Things Students With

Anxiety Wish Their

Professors Understood

If only teachers could understand students that are dealing with anxiety  Take a look: http://bit.ly/StudentsWithAnxietyWishedUnderstood | www.dowcounselingservices.com #collegestudent #mentalhealth #anxiety #collegelife #collegelifeproblems #anxious #anxietyrelief #anxiousmind #anxietyawareness #mentalhealthishealth #mentalhealthawareness #thisisyourjourney


How to Tell When You’re

Feeling Burned Out

Many people think of burnout as simply being incredibly tired after a long week or month of work or school studies. But burnout is much more than a physical exhaustion; it has in fact been called the “triad of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of detachment.” 

Here are some additional signs of burnout:

Pessimism

Pessimism is a major red flag that someone is experiencing burnout. And they won’t just feel pessimistic about whatever it is that is causing them big stress (job, school, relationship), they will feel pessimistic about life and the world at large.

Sleep Issues

Burnout makes it incredibly hard to get a good night’s rest. Either a person finds it hard to fall asleep, lying there wide awake for hours, or they fall asleep but then wake up throughout the night. When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it makes it difficult to cope with stress, which makes it hard to sleep, and the vicious cycle continues.

Sudden Physical Ailments

A major sign of burnout is suddenly experiencing physical symptoms that you never have before. For instance, many of my clients, with no prior history of GI upset or headaches, will begin to have chronic issues. 

Is it Time to Speak with Someone?

Burnout shouldn’t be taken lightly. You shouldn’t try to ‘tough it out’ and get on with things. Now is the time to make your mental health a priority. If you would like to speak with someone about what has been bothering you, please reach out to me.




Sources:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/burnout/unusual-signs-of-burnout/

https://positivepsychology.com/burnout/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout

What is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria, formerly known as gender identity disorder, describes intense and persistent feelings of identifying with a gender other than the one assigned at birth. Individuals with gender dysphoria often take measures to live in harmony with their internal gender identity. Doing so with the support of an affirming therapist can greatly improve mental health outcomes.

Gender VS Sex

The terms gender and sex are often used interchangeably, though they mean different things. Gender refers to the feelings, attitudes and behaviors associated with biological sex, whereas sex refers to biological features such as genitals and sex hormone levels.

People with gender dysphoria may choose to live in a variety of different ways. For instance, a person who was born with female sex characteristics, may quietly identify as a man, but still choose to present themselves as a woman in public. Another woman who identifies as male may choose to dress in clothes that are typically worn by men, while still another woman may decide to seek hormone therapy or gender reassignment surgery.

Managing Gender Dysphoria

While hormone therapy and reassignment surgery are options, these options come with their own risks and side effects. Many with gender dysphoria choose not to seek medical treatments but rather, decide to work with a mental health professional who specializes in treating those with gender dysphoria.

Psychotherapy can be very helpful in facilitating self-discovery and navigating powerful emotions. Working with the right therapist can help you feel comfortable in your own skin so you can lead a fulfilling life.

I am a gender affirming therapist and would be happy to talk with you about how I can support you with your goals related to gender dysphoria.

SOURCES:

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/gender-dysphoria

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255

5 Ways to Stop

Panic Attacks

If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack, you know firsthand the name is apropos. Within seconds you can go from feeling quite well and “ordinary” to experiencing absolute dread and fear. And often with no obvious trigger. It’s a horrible way to live.

But you don’t have to live feeling like a helpless victim of these attacks.

Here are some powerful ways you can stop panic attacks in their tracks:

1. Recognize What’s Happening

If, in the moment, you can recognize that you are having a panic attack and not a heart attack, you can begin to instantly calm yourself at the realization that this is temporary. It will pass and you will be okay. And once you gain a little bit of calm, you can employ further techniques.

2. Deep Breathing

Hyperventilating is a common symptoms of a panic attack. Breathing in an erratic pattern tends to make the attack intensify.

Conversely, deep breathing can reduce the symptoms of a panic attack and bring you back to a state of calm. Breathing slowly and deeply signals to the rest of your body that the “threat” is gone and you can get out of “fight or flight” mode.

3. Close Your Eyes

Some people can become triggered by things in their environment. If this happens to you and you find yourself in a fast-paced environment with too much stimuli becoming overwhelmed, close your eyes while taking some deep, slow, full breaths.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Panic attacks tend to cause a feeling of detachment or separation from reality. Mindfulness meditation is powerful because it can help you attune to your body and be fully present in the here and now. In addition, the practice of meditation has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety.

5. Get Help

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other mental health treatments have been shown to help people suffering with panic attacks. CBT sessions can happen in private, in groups, and even online.

If you are interested in exploring treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’m here to help and answer any questions you may have.


SOURCES:

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321510

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-stop-a-panic-attack-5202930