NewsBreak Original

We all would like to be able to have a large friend group, move in and out of any social group, and be ready with witty conversation in any situation, but many of us are socially awkward, anxious, people pleasers who are afraid of saying the wrong thing to the wrong person, or not saying anything at all, and hoping to be as invisible as possible.

There is a narrative I have often heard claiming that the beginning of the relationship is the best part. You should get butterflies; you should be excited and consumed by the possibilities lying ahead.

This is a nonfiction recollection of events as experienced by me; used with permission. I have been dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues since I was very young. Because of that, I have met a lot of therapists. Most of my experiences have been good but I recently remembered a visit that made me a lot more anxious about online dating.

When my husband and I moved to Elgin, Ilinois lover twenty years ago, I wasn't expecting Mayberry, but, I assumed that we'd have made some friends, by now. It certainly isn't for lack of trying. For example, when the single mother with a couple of kids moved into the home directly across the street from us, I went over and welcomed her to the neighborhood. I even brought her a lovely plant. That was the first and last time we spoke.

A doctor asked me if I have an anxious mind. When I hesitated, he told me what he meant. He asked if I woke up in the middle of the night and then couldn’t fall back to sleep, did I become extremely nervous about some things, or did I have panic attacks.

Calling my family members a bunch of overachievers is an understatement. Imagine having an uncle who obtained his Ph.D. in his seventies so he wouldn’t be considered any less (status-wise) than his twin, the medical doctor.

Digital innovation has shaped almost every aspect of the way we live our lives today. Struggling to find parking downtown? Want to start learning a new language today? Craving sushi from the town over but don’t want to get off the sofa? There’s an app for that. And these aren’t the only industries rapidly shifting because of technological innovation. Healthcare has also entered the digital world, with advances in informatics and technology in medicine, the patient experience is changing for the better.

I have been having a minor depressive episode. Nothing crazy. It’s happened before, and the last time it did, I was in therapy. I remember asking my therapist why I was depressed, as if a middle-aged balding man could have any idea why my brain chemicals were out of sync. He didn’t try to tell me why though, he just said, “there isn’t always an obvious reason.” I did not like that answer. I am a literal person. If there is a problem, I prefer a solution, and there he was, not giving me one.

We see reality through a personal lens shaped by our beliefs, culture, religion, and experiences. The movie Roshomon was a brilliant example of this, where three witnesses to a crime recount different versions of what happened. When couples argue, they usually can’t agree on the facts of what happened. Additionally, our mind tricks us according to what we think, believe, and feel. These are cognitive distortions that can skew your perception and cause unnecessary pain. This is especially true if you suffer from anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or perfectionism. Cognitive distortions reflect flawed thinking, often stemming from insecurity and low self-esteem. Negative filters distort reality and can generate stressful emotions.

Making a difficult decision can be overwhelming and paralyzing for some people. Decisions are difficult because we want a certain outcome but don’t know which choice will deliver it. And so we fret, ruminate, think and think and think some more, all in an effort to figure it out.

Brain fog. ADHD. Anxiety. Feeling constantly distracted. Between COVID and spending our waking lives glued to screens, we are living in a world of declining mental states. And millions of people are searching for a remedy. Medications work, but many bring with them unpleasant side effects that parents, especially, are loathe to impart to children.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD)Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) PTSD is a severe brain disorder with long-term consequences for the sufferer. PTSD affects people of all ages and backgrounds, affecting approximately one in every five adults in the United States. Unfortunately, obtaining assistance for someone (or yourself) who has been through this can be difficult.

The desire to be happy, as opposed to the expectation, is an oft-overlooked aspect of emotional well-being. This article is based on science and accredited media reports. Though I am a former mental health professional, I offer no medical advice herein.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder, often known as GAD, is characterized by abnormally high levels of concern and anxiety that are disproportionate to one’s ordinary life circumstances. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder tend to always think about what could go wrong and can’t stop worrying about their health, finances, families, jobs, or schools.

It seems that we’re no longer willing or able to tolerate feeling uncomfortable. And furthermore, we’ve come to believe we shouldn’t have to tolerate any kind of emotional discomfort. Any situation that could possibly trigger uncomfortable feelings is now viewed as overwhelming, unnatural, and in need of correction.

According to Johns Hopkins University, an estimated 19 million U.S. citizens, or 12.5% of the population, suffer from phobias. Are we closer to a general cure for what medical professionals have defined as “irrational fears?”

DISCLAIMER: The following article contains the opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of NewsBreak or Particle Media, Inc. A graphic illustrating the complexity of mental illnessiStock.

I hate to admit it, but the biggest reason I don’t have a “real” job is that I am too anxious and depressed to even consider applying for jobs. I have struggled with my mental health for years, but my last job, well, my last boss to be precise, took a toll on me that has kept me from wanting to re-enter the regular workforce for years.

People who are unable to control their anxiety are in trouble. The fear of the future is understandable, but it isn't always justified. Cranky persons are typically concerned with their daily routines. They have trouble concentrating, sleeping, or are simply upset.

People have swung around the idea for a long time that art is a privilege; that rich kids have a sort of leg up in the world of creativity because they don’t have to worry about living. Their needs are met and, when given the choice to do whatever they want, they often want to do art. It’s compelling and a bit sad all at once. I’m pretty sure nobody dreams of growing up and being an accountant, or of driving an hour to work each day just to sit in a grey cubicle, or of earning a paltry salary in the name of making someone else exorbitantly rich, but I digress.