Mask Anxiety or How to Wear the Mask

There was a news story about people putting on the masks. People mentioned symptoms about heart palpitations, can't breathe and feeling disorientated. Those are some of the symptoms of an anxiety or panic attack. 

You might have to go through a process to be comfortable wearing a mask. There are a lot of things you can do. In this episode, a look at some of the things you can do to make peace with the mask, if you want to. 

What am I talking about? Well, some of the things that cause problems is the fabric of the mask, or how it feels on your skin. It could be too light or to heavy a fabric. 

Or you have feelings that you can't quite express but you don't like it. And that is ok to acknowledge that. Well, maybe not on Twitter. But it is also ok to find ways of making it work for you. 

As I mentioned in the podcast, I'm not looking to help anybody not wear the mask. This is an adult decision. The reasons have been presented by other sources for and against. 

But if you want to wear one and are having symptoms when you try, then it might be something to do with anxiety with the mask or other issues. That is what this episode is about, to provide sources to make it easier for you to do.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

University of Wisconsin's UW Health  post on Masks Can Cause Anxiety for Some, But There is Help. Toward the bottom of the page are videos with Maura Grasshoff on how to deal with mask anxiety.

From The Mighty, What to Do If You Can't Wear a Face Mask.

From BPHope, and post by Julie A. Fast on How I’m Handling Panic and Anxiety from Wearing a Face Mask in Public.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

ARP 210 Three Types of Thoughts

When you have certain types of anxiety conditions, you could experience an increase in the number of negative thoughts.  Or you already have an abundance of negative thoughts and the anxiety or depression is make it worse.

In this episode, a look a three types of thoughts that could be romping around in your head. And some of the resources that might help you to understand and bring order to the chaos.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Body Dysmorphic Disorder and the Impact of COVID-19 and Quarantine from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Cartoon Network a clip from Mindful Education episode from Steven Universe: Here Comes a Thought.

ADAA.org post on Thoughts Are Just Thoughts: How to Stop Worshiping Your Anxious Mind

From the University of Wisconsin an information page on Stopping Negative Thoughts

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

July 19, 2020 No comments READ MORE

Show 209 What Are Sound Baths?

If you are curious about sound bath and sound meditation and want to know if this is something that could help you maintain sleep, be comfortable in your body or need a soothing sound sensory experience then this might be an episode of interest to you.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

National Alliance page of Mental Illness on Understanding Your Diagnosis. Really good article about the process and what to be aware of when you get a diagnosis.

My Safe Zone is an app for those that have active symptoms or have panic attacks. It is  available on both the Android and iOS app stores. Or you can also visit the web site for additional support information. 

Very Well Mind's information page on What are sound baths?

Ambient Sound Podcast with Matt Borghi where you can listen to soothing music. There is also a Spotify list for short clips or extended sound experiences. 

Sound Bath: meditate, heal and connect though listening by Sara Auster that is available as a paper book, e-book or audiobook. You can video some of the pages of the book or listen to an except at the publisher's website.

Electric Sound Bath by Angela Wilson and Brian Griffith has a number of albums on their main website. You can purchase their work via Bandcamp.

Dynasty Electrik has music and sound bath type content also provider services via Zoom and they have a YouTube channel that you can access the content. 

Sounds True has a number of recordings for recording on sound bath, meditation, crystal bowls and all manner of healing modes using sound. This is a link to their sound meditative offerings.

American Academy of Family Physicians. Family Medicine article about hydration.

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Show 208 - What Is Hopelessness?

In this episode, a look at a particularly pesky symptom of depression, hopelessness. And a look at some of the resources you can use to help you understand what is going on and resources for treatment.

When you have depression as part of your anxiety condition, being told to think happy thoughts probably isn’t gonna do much for you. 

You may have to process that info in a different way that does not include the word happy. And you probably need the help of a professional behavioral health person to do that. In my opinion.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Depression Basics brochure from the National Institute of Mental Health

Anxiety vs. Depression: Which Do I Have (or Both?) from the Health Essentials via Cleveland Clinic

There is an excerpt at PychCentral of the nine types of hopelessness a person can experience.  The excerpt is from the book, Hope in the Age of Anxiety: A Guide to Understanding and Strengthening Our Most Important Virtue by Anthony Scioli and Henry B. Biller published by Oxford University Press.

Hopelessness: A Dangerous Suicide Warning Sign from Suicide.org 

Open Path Collective - a service for people needing therapy but do not have insurance or are under insured. The link will take you to their FAQ page so that you get a better understanding of what they have to offer.

California Warm Lines - for California folks that need to talk to someone and it is not life threatening.

Sylvia Wang lost everything. The post on Tiny Buddha talks about the steps she used to find her way back to herself. It involved a lot of tears.

Bill Knaus 2015 article on Overcome Hopelessness Thinking and Stop Feeling Depressed at Psychology Today.

And Sheline Shinoy post at Lifehack.org has some suggestions about dealing with hopelessness. 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.