Telling Your Family And Friends About A Mental Health Issue

Due to the stigma attached to mental health issues, it may feel too difficult for you to confide in your family or friends about your condition. You may feel that your confession will be laughed off as being all in “your head”, or that it will change the way people look at you. In many cases the fear will be disproportionate to reality – but then, this is how mental health issues affect people.

Some have the opinion that mental health issues are somehow less serious than physical conditions. Because a physical condition is often something that can be seen, there is a tendency to rate them as being more serious than mental health issues.

But depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, SAD and others have affected people so badly that they may eventually try to kill themselves – so it is only right that they are treated seriously too.

In most cases, the anxiety over telling a family member of a mental health condition will be misplaced. They will be concerned for you and want you to get better. It may take more time to explain than a physical condition. However, in the end your friend or family member will want to learn what they can do to help you.

Aside from this, your family has a right to know that their relative is ill. They would be horrified if the secret went to the grave and they had not had a chance to help. It may be difficult to face up to, but telling your close friends and family is important and extremely theurapeutic in and of itself.

To your good health!
Mellisa McJunkin
Health and Wellness Advocate

P.S. Click to discover the truth about anxiety and how you can be free once and for all.

Conquering Fear – How To Fight Your Phobia And Win

The guide below is a brief, start up guide for those wishing to conquer their phobia (or phobias) once and for all. For ease of use, the fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia) is used as an example – though the steps are applicable to any fear.

1. Gradually expose yourself to the fear.

If you have a phobia, you probably go out of your way to avoid the thing that causes you to feel afraid. In the claustrophobia example, you may refuse to use elevators, as they make you feel uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, by avoiding the scenario you fear – the elevator – you are actually increasing your overall fear. Avoidance does nothing but make a situation worse, and you need to face the fear before you can conquer it.

Start by looking at pictures or videos of what you fear.  After you are able to calmly look and watch, then move to the next phase – seeing it in person.

Go to a tall building and stand in the lobby. Watch people getting in and getting out of the elevator. When you can do this calmly, move to the next phase – FACING your fear.

Next, you need to get in the elevator. Yes, you will probably feel afraid and experience anxiety type reactions, but this is normal. Stay in the elevator as long as you can.

2. Positive reinforcement.

After you have forced yourself to confront your fear once, you need to make it a positive experience. This can be having a dessert you enjoy following your ordeal, or buying something nice from your favorite store. Do this as soon as possible following your first attempt to confront the fear – in the example, you should tuck into a cupcake the second you step out of the lift.

3. Rinse, and repeat.

The way to conquer a phobia is to do the above, over and over again. As you do so, you will learn to manage the fear, and you will also learn that there really is no danger in that which panicked you so badly before.

By continuing to expose yourself to your fear deliberately and then allowing a congratulatory moment when you succeed, over time, you can rid yourself of the fear forever. While terrifying, this kind of therapy is hugely effective, and phobias can be managed once and for all.

To your good health!
Mellisa McJunkin
Health and Wellness Lifestyle Advocate

P.S. Click to discover the truth that can stop your anxiety and panic for good.

Phobias: The Common (And Not So Common)

A phobia is an extreme, fearful reaction to an object, animal, insect, feeling or circumstance – they are wide and varied, and often have no rational explanation. The vast majority of the populace have at least one phobia, and many people go as far as to seek help for conquering their phobia from medical professionals. So what are we all so afraid of?

The most common phobias tend to involve insects and creepy crawlies. Polls done in the United Kingdom suggest spiders are the most common source of phobias, and other many-legged creatures also cause fearful reactions. Mice are another common source of fear, as are their larger cousins, rats.

In terms of animals, dogs tend to rank high on the phobia-causing list. This can be any dog, not just a big, growling Alsatian – some people admit to being afraid of the meek and mild poodle! The other domestic favorite, cats, also contribute their fair share when it comes to phobias.

Other phobias are more based on situations. Many people are afraid of heights, which connects with another popular fear – the fear of flying in aircraft. Another common situational fear is crowded spaces, known as claustrophobia, with sufferers refusing to use lifts. Furthermore, some adults even confess to being afraid of the dark.

More interesting are the uncommon phobias. Amazingly, a phobia of buttons is fairly common, consigning thousands of people to a life with zips! LOL. Sorry, that one just makes me smile.

Other odd phobias include mirrors, large structures in general and even humble cotton wool. When it comes to phobias, there really is something for everyone!

To your good health!
Mellisa McJunkin
Health and Wellness Advocate

P.S. Click to discover how you can be rid of those fears and phobias for good.

What Is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

We all have things in our past we do not like and the memories of which make us feel uncomfortable. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is where a past event comes back to haunt someone’s present, to the point where it affects their ability to live a normal life.

Sometimes, these events are what the rest of the populace would consider small matters that should bear no relevance. This, however, does not mean that these events cannot trigger Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As long as the past event has a bearing on how a person feels in the present, it is severe enough to that individual and therefore relevant.

What is a bearing on the present? Well, those with PTSD will find they cannot function normally due to some fear invading their life. They may often feel depressed, withdraw from society or fearful in what should be normal situations. They may experience flashbacks – intense periods of memory – to the event that has caused the problem, as well as general anxious feelings of fear, worry and stress.

Sometimes, the event is a large, life-altering event such as an assault or house fire. The sufferer may seem find after the initial event, but will later go on to develop PTSD – sometimes years later. Not everyone who has experienced trauma goes on to be diagnosed with PTSD, however.

PTSD, like all anxiety disorders, can be controlled and cured. Treatment is usually behavior therapy with a psychologist, and sometimes counseling and even medication can help one overcome fearful memories.