NewsBreak Original

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.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a startling statistic on teen suicide: Emergency room visits for attempted suicide among teenage girls were up 51.6 percent in the first months of 2021, as compared to 2019.

I've been there. And TBH there are still times when I catch myself feeling so overwhelmed with life that my body goes into fight or flight mode. You see, that's how our body responds to stress. It can't always recognize the difference between stress from exercise, relationship stress, work/career stress, and running from a tiger stress.

Decisions, whether simple as driving home from work or as complex as coping with life in a global pandemic, may be stressful and lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration. Don't fret, because this is real and you're not alone.

**This is a work of nonfiction based on actual events that I have experienced firsthand; used with permission. My former next-door neighbor would run out of the house and throw herself in front of her husband’s car whenever he was going somewhere without her. Whether he was going to work, run errands, or away on a business trip, inevitably, I would see her sprawled on the hood of his Volvo like a starfish.

*This is a work of nonfiction and opinion based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. I’m tired of pretending I’m not depressed and anxious all the time.

*This is a work of nonfiction and opinion based on actual events I experienced firsthand; used with permission. One of the regrets I carry around with me in my life is not believing my best friend had depression in high school. I had always just thought of her as an over-sensitive crier, someone who gets upset at the littlest things and breaks down easily.

We all have experienced our breathing getting erratic or our palms getting clammy with sweat, some time or the other. Our thoughts get muddled, and we start to panic. That's anxiety for you- our body's natural reaction to stress.

Like the man in the picture, shame makes you want to hide. “Saving face” or “losing face” means to protect one’s honor or to suffer disgrace. It’s shame that torments us for hours or years following humiliation, rejection, or feeling defective.

The positive effect that exercise has on anxiety. Disclaimer:Although I have personal and professional experience in the mental health field, I am not a licensed mental health professional. The information contained in this article is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. The contents of this article are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disorder.

Taking a look into generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and phobias. We all have anxiety — it’s meant to keep us alive. Anxiety does serve a purpose to some degree, but that should come sparingly. There are many people out there, around 40 million, who are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, to be exact.

1 in 6 people struggle with their mental health at work. (Source: The Mind) It isn’t always easy to know how to address a colleague in a situation like this. You may question if there is even anything that you can do. Your support can do a lot — at least the first step in their route to better mental health.

Lots of research and data continue to show that the burden of having untreated ADHD in Adults is a huge health problem. Undiagnosed ADHD in adults is a huge problem. The main reason for this is: ADHD usually manifests as "Inattentive ADHD" in adults. As such, it remains undiagnosed by the doctor and the patient.

Essential oils can benefit your mental wellness.UnSplash. If you’re suffering from insomnia, a disrupted sleep pattern, or anxiety, essential oils (EOs) may reduce the symptoms associated with these issues, studies show.

The uncomfortable flashbacks that stay in our mind and body. I live with PTSD. I’m not ashamed to say, nor will I ever be. And anyone who lives with PTSD knows that the flashbacks can be strong and present in the worst possible times. It could be as small as the smell of something that reminds me of those bad times.

Forget why you started an email? Unconsciously hopping from tab to tab without rhyme or reason? Doom Scrolling? If you’ve found yourself more distracted or stressed than usual lately, you aren’t alone. Two years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, inflation, supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine have pushed people’s stress in the U.S. to unsettling levels, according to new polls conducted by the American Psychological Association.

Stop Worrying Over these 8 Things for Mental Peace. Disclaimer: This story contains affiliate links to my book and books I love. If you click them and make purchases, I get a commission.