Did you know?
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness. GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) affects roughly 6.8 million adults in the US only.
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.
Source: https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Need Help?
Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or go to the nearest emergency room.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); En Español 1-888-628-9454
The Lifeline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Lifeline connects callers to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals. People who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.
Crisis Text Line
Text “HELLO” to 741741
The Crisis Text hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the U.S. The Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, connecting them with a crisis counselor who can provide support and information.
Take advantage of technology
We are grateful to live in an era where technology is here to provide us with resources. If you have a mobile phone feel free to download the Lyf app (links up above). This app is a great place to find others that go through what you are going through and/or to share your thoughts and experiences whether it be anonymously or not.
Even if you don't have internet at home or a mobile device you can always try to find a local library and gain access to a computer there. Down below are links that may help you get more educated on certain topics and a "Get Help" link where you can find Hotlines, Websites, and other resources to get help or to give help to someone that may be in need of it.
Things You Can Do at Home
Journaling —Try writing out your thought/experiences even if you may not want anyone to read them (you can always get rid of it later on). The act of actually spelling out what emotions or discomfort you’re feeling can help you return to a rational state of thinking.
Coloring Books — Coloring pages help you channel negative energy and stimulate brain areas related to skills, creativity and senses. By coloring, a person is forced to focus solely on the task at hand, freeing them from their thoughts.
Art— Through the use of varying colors, shapes, shades and patterns, a person can create a picture of how they’re feeling. It doesn’t make the pain hurt any less, but it opens your eyes to a bigger picture and helps find purpose in the unknown.
Music — Music is an escape. Music helps calm the neural activity in the brain. One can simply turn on a playlist of their favorite songs and receive similar benefits – perhaps just avoid listening to overly sad or triggering songs.
Take up a Hobby — By learning something new, focusing on the activity instead of your problems and feeling a sense of accomplishment afterward you can lessen your anxiety.
Exercise — Did you know anxiety gives you adrenaline? If you're a couch potato like me this probably isn't what you want to hear but try to channel that adrenaline into some form of exercise. There is many ways to keep active whether it be taking up a sport, jogging, dancing, or anything else that keeps your body in motion and your brain occupied.
Find an Outlet — Whether it be one of the previously mentioned or something new always try to find a way to express how you feel. Talk to someone you trust, make a list of things you want to accomplish, set small goals and slowly work towards them. Most importantly try your best to stay positive even on the hard days and celebrate the small things. Go outside listen to the birds, the traffic, appreciate the current moment whatever it may be. You've made it this far you got this! Source: https://gettingpastanxiety.com/creative-artistic-outlets-for-anxiety/
Always remember that you don't have to go through things alone.