The Myth That Alcohol Calms You Down
The last couple years of my drinking, I had panic attacks nearly every morning as the alcohol wore off. But until I got sober, I probably would have said drinking relieved my anxiety. This is a common myth; there’s an idea that drinking is a necessity for socializing or unwinding because it lowers inhibitions. This […]
Prevent Anxiety This Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day can set a person up for intense feelings and emotions, especially if they worry something could go wrong. Anxiety is common when it comes to big days like this. However, when the signs of anxiety are always present, that could mean a mental health disorder is occurring, creating a need for more advanced […]
Kid Cudi
The rapper Kid Cudi is candid about his struggles with anxiety and depression. He first opened up about his mental health in 2016, when he wrote a letter to his fans saying he was attending treatment for anxiety and depression. In this letter, he said, “My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as […]
Can Depression and Anxiety Co-Occur?
Depression and anxiety are separate mental health disorders, but they commonly co-occur. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an estimated 60% of those with anxiety also have depression, and that number is similar for those experiencing depression.[1] Depression and anxiety both also have a high co-occurrence with addiction. Anxiety and depression may […]
Recent Review Measures Rates of Depression and Anxiety in Youth During COVID-19
A review published August 9th in JAMA Pediatrics aimed to measure how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health in children and adolescents[1]. It evaluated the results of 29 studies including a total of 80,879 youth from around the world. This review found that 25.2% of youth worldwide (1 in 4) have experienced elevated depression […]
How To Support a Loved One With Anxiety
If someone in your life is experiencing anxiety, there are ways you can show support. While some of their fears might seem irrational to you, it’s important to validate their experience. According to Joseph McGuire, PhD, a pediatric psychologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine, “With other medical illnesses, you may be able to see physical symptoms. […]
Maria Bamford
For years, comedian Maria Bamford has been making comedy about her mental health struggles. She has a (very funny) song about her compulsions, which are part of OCD. She has a whole YouTube series about living in her parents’ attic after a nervous breakdown.[1] She’s made comedy about her multiple stays in mental health treatment, […]
New Study Measures Efficacy of Internet-Based CBT for Youth with Social Anxiety
A study published May 12th evaluated the effectiveness of internet-delivered cognitive behavioral Therapy (CBT) for youth with social anxiety disorder.[1] While CBT is considered the first line of treatment for social anxiety disorder, only 10% of people with the condition have seen a mental health professional.[2] This is in part due to access issues and […]
Common Anxiety Disorders
Everyone experiences the occasional bout of anxiety, which is that feeling of inner turmoil because you are uneasy or worried, perhaps fearful. Anxiety typically involves a sense of dread because it is the brain’s way of telling you there might be a danger. While everyone feels anxious at times, those with anxiety disorders have overwhelming […]