years of bottling up their emotions or being unable to explain their emotions in a way where other’s understand. The … [Read more...]
Rejecting the Need for Control in Anxiety
Perhaps one of the most common feelings that we experience every day is being anxious. In a world that constantly demands productivity regardless of any other current pressing stresses, it is easy to succumb to anxiety. Some of us however, may easily reject this hypothesis and claim that they don’t experience anxiety, but anxiety doesn’t have to exemplify the commonly … [Read more...]
School Anxiety: 5 Quick and Simple Ways to De-Stress as the School Year Begins
Whether you’re in middle, high school or college, you’ve most likely reached the end of your summer and are beginning to get back into the swing of classes, homework, and school in general. And for a lot of students, when school starts, so does the stress that comes along with it. While school is important, it’s equally important to keep yourself mentally healthy, so if you’re … [Read more...]
How to Overcome Anxiety: Stories of Hope and Help
We all have a story. And yours is a special, important one that matters. Below are the courageous stories from our readers which show, from their experiences, how to overcome anxiety and depression. The submissions are from teens, college students, parents, family members and more. They are completely unedited. To submit your own story, Just Fill It Out Here Right … [Read more...]
Agoraphobia: Having Trouble Leaving the House?
It’s no secret that when you have an anxiety disorder, it can oftentimes be difficult to even muster the courage and motivation to leave the house. Yet it seems as if the more we choose to stay in our comfort zone (or inside the house, that is), we begin to feel even more isolated and anxious. Agoraphobia, a phobia in which the individual fears leaving the home and being in … [Read more...]
Even More Reasons to Get Off the Couch This Summer: Excessive Sitting Linked to Anxiety
It’s sunny, it’s bright, it’s warm out- these are all great reason to turn off the Game of Thrones and go play outside. But why else should you get off your couch? Excessive sitting may actually increase your anxiety: A recent study conducted by Deakin University's Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research in Australia found that sedentary activity could lead to … [Read more...]
How to Overcome Test Anxiety with @TomFrankly
So, you've got a big exam coming up and you want to know how to overcome test anxiety. YouTube vlogger and author Tom Frank of College Info Geek shares some potent advice on how to reduce some of the stress and panic that comes just before an exam in this video: He focuses in on three key areas that cause a lot of stress for college students: Fear of The Unknown Fear … [Read more...]
Top Picks for #MentalHealthAwareness Month #MHM2015
If you haven't already heard by now, May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We think mental health month should be EVERY month, but I digress... Here are some of our top choices for organizations who led stellar campaigns this month to draw lots of attention towards understanding mental health disorders and their impact in our … [Read more...]
EMDR Therapy: My Road to Healing
My story may sound familiar. From the outside, I looked like I had everything going for me. I had friends and teachers that looked up to me, I dominated the pitcher’s mound as a Fast Pitch starting pitcher. I earned straight A’s with barely a hint of homework or effort. I was voted 8th grade Student of the Year. I had a great home life. I was told repeatedly that I was … [Read more...]
I Used To Hate Myself And Now I Don’t
Sometimes we are feeling our best. Sometimes we are feeling our worst. And sometimes we may even start to believe that because we're feeling worthless, we may be worthless. Some of you may even currently be feeling this way. We were so inspired when we came across Jess Mary Aloe. Jess was a young woman who hated herself and could not see the beauty that was always there. … [Read more...]