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Navigating Anxiety, Perfectionism & Overthinking
Why Anxiety Isn’t Just “Worrying”—How to Explain the Reality to Loved Ones
We’ve all been there—trying to explain anxiety to someone who just doesn’t get it. They might say, “Oh, I worry too, but I just shake it off,” or “Why are you stressing? There’s nothing to worry about.”
If only it were that simple, right?
The truth is, anxiety isn’t just worrying, and it can be hard to explain that to friends and family.
Here’s how to break it down in a way they can understand, without feeling like you need a psychology degree to explain your feelings.
Perfectionism: Silencing Our Inner Critic
Ever find yourself stuck in the endless cycle of trying to be perfect? Trust me, I’ve been there. Perfectionism can be a tough nut to crack, especially when that inner critic keeps telling us we’re never good enough. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s chat about how we can silence that inner critic and embrace the idea of being “good enough.”
Parenting with Anxiety
Parenting is no walk in the park, especially when anxiety decides to tag along. It’s like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle – tricky, scary, and sometimes downright impossible. So if you’ve ever felt like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode over a Lego left on the floor or a bedtime battle, guess what? You’re not a bad mom, a failure, or a lost cause. You’re just human. A superhuman, to be precise, dealing with anxiety.
Understanding High-Functioning Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and How to Cope
High-functioning anxiety (HFA) is a term often used to describe individuals who experience anxiety but still manage to perform at a high level. Despite appearing successful and organized, they struggle internally with persistent worry and stress. Unlike more visible anxiety disorders, high-functioning anxiety can be hidden behind a facade of competence and productivity, making it difficult for others—and sometimes even the individual—to recognize.
Money Mindset Tips From An Anxiety Therapist
Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting a workshop on money mindset to a group of inspiring female business owners. The feedback was amazing and showed me that understanding your money mindset is important for mental health and can help anyone improve their financial decisions and habits. I realized these insights are valuable for anyone looking to enhance their financial well-being, so I wanted to share some key takeaways with you!
Navigating Life's Challenges with Strength and Grace
In a world filled with uncertainty and unpredictability, resilience is the key to weathering life's storms. It provides us with the tools and mindset needed to cope with stress, overcome obstacles, and bounce back from setbacks. Without resilience, we may find ourselves overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of despair, and unable to move forward.
All About High Functioning Anxiety
High-functioning anxiety is a form of anxiety characterized by outward success and functionality, despite internal feelings of worry, self-doubt, and stress. Unlike more overt forms of anxiety, individuals with high-functioning anxiety often appear calm, competent, and in control on the surface, while internally grappling with a constant sense of unease.
How to Avoid the Comparison Trap
Comparison—it's a trap many of us fall into without even realizing it. Whether it's scrolling through social media, sizing up our colleagues at work, or comparing our achievements to those of friends and family, the urge to measure ourselves against others is a common human experience. But why do we do it, and what toll does it take on our mental health, particularly our anxiety?
The Importance of Celebrating Wins!
Struggling to Celebrate Your Wins? You're Not Alone!
Living with anxiety can feel like carrying around a dark cloud. Constantly chasing perfection, juggling multiple tasks, and wrestling with a mind that never seems to quiet down—it's exhausting. In such a whirlwind, finding the energy to focus on the positives or celebrate even the smallest victories can seem impossible. But it's precisely during these times that celebrating becomes crucial.
Stress-free Transitions for Back To School
The holiday season has wrapped up, and families either already have or are gearing up for the return to school and routines. This transition can be a mix of excitement and stress for both parents and children. As a therapist working with families, I understand the challenges that come with this shift. In this blog post, I want to provide you with gentle reminders and practical tips to make the return to school a smoother and more stress-free experience for everyone involved.
Motherhood Without A Village
In the age-old saying, "It takes a village," the sentiment is beautiful. However, what if you find yourself in a place where there is no village? For those who have moved far from family, lost loved ones, or simply haven't found their "people" yet, the journey of motherhood can be uniquely challenging. As someone who has walked this path, I want to extend a hand of encouragement to all the moms who might be feeling the weight of solitude this month.
Navigating the Holidays with Anxiety
The holiday season, while brimming with warmth and cheer, often ushers in a unique set of stressors. From the pressure to create the perfect family gathering to the hustle of striking a balance between work commitments and personal life, it's a delicate dance that many modern women find themselves navigating. Let's unravel these stressors and explore how we can transform this season into a time of joy and celebration, minus the overwhelm.🌲✨
Understanding Childhood Anxiety
If you've ever been around kids, you know that childhood is a rollercoaster ride of giggles, exploration, and, well, a few anxious moments too. In fact, the majority of children who came to see me as I worked in the schools or visit my private office now, are there to manage symptoms of anxiety.
Boundaries: The Power of No
Imagine a life where you are in control of your time, energy, and well-being. Picture yourself confidently, graciously, and assertively saying "no" when necessary. This is the transformative power of setting boundaries, a skill that can lead you towards a life of balance, fulfillment, and greater self-respect.
All About Journaling
In today's fast-paced world, the hustle and bustle of daily life can often leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Whether it's the pressures of work, the demands of our personal lives, or the constant influx of information from our digital devices, anxiety has become an unwelcome companion for many. According to recent statistics, anxiety disorders affect millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most common mental health challenges of our time.
If you've ever experienced anxiety, you know that it can manifest in a variety of ways: the racing heart, the restless mind, the sense of impending doom, or the nagging feeling that something isn't quite right. It's a pervasive and often exhausting sensation that can make even the simplest tasks feel like monumental challenges.
But what if there was a simple and accessible tool that could help you manage your anxiety and bring a sense of calm to your daily life? Well, there is, and it's been around for centuries: journaling.
Benefits of Seeing an Anxiety Therapist
Therapy can be an incredibly effective tool for individuals struggling with anxiety, and as an anxiety therapist in Florida, I am well aware of its numerous advantages. The benefits of seeking therapy for anxiety extend far beyond just talking about worries and fears. Therapy offers a structured, informed, and compassionate approach to managing anxiety, with the guidance of a trained professional who is dedicated to supporting individuals in their journey toward mental well-being.
Grounding Techniques and How They Help Manage Anxiety
As an anxiety therapist in Florida, I believe grounding techniques can play a crucial role in helping you manage your anxiety and create healthy habits.
What is Perfectionism?
It all begins with an idea.
What is CBT and How Does it Help?
Cognitive behavior therapy, or CBT, sounds complex but is actually quite simple. It basically means that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all connected to each other and don’t just randomly appear. Our thoughts tell us how to feel, our feelings influence how we act, and then our actions play a big role in how we see the world and future thoughts we might have.
Once we learn to recognize our negative our worrisome thoughts when they appear, we can also learn to change the feelings we have about those thoughts and in turn change our behaviors. I love this therapy technique for children because the skills learned at a young age are useful for a lifetime! If you are interested in finding out more, reach out to me at terasherman@risetherapyswfl.com.
What is Solution Focused Counseling?
Parents can use solution focused techniques at home to celebrate small steps towards big goals. Notice when progress is made and acknowledge the effort. Encourage your child to imagine themselves achieving the big goal and brainstorm what small steps need to be taken to achieve it. Need help? I specialize in children’s therapy, am located in Fort Myers, FL and would love to work with you!