When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in “what-ifs.” To make matters worse, you may then...[ read more ]
It’s the beginning of May and so far 2020 has been a lot to deal with. We are beginning week 8 of the Shelter-in-Place order in Illinois, and for many, the novelty is wearing thin outside of the understandable health and economic concerns. The good news is that the social distancing and shelter in place efforts are working and we...[ read more ]
If you’re like most people, you are doing your best to stay calm during the coronavirus/COVID-19 global pandemic. But the social isolation and fear of getting sick can feel incredibly difficult at times. When not worrying about friends and loved one’s health, there’s also the conflicting information provided by the media and the economic ramifications of the virus that have...[ read more ]
A while back there was a very funny television show starring Lisa Kudrow (ditzy Phoebe from Friends) called “Web Therapy.” It was an improvised show and Lisa played a therapist who treated her patients over the Internet. Hence the title of the show. Well, back when the show was on, the idea of treating mental health patients via a webcam...[ read more ]
Yes, it may be true: as a society we are losing the ability to make human connections. Take a glance around the room at any gathering and you will see dozens of people staring at their phones at what is supposed to be a social event. You go out to dinner and witness entire families, ostensibly out dining together, not conversing at...[ read more ]
For many of us, college was absolutely the best time in our lives. The freedom and friendships made those four years incredibly special. But college isn’t all sparkles and unicorns. For others, college is a completely different and often negative experience. As fun as it can be, it’s also incredibly stressful, especially when it comes time to take an exam. The bigger...[ read more ]
Everyone copes, but some ways are better than others. Looking at how we cope, and what we want the outcome to be are important steps to improving overall functioning. Looking for help coping with social distancing due to the coronavirus? Check out this post: Coping with the Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Life So What Are Coping Skills Anyway? Coping skills are abilities...[ read more ]