From my own experience, I know that depression and anxiety can be downright tiring. Oftentimes you might just want to stay at home or curled up in bed in order to avoid potentially distressing situations. Your energy and motivation might be low and the day feels utterly hopeless. Because of this, doing anything to make yourself feel better or get some relief from the … [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...]
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...]
Weathering the Scrupulosity Storm: A Story of OCD, Faith and Healing
My brain was a vortex. Thousands of thoughts, like drops of water, flowed together in a harsh rush of unwelcome emotions. They crashed together, circling down toward an uncertain conclusion, a dark place deep inside of me, from which I believed I could never come up for air. But I was wrong. As real as my feelings of fear, anxiety, sorrow, and hopelessness were, the reality … [Read more...]
Love and Depression
There are a lot of people who tell us that in order to love someone else, we have to love ourselves first. But self-loathing can be a huge aspect of depression, not to mention all the other aspects that can make life difficult for us, let alone a relationship. Depression can manifest itself in so many ways though, not just self-loathing, but even still it can adversely affect … [Read more...]
My Struggle with Depression, Anxiety, Substance Abuse and Family Alcoholism.
I am a self-proclaimed, and semi-medically diagnosed, martyr and self-destructive masochist with a true medical diagnosis of depression and anxiety. I have spent the longest portion of my life within a destructive mindset and unwarranted ideas of being unworthy or undeserving of goodness. Now I realize that even as I write this these problems still persist. The difference is … [Read more...]
A Parent’s Perspective: Supporting Your Teen
As an AiT Contributor and as someone who was been through a fair share of mental health issues since childhood, I am very aware that this was not just something that I was going through alone. My parents and other family members were also often brought along for the ride. Because of this, my parents have learned quite a bit about the mental health field and how they can best … [Read more...]
Renewed Hope: One Young Woman’s Story of Severe Eating Disorder, Depression and OCD and then Recovery
It all began when I was about 8 years old. I had always been a bit of an anxious child, but it had never been a serious issue. However, it seemed like one day I was suddenly slapped across the face with unbearable anxiety. My childhood up to that point had been pretty average: I had supportive and loving parents, friends and had managed to stay out of trouble for the most part. … [Read more...]
The Secret to Confronting An Issue to Make Actual Change
Ever have a situation where you've been wronged, hurt or irritated? Someone did something to you that bothered you so much. But, you felt powerless to confront them, because you "know how they always react" when you have some negative feedback for them. Or, perhaps you are so overcome with social anxiety, you feel sharing your feelings will lead to not only your relationship … [Read more...]
Acceptance
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...]
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...]
Struggling with Depression? 5 Reasons Group Therapy Is the Way to Go
Unsurprisingly, the teen years are a very important and complex phase of a person’s life. We reach a period in which friendships and relationships experience many upheavals, the body undergoes hormonal changes, new and intense emotions take over, and the future is put under extreme pressure. The challenges we face during the teenage phase can bring an inexplicable amount of … [Read more...]
On The Flip Side: A Peek Into Manic Depression
People call the weather “bipolar” when the morning storms give way to afternoon sunshine and light breezes. I’ve also heard people try to excuse their irritability by saying, “Oh, I’m so bipolar.” This illustrates how the general population sees the term “bipolar” as a colloquial term for something that alternates between two extremes. Going off of this observation, then, it … [Read more...]
AiT joins Dr. Shari Manning, an Expert in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Teens
Anxiety In Teens joins Dr. Shari Manning, an expert in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and founder of Treatment Implementation Collaborative. Here, she shares more about exactly what DBT is and how dialectic behavioral therapy for teens could be helpful. AIT: What exactly is DBT? How is it different from other therapies such as CBT? What is the goal? SM: DBT … [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...]