Anxiety is a very common mental health issue in the world today, and something that most everyone grapples with at some point in their lives. However, not everyone has problems with anxiety to the point of taking anxiety medication. People with intense feelings of anxiety, such as those characteristic of…
Have you ever had moments of overwhelming fear and anxiety for seemingly no reason? Maybe you felt intense amounts of dread and thought you might be having a heart attack. Though panic attacks aren’t lethal, they can certainly feel that way. Panic attacks are defined as a sudden surge of…
Personality disorders are characterized by problematic thought and behavioral patterns. Sometimes, these thoughts and behaviors appear odd or eccentric – at others, they’re dramatic and unpredictable. But with dependent personality disorder, and other cluster C personality disorders, they’re rooted in anxiety and fear. Let’s learn more about what dependent personality…
Fear is built into our biology. In fact, it keeps us safe — alerting us to danger and saying, “Hey, you need to be careful,” or, “Heads up, be ready for this.” A phobia, on the other hand, is an excessive or irrational fear. If you experience intense fear and…
Do you freak out in tiny spaces? Are you deathly afraid of heights? Do you refuse to meet your friend’s pet snake? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have something in common with much of the population. As it turns out, many of us share fears…
Most of us aren’t exactly thrilled about having to give a presentation to our entire company. We might feel slightly awkward having to make small talk with a stranger. We might get the jitters before a blind date. But we still do the presentation, chit-chat, and go out. When you…
Trust issues are characterized by fear of betrayal, abandonment, or manipulation. And this fear is often triggered as a result of betrayal (such as infidelity), abandonment (think: leaving a child or foregoing a relationship with them), or manipulation (for example, dishonesty or gaslighting). If you’re reading this, it’s possible that…
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), one in five US adults is living with a mental illness right now. Yet, more than half of these individuals are not getting help. Why? This statistic accounts in part for those who lack access to mental health services—but this doesn’t…
Adults with separation anxiety disorder have heightened, functionally impairing fears about being apart from their attachment figures. The mental health condition might cause them to experience a panic attack when their spouse goes to work, or have recurring nightmares about the death of someone they love. Though separation anxiety in…
We’re all afraid of something. But some of us have extreme fears called phobias and we’ll go to equally extreme measures to avoid them. For certain individuals, it’s animals or insects; for others, it’s small spaces or large groups of people. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive understanding…
Research shows that 34% of Americans have mental health concerns that they attribute primarily to their romantic relationships–past and present. Healthy relationships have the power to flood us with positive emotions, to make us feel connected, and to enhance our self-esteem. But that power can quickly become a negative force…
Are you feeling nervous about starting therapy or counseling? If so, don’t worry. It’s totally normal to feel a little nervous. That said, you can take some proactive steps to prepare for your first therapy session. These tips will help to lessen those nerves and also help make for a…