Areas of Expertise
You feel like there is a huge weight on your chest. The pressure is not making it any easier to work, study, complete everyday tasks, or sleep the 8 hours we are told is so important to function optimally. You find your mind is constantly racing, playing out worst-case scenarios to events that haven’t even happened yet.
You feel like you’re holding your breath under water. The light shines through, and you desperately move toward the surface to catch your breath. However, each kick and push toward the surface leaves you more tired, weaker, and no closer to relief. Your lungs are unable to expand and you continue to struggle to breathe. You eventually get to the surface and inhale, but fear it’s only a matter of time until you are pulled back under.
Children can develop mental health conditions like adults, however sometimes their symptoms present differently. It’s important to understand what to look out for so you can get your child the help they need. Some warning signs that might suggest your child is experiencing mental health difficulties include changes in mood, such as frequent intense emotions, changes in behaviors or personality, difficulty concentrating, variations in eating or sleeping patterns, and use of unhealthy or risky behaviors to cope with emotions, such as substance use or physical harm.
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You feel stuck. Nothing is working out the way you had hoped, and you blame yourself. You constantly compare yourself to others, which leads to feelings of inadequacy. You tell yourself you are not smart enough, not attractive enough, not funny enough, not good enough. You may have even convinced yourself you do not deserve success, happiness, or love.
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You have a complicated relationship with food and your body. Let’s not forget your love/hate relationship with the scale. You spend your time and energy attempting to follow strict diets, calorie counting, or rules about food. You often find yourself depriving your body or feeling intense guilt and shame following an emotional eating binge. On some days, it’s not so bad. You are able to put on a happy face and go through the motions. On other days though, getting out of bed can seem like an impossible task.
You are feeling disconnected with someone close to you. This may be a romantic partner, a child, other family member, or a close friend. You are having a hard time seeing eye to eye, and you don’t feel heard, let alone validated. Whether these feelings are new, or they have been building up over time, you are reaching out for help.