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...]
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...]
From a Senior to a Freshman: Successful Tips to Leading a Healthy College Lifestyle
There isn’t a handbook big enough to tell freshmen how to lead healthy college lifestyles! But I have a few tricks that worked for me when I was a freshman and I think they may help you out too. Don’t be overly concerned with the "Freshman 15" Sure, there is a possibility that you will gain some weight during college, but there isn’t a universal amount of weight that … [Read more...]
Communication Is Key: 3 Important Points About Helping Someone With Anxiety
Sometimes anxiety can make you feel alone even in a crowded room. Even when you have friends and family to support you, you can feel they may not understand how to truly help you. Support can go a long way, but sometimes it can also come with frustration from those around you because they may not understand or know what to do to make things better. As someone with anxiety, … [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...]
5 Ways To Survive Anxiety on Your Own Until You Are Able To Seek Therapy
So, you discovered you have anxiety, what is the next step? The usual way of treating anxiety is going to see a therapist. Sometimes however, seeing a therapist takes time, especially when you are struggling with financial or travel obstacles. The good news are that there are five important steps to get you through it anxiety temporarily, until you seek a therapist. Take a … [Read more...]
10 Ways to Get Through to Your Teen: Advice for Parents with Teens Struggling with a Mental Health Disorder
Having a child who deals with mental illness can be a difficult path to maneuver. You obviously love your child and would do anything to help them, but what exactly do they need from you? As someone who lives with anxiety, here are ten things that I would advise parents to keep in mind in warranted situations. Avoid snooping into their private business. While it may be … [Read more...]
Four Ways to Get Past Guilt and Blame and Help Your Struggling Teen
It is one thing when the individual suffers from a mental illness themselves. It is something else entirely when a parent or loved one is going through a similar turmoil by watching that individual suffer. Attempting to help the person suffering from anxiety is exhausting in every shape and form. Mental, physical and emotional exhaustion is present with a parent who has a young … [Read more...]
Tips for Convincing Your Parents That You Need Help
As someone who spent a solid chunk of time convincing my parents to take me to a psychiatrist, I know firsthand how tough it can be to get the ‘rents on board with seeking help. Every family is different, and one situation is never the same as the next, but here is some food for thought that might help you tackle the problem head on and get the treatment you need. For this … [Read more...]