“My eating disorder had become my best friend, my soulmate: to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” The words floated from my mouth, coating the room in the potency of my hardships. It was the first time I publicly spoke about my recovery. All of the emotions I wrestled, all of the thoughts I braved, and all of the pain I … [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...]
How To Reduce Your Teen’s Anxiety
High school can be a very stressful time for you and your teenager. During my teenage years, I was disrespectful to my parents, distant, and blamed them for things that were going on in my life that they had no control over. Teenage hormones, college applications, relationships and simply stress from high school seem to all make for a high level of stress. My parents always did … [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...]
The Man and the Butterfly: Letting Teens Make Mistakes
"A man found a cocoon of a butterfly, that he brought home. One day a small opening appeared in the cocoon. He sat and watched the cocoon for several hours as the butterfly struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making progress. It appeared as if the butterfly had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. The man decided to … [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...]
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...]
Does Your Teen Have A Mental Health Disorder? Here’s How You Can Help.
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...]
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...]
Warriors: Parents Helping Children with Anxiety
Daily, I get emails from teens, young adults, and their parents about their journey with mental health. (You can check them out here on our How To Overcome Anxiety stores of hope and help area, and you can share yours here). Here's a post submitted from one of our readers, who shows us the power of true courage of teens dealing with mental health issues and the immense impact … [Read more...]
Mention It To Morgs: Telling Your Parents
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...]
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...]
How to Help Someone with Anxiety
How to Help Someone with Anxiety: Six Steps to Encouragement You may know a friend who is dealing with anxiety or another mental health issue, and they may have kept it for a secret for a long time. Maybe they've just opened up to you for the first time and you have no idea what to do! Here are six steps to help be the best friend you can be: Step 1: Let Them Know Its OK to … [Read more...]
Art Therapy for ADHD and Anxious Children
Earnest Parents, February 4, 2012 Raising children is hard enough, but raising children with ADHD and anxiety problems can be downright nerve-wracking. We simply aren’t taught how to communicate with a child who has such difficulties, since adults often gradually move away from the mindset of children and struggle to connect with kids who are anxious or have ADHD. Luckily, … [Read more...]
Parents of Special Needs Kids Offer Parenting Advice
NEWSOK , the Oklahoman, June 12, 2012 At some time in their lives, most parents will question themselves, wondering if they are doing everything “right.” Am I mom enough? Was my child breast-fed long enough? Am I strict enough or too strict? Am I helping my child live up to his or her emotional and intellectual potential? And most parents will, at some point, find … [Read more...]