Extremely common and damaging misconceptions: I have good mental health. After all, I don’t have a mental illness. People with mental illness and myself are fundamentally different. I don’t need to go out of my way to be kinder to myself or practice meditation or whatever. I don’t have a mental illness, so why should…
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Kick Social Anxiety to the Curb – 5 Strategies for Students (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 3)
In the previous two posts in the Social Anxiety in the Classroom series, we discussed the differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder, and I shared my personal journey with the aforementioned. Today we’ll explore some of the exercises I’ve found helpful to start reducing the negative impact of social anxiety. I’ll…
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Social Anxiety and Perfectionism from Early Childhood to University (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 2)
This is the second part of a three part series on social anxiety in the classroom. On Monday (the first part), we discussed the differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder (SAD). Now that we are clearer on the terminology, I want to share my personal trajectory from early childhood to university.…
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Shyness, Introversion, Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder: Which One? (Social Anxiety in the Classroom: Part 1)
Well then, class, who has the answer to this question? Hmm… no hands? …How about… you? What do you think? If you read this quote and your mind immediately recoiled, know that you are not alone. In this three-part series, we will explore: The differences between shyness, introversion, social anxiety, and social anxiety disorder &…
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Abandonment – Overcoming the Fear
“The reality, Nicole, is that although your thoughts are not completely rational and are definitely cognitively distorted, there is an element of truth to them this time.” I had spent three weeks ruminating endlessly on these thoughts that I shared with my psychiatrist, only to hear that statement from him. I knew that I wouldn’t…
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Overcoming anxiety – a step-by-step guide
I sat by myself. Not because I thought I was superior to others, or that I disliked those around me, but because I simply felt that I could not socialize with others. I looked around me. Students bumbling about with paper plates topped with potluck food, sharing fantastic plans for the upcoming break and talking…
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9 Apps for Improved Mental Health
Throughout my recovery process from depression and social anxiety (which is still ongoing), I have used a number of apps to aid me in gaining more self-awareness and a sense of personal agency. Please note that you do not have to be suffering from a mental illness to self-discover using these apps. Maintenance of mental…