Posts Tagged ‘Anxiety’
Beauty rising from the chaos – Silver lining of COVID-19
Posted by: admin
April 15th, 2020 >> COVID-19
During this very uncertain and strange time in history many people find themselves in a state of confusion, conflict and chaos. Feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and fear are at their all-time high. However, it is our individual responsibility to reframe our perspective during times of crisis and give ourselves and others grace and patience as we ride out the tedious and indefinite task of orders like “shelter in place”. Many are asking themselves “How will I make ends meet”,” Why do I feel so alone”? “How will I support my kids and manage working from home”? “What will I do now that I’ve lost my job”? (Heavy stuff, right)? These realities are what we are faced with during this time, but we cannot be overtaken by what we cannot control. So, to reframe these thoughts, we ask, how do we embrace the circumstances that we are in with positivity?
Every rose has its thorns, but thorns don’t keep us from picking the flowers (ouch!) As we live and grow, we come into the understanding that love does not cease to exist without pain. The same is true in times such as these, understanding that life is not lived without hardships, uncertainties, or uncomfortable situations. However, it is our personal responsibility to find the silver lining.
The following are silver linings to consider:
- Spending Quality Time with Family and Friends
Have you ever said, “I wish I could have a day off to spend some extra time with my family”? Or, “I wish I could catch up with my friends like we use too”? This is the perfect time to love on your friends and family, as life is so short. A few ways to connect with each other is by using technology to your advantage, use Zoom, House Party, or Facetime to virtually connect and get creative with those who are at a distance. Have a game night or sit at the dining room table and share a meal with your family. Watch a movie or talk about frivolous things with your significant other.
- Slowing Down
Taking time to rest is vital. Slowing down allows us opportunities to reflect, plan, and strategize toward implementation. Not taking the appropriate time to pause, can result in burn out, stagnation, and being on autopilot. Waiting, does have to be passive, you can actively wait. For example, meditation, reflection and journaling, making a hot breakfast in the morning, taking naps, and sleeping in. - Focusing on What’s Important
Most days we are bombarded with the nuances of life. The routine of being busy, but tragedy has a way of resting order. Which helps us identify what really matters during this time (this may look different for everyone). I challenge you to sit with your values, and that which you hold dear to determine what is of most importance. Find ways to align with the present as you prepare for the future. - Appreciation of What We Have
Take a deep breath! Inhale, then exhale
Count your blessings and find gratitude in the small things. Such as not fighting traffic on the 405 (thank God for that!), spending excess money on gas, hanging out with your pets a little more, and being able to spend a little more time taking care of home (tackling that large load of laundry), and listening to the birds outside your window.
Now it’s your turn, what are a few of your favorite silver linings?
Destiny Johnson, M.S
Avedian Counseling Center is offering three free individual sessions to a limited number of people and, Talin Honarchian, LMFT, will be starting a free virtual support group on Mondays at 11 am for those directly impacted by the Coronavirus. Call us at (818) 426-2495 to learn more.
In recent weeks, many of us are experiencing strong emotions related to the growing concerns over COVID-19. Everyday seems to bring more reports of confirmed cases and that number continues to rise according to the California Department of Public Health. As we are advised to practice social distancing and “safer at home”, we can find that stress and anxiety are increasing, spiraling into unwarranted fears. Losing social contact has also impacted our emotional wellbeing and although many of us have turned to virtual means, we are still finding ourselves feeling overwhelmed with the uncertainty of COVID-19. Although many parts of this pandemic are out of our control, it is important to identify what we do have control over.
Here are some helpful tips on managing stress and anxiety during this chaotic time.
· Set Boundaries – It is important to keep yourself up to date with information on various media platforms, but if you find yourself consumed with this information then set media limits.
· Relaxation- There are various ways of practicing relaxation including deep breathing, grounding, and/or meditation. You can start practicing deep breathing by inhaling a slow deep breath, holding your inhale for 4-5 seconds, and following it by a slow exhale.
· Journal – It is okay to feel whatever you’re feeling. Express your feelings in a healthy and constructive way. Journaling can provide you with an outlet to express and organize your thoughts.
· Self-care – Focus on loving and taking care of yourself, especially in times of stress. Remember if you do not take care of yourself, not only is your emotional health affected, but also your physical health as your immune system is compromised. Take a moment to identify simple ways to practice self-care.
Taking positive actions and identifying areas of control can help manage our fear. Remember that we are all going through this pandemic together and this too will pass. If you find yourself having difficulty controlling your anxiety or stress related to COVID-19, it can be helpful to talk to a mental health professional.
Talin Honarchian, LMFT
Avedian Counseling Center is offering three free individual sessions to a limited number of people. And, Talin Honarchian, LMFT, will be starting a free virtual support group on Mondays at 11 am for those directly impacted by the Coronavirus. Call us at (818) 426-2495 to learn more.
Conversation Starters for People with Social Anxiety
Posted by: admin
April 22nd, 2015 >> Social Anxiety and Shyness, Uncategorized
Have you ever been in a social situation and didn’t know what to say? Social anxiety can lead to avoiding starting conversations because of our insecurities. We might think that we don’t have anything interesting to say or that people wouldn’t care about our opinions. How many times have you been to a party, or a conference, or out for an evening of fun, and seen people that you’d like to get to know. But rather than allowing yourself to be vulnerable and exposing your interest, you chose to avoid approaching them? Though these worries may be common for many people, it is extremely difficult for the people with social anxiety.
If you have social anxiety, and would like to take some steps towards overcoming this concern, answer the following questions:
1- What is the worst that could happen?
2- Will introducing yourself result in being criticized or teased?
3- If you don’t hit it off with someone right away does that mean you won’t ever get along with another stranger?
If you really think about numbers two and three, the answer is probably “no.” What’s likely to happen when you have a small conversation with someone is that it may not lead into something meaningful; however, the practice of starting such conversations will help you build some confidence to approaching more people. Eventually starting conversations will lead to the possibility of developing more meaningful and deeper relationships. Think about it: we’re all strangers before we become friends, associates, colleagues, or even lovers.
In order to better prepare you for starting a conversation in any situation, we have four tips for you to try.
First, don’t worry about the first words out of your mouth being the funniest, cleverest or most meaningful openers. It is common for someone with social anxiety to have the perfect approach, and opening. We are very critical of ourselves. A casual introduction or comment on the weather works just fine. For example, “I noticed your smile and think it’s very endearing.”
Second, depending on where you are when meeting someone, you can ask rely on comments pertaining to your current surroundings. If you are at an event, you could ask how the other person knows the host. Or whether they’ve been part of the event in the past.
Third, talk about a positive aspect rather than a negative experience. It’s not fun for people to hear negativity.
Fourth, ask open-ended questions and maintain a good balance of comments, stories, and questions. Be sure not to ask too many questions consecutively. And also make sure you’re not the only one talking. Oftentimes it is easier for the socially anxious person to ask questions and take the attention away from themselves.
These four tips can be practiced in a safe setting such as a social anxiety group before you take them into the world. Each time you initiate a conversation, it will get easier. Moreover, the more you practice, the easier it gets. Conversations are wonderful learning tools. Once you have developed a few simple skills, you will be on the road to developing more meaningful relationships.
“There is no such thing as a worthless conversation, provided you know what to listen for. And questions are the breath of life for a conversation.” ~James Nathan Miller
Examples of Conversation Starters
1. “I don’t know anyone around here so I thought I’d come talk to you.” or “I’m a little nervous talking with strangers, but I just had to come say hi.”
2. Talk about something you know the person is interested in. “What about the game last night!” “Yankees (or other team) aren’t doing so well this season.” Or “Your flowers are looking lovely.”
3. “You look like a [lawyer/CEO/baker/some noble profession].” The person is bound to ask why you guessed that particular profession
4. Talk about a funny, embarrassing moment.
5. “What’d you get up to earlier today?
6. ‘You look lost. Do you need help?”
7. My daughter’s birthday party is this weekend. It’s taken so much planning! What do you do for your kids’ birthday parties.
8. I bet you $50 you’re gonna turn me down.
9. ‘I notice that you bought some apple cider vinegar. I have always wondered, what are the health benefits?’
10. That’s an interesting T-shirt. What does that symbol stands for?’
11. Do you have any trips coming up?
12. Are you watching Game of Thrones? House of Cards? Enter popular TV show here __________?
13. I’m planning a special occasion meal. Do you have any restaurant recommendations?
14. I’m looking for a new book? I really enjoy (biographies, fiction, sci-fi) Have you read any good books lately?
15. I love your necklace, tie, ring, brooch? Where did you get it?
16. Are you looking forward to anything special this week?
17. How did you hear about this event? How do you know the host of the party? Do you come here often?
18. Did you have a chance to listen to the news today? I didn’t have time to check in. Did I miss anything?
19. What are you passionate about?
What is Social Anxiety and Should You Join a Support Group
Posted by: admin
February 10th, 2015 >> Social Anxiety and Shyness
What is Social Anxiety and Should You Join a Support Group?
Social Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder. It is the third most common psychiatric illness in the U.S. right below depression and alcoholism. It affects millions of Americans and can be a debilitating and life altering condition that can prevent us from going out, experiencing social situations, having fun, strengthening our self-confidence and being our best selves.
Sufferers of severe anxiety will dread the thought of meeting strangers or expressing their opinions especially if they disagree with the status quo. People with social anxiety contemplate negative thoughts in anticipation of their pubic interactions. One of the main contributors to social anxiety is low self-esteem. It is the feeling that we’re not good enough to be heard or to have our opinions valued. While anxiety can get in the way of our life it can also be arrested and prevented as long as we’re willing to do the work and make some changes to our everyday behaviors. Sufferers of social anxiety tend to focus on the negative, such as being judged, focusing on our imperfections, what people won’t like about us and a lack of interesting discussion topics, rather than focusing on all of the fascinating accomplishments we’ve made and our interesting opinions.
Reasons for joining a social anxiety support group:
Support groups aren’t for everybody. Many autodidacts and independent people will be averse to joining a support group in the belief that they can overcome their problems on their own. And while that may be true for some people it is not true for everyone. We are unique individuals with secular needs and no two approaches to life are meant to be the same.
One excellent reason for joining a support group is because one of the better ways to working through an anxiety is to face it, and learn to deal with the discomfort. For social anxiety, that would mean to put yourself in a situation involving others. The group is a safe environment since you will be surrounded with others who experience the same worries and fears, and who are there to work through their struggles as well. One of the reasons why overcoming social anxiety is difficult is because one typically avoids social situations in order to not feel the anxiety. In a support group, you will have the opportunity to work through your anxiety in a supportive atmosphere. Are you ready to stop feeling so isolated? Come connect with others, and take a step toward overcoming your own social anxiety. In a therapeutic setting, you are able to practice the skills and techniques suggested by the therapist to help you deal with social anxiety.
What are some strategies for change?
- Identify situations you fear and avoid so that you could select appropriate exposure practices.
- Identify the extent to which you are fearful of the physical feelings that you experience when anxious. This will help determine whether you should practice exposure.
- Assessing which social skills need improvement; assertiveness, public speaking, dating, or general communication.
- Approaches to treatment such as, TFT, EFT, and/or Cognitive-Behavioral.
- Medications/ holistic approaches.
New Social Anxiety and Shyness Support Group starting Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 6:30 PM in Sherman Oaks.
Posted by: admin
May 25th, 2012 >> Social Anxiety and Shyness
Support Group for Adults experiencing Social Anxiety
Facilitated by: Anita Avedian, MFT
New Group Starting on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 6:30 PM in Sherman Oaks.
Do you avoid social situations? Do you worry about what others are thinking while you’re in public, at school, at the mall, or in social situations? Not sure what to say when people approach you?
If you have answered “YES”, contact Anita TODAY!
This group helps participants:
- Feel more comfortable and confident in feared social situations.
- Increase the ability to express themselves.
- Learn to be more comfortable with other’s perception of them.
- Reflect on interpersonal skills.
- Identify patterns in life, and find more constructive ways to cope.
- And MORE…
FREE half hour consultation with Anita prior to entering the group!
$225/ month
Contact Anita Avedian at (818) 426-2495 for further information.
You may also visit her website at www.AnitaAvedian.com.
