There was a time when just the *thought* of walking into a meeting room full of people would make my palms sweat. I’d play out worst-case scenarios in my head like a private screening of every awkward possibility. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been there too. Fear of embarrassment from anxiety isn’t just…
Every time I’m anxious, my shoulders tense up like they’re preparing for a fight. I never really noticed it until one day I caught myself halfway through the day with my jaw clenched, neck stiff, and back aching—only to realize I’d been anxious all morning. If you’ve ever felt like your body is holding onto…
If you’ve ever found yourself worrying endlessly about something that hasn’t even happened yet, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—sitting in a coffee shop, feeling that tightness in my chest, thinking about a phone call I need to make next week. Not even today. Not even tomorrow. But next week. That’s what anticipatory grief and…
When I first joined an anxiety support group, I didn’t expect much. I figured I’d sit in a circle, listen to people talk about their problems, and maybe feel slightly less alone. But what I walked away with was so much more—real strategies, raw stories that hit me in the gut, and a sense of…
If you’ve ever felt like you’re losing control when trying to cut back on a medication, you’re not alone. Drug withdrawal anxiety is one of those things that sounds simple on paper—stop the meds, feel a little off, then bounce back. But if you’ve lived through it, you know it’s rarely that tidy. I’ve personally…
Ever found yourself suddenly drenched in sweat, your palms clammy, your shirt sticking to your back, and your heart pounding — all without lifting a finger? I have. And no, it wasn’t during a workout or on a hot summer day. It happened while I was standing completely still, in a grocery store line, minding…
Honestly, I never expected a therapy developed for borderline personality disorder to be the one that finally helped me breathe through the relentless tide of anxiety. Dialectical Behavior Therapy—DBT—was something I’d heard about in passing. But it wasn’t until I hit that all-too-familiar spiral of overthinking, emotional flooding, and panic that I started digging. What…
Trying to be a great parent is hard enough on its own. Add anxiety into the mix, and suddenly, even the simplest tasks feel like you’re juggling knives while blindfolded. I’ve been there—panic spiraling because my toddler skipped lunch, or staying up all night overanalyzing a tantrum that probably meant nothing. Parenting with anxiety challenges…
There was a time when I couldn’t even sit through a flight without breaking into a cold sweat. The fear wasn’t logical — I knew planes were safe — but my body didn’t seem to care. That’s the thing with phobias: they hijack reason, replacing it with dread. Whether it’s spiders, public speaking, or flying,…