Sometimes we all skip out on things we don’t like. How is that relevant to anxiety? Very! Learn why avoidance may be the most important thing you’re overlooking to improve your anxiety.
We all try to get more of the things we like and less of the things we don’t. People of any age do this, and so do animals — it’s universal.
[Read more…]The recent Senate hearings that led to the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh were both riveting and painful for many viewers. It’s difficult to recall another time when sexual assault and its effects played such a prominent role in our national conversation.
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s description of her 1982 alleged sexual assault experience, and its decades-long aftermath, significantly impacted many survivors of sexual assault—especially those with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some even described the ubiquitous media coverage of the hearing and testimony as “triggering.”
[Read more…]If you’re wondering whether your anxiety has been leading to panic attacks, read on to learn how to tell — and how to get help.
Alyssa is a high school senior and member of her school’s cheerleading team. She has never had a panic attack. When lifted into the air by her teammates during practice one day, she suddenly feels very dizzy. She fears that she is going to crash to the ground. She yells to her teammates to put her down. When they do, Alyssa begins shaking, hyperventilating, and notices her heart is racing. She tells her coach she thinks there is something wrong with her and runs, terrified, to the nurse’s office. After about ten minutes, she feels better and returns to her team. However, she refuses to be lifted into the air again.
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Homecoming, senior prom, graduation – these are the common high school milestones that teens look forward to and remember fondly for years to come. However, not all highlights from high school are marked with such excitement and positive emotions. The SATs, ACTs, AP exams, and other high stakes tests are a rite of passage for most students. Unfortunately, they are often marked with nerves, distress, and trepidation. Although few students enjoy these crucial exams, for some, the nervousness transcends the usual test day jitters. These students experience a more intense form of fear known as test anxiety.
[Read more…]Social anxiety typically involves avoidance of things we find uncomfortable. Learn more about why this a problem, and what therapy involves.
“Just imagine them in their underwear!” is a common statement told to those who have a fear of speaking in front of large audiences. Although it can be useful (and entertaining) to use your imagination in this way when giving a presentation, it’s typically not enough to overcome the anxiety that comes up in these situations.
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