Mental Health and Support for At Risk Men and Women -

Mental health tips for people struggling with high anxiety

Your mental health is important to your overall health. And, so often, we put it on the back burner until the symptoms are overwhelming. Mental health is a real thing and sometimes we don’t even understand why something bothers us so much. What causes this anxiety when life is going rather well otherwise? Mental health issues are certainly nothing to be ashamed of. And, you should speak to your doctor should your mental health be in jeopardy. If you suffer from high anxiety there are many things that can be done, as well as medication. Getting the right amount of sleep, exercise and balance with work and family are important to your mental health. Staying on a good diet and eating right can also help “feed your brain”, along with various therapies. If you are struggling with high anxiety, there is help. And, there are simple things you can do at home as well.

Trauma and other experiences can create anxiety issues that require the help of a professional. Sometimes medication is necessary and at other times simply having a life coach can be all that you need. Dr. Brian Sullivan is a therapist in Charleston SC that has done extensive research and has a wealth of free information on his website on the topic of dealing with anxiety and stress.

High anxiety can seem like it swoops in and consumes you at any given moment. Something triggers a trauma trigger or thought or you don’t even know why. And, it can take over your life rather quickly. Getting that anxiety level down to a state that you can function is important. Here are some things to try:

Do something else.

Yes, do something else, change what you are doing, change where you are, change the view, do something else. Often times the anxiety is so crippling you cannot think. So, try to remember some of these suggestions for those times of high anxiety. Change what you are doing is pretty easy if you are not at work or school. If you are cleaning your bathroom, move to the living room or take a break and pet the cat. Change up what you’re doing until it’s better and you can resume.

Take a Deep Breathe

Learning some common breathing techniques even can really pack a punch in getting that high anxiety level down. If you don’t know any techniques, take a deep breathe in and hold for 10 seconds and slowly exhale. This will calm your body down and you’ll be more in control of your situation. This can be done quietly at your desk at work or school as well. And, it’s a great way to just relax. Remember, breath.

Question your Thoughts

During a panic attack, your brain plays tricks on you. And, sometimes things get a little distorted and blown out of proportion. In that case, take a step back, and ask yourself if that’s realistic. Things such as “I’m going to die if I do this speech” are not realistic. But, accept that you are anxious about it. And, find points that are realistic. “I’m going to mess up but I can do this.” is more realistic. Accepting the fact that your anxious helps as well. You are giving yourself permission to be in the space you are in. It is okay to have anxiety and very normal sometimes, but how you handle the anxiety will determine how well you can cope.

Calming Visualization

Take a minute, again, this is a great one for at work or school, and visualize something calming. Maybe it’s a beach or a puppy, visualize you at your favorite spot or in a park, choose something that is relaxing to you. Things such as what you’re going to make for dinner is probably not a good choice. But, sitting on a boat in the ocean with the sound of seagulls and splashing water could be a good option.

Anxiety is not fun to live with, but if you can take some steps to maintain control, it’s not impossible.

The effects of social media on teenage self-esteem

Social media is an essential part of our lives, and it should not be underestimated. Teenagers spend a lot of time on social media, for better or worse. They can be using social media as a tool to build their self-esteem, or they can be damaging it.

Social media can have a profound effect on how people feel about themselves. Many studies have investigated the impact of social media on people’s self-esteem.

The current study examined how social media use affects self-esteem by comparing the impact of positive and negative content on people’s moods. The study found that there was a significant link between social media use and lowered self-esteem.

On social media, we can paint a picture of what our preserved life looks like. This picture can be completely off-key. However, if you are not one of those people, you might buy into it. This means that the images shared across social media are not always truthful or fact. All kinds of filters can be used as well as photoshop, so it really can be far off.

However, teenagers don’t see that. They buy into the big dreams that people are sharing. You can achieve this if you do this one thing. They do the one thing, and nothing happens. They chase these visions that are not even true. This will lead to failed attempts at multiple things to achieve these great results in areas such as weight loss, money-making, dating, and more. By nature, when we try and fail and see others having success with that very same thing, we will be a bit depressed. It only makes sense.

How Social Media Affects Self-Esteem

The average American spends 5 hours a day on their phone. And for some, this addiction can lead to things like social media addiction; this is when people spend most of their time on different social media platforms.

Self-esteem is usually considered as to how someone feels about themselves. When people are addicted to social media, they typically share only their best parts with others and expect others to think they are perfect. This can lead to negative thoughts about oneself because the person realizes they are not perfect and not everything they post is liked or shared by many people.

Getting likes and shares are addicting to some, as well as more followers and shares. These social signals trigger the brain to set off endorphins. These endorphins are hormones that make us feel good. Some people are addicted to these, especially teens with developing brains and need to get likes and shares. However, this behavior can lead to a bad self-image as they start to realize they only share the good stuff. The things they know will get the likes and not just be themselves on it.

The Negative Effects of Social Media on Teenagers

Social media has become an important part of our lives. The impact of social media on society is an issue that has been hotly debated for years, with the most recent negative effect being on teenagers.

A recent study shows that there are many adverse effects of social media on teenagers. One example is the change in sleep cycles, which can lead to fatigue and depression. It also impacts their self-esteem, as they compare themselves to the perfect images portrayed by their peers.

The Benefits of Social Media for Teenagers

Social media can be a powerful tool for teenagers. It can help them stay in contact with their friends, share photos, and share their opinions.

There are many benefits of social media for teenagers. For example, it is possible to learn about important social issues happening in the world through newsfeeds on various social media platforms. Social media can also help with self-esteem because it allows people to post pictures of themselves and receive feedback from others on their looks.

Social media isn’t all bad. In fact, it can help teens find people that they relate to. They can find groups of people that share the same interest and support groups for problems they are dealing with. It is always nice to find people that share common interests, and you can do that on social media. Connecting with like minds helps them understand how things work.

Social media can be a means of income for some teenagers. It also can be a creative outlet in many ways. There are different positives to social media. It is not all bad. It is also a way that teenagers can stay connected to their schoolmates and co-workers over the years into adulthood.

The Effects of Social Media on Teens and Young Adults

Social media has been a driving force in the lives of today’s teens and young adults. It is a source of connection, communication, and even a means for entertainment. It is also a major contributor to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety among this population.

One way in which social media may contribute to worsening mental health conditions is by promoting unrealistic expectations from peers on social media. Teens are more likely to compare themselves with peers who have perfect images on social media because they do not know any better. This can lead to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.

The physical effects that social media have on teens are also worth mentioning. Drastic changes in sleep patterns, increased rates of emotional eating due to higher rates of emotional stress, excessive use of devices, and other issues.

If you are a parent of a teenager, you need to sit down and talk to them. Be sure they understand that some people make themselves look perfect online, which simply isn’t true. Also, speak to them about airing their laundry, per se, on social media. What you post out there is a reflection of them and will follow them for years to come. Having social media at a young age, children don’t understand the effects that it can have. Also, be sure that you seek help for your child, should you feel they are getting depressed or addicted t social media.

Everyone Can Benefit From Therapy And Now It Is Easier Than Ever

There is a reason why people need therapy and will continue to benefit from therapy and that is because they are human and alive. Life presents challenges and balancing all of life’s demands and maintaining healthy relationships even in the best possible circumstances can prove to be a challenge for anyone. Talking about it and taking the time to understand the different ways to respond to circumstances that will be productive and not destructive is part of the function of a good therapist.

There are things that happen in life that go beyond the normal struggles that most people face. A therapist will help you work through issues related to traumatic events, struggles in relationships, anxiety disorders, how to cope with irrational fears, or even very real fears. Options for dealing with and getting free from depression or anxiety are other common reasons people seek therapy.

Finding a therapist you feel comfortable talking to is very important. Sometimes it is difficult to know this information without going in for a first visit. Many times therapists websites now feature a video where you can get a pretty good idea up front of their personality. With online therapy becoming more and more popular most therapist have at least one video on their website.

Depression is a common if not the most common mental health issues that people struggle with worldwide. It is difficult to watch a loved one slowly slip away into a depressive state and watch their quality of life get sucked away. Thankfully there is help.

There are many different kinds of depression and different reasons which can cause the onset of depression. A Major Depressive Disorder is the most comming kind of depression that therapists treat and it is the kind of depression that can majorly affect ones quality of life. Dysthymia, although it has milder symptoms, can last for years. Other depressive disorders such as Seasonal Affective Disorder only occur during certain times of the year such as colder months. At other times living in a city where the sun rarely shines can be a cause of depression. When working with a therapist you can explore together the root causes of feelings which can stem from physical causes, diet, sleeping habits, and traumatic experiences to name a few.

Anxiety is another common thing affecting many people and commonly treated through therapy. Many people who are diagnosed with depression also struggle with anxiety. No one should have to live with the feeling that something bad is about to happen all the time. The most sever cases of clinical anxiety can lead to panic attacks and very erratic and extreme behavior that can be dangerous to the individual experiencing the anxiety as well as those around them.

It is always best to seek natural remedies for issues when possible but in some cases medication or other treatments may be necessary. A therapist can accurately help you make the decision as to what form of treatment is required in your particular circumstance.

A good therapist will help you understand the process of what is happening in your body, mind, and emotions, as well as help you explore the root causes for any mental disorder as well as help you develop positive tools to make real progress and even eliminate issues in the best cases.

The first step towards healing is finding a therapist you can trust to help you through the healing process. It helps if you also feel comfortable in the environment as well.

Many people who struggle with depression or anxiety as well as other mental disorders can find it difficult to venture outside of the house. While it can be good and healing to overcome those fears it can also be helpful to have a therapist that can work with you over the internet. Online Therapy has proven to be very effective for many and is being offered by many counselors as well as therapists throughout the world.

While having a therapy session over the phone can also be effective having a video therapy session is much more effective when you can actually see one another during the session. Zoom is a common technology being used today for online therapy. One of the greatest benefits is of course the convenience but it is also allowing for people to be more selective of the therapist they want to work with. No longer does location determine which therapist you would go to. It is easier to schedule appointments as well.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a mental disorder or a relationship issue now is the time to get help. It is always better to deal with an issue sooner rather than later. Often mental disorders or broken relationships can worsen over time making it more difficult to heal. It is never too late to take the first step towards a greater quality of life.

Human Trafficking

The world is becoming far scarier out there. Human trafficking is on the rise and despite all efforts, children and women are being abducted all the time. This is happening all over the world and the women and children are being transported all over the world. They are being forced to become sex slaves, prostitutes, and street beggars. They are used for forced sexual acts as well as forced labor and it’s big business. Recovery can be a long road and the mental, physical, and emotional trauma experienced produces scars that are so deep years of therapy only begin to heal. There are ways to help keep you and your children safe, as well as inform everyone in your family. Education on what to do in various situations is important. We have some tips on what to do to stay safe. We come across many good articles but this article “Sex-Trafficking: A Parent’s Guide to Protecting Your Child” has some great information as well.

Be Aware of your Surroundings

Kid on a cell phone not paying attention to his surroundings

This seems so simple, but yet, many people have their faces buried in the phones and have not a clue of their surroundings. Sitting on a park bench scrolling through social media is not being very aware of your surroundings. And, that’s what you will find at many of our parks with parents taking their children to play. Put the devices away, the sex trafficking industry is counting on you to not be paying attention and it literally can take seconds for them to snatch up a child. Or, they could even take you, while on your device, they are highly trained.

Avoid Walking Alone

This is really important in quiet areas such as alleys or back streets. Avoid walking alone to keep from being forcibly kidnapped. Kidnapping is not just for kids these days, they are looking for young women to add to their workforce. Ensure you are taking precautions when walking across campus as well. They are everywhere and are all cultures and races.

Don’t Easily Trust

Traffickers are tricky and approach you anywhere. They can be on social media, in the mall, or even outside your home. These people are trained to be kind and approachable which is why often times, the victim is taken so easily. They will offer crazy opportunities such as free trips or modeling careers. Women are often times used to recruit more people as they are found to be more trustable than men. But, they too are victims of this crime. Again, they do not have a “look” but come in all shapes, races and sizes so have your guard up.

Act Quickly if Suspicious

If you have a bad gut feeling, act quickly, find a person to tell if in a store. Or go to a building with lots of people if on the streets, find shelter. Call someone that you know and talk to them, having someone on the phone can deter them sometimes. Or call the police. If you feel you are being followed or something is off, it most likely is and it should be reported.

Use Social Media Wisely

Social media is great to interact with family and friends. However, this is a way for people to learn their weaknesses and strengths. They study psychology, and if you post a problem, they may come to you with an amazing solution. Think wisely if that solution even makes sense. People don’t just give away free money or time, remember that. If someone online is offering you help that seems to be a bit over the top, do not accept it. Again, remember to not trust easily and especially online. Online anyone can be anyone, that picture and persona you see may not even be close to what that person is about.

Keep a watch out for any suspicious activity at all time. Not only for you and your children but others as well.