Anxiety

Today, new moms understand that they may experience “the baby blues” and maybe even postpartum depression. These are two very real possibilities that they prepare for. But there’s another common condition that new moms develop after having a baby that is less talked about: postpartum anxiety. While it’s normal to…

It’s in our nature to worry, to think about all that could go wrong. Sometimes, though, we obsess over these possibilities—especially during times of uncertainty like COVID-19. Many (if not most) of us feel like our jobs are at stake. We feel as if we could get fired or let go at…

Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, I’m Elizabeth Essman, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Thriveworks in Waltham, Massachusetts. To answer the question, “how do I overcome my anxiety during Covid?,” which is a great question by the way, we first have to learn to identify what…

How are you feeling right now? If we were to guess, you’d probably say you’re doing okay. And while that might be true, it’s probably also true that you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, and/or other difficult feelings. Due to the spread of COVID-19 and our efforts to…

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, many of us are on lockdown. We’re self-isolating, which means we’re staying home and avoiding all unnecessary contact with others. Some of us are fortunate enough to have roommates, be it a friend, family member, or significant other, with whom we can spend…

The other day, I was at an appointment when I overheard an employee talking with the receptionist.  The employee’s boyfriend bought her an anxiety cube. Obviously, I was intrigued when I heard her say, “anxiety,” and I questioned if she suffered with it a lot.  She answered with a reluctant,…

PTSD and anxiety: Does one cause the other? This question popped up recently when I was speaking with someone who has severe panic attacks, which are “debilitating” and require inpatient care.  As this individual was sharing about their experiences, they told me that when they think about how much time…

New research suggests certain positions and longer careers increase an NFL player’s risk of developing cognitive and mental health issues.  Researchers analyzed career length, position history, head and neck injuries, concussion symptoms, depression and anxiety symptoms. They found that players with the longest careers were twice as likely to report…

Watching Spiderman and Antman might help you overcome your fear of bugs. Researchers from Ariel University and Bar-Ilan University say that doing so can act as exposure therapy for people who are afraid of bugs. Exposure therapy is exposing oneself to their phobia until they’re no longer afraid. With this…

Millions of people in the US alone suffer with specific phobias, or severe irrational fears of a given thing, place, or circumstance. While there is effective treatment out there, of which often centers around cognitive behavioral therapy, not all phobia suffers find relief. Researchers from Wurzburg University Hospital and the…

There’s an underrated, simple solution for relieving ourselves of stress and anxiety: engaging in a little humor. Appeal to your funny bone by accessing some quick humor or thinking back on a funny moment. Share your favorite humor or a funny moment with a friend—socializing will get you some added…

If you’re like me, your anxiety gets a little out of whack from time to time… and often for no good reason. You’re walking to work, or hanging out with friends, when out of nowhere this heaviness bombards you, an unexplained worry takes over, and your happiness, productivity, peace, contentment—you…