Anxiety Archives - Survivors News and Reviews

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Sharing – How I Got Better at Sharing My Story

ByMikeM September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 Reading Time: 2 minutes

They can’t go down to the local community college and sign up for a class where they can practice explaining all of the complexities of their mental health in simple terms. They’re experimenting with what works, what is comfortable, what is confusing, etc. Give them some space to do that and know that when they are still at this uncomfortable level they trust you to be someone they want to talk to.

Don’t ruin it for them by being dismissive or not listening. They need you to listen and they need practice in telling their stories. Be the same place for that.

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Sharing – Tips for dealing with anxiety, the ‘check engine light’ of the brain

ByMikeM September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 Reading Time: 1 minute

I love thinking about anxiety as the check engine light. It fits if we think about it, because sometimes that light tells us that there’s something wrong, but sometimes the light itself is malfunctioning.

That’s anxiety to me. Sometimes there really are things the be anxious about, and sometimes those things have caused an overload in our brain such that we can’t figure out what to do with that check engine light

In the News

Another Possible Reason for the Rise in Youth Mental Health Issues

ByMikeM September 15, 2023September 14, 2023 Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ben points out that the Child Tax Credit was expanded to assist poor families with pandemic-related economic hardships in 2021.

The rate of childhood poverty dropped to historic lows.

Then it went away. And, well, what else would you expect?

According to NPR, “…A year ago, child poverty hit a historic low of 5.2%. The latest figures [a year after the child tax credits expired] put it at 12.4%, the same as the overall poverty rate. The surge happened as record inflation was rising and a lot of pandemic relief was running out, but Census officials and other experts say a key was the child tax credit.”

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Growth Shouldn’t Mean Only Improving Your Weaknesses

ByMikeM September 14, 2023September 13, 2023 Reading Time: 2 minutes

As I mentioned, this reminded me of work. Having only one week in at a new job, there are a ton of things I don’t know. There are a ton of things that I’m going to have to ask for help with. It takes a toll on my anxiety. It kickstarts my brain into negative self-talk. After all, look at all of the things I can’t do without help. When I’m dealing with this, do you know what feels really great? Finding the things I do really well and sharing some of the knowledge I have. It’s an immediate boost to my sense of self and the sense that I contribute to the team. Sean refers to it as “intrinsic value”. It also acts as a reminder that once upon a time, I was learning how to do those things, so I am capable of learning and developing new skills.