5 Ways to Cope with Your Diagnosis

A new diagnosis can be incredibly scary. You feel a whirlwind of emotions, and sometimes you don’t know what to do. Take it from someone who has quite a few under her belt, although it feels like it more often than not, it’s important to remember that all hope isn’t lost. There are a few things you can do to cope with your diagnosis.

My Top Two Favorite Books for Anxiety and OCD

I’ve previously avoided self-help books. Nothing against them, I just didn’t actively seek them when I browsed. Everything changed when I started therapy. In the last three years, my counselor has suggested two books that have quickly become invaluable to me.

Mental Health Week: The Night is The Worst

Those of us with mental illness know that the night is the worst. Last night was a bad night.

Mental Health Week: Lack of Focus, Hyperfocus, and Silent Symptoms

Anxiety, chronic pain, OCD, PTSD, depression, really any chronic illness can make focusing difficult. In addition to an inability to focus, conditions like ADHD can lead to hyperfocusing. Lack of focus and hyperfocus are silent symptoms and I think they require a bit more discussion.

Mental Health Week: I have PTSD

I’m kicking off the start of mental health week by speaking about something that, thanks to stigma, I’ve actually never mentioned before on this blog. I have PTSD.

MHAM: Inside My OCD #2

I’m accustomed to Contamination OCD, one subset of my OCD, impacting my daily life. Today, it has me convinced that despite my multiple hand-washings and sanitizer use, my hands are filthy.

MHAM: Inside My OCD #2 – Self Doubt & Imposter Syndrome

Many people may not realize that OCD can cause immense self-doubt. It’s one of the more upsetting parts of having this mental illness.

MHAM: Inside My OCD #1

I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and picking and checking are just two of my many compulsions. The checking has been particularly bothersome this week.

MH Awareness Month: Inside My Anxiety #1

Excuse the awful title. This morning got off to an anxious start and I’m still shaken up.

How I Handled My Cinema Anxiety While Seeing a Movie Alone

I have movie theater anxiety, particularly when it comes to superhero films. It’s bad enough that I often don’t go, or I have to go with other people to get through it. This week, I had to face my anxiety head on by myself for a movie I desperately wanted to see: Avengers: Infinity War.