It’s funny — or maybe frustrating — how many times I’ve canceled plans with friends last minute, not because I didn’t want to go, but because my mind spun a thousand anxious scenarios that made stepping outside feel like a marathon. If you’ve ever done the same, trust me, you’re far from alone. Social plans…
Honestly, if you’d told me five years ago that cracking a joke could help me survive a social situation, I probably would’ve laughed (nervously) and changed the subject. But here’s the thing—humor has saved me from more awkward silences and panic spirals than I can count. Social anxiety used to grip my life like a…
I’ll be honest—starting therapy was one of the most nerve-wracking decisions I ever made. Not because I didn’t want help, but because the whole idea felt… overwhelming. What if I couldn’t open up? What if I said the “wrong” thing? What if the therapist judged me? If that’s how you’re feeling right now, let me…
Ever feel like your mind gets stuck in a loop of thoughts that just won’t quit? That spinning wheel of “what ifs,” irrational fears, or mental checklists that seem to hijack your peace? You’re not alone. I used to lose sleep over what seemed like trivial worries—only to realize they weren’t just stress-related thoughts but…
Social anxiety used to hijack my every thought at work, school, and even at casual dinners with friends. I’d replay conversations in my head like they were crime scene footage, dissecting every word I said. It wasn’t until I started trying out actual coping techniques—not just vague “take a deep breath” advice—that things genuinely began…
Last month, I found myself wide awake at 3 a.m.—again. No emergency, no late-night coffee, just an overactive brain stuck in replay mode. You’d think a grown adult with a bedtime routine wouldn’t have this issue. But when sleep deprivation and anxiety team up, even a quiet room feels like a battleground. And if you’ve…
I still remember the first time someone casually mentioned “exposure therapy” to me. I’d just confessed how my fear of flying had basically taken over my life. I wasn’t traveling, wasn’t visiting family, and even turning down work gigs. That suggestion—exposure therapy—sounded intense at the time. Like, why would I willingly do the very thing…
As a hypertension expert, I’ve seen firsthand how chronic stress and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD can contribute to the development of high blood pressure. It’s no secret that managing mental health can be just as important as physical health when it comes to preventing and treating hypertension. But how exactly does…