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Feeling Halloween levels of fear year-round? Here's what you can do to take care of yourself.
When temperatures dip and the days start getting shorter, some people flock to the movies (or their couches) for some scary seasonal fun. If you’re usually thinking something like, “no thanks, real life is scary enough,” this guide’s for you.
There’s nothing wrong with not enjoying the adrenaline spike that comes along with a good scare, whether it’s onscreen or IRL. But if your everyday life gets your heart racing faster than any horror film, that might be a sign that your mental health needs some attention.
Everyone gets scared sometimes—fear is your brain’s security system keeping you alert to the possibility of danger. But because our brains developed to protect us from prehistoric predators like giant tigers rather than modern stressors like that important interview, that security system can go a little haywire for some people.
So how can you tell if your brain is a little too good at keeping you safe? Well, you’re the best judge of your own situation. Ask yourself if fear is stopping you from doing things you want to do, like taking on new challenges, or disrupting your daily routine. You can also check in with your body throughout the day. If you often notice physical symptoms of fear, such as a fast or irregular heartbeat, sweating, or an upset stomach, that could be a sign that fear is becoming a problem for you.
Intense or frequent fear can be a sign of a few different mental health conditions, which all have one symptom in common: anxiety. You might think that what you’re dealing with isn’t serious enough to qualify as anxiety, but being afraid all or most of the time is exactly what anxiety feels like.
There are a few different types of mental health conditions that can cause anxiety. They include:
Depending on your other symptoms, you might be dealing with one of these types of anxiety, or something else entirely. Talking to a psychiatrist is the best way to know for sure what’s causing your symptoms.
If what you’ve read so far sounds like you, you’re not alone—anxiety rates among young adults in the U.S. were going up even before the COVID-19 pandemic, which only made matters worse. So what can people with anxiety do to ease their fears? Here’s what experts consider most effective:
For some people, even the best coping mechanism or creative outlet won’t be enough—and that's okay. A psychiatrist can help you get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms and prescribe anxiety medication if you need it.
Answer a few questions and we’ll connect you with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in anxiety.
When fear is doing its job, it helps keep you safe by letting you know when something’s a little too far outside your comfort zone. But when it escalates into anxiety, fear becomes more like a cage, keeping you trapped.
Only you can know if your fear isn’t helping you anymore, but you don’t have to figure that out on your own. Talk to one of our psychiatrists to get help taking control of your anxiety.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
Trauma doesn't mean just one type of experience. Here are all the different forms trauma can take, and how to heal from it.
Even if you’ve experienced a distressing or catastrophic event, you might hesitate to call it trauma. You might think that “trauma” must mean something much more serious than what you’ve endured.
In fact, the word trauma can accurately describe many different experiences. To clear all this up, we’re breaking down the types of trauma, so you can more easily recognize it (and find help for it) in yourself and others.
Before we get into the details, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what “trauma” means (and doesn’t mean). If you’ve ever broken a bone or been in an accident and heard a doctor refer to your injury as “physical trauma,” you know that not all trauma is psychological. Any major bodily harm can accurately be called trauma. We’re going to focus on emotional rather than physical trauma in this article, but we should note that the distinction between them isn’t always clear cut.
“Physical trauma can absolutely be linked with emotional trauma,” says Talkiatry therapist Tracey Griffin. “For example, it can affect the relationship you have with your own body.”
Like physical trauma, emotional trauma happens in the aftermath of a terrible, potentially life-altering event or series of events. But two people can have the same distressing experience without both suffering lasting trauma. That’s because trauma is less about the event itself and more about your reaction to it.
Trauma forces your brain into survival mode (often identified by fight, flight, freeze, or faun reactions), which can save your life in a moment. But if your brain doesn’t switch back, those same impulses can seriously impair your ability to fully live your life, getting in the way of work, fun, and especially your relationships with other people. A prolonged response to trauma like this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Here are some of the symptoms of trauma:
Acute trauma happens during and shortly after a single distressing or life-threatening event, like being the victim of a crime.
Chronic trauma happens during and after a prolonged distressing situation that includes multiple incidents, like an abusive relationship.
Complex trauma happens during and after a variety of distressing events, usually involving two or more of the other types. Complex trauma often occurs in childhood and can have negative effects that last a lifetime.
As the conversation around trauma continues across the country (and the world), experts have proposed new categories to account for more types of trauma. Because all the types outlined above focus on individual people’s traumatic events, many of these terms refer to collective experiences of trauma.
Events that have widespread consequences, like natural disasters or institutional discrimination, can terrify large groups of people—leading to historical or intergenerational trauma.
If any of this sounds like you, you should know that recovering from trauma isn’t easy, but there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself heal:
It’s important to keep in mind that real life doesn’t normally divide itself neatly into categories. Even if what you’ve experienced doesn’t sound like anything we’ve described, it could still be trauma if it’s had a lasting impact on the way you think, feel, and live.
If you’re dealing with trauma, you don’t have to heal alone. Talking to a psychiatrist or therapist about your feelings can be the first step toward a better life.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
Grounding techniques are designed to help a person cope with traumatic memories or strong emotions and can be used to pull your attention away from painful emotions so that you can focus on the presen
Grounding techniques are designed to help a person cope with traumatic memories or strong emotions and can be used to pull your attention away from painful emotions so that you can focus on the present moment. Of course, anyone can use grounding techniques as a tool to help calm distressing feelings, but they’re especially beneficial for people dealing with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder (PD).
With anxiety disorders ranking as the most common mental health concern in the United States, millions struggle with anxiety every day. Intense anxiety can cause a significant amount of psychological and physical distress that’s only heightened when you don’t take the proper steps to ease the painful feelings. Daily life can be filled with all sorts of negative emotions, but grounding techniques can help you break free from distressing thoughts, so you can focus on what matters.
While grounding techniques are a great short-term coping strategy to use when struggling, they do not replace professional mental healthcare. Instead, they should be considered a supplement to professional treatment.
Below are ten strategies you can use to help you cope with any daily struggles you may face, especially when you don't have immediate access to assistance from a mental health professional.
Physical grounding involves focusing your attention on what is happening physically, such as what you are doing or what’s happening around you. These techniques can distract you from the thoughts inside your head that are causing you anxiety.
Mental grounding techniques are meant to direct your attention away from anxiety-inducing thoughts. They can be used anywhere and at any time.
Practicing grounding techniques is an excellent way to cope with anxiety, but it is only a short-term fix for negative emotions. If you have extreme anxiety or worry that negatively impacts your life and keeps you from doing the things you love, we recommend seeking a mental health professional for treatment. A variety of mental health disorders could be at the root of your anxiety. To properly address your symptoms, you must get an accurate diagnosis from your mental health provider.
If you’d like to learn more about understanding or managing your mental health, the Talkiatry blog features posts on a range of mental health disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), that may help you gain a better understanding of your symptoms and the treatment options available.
Talkiatry provides accessible, affordable mental health care solutions that are personalized, in-network, and focused on helping you feel better, faster. We also offer flexible appointment options via telemedicine or in-office visits, matching our therapeutic and modern approach to psychiatric care. Receive a preliminary diagnosis by taking our free and easy assessment today, then get matched with one of our psychiatrists, who will help you manage and treat your symptoms based on your unique needs.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
July is Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month, an initiative developed by Mental Health America to increase public awareness of mental illness, especially among BIPOC communit
July is Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Mental Health Month, an initiative developed by Mental Health America to increase public awareness of mental illness, especially among BIPOC communities. Especially now, we must recognize that marginalized, oppressed, and disenfranchised persons experience unique concerns, traumas, stress, obstacles, and challenges due to historical experiences, cultural differences, and social issues. Unfortunately, there are many barriers that people of color face when seeking mental health treatment that must be addressed.
BIPOC communities face several challenges when it comes to mental health conditions and seeking care. In general, BIPOC individuals don't seek treatment as frequently as whites for mental health issues. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “In 2015, among adults with any mental illness, 48% of whites received mental health services, compared with 31% of Blacks and Hispanics, and 22% of Asians.”
There are several barriers that keep those in BIPOC communities from seeking mental health treatment, including:
Each of these factors presents its own unique set of challenges, but the most common barrier—and perhaps the most difficult to overcome—is the prevalence of stigma surrounding mental health in BIPOC communities.
BIPOC communities experience higher stigmatization of mental health conditions and treatment than the general population due to the common narrative in BIPOC communities that mental health is a weakness. Due to this stigma, open conversation about mental health and personal or family issues affecting mental health is discouraged or disregarded. According to Mental Health America, “Research indicates that Blacks and African Americans believe that mild depression or anxiety would be considered “crazy” in their social circles. Furthermore, many believe that discussions about mental illness would not be appropriate even among families.”
Often, individuals of color do not see therapy or mental health services as an option because of these cultural pressures. If they wish to pursue mental health treatment, individuals in BIPOC communities are forced to break through the shame, fear, discomfort, and vulnerability often associated with mental health care. For groups already subjected to discrimination, stigma only further hinders their ability to seek mental health treatment. In addition to racial and cultural stigmas, there are also self-stigmas that individuals place on themselves surrounding the idea of mental health issues. There’s a belief that if you need medication or therapy, you are crazy; however, this negative association doesn’t just come from society but frequently stems from an internal monologue.
With less than 30% of licensed professional counselors in the U.S. being part of the BIPOC community, these disparities are deeply rooted in the profession and ultimately affect the accessibility of mental health care. This lack of BIPOC providers presents yet another barrier to people of color seeking mental health treatment. Communities of color require culturally competent mental health providers who demonstrate cultural sensitivity and use appropriate language and communication patterns to make their patients as comfortable as possible.
Today, all health care providers should be trained to serve multi-ethnic consumers. According to counseling.org, “It is vital to have culturally competent professional counselors provide a safe and trusting environment and assist in eradicating minority stigma, bias, and mental health misdiagnosis.” By increasing the cultural diversity within the mental health professions, BIPOC individuals will have the ability to establish stronger, trusting relationships and break through the barriers that inhibit them from seeking mental health care.
To work towards more open, inclusive conversations, there need to be significant changes to how we talk about and treat BIPOC mental health issues. Raising awareness of the barriers BIPOC communities face to receiving quality mental health care is only the first step in achieving mental health equity. In addition to bringing awareness to these issues during BIPOC Mental Health Month, it's important to work toward improving access to mental health care for people of color year-round.
At Talkiatry, we believe that in all communities, mental health care should be as accepted as physical health care. In addition, mental illness should not be stigmatized or feared, as it is a real condition that can be diagnosed and treated. We aim to do our part to combat disparities and stigmas in mental health care, and to foster trust between BIPOC communities and mental health providers.
Talkiatry provides outpatient mental healthcare services including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management to people from all communities. As our practice grows, we are dedicated to building a team of mental health providers from richly diverse backgrounds, creating a safe and welcoming environment for people of color to seek psychiatric treatment with culturally sensitive practitioners.
We are committed to providing you with accessible and affordable in-network mental health care solutions. We provide customized treatment plans focused on helping you feel better, faster. We also offer flexible telemedicine and in-office appointment options to match our therapeutic and modern approach to psychiatric care.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
Talkiatry delivers outpatient mental health services, including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management. Our goal at Talkiatry is to provide accessible psychiatric care by offering in-netw
Talkiatry delivers outpatient mental health services, including diagnosis, psychotherapy, and medication management. Our goal at Talkiatry is to provide accessible psychiatric care by offering in-network mental health care solutions that fit your unique needs so that you can get the right level of care and start feeling better.
Our psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists provide treatment for various mental health and behavioral disorders, including the following conditions affecting women, children, and adolescents.
Talkiatry works with women experiencing mental health disorders such as perinatal depression and anxiety or menopause-related depression. These particular disorders stem from hormonal imbalances in the female body and can be treated by our psychiatrists through psychotherapy and medication management.
Perinatal depression is a collective term for prenatal depression, which occurs before the baby is born, and postpartum depression, which occurs after the baby is born. While postpartum depression is better known, experts now believe mood disorders occurring during pregnancy are relatively common. In general, perinatal depression treatment has a high success rate, with 80-90% of patients experiencing relief from therapy, medication, or both.
It's important to note that pregnancy can mask symptoms of depression as the symptoms can overlap with typical symptoms seen in normal pregnancies (like weight gain or trouble sleeping). For this reason, it's essential to work with a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis.
Menopause and the years preceding it (known as perimenopause) can be especially difficult on women emotionally and physically. It is common for women to experience symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety as a side effect of the hormonal shifts that happen in menopause. In fact, depression is twice as common in women during this period; however, major depression does not clearly link to these hormonal shifts. Instead, if a woman has previously experienced major depression, she may have recurrent symptoms during perimenopause and menopause.
Symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can include low energy, sadness, sleep disturbances, weight changes, and irritability. Since many of these symptoms can be confused with other conditions—for instance, hot flashes and panic attacks may look similar—women must communicate effectively with their doctors and seek help if mental health symptoms become unmanageable. This can include notable shifts in anxiety and stress levels, sleep patterns, and mood that are severe and interfere with daily life.
At Talkiatry, menopause-related mental health issues are treated primarily with psychotherapy. Medication may be recommended when necessary and appropriate to manage symptoms. Women do not have to face this difficult transition alone and should not hesitate to seek help.
Talkiatry offers treatment for psychiatric disorders that arise in children and adolescents. While some mental health disorders present in children and adolescents as well as adults, they usually look very different from their adult counterparts. Suppose a youngster has difficulties with their usual activities, has significant changes in sleeping or eating, a change in school performance, or becomes angry, sad, withdrawn, or disruptive. In that case, parents should investigate these warning signs. Symptomatic behaviors can include anger, arguing with adults, resentfulness, or blaming others for their own mistakes.
Through psychotherapy and medication management (as appropriate), Talkiatry's psychiatrists strive to promote healthy growth in children experiencing these problems. Our providers will work with children and adolescents to minimize disruptive behavior and to help them learn healthy ways to cope with emotions. In addition, they will provide parents with behavior therapy training and support to help them manage their child's behavior. Behavioral support in school is also key to treating these disorders.
ADHD is the most common behavioral disorder diagnosed in children and adolescents and is more frequently diagnosed in boys than in girls. ADHD presents with a pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with a youngster’s functioning or development. Typically, this becomes problematic in school. While there are subtypes, hallmark symptoms include inattention, distractibility, difficulty focusing, difficulty organizing tasks, often losing things necessary for tasks or activities, and poor follow-through. Youngsters also manifest hyperactivity, impulsivity, fidgeting, difficulty waiting for one’s turn, blurting out answers, and interrupting. These issues can persist into adulthood. To read more about ADHD, check out our blog, What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and how does Talkiatry treat it?
Disruptive behavior disorders refer to a group of disorders that include Oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder, in addition to other associated conditions. While most kids will act out or become defiant at times, disruptive behavior and conduct disorders involve more severe and longer-lasting behaviors than the short episodes typically seen in individuals without these disorders.
Children and adolescents with DBDs respond to authority figures with attitudes ranging from indifference to hostility. They can behave angrily and/or aggressively toward people and property, often have difficulty controlling their emotions and behavior, and may break the rules or laws. These disorders can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms may overlap with other mood and behavioral disorders. However, mental health professionals can provide an accurate diagnosis by assessing the severity, intensity, and intentionality of the child's behavior. Children and adolescents typically experience the onset of these behavioral disorders by the age of 8 or 12 at the latest.
Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorders are two of the most common DBDs in children and adolescents. These conditions are separate, but both are related to impulse control issues and might even occur in an individual simultaneously.
Although the causes of these disorders are not yet known, experts believe they stem from a combination of hereditary, psychological, physical, and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of developing behavioral issues.
Individuals with behavioral or conduct disorders should be diagnosed and treated early. Otherwise, significant issues can occur in adulthood, such as the inability to maintain a career or healthy relationships.
We care about your well-being above all else. Even if Talkiatry is the right fit for your mental health needs, we will provide detailed clinical recommendations so you can walk away informed about the best treatment solutions available and the correct level of care for your condition. Start by taking our free assessment, which will provide you with a preliminary diagnosis so that you may gain a better understanding of your symptoms.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
Adjustment disorders are responses to stress. They are characterized by excessive emotional or behavioral responses to an identifiable, highly stressful event, situation, or life change. There are six
Adjustment disorders are responses to stress. They are characterized by excessive emotional or behavioral responses to an identifiable, highly stressful event, situation, or life change. There are six subcategories of adjustment disorders, each with different symptoms and signs that can vary from person to person. While anyone can develop an adjustment disorder, children and adolescents are more likely to be diagnosed than adults.
Stressful or unexpected events such as relationship problems, work or school difficulties, or the death of loved ones can cause higher than ‘normal; levels of stress. Some people can adjust to these changes after a few months. However, suppose you or you or your child continue to experience extreme stress levels and difficulty coping months after a significant stressor. In that case, you may wish to consult a mental health professional to determine if you have an adjustment disorder.
Adjustment disorders are generally short-term, with symptoms appearing within three months of a stressful event and rarely lasting longer than six months.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5), common symptoms of adjustment disorders include:
It's important to note that adjustment disorders may present with symptoms similar to those seen in other mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive disorder (MDD), but they are very different. Therefore, if you believe you have an adjustment disorder, we recommend seeking an evaluation by a psychiatrist to understand your condition and symptoms better.
At Talkiatry, we determine the treatment of adjustment disorders considering the patient's age, the severity of symptoms, the precipitating event, and the condition's specific cause. Adjustment disorders are primarily treated with psychotherapy, although medication may also be prescribed to alleviate symptoms in some cases.
Talkiatry's psychiatric team believes that psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, is the most effective treatment for adjustment disorders. More specifically, they may recommend interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), a short-term psychotherapy treatment, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which aims to change or reframe unproductive thinking and behavior. In both forms of psychotherapy, our psychiatrists encourage patients to express their emotions in a supportive environment and constructive manner and help them understand that a typical stress reaction has become out of control but is still within their power to control. In addition, patients learn coping skills to manage future stressful situations in a healthier manner.
Our psychiatrists do not typically recommend medication to treat adjustment disorders. However, they may prescribe medication to treat symptoms associated with adjustment disorders, such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Recommended medications might include SSRIs, SNRIs, sleep aids, or short-term anti-anxiety medication.
Adjustment disorders are typically short-term and may only require a few sessions for the symptoms to be fully managed. However, treatment can also prove to be a long-term process, depending on the individual.
Talkiatry, an outpatient mental health practice, can provide diagnosis and treatment plans for managing adjustment disorder symptoms, including psychotherapy and medication.
Our affordable, in-network psychiatric care model is tailored to meet all your individual needs. In addition, we offer flexible telemedicine and in-office appointment options to match our therapeutic and modern approach to psychiatric care.
If you believe you are suffering from an adjustment disorder, please don't hesitate to seek treatment from a medical professional. Start the process by taking our free and easy assessment to receive a preliminary diagnosis and better understand your symptoms. You will then be matched with one of our psychiatrists who specializes in adjustment disorders, who will be able to provide you with a customized treatment plan for managing your symptoms.
Take the assessment today to get started.
Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.
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