Since I learned to walk anxiety has followed me like a shadow. The pitter patter of baby feet could be too loud if I was not careful. I felt terrible when that shaky, wet, feeling of fear and pain twisted my family into promises I had yet to break, failures I had yet to make. I lived in fear of disappointing everyone. With support, understanding, and honesty my family has … [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...]
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...]
AIT Exclusive Interview: How Do I Know If I Have Social Anxiety Disorder And What Do I Do
In light of Mental Health Awareness Week, we are excited for this special AiT Exclusive with the Executive Director of the the Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety, Lori Blumenstein-Bott! Join us as we discuss social anxiety in teens, what to look for as it relates to social anxiety symptoms, and how to help someone with social anxiety in college and beyond! AiT: Is it … [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...]
3 Ways To Go Do Something Fun With Your Teen
The sun is FINALLY coming out, schools starting to wrap up in some areas, but.. your teen STILL has anxiety. Now is a good time to check into activities that can engage your teen in mind, body and spirit, that will help connect him or her with nature and content outside of their own heads. Sometimes helping your teen by distracting them works. Sometimes it doesn't. It NEVER … [Read more...]
Mention It To Morgs: Test Anxiety & Meds
Hi, Everyone! Anxiety in Teens is starting a new section, every Monday, called Mention it to Morgs. Mention it to Morgs will be a question and answer section, where I will post the questions that I receive via email each week and answer them to my best ability! In case you are wondering who you’re writing these questions to, my name is Morgan (but everyone calls me Morgs), and … [Read more...]
Test Your Boundaries with Exposure Therapy
It’s true that everyone has something they are afraid of or might cause them some stress. But for individuals with anxiety disorders or phobias that fear can become paralyzing. Phobias are strong and irrational fears of object ts and situations that realistically pose little to no danger. Some common phobias include fear of snakes, fear of heights, and fear of social … [Read more...]