The Parent’s Guide to Teenage Anxiety
Teenagers experience major changes throughout adolescence. From applying to college to forming and losing relationships to hormonal and physical changes, it’s no surprise that some teenagers feel anxiety during this period of their lives. If you think your teenager is struggling with anxiety, read on to recognize the symptoms and identify options for treatment. Recognize anxiety symptoms in teens Anxiety comes in many shapes and sizes, which can make it harder to recognize when combined with the normal daily challenges of being a teenager. Symptoms of a generalized anxiety disorder include: Excessive worry, in a manner disproportionate to the event [...]
How to Teach Your Kids Healthy Coping Skills
Childhood is thought of as a carefree time, but kids have just as many challenges as adults. They may even become overwhelmed by their emotions at times. As a parent, you can teach your child how to handle these situations by using healthy coping skills. What Are Coping Skills? Coping skills are strategies we use to manage difficult emotions. Your child probably already uses certain coping skills; they just might not be aware of it. Work with your son or daughter to identify the strategies they use right now and whether or not these strategies are healthy. Healthy vs. Unhealthy [...]
Being a Family Support System for Your Loved One in Recovery
Recovering from addiction is hard for everyone — it's exhausting mentally and physically for the one actually undergoing treatment, but it's also challenging for the family and friends to sit by and watch. Often, we want to help our loved ones when they're struggling, but when it comes to addiction recovery, you may be stuck wondering how exactly are you supposed to help. True recovery requires guidance from professional therapists — a title most of us don't hold. What many don't realize is that family and friends have the chance to play a significant role in their loved one's recovery. [...]
Are the Older Adults in My Life Battling a Mental Health Condition?
Symptoms of mental illness in older adults are often easy to overlook as a result of dismissing them as symptoms of aging. However, mental health treatment is just as important for elderly individuals as it is for younger adults. Currently, mental illness affects roughly 20 percent of adults over the age of 50. As a caregiver or family member, it’s important to know the signs of common mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and PTSD in order to get your loved ones the care they need when they need it. Mental health in older adults The topic of mental health [...]
Supporting a Love One Suffering From Poor Mental Health During the Holidays
holiday mental health, holiday mental health tips, holiday anxiety and depression, peer support mental health Struggling with mental health challenges any time of the year can be a challenge, but it can be extra difficult during the holiday season. If you or someone you love is impacted by anxiety, depression, an eating disorder or any mental health condition, here are some holiday mental health tips that can help. How holidays affect mental health The upcoming season poses unique opportunities. It's a chance to gather with family and friends, take a break from a busy work schedule and enjoy new [...]
Suicidal Thoughts: How to Help a Loved One in Crisis
It can be difficult to know how to help someone who is struggling with thoughts of suicide. If a friend or family member has expressed suicidal thoughts to you, you are undoubtedly feeling emotions of fear, anxiety and a desire to help. But what can you say in moments like this? What is the right way to help them without causing any more grief? There are two crucial things you can do during this time to help: have open conversations with your loved one and educate yourself on the warning signs of suicide. Encourage an open conversation When a loved [...]
What Can I Do to Support My Spouse in Addiction Treatment?
A drug or alcohol addiction can put immense strain on a relationship. If your spouse or significant other has recently started a treatment program, they have taken an important step towards recovery, but you may be wondering when the difficulties are going to end. While recovery and treatment are still challenging times for both of you, there are steps you can take to support your loved one in recovery that will help minimize the strain and provide a hopeful outlook during this time. What can I do to support my spouse in addiction recovery? Support is more than making [...]
Supporting Your Spouse Suffering from Anxiety
All marriages have their challenges, and supporting a partner with anxiety is common trial couples face. In fact, the American Psychological Association states that 30 percent of American adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetimes, and anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition. Thus, many people experience the obstacle of helping a loved one manage an anxiety disorder, although it's infrequently discussed. If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia or a specific phobia, you're not alone. In this article, we'll explore some expert tips and tricks [...]
How Can I Support a Loved One Struggling With Mental Illness?
The concept of mental illness is complex, with each mental health disorder impacting the brain in a unique way. Mental illnesses, therefore, can be difficult to understand from a purely educational level – but when your loved one is impacted with a mental health disorder and complicated emotions come into play as a result, you may find yourself even more frustrated with the topic. While we don't wish to see any of our loved ones struggle with anything, least of all a mental health disorder, if this is your reality, it's important to remember there are so many ways you [...]
Earning Back Trust from Loved Ones During Recovery
During active addiction, most people using drugs or alcohol are not fully aware of their actions and rarely have the ability to see the impact their actions are having on the people around them. Addiction is a highly self-focused disease, meaning it does not make room for the considerations of loved ones. The result? Friends and family members may struggle with trust, become resentful or withdraw from a relationship with the one battling addiction. The impact of addiction on relationships Because people struggling with substance use are not in a healthy mental state – certain drugs even directly impact [...]
How to Speak to Your Loved Ones About Addiction
Admitting that you are struggling with an addiction is one of the hardest things a person may need to do in their life. Not only is the topic of addiction one of many negative connotations, but it is also often emotional, confusing and downright hard. Admitting to yourself that you're struggling is hard enough — admitting to a loved one what is going on may prove to be even more difficult. But talking to a loved one — be it a sibling, parent, friend or significant other — can make a huge, positive difference in your recovery process. For this [...]
The Role of a Parent in Substance Use Prevention
High school years are a time of self-discovery and exploration – a reality with both a positive and a negative side. While it is important for any developing person to explore who they are, what they like and who they want to be, it can come at a costly price when said exploration includes diving into substance use. Peer pressure plays a huge role in high school culture, and often is a leading reason for why a teen begins using substances in the first place. Parents during this time play a crucial role in educating their kids about the [...]