Prioritizing My Mental Health: Overcoming My Anxiety Disorder And Recovering From A Secret Kept Over 45 Years – Laurie
The following is an honest review from a real BetterHelp client.
Over 40 million US adults live with an anxiety disorder, which is the most common mental illness worldwide. For many, therapy is the first line of defense against anxiety symptoms, and many people have shared their stories to offer hope to others living with similar experiences. If you're living with anxiety, consider reading Laurie's story to understand how therapy benefited her.
My mental health journey: Overcoming my anxiety disorder and seeking support
The following is an honest review from a real BetterHelp client named Laurie:
"Like so many others, my anxiety prevented me from seeking face-to-face therapy. I could never imagine sitting down with someone and opening up about myself and what I have been through. So, I was initially skeptical when a friend sent me the website for BetterHelp.
Having never done therapy before, I thought, "What harm could it do?" I knew I needed to talk to someone about the issues I was going through because I was headed downhill quickly. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't concentrate—I was spinning in circles.
How my BetterHelp journey to battle stress, anxiety, and trauma began
When I first signed up for BetterHelp, I felt lost and out of place. I didn't feel like I fit in anywhere, and everything was overwhelming. I had anxiety, family stress, work stress, trauma, and past abuse issues. I had just returned home from being away for three months taking care of my parents. When I returned home, I didn't feel like I fit in as my world stood still for three months, but my husband's and son's lives continued while I went back to work and felt the same way. I didn't feel like I fit in there, even though I'd worked there for 26 years. My boss treated me differently, and I felt he was punishing me for being away.
Letting go of the secret I held with me for 45 years
To add to the situation, after I returned home, I told my husband about a secret I had held for 45 years, which had changed my life. A brother sexually abused me for four years, and I never told anyone because of his threats. Finally, with all the stress I was under, I had a breakdown, and everything came out.
Setting goals with my BetterHelp counselor: Overcome my anxiety
My work with my BetterHelp counselor, Kassi Goodman, has helped me confront these issues and many others that have popped up. I have been working with Kassi for about 19 months, and she has been excellent and helpful in my recovery process. Kassi has worked with me using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist me in thinking differently about my situation. She provides me with worksheets to complete, gives me resources to look at, and suggests books to read. As a result, I have learned to be more patient when reacting to certain situations instead of initially responding critically.
The “Laurie” I am today
My confidence level is also better than it ever has been. I have done things during my counseling that I never thought in a million years I could do. Most of all, I learned not to worry about what others think of me, as I have learned to think more highly of myself."
Counseling options: Coping with physical symptoms, mental health, and emotional symptoms
Therapy can make an enormous difference in your life. Online cognitive behavioral therapy, mentioned in Lorie's review, has been clinically proven to help people with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Online therapy is also discreet, and many people say they can open up in online therapy in a way they may be unable to do in person.
To try an online therapy platform, consider signing up with a website like BetterHelp, which offers access to a growing database of over 30,000 therapists. Like Lorie, you may be able to find a therapist that is a specialist in the concerns you're experiencing. In addition, with an online platform, you can choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions and message your therapist outside of scheduled sessions if you have questions or concerns.
Takeaway
How do you overcome your anxiety?
If you have trouble relaxing in social situations, you can cope with your anxiety and avoid having low self-esteem by making lifestyle changes, practicing relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and seeking support from a trusted family member or a mental health professional. Talk therapy sessions with your mental health service provider, along with medications, may help you manage anxiety, build confidence and self-esteem, control your worry and panic, and turn negative thoughts into productive ones. You can also try joining support groups to help you better understand your feelings and help you deal with stress and pressure, and prevent your anxiety from getting worse and affecting your relationships.
What helps to cope with mental health issues, such as anxiety and stress?
According to research, acceptance, positive reframing, and using humor to defuse difficult emotions can help with anxiety, depression, and stress. You may effectively manage stress and other symptoms of anxiety disorder, as well as boost your mental well-being, by practicing relaxation techniques, focusing on the present moment, getting enough quality sleep, doing breathing exercises, and avoiding situations that can affect your mood and trigger your anxiety. Sometimes, this just means pausing and taking a deep breath.
This can gradually increase your energy levels and help you release stress and worry. If you need more support to manage your mental health issues, excessive fear, and anxious feelings, then it may be best to consult with a mental health professional for other treatment options, strategies, and advice.
What is the 3-3-3 rule of anxiety?
The 3-3-3 rule for anxiety is: 1) identify three objects around you, 2) point out three sounds you hear, and then 3) move three body parts. This technique is helpful for when you need to pause for a few seconds and redirect your attention from your anxious thoughts to the present moment. This is one of the relaxation techniques that can help you when you are feeling scared or when something triggers your anxiety.
How do you stop overthinking?
When you're feeling anxious and starting to overthink, begin by jotting down your thoughts and breaking them down into processes and steps. Practice mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and grounding exercises to stop making your anxiety worse.
How do I calm myself down and cope?
When you happen to find yourself in a stressful situation or are afraid of something, it can lead to feelings of anxiety. In these situations, it's not always easy to remain calm. This pattern can affect your quality of life and daily functioning. Some tips to calm yourself:
Deep breathing
Mindfulness exercises
Positive self-talk
Speak slowly
Employ humor
Engage in different types of physical exercises and other activities
Increasing your time spent outdoors in nature may also help your mind and body.
What is the strongest natural anti-anxiety aid aside from physical activity?
Aromatherapy and breathing exercises can help a person cope with anxiety symptoms. You can also try drinking chamomile tea to help you relax and to relieve physical symptoms of anxiety disorder, such as rapid breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, and muscle tension.
What can I say to calm myself when I am in the process of overcoming my anxiety disorder?
Important calming phrases that can help you when you are managing anxiety disorders, such as social phobia and panic attacks, are:
“This too shall pass.”
“I can handle this.”
“I am safe.”
“I am in control.”
What triggers anxiety?
Several factors can trigger anxiety, such as medications for other illnesses, life events, and genetics. Knowing what triggers your anxiety is often important for effective anxiety management.
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