Remote work has become more and more popular as we evolve from the traditional workplace. According to a Forbes article, 12.7% of Americans are working remotely as of 2023. And it isn’t surprising why employees are making this move in the first place.

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Working from home has many benefits, such as improved employee retention and staff motivation. You can also maintain a healthy social life while staying on top of your workload when you choose to work from home. However, there are still some challenges that may occur when working remotely.

In this article, we discuss the positive and negative impacts of working from home on your social life. We also share some strategies you can implement to make sure working from home doesn’t hinder you from having a healthy professional social life.

Positive Impacts Of Working From Home On Social Life

Working from home allows people to devote more time and energy to their priorities, including their social life. Many employee’s social lives can improve when working from home. It provides benefits such as:

More Time available For family And Friends

In addition to being able to work in the comfort of your own home, one of the advantages of working from home is that you have more time available for family and friends.

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Here are other ways how working from home can impact your social life:

    • You don’t need to apply for work leave to attend important gatherings. Instead, you can adjust your work hours to accommodate your attendance without compromising your workload.
    • You can afford to be more hands-on in taking care of your household. Morning and evening routines can be less hectic and hurried, especially if you are preparing your children to go to school or bed. Working from home also significantly reduces support care costs.
  • You can form stronger bonds with your family and friends. There is never enough time to spend with your family and friends. When working from home, you can prioritize your relationships with them and give them the energy and attention they deserve.
  • Working from home can help you save more. More time isn’t the only resource that you may benefit from with remote work. Working from home can help families save money on traditional work expenses. Re-allocating money from gas and work clothes can allow you to spend more on vacations and quality time with loved ones.

Reduction In Commuting Time And Stress

Commuting stress negatively affects your work productivity and your mental and physical health, making it difficult to keep up with a healthy social life. It can be difficult to devote time and energy to social engagements when you’re too busy worrying about how you can get to the office.

When you work where you live, you are no longer tied to going and returning from work in the office for extended periods. Instead of spending at least 30 minutes commuting, you can work from home and get started at your job without encountering the commuting stress. You can skip the long lines, traffic congestion, and the overall noise and stress regular commuting brings.

Increased Flexibility In Scheduling

A flexible schedule can accommodate your career and social life’s needs and expectations. Working from home allows you to have more control over your time and schedule, enabling you to spend it in the way you prefer.

Making sure your schedule meets your personal and professional goals can help you be more productive in both your career and social life. You can also work outside your home – at libraries, coffee shops, and more, depending on where you feel most productive.

Flexible work schedules can also help you attain work-life balance by allowing you to shift hours according to your needs. Instead of being stuck in the office during lunchtime, you can spend your break doing other activities, such as a ten-minute workout or a brisk walk outside.

Fostering these healthy habits can change your mindset and help you build the social life you want.

Challenges Of Working From Home On Social Life

Everyone’s work-from-home experience is unique. While others may flourish with working from home, some may find it challenging to balance their social life and remote work. Working from home can present challenges to one’s social life, such as:

Isolation And Loneliness

Working from home can be disadvantageous to a robust social life. A recent Harvard Business Review article discussed how remote work can illicit feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Here are a few reasons why you may experience feelings of withdrawal and decreased enthusiasm when working from home:

    • Limited face-to-face interactions. Instead of simply tapping your co-worker’s shoulder or meeting in person, you will instead message or meet with them online.
    • Reduced opportunities for interacting with your office team. Casual networking opportunities can become difficult to come by when everyone is stuck in conference meeting calls all day.
    • Less feedback. Due to the absence of in-person supervision, working from home can also hurt your work performance. It can also be challenging to build a professional social life.
  • Feeling cooped up at home. Working from home may decrease your chances of going outside and enjoying various activities due to the responsibilities and workload you have.

Difficulty Separating Work And Personal Life

Easy access to work by working from home can have its downsides. You may find it difficult to balance your work and personal social responsibilities when you work and live in the same place.

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Blurred boundaries in your work and personal life can lead to negative results. You may find yourself checking your emails while being in a personal social gathering. You can also get distracted during online work meetings when you have relatives or close friends over in your home.

Struggling to balance your work and personal responsibilities can lead to intrusive work hours and a neglected social life on both personal and professional ends.

Strategies To Maintain Social Connections while Working From Home

Working from home doesn’t mean sacrificing a healthy social life. There are many ways to combat the social challenges that arise when working from home, including:

    A. Virtual Happy Hours

You can build positive relationships with your co-workers through virtual happy hours. Virtual happy hours are team-building activities you can do through online conference platforms.

These fun activities boost engagement and encourage positive communication skills. Staying connected with co-workers is also easier with implementing virtual happy hours, even if the team doesn’t meet frequently.

If you want to organize virtual happy hours with your colleagues, you can either schedule a specific time slot during the work week or start the online meetings with these fun activities. These ice-breakers can be as short as five to fifteen minutes, making them perfect for getting the conversation flowing between team members before diving into work.

    B. Online Social Groups

Online social groups can help you be more social and energize your work environment remotely. It also helps in reducing feelings of isolation at work. You can create online social groups in the workplace by:

  • Scheduling brief calls with co-workers during lunch breaks can help maintain your routine at home while enjoying social interaction.
  • Creating themed group chats within your department, such as those for sharing pet pictures or news, can foster positive relationships in the workplace.
  • Creating a fitness group with your co-workers can help you attain your physical goals through scheduled fitness time. It can also improve your fitness experience as you can exchange workout tips and more.
  • Organizing virtual movie screenings can help you and your colleagues connect and have conversations beyond usual work matters.

    C. Outdoor Activities

Luckily, there are many opportunities to meet with your team members from work, even when working from home.

Outdoor activities can ease social challenges at work. These activities can give you the chance to connect with your colleagues in a more relaxed setting and, at the same time, help you take a break from work.

You can try scheduling physical activities such as hiking and paintball. These activities can get your heart pumping and the conversation flowing between you and your co-workers. If you want a relaxed networking and catching-up setting, picnics at the park and afternoon lunches outside can be more suitable.

To Wrap Up

Our social life can start to look different when we choose to work from home.

Working from home has many benefits, such as flexibility and reduced commuting. However, it can also lead to isolation from your co-workers and negatively impact many aspects of your life. It is important to consider how these impact your social life before pursuing working from home. Working alone can also make some people nervous or worry about performance, so it’s also a good idea to learn some tips to manage work anxiety.

Finding a balance between work and personal life can ultimately help you build the social life you want. If you choose to work from home, it is essential that you implement healthy strategies that can help you maintain and improve your social life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Sometimes you couldn’t help but wonder how other people attain a happy and fulfilling life. And despite all your efforts, you still can’t achieve what successful individuals have. You get stuck doing the same old things while wanting everything to change.

You know that life doesn’t work according to mere expectations. And often, you overlook the things that truly make a significant change and difference. But once you accept these harsh truths in life, you may have a chance to flip the situation around.

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“Not Everyone Is Going To Like You”

If you are focused on wanting other people to like you, then you should stop trying so hard. Because even if you have all the criteria for becoming a better person, there are still people who will never be going to like you. Do not strive to be perfect because not everyone will appreciate and look at your true value. Do not try and prove yourself to others because it is just a waste of energy and time. Instead, focus on becoming a better person for yourself.

“You’re Not That Relevant”

Thinking that you are always the topic of other people’s discussion and the talk of both admiration and hate is something you should quit doing. You are not that important. You play an entirely minor role in other people’s lives, and they only see you as someone who happens to be there. As embarrassing as it was, others probably forget about you or don’t entirely mind things related to you. They are wrapped up in their own life, like you, and that’s a fact of life.

“People Treat You Negatively Because You Allow It”

When dealing with social interactions, you often think that some people are the worst and mean to you. You rant about how they treat you negatively. But face the fact that they can only do that because you allow them to. You don’t fight back and tell them to stop, and don’t complain and seek help. You become a victim because you chose to. So next time, stand up for yourself.

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“Your Wealth Doesn’t Define You”

Believing that you have all the better things in life makes you above everyone else is pathetic. Your wealth is not a solid definition of being better than someone else. Regardless of what you have, other people are more skilled, intelligent, and talented than you. Some individuals enjoy their lives based on consistent actions and are unfocused on monetary integration.

“You Try So Hard To Beat Others”

As much as you want to deny it, the mere reason why you sometimes strive hard to become better is that you want people to know that you can outperform them. You want to improve yourself because you want others to regard you highly as a proficient individual. You try to be the best because you want respect, attention, and power. Why not refocus and do these things for your growth?

“You Always Have A Choice”

Stop thinking your miserable situation is permanent because you always have a choice. You can always decide how to react and respond. Thus, do not assume that life is unfair to you when you haven’t tried changing anything in the process. Either push yourself to the limit and strengthen your abilities or cry in the corner of your room and let emotional dilemmas eat you up. You decide which is best for your well-being.

“Thoughts Create Your Feelings”

You don’t exactly feel anxious, stressed, and depressed about something if you haven’t thought about and given it as much importance. Your constant negative thinking creates the feelings you have, and these feelings soon determine your behavior. Your thoughts are the control center of your responses, actions, word deliveries, and expressions. So before you engage in negative behavior and feelings, change your thoughts.

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“Fear Keeps You From Living”

Fear is a biological response to the experience of something unfamiliar. It resonates with the thoughts of the unknown. But it would be best if you did not allow it to hinder you from trying new things. Do not let fear hold you back. Remember that the only way to grow is to do the things you actually thought you could not do. Live with the moment and approach challenges with enthusiasm, curiosity, and excitement.

“There’s NO Perfect Time For Anything”

Believing that timing is the key to success is bullshit. There is no perfect time to do anything. You don’t wait for the right time if you truly want to achieve something. The perfect time doesn’t exist. Either start early, strive hard, and do your best to make things better, or wait for things to happen. Remember that people use “perfect time” as an excuse for the things they don’t want to start doing.

“You Live Your Life For Others”

It’s okay to appreciate the people around you and do great things for them. However, stop living your life as if you are forever indebted to them. Take ownership of your life and do things exactly the way that makes you happy. Don’t feel sorry for choosing your happiness and living your desired life. Be aware of your interpersonal needs and empower yourself.

 

Have you ever wondered how your decisions affect your overall well-being? Are you the type who thinks through before changing something in your life? If that’s the case, how can you assure that you are choosing the best for you? Let’s talk about some of the things you ought to consider.

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If It Doesn’t Make You Stronger, It’s Not Worth Fighting For

The thing with life challenges is that once the struggles are done, it gives you a sense of power to control your life. You develop an ability that is eventually useful to future difficulties. These hardships make you stronger as you deal with them constantly. However, if the challenges you face are not helping you grow and make better decisions, then that battle is not worth fighting for.

A common example of this encounter is a conflict with other people’s opinions. Since you are engaged with different individuals, you can expect them to judge, criticize, and humiliate you. If their comments or opinions about your life make you feel miserable, then you must not interact with them to avoid emotional and mental frustrations.

Do not let their words get into you and ruin your self-respect and confidence. Be sure to realize that your mental and emotional health is your best asset, so don’t allow it to crumble. Listen to your inner self when it says, “enough is enough.”

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Prepare To Lose The Ones You Love And Value The Most

The most difficult part of choosing the best for you is letting go of people, especially the ones you love and value the most. Some of these individuals are part of your life for a mere reason: to show you that social relationships are often stressful and hurtful. Sometimes, even if you put so much love and attention into these individuals, they will constantly make you feel incapable and irrelevant.

As what most life counseling professionals say, make sure you pay attention to the people like these in your life. Because as much as you want to keep them part of your circle, they will never contribute anything to your development and will only drain so from you and leave you with nothing.

Prepare yourself to lose the people you love because they don’t always care about your well-being. The process of finding who the real ones are can be quite challenging, and that is an element of the struggle you have to deal with when you want to live a better life. Remember that choosing your mental and emotional stability is not selfish, so stay under your radar.

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Don’t Miss Out On Chances And Take the Risk

There are times when you will deal with missed opportunities in your life. That’s normal, and sometimes you can’t control the situation, such as if you’re trying to manage a social life while working from home. You might encounter opportunities that are way out of boundaries, and that’s fine. It just means that you need to try harder. However, when opportunities knock on your door, and you have decided not to take it because you don’t feel like it or think it won’t work, you might reconsider.

Taking a risk means widening your chances. You will only truly know if that opportunity is worth it if you take it and work on it. You might see it as a waste of time and energy, but you will never know the difference it can make when you choose to ignore it. You will never know its life value when you are afraid to try.

If you truly want to live your life without regrets, take risks and don’t miss out on your chances because you’ll never know which ones are the best. Always remember that life success is often a great opportunity that comes in disguise.

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The Easy Ones Are Not Always The Better Ones

In life’s struggles, it is normal to choose the battle that requires less time, effort, and energy. Of course, you don’t want to spend your whole life trying to figure out how to win a long and tiring life challenge. Whether it’s heartbreak, friends and family conflicts, work-related issues, financial difficulties, etc., you would not want to be stuck in a loop of negative situations. However, these life complications are integral to your overall growth. Thus, the more you deal with them, the more strength they give you.

Choosing a struggle that is way too easy is sometimes boring and unfulfilling. But these hard challenges that require your full mental, physical, and emotional well-being are the ones that guarantee you the best and most satisfying results. As they say, if you have reasons to fight, you will never have reasons to quit.

Final Thoughts

You don’t always have the power to choose the best for you, but there are ways you can make better decisions in life. Fear of difficulty only holds you back, so learning tips to manage work anxiety and face new challenges can take you far. If you can guarantee yourself the willingness to learn and improve, you can surely secure a fulfilling and happy life endeavor ahead of you.

My sister suffered from a messy breakup last year. She was in a kind of relationship that almost caused a permanent rift in our family. That’s especially true when we found out that her boyfriend was already married to someone else, and she still wanted to be with him. She would have gone with that guy if he did not leave my sister for his wife.

After that incident, my sister seemed like she was in limbo. She stopped going to work; she never left the house. Although her weight remained the same, it was evident that she let go of herself because she looked way older than her 23-year-old self. It had gotten so bad that people assumed that she was our 50-year-old mother’s sister.

Despite all that, we never gave up on my sister. My parents encouraged her to go out again and find a new job away from her ex. When she found one that she liked, things started to look up for her. My sister’s cheerfulness returned; she no longer stayed cooped up in her room. More importantly, my sister began to join us for dinner again, which she stopped doing in fear of being questioned about her former relationship.

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One Year Later

One evening, while we were having a movie night at home, my sister received an email from Instagram informing her that someone tried to log in using her username and password. However, whoever that person was could not get in because they failed the account verification test.

My sister tried tracing the location of the person who wanted to open her account and realized that it must be her ex who did that. There was no way to guarantee it at the time because she already blocked him, but he was the only person who knew those details. Luckily, my sister seemed to have completely moved on from him since she was more annoyed than anything that the guy would hack into her account.

A week later, we were surprised yet again when the guy messaged my mother on Facebook, asking how my sister was doing. He also asked for my parents’ forgiveness for turning my sister into a mistress. But the hilarious thing was that he was asking when – not if – he could come over so that he could apologize in person. The nerve!

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All my mother did that day was block the guy on social media. Just when we thought it was over, my sister’s best friend called to say that the guy messaged her, asking about the same thing. The best friend replied and told him to stop bothering my sister because she was already fine without him.

Although that was the truth, my sister could not help but worry about her ex’s reemergence. She asked me to accompany her in seeking professional counseling the next day. We found one through friends’ recommendations, and the kind counselor listened to my sister talk about her former relationship.

Near the end of the session, my sister asked, “How can I make sure that I will not fall to my ex’s charms again?”

Here are a few tips that remained in my head.

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Stop Anyone From Talking About Your Ex

The counselor said that the quickest way to remedy such a situation was to avoid talking about my sister’s ex. If any of us wanted to mention him, we’d better zip it because it’s not helping her. She also encouraged us to spread the word to our family and friends to ensure everyone’s on the same page.

“I don’t support the idea of faking it until you make it,” the counselor added. “I believe in the forgive-and-forget thing more than that. If you stop acknowledging your ex’s existence, your memories of him will eventually fade into oblivion.”

Consider The Losses You Experienced Due To The Relationship

The counselor asked my sister to recount her losses because of her messy relationship. The list included her job, some of her friends, our parents’ trust, etc. The counselor then gave my sister something to think about: “If you entertain your ex once more, who’s to ascertain that you’ll lose the same things or more?”

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Realize That Life Is Better Without Stressors In It

My sister’s ex was – and still is – one big source of stress. It was not just for my sister but all of us, considering my sister could not fight her battles independently and always needed our support. Hence, the counselor also encouraged her to count her blessing ever since she split with that guy.

Final Thoughts

I could never fathom the ordeal that my sister went through in her search for true love. Her journey was filled with humiliation, embarrassment, and lack of self-respect. We would not have known about it until the guy broke up with her.

Thankfully, my sister had finally gotten over her ex. It did not mean that he already stopped trying to bother her – she merely stopped caring, which was a great thing. That’s the best way to stay away from someone who betrayed you.

This article is particularly focused on the ‘Loving Yourself’ topic. Not quite like the song Justin Bieber titled “Love Yourself”. It’s more like focusing on your self-worth. You see, ever since the time when I decided to study psychology and eventually practiced counseling, I made a vow to keep myself feel and act neutral all the time. This was a key challenging task for me, considering I used to be very judgmental to so many good people, especially women. Many people tell me to ‘love yourself’ instead of throwing comments or written notes. As an example, if I saw a lovely, blonde girl in a barely-there skirt, I would necessarily think that: “She’s lovely, but she’s a bimbo and likes to fuck”. My assumptions on people were correct most of the time; however, that’s not something that I care about or could continue doing if I wanna become an unbiased and effective psychologist and counselor. I know I shouldn’t lose sight of my goal.

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The Road To Inner Appreciation And Acknowledgement

During my first year in college, my judgmental side was very strong. I was ashamed of myself for it, to say the least. It got to the point where I asked one of my professors if I should change my degree. However, she explained that I was merely human and told me, “Love yourself instead.”

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It was quite a challenging mindset and perspective to develop. How can someone replace negative thoughts and speak kindly, and truly love oneself? Even as an adult, how can one accept their true self without criticizing? How can I fill my life with self-love to feel appreciated? It’s not really something I can search on YouTube or Facebook. The song lyrics to Ed Sheeran’s music were not enough. Hello, Justin Bieber. A little help in here, please!

But here’s the thing: As years passed, I improved at being less judgmental which was a good direction for my mental health. I simply took the advice.

The Admission To My Judgmental Side

By the time I opened my own clinic, I believed that my judgmental days were over and found ways to love other people’s flaws. I had my professional training and licenses. I can handle taking care of mental disorders and other issues. I can be a reliable ally who can cheer up patients, encourage them to embrace themselves, and promote the “love yourself” mentality and thinking. Besides, it’s all about self-care that will matter. Try to avoid negative self talk at all times.

However, what my mentors or books, social media, or instructional videos did not prepare me for was the high number of women who would seek psychological advice because they were desperately in love with the wrong person.

 

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How Are You Feeling?

You might ask, “Isn’t ‘desperate’ a harsh word to use to describe how those women feel?”

Well, although not all cases are the same, the fact remains that I watch my female relationship counseling clients still be with their boyfriends even after catching them dating and fooling around with other girls. Yes, they would call it quits to set boundaries for a while. But, once the guy decided to spend time trying to woo them back into the relationship, they would give in once more. I can already imagine Ed Sheeran shaking his head in disappointment. It seems like my judgmental side was still very much a part of my life.

So, Is It Really Love?

Listen up, ladies: that is not true love! He isn’t the man of your dreams who would make you his wife, a mom to his child, bring you happiness, and build you a house. It’s time to write a new version on the page of your book and knock some sense into your thoughts. Writing a new chapter can help you get away from him.

What’s frustrating about this was that most – if not all – of these women were smart and successful. Some had high-ranking positions in their companies, with a platoon of employees who marched after them. Others managed their own businesses or company, their week filled with calling all the shots and leaving no room for distractions. Indeed, they have established themselves on this earth. They were living a good quality of life! Yet, I continue to watch them be miserable with their love story. It’s not something one would want to achieve and expect. Do you love yourself enough to know when a relationship is not right anymore? Remember: staying in a bad relationship is not honor and self-respect.

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Do You Believe Enough To Let Go?

These women fully understand that their men’s behavior is a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Their men only fill them with doubt and unhappiness. They knew what they were supposed to do. Obviously, they should break off the relationship and practice self-love. It’s a clear sign – their awful boyfriends will not fill the gaps they have in life.

But, here’s the thing: They admitted to not knowing how to do it and talking about it just as impossible as resolving it. They were at a loss to know how to love themselves. For them, it is merely a caught-up job that sounds so frustrating and that the relationship is a game that they should be playing. The result? Staying in an unhealthy relationship and ignoring every single negative sign.

Why Many Women Fell Victim To Adoration

While I secretly had my fill of frustration with my clients, I always wondered why many women are influenced by things like bad relationships. Every single sign is out there already. Worse, even if they knew that they were getting victimized, they were still willing to accept the guys once the latter said sorry. They always fall for those empty promises of change.

Does Justin Bieber have a song for this scenario? I think he does. This content you’re currently viewing will give you more insights.

Of course, I can’t simply tell my clients to stop being dumb. I could not lead a pep talk to let their minds matter more than their hearts for at least a second. I can’t preach that they can’t win at life if they stay with the wrong man. It would not feel good in a lot of ways.

I can’t even tell them to go on YouTube and watch a music video of Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran in hopes of getting inspired by the pre chorus, background vocals and song lyrics!

But there’s one thing I can definitely tell them: Love first and let go.

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Why Can’t I Let Go?

I had met some women who admitted that they couldn’t let go of their awful boyfriends because they were already comfortable. Even one of my closest friends and some family members had a similar issue. She dreaded being single and going back to the dating pool. She doesn’t want to fall back to phase zero on the search for her greatest love.

While there’s not really a one-size-fits-all answer and medical advice to the question above, such reasons tend to stem from dependence or fear of loneliness. As they start learning to love again, they need a special someone to fill in the gaps in their life. Because of this, they tend to hasten the search.

It’s not that these women were madly in love with their boyfriends. They merely don’t want to be alone in this world. They would rather prioritize relationships with others than self-love. They would rather focus on the greatest accomplishment and not the most important things. Honestly, that can be a long battle that can stay up for a bit longer.

What It Means To Not Let Go

What women must understand is that staying in a messy relationship can make you lonelier in life than ever. Yes, you’re not single. But you’re always crying and wondering who your man will flirt with next. Yes, you’re exclusively dating. But, you constantly worry that you’re not the only one who your boyfriend treats the same way.

If that’s the matter, it’s so much better to be single than deal with all those issues, including details about managing your partner’s treatment towards you. This type of relationship will only fill you with bad memories and hurt your very soul. Thus, stop excusing behavior, especially in the loneliest moments of your life.

It’s better to continue to YouTube and see if Justin Bieber’s search on YouTube has a new song. Just saying.

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Kidding aside, focus on loving only yourself and on what’s around you. The world is so awesome for you to just stay in a bad relationship. The wrong person will only fill your life with negativity and impacts your self-esteem.

The Best Advice To Everyone – Please Love Yourself!
Based on past activity, my final advice is that you need to act and love yourself before you demand others to do it. How will you know love is right when you don’t even love yourself?

A simple way of showing that is by letting go of the people who did not care for you, your feelings, or your reputation. There’s so much more in this world than wasting your time on the wrong person!

Love is indeed a wonderful feeling. But, just like Ed Sheeran said in his music video: loving can hurt. An awful boyfriend will not fill you with that wonderful feeling and enhance the quality of your life. If you know that you are with the wrong man, it’s time to accept that he should not be a part of your life anymore. Prefer dancing away from the middle of toxicity.

After receiving advice, diagnoses, and treatment, it still boils down to loving yourself, and the rest will follow. Note that you may think you need to be with someone to be happy in this world, but you really don’t need to rush it. So while dating and sex are fantastic, it’s better to try your luck with another – better loving – man next time. Trust and don’t be afraid of the search process! Your lover or future husband might just be out there waiting.

As the song lyrics of Justin Bieber go: “Baby, you should go and love yourself.”

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the meaning behind Love Yourself?

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I had high-functioning depression when I was 18 years old. I was living away from home back then and maintained an apartment near the campus. My severe symptoms of high-functioning depression started developing when my boyfriend left me for a cheerleader, who was also my best friend. Their betrayal made me feel so alone and unloved. It was at that specific moment that I thought I would never be able to bounce back. The whole situation was extremely devastating, and I wasn’t experiencing any good from it.

In the following weeks, after getting double-whammed by two people I trusted the most, I barely went to my classes unless there was an exam. Well, it seemed pretty obvious that I was not interested in school anymore because I wouldn’t want to see the two individuals I hate in the world. That explains why I stayed in my room most of the time. I made sure to keep it locked so that people would think that I was not home. Then, I would muffle my sobs with my pillow until I could fall asleep. No judgment, please, because that’s the only thing I could do at that moment – just to cry my heart out and let all the emotions take me to sleep because I couldn’t work on it even if I tried.

Though I did not see a way out of my high functioning depression initially, I got a good look at myself in the mirror after two months. Yes, it took me that long to realize that I was a danger to my overall wellness. I saw how much my sadness affected my skin, hair, and face. It impacted the way I dressed and made me hate my overall appearance. In truth, I did not even recognize my reflection anymore, which was scary. It was not me. The person I saw in the mirror was so miserable that she couldn’t even take time to redeem herself and think about her health.

It took me a lot of courage to acknowledge that I needed help because, at that time, the person I had become was entirely a different version of me – a negative one. As a result of that realization, I decided to drive to a psychologist’s clinic. I got diagnosed with high-functioning depression soon and got whatever treatment was necessary to get back on my feet as soon as possible.

Two months after therapy, I finally told my parents what had happened to me and apologized to them for hiding it for too long. It wasn’t supposed to be that way, but I didn’t know better. I was full of emotions that I couldn’t handle, and that’s the only thing I could do – stay sad and hopeless. I didn’t entirely mean to harm myself in any way, but the situation pretty much got out of hand as well as my mental and emotional state.

Surely I can still manage to do a lot of stuff and cater to some of my needs. I didn’t entirely go dark on the road and think about self-harm or suicide. The psychologist stressed that I might have high-functioning depression, but it did not mean that I was not vulnerable to slipping further down the major depression lane that often pushed suicidal thoughts. There were some trigger factors that he told me to be careful of to avoid getting depressed again. These are just basic things such as lack of sleep, stress over deadlines or stuff, rejection (definitely rejection), grief, other illnesses, and sudden life transitions. Though I am confident that these won’t do enough damage to my well-being, I’d say I’ll still be careful. I will still need to focus on treating high-functioning depression.

Then, My Sister Had Depression, Too

I have a sister named Isla, who is only two years younger than me. Even if my parents would refuse to admit it, I knew that she was the family’s favorite. After all, whenever we had family gatherings, relatives would always ask about her first. For instance, “Where is Isla?” “What incredible things has Isla achieved so far?” And other such common questions that only put my sister above the pedestal.

They never showed that much interest in me. Hearing them talk about Isla like that often stung me because I was a higher achiever than her (not to brag). Only Isla was a more slender, taller, and more beautiful version of me, so they loved her. Sometimes I think it is all about the looks that matter. Well, I can’t say for sure, but given the situation, I would say it is.

Unfortunately, Isla and I had the same fate when it came to boys. When she entered college, her boyfriend of many years dumped her to be with his classmate. He ended their relationship through a text, which was the worst thing that you could ever do. It caused my sister to fall into a form of depression, known as high-functioning depression. She struggled the same way I did. At first, I thought that fate was taking its time to do justice to me. But then I realized she’s my sister after all. The mental health disorders and emotional state I suffered might be even worse for her.

When I learned about it, I gave my parents the number of my psychologist. The problem was that they asked me to accompany her to the appointments and practically become my sister’s shock absorber. I could not believe that my parents wanted me to do that, considering they knew about my own struggles with depression.

“But you’re cured now,” my mother insisted.

My parents failed to realize that high-functioning depression was incurable. Isla’s experience was the biggest trigger factor that my psychologist discussed, given its uncanny similarity to my original issues. When I still refused, my father said, ‘Please help your sister. She needs someone in her corner, and we cannot be there for her all the time.’

I got that, of course, but why couldn’t they allow my sister to handle her depression on her own as I did? Her situation should not burden me. Being in high-functioning depression did not mean that it was 100% okay. That’s unfair. But I can’t seem to complain about it. And yet, it all started again. I hate to break it down to them, but I am now dealing with a more severe form of depression, thanks to the symptoms of depression and the trigger. I need clinical diagnosis and behavioral therapy to cope with my major depression and mental illness.

 

A woman with glasses is smiling but deep inside is suffering from high functioning depression.

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What Does It Mean To Be High Functioning?

According to a mental health professional, high functioning implies that a person is disabled and has a chronic illness or a mental health problem. He functions physically or mentally at a higher level than others with the same illness; for example, a 9-year-old boy with autism or a high functioning alcoholic.

What Is The Most Reliable Symptom Of High Functioning Depression?

Indications of clinical depression include hopelessness, tearfulness, irritability, angry outbursts, lack of pleasure or interest in previously loved activities, and feelings of sadness.

What Are The Four Major Causes Of High Functioning Depression?

Experts agree that depression does not originate from merely having too little or many brain chemicals. Instead, it arises from many potential causes, including genetic predisposition, medications, incorrect depressed mood regulation by the nervous system, existing medical conditions, and stressful life situations.

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What Does High-Functioning Bipolar Look Like?

‘High-functioning,’ when talking about bipolar disorder, does not refer to the level of the disorder itself, but instead, the individual’s capacity to manage it. This means that the individual may have common signs of high functioning depression or acute symptoms but can mask them and perform their daily tasks.

Can You Hide Being Bipolar?

Can a person have a masked or hidden bipolar disorder without other people knowing? The unexpected fact is that occasionally, individuals with the disorder can do a great job in concealing or minimizing their illness’s specific symptoms.

How Does A Person With Bipolar Thinks?

Experts of the diagnostic and statistical manual express that in the manic stage of bipolar disorder, it is typical to have increased energy, euphoria, and creativity. If you are experiencing bouts of mania, you may be deprived of sleep, talk for a mile per minute, or become hyperactive. You may also be feeling like you are invincible, intended to be great, or that you are all-powerful.

Does Being Bipolar Mean You Are Crazy?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition or mental illness marked by severe mood alterations from high to low and high. The highs are moments of mania, while the lows are moments of depression. The low mood alterations even get mixed up, so you may feel depressed and excited at the same. Bipolar disorder is not a rare condition, but it does not mean that someone with the disorder is crazy or insane.

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Does A High Functioning Bipolar Person Know They Are Bipolar?

No, not all who suffer from bipolar disorder know that they have it. There are many reasons why a person with chronic pain or mental health conditions may not be aware of it – why he might not admit having it even though they do,

What Is Bipolar Rage?

Bipolar rage or anger is extreme, explosive, erratic, and impulsive. A person experiencing bipolar rage may be asked a basic question, and he responds with illogical anger and/or agitation. He lashes out for no valid reason for people who care for him.

What Should You Not Say To Someone With Bipolar?

Here are some phrases that you must not say to someone who has bipolar disorder:

  • “Really? But you’re too smart to suffer from bipolar disorder!”
  • “Why do you sound so down today?”
  • “But I thought you were regularly taking medications for that?”
  • “Will you please stop acting crazy?”
  • “You’ve become so lazy, and you do not have a life anymore.”
  • “We both know he has bipolar, right?”

What Is A Psychotic Break?

Usually, a psychotic break signifies the emergence of psychotic symptoms for someone or the abrupt onset of psychotic indications after a stage of remission. Indications may include visual and auditory hallucinations, delusional views and ideas, and paranoia.

What Does Burnout Feel Like?

Individuals who suffer from burnout naturally feel burnt out, defenseless, and empty. As his performance deteriorates, fear of failure and emotional fatigue further increase. Those affected by it feel overwhelmed and engulfed in a gamut of expectations from others. They are unable to meet their expectations of themselves as well.

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Is A Bipolar Person Capable Of Love?

When someone is bipolar, his romantic, healthy relationships are affected as well. People who suffer from it experience extremely low and high moods. They experience depressive and manic episodes. But with the appropriate treatment plan, a lot of these individuals can maintain healthy romantic relationships.

What Does It Mean To Be Functionally Depressed?

What Is The Difference Between Functioning Depression And Regular Depression?

What Does High Functioning Depression Mean In Mental Health?
Is Functional Depression A Disability?
What Triggers Functional Depression?

Final Thoughts

In the end, I lashed out at my parents. I felt awful for doing that, but I saw no other way for them to realize my situation. It opened their eyes, and they volunteered to take turns taking Isla and me to the psychologist. If you’re dealing with a mental health disorder, seek treatment if you must.

I didn’t know about depression and alcohol before. I always thought that the mental condition was just normal. I didn’t understand the purpose of liquor when coping with depression. Others became alcoholics because of depression and anxiety. We see mentally unstable students because of academics. Some tried alcohol and beer because of school depression. They believed that alcohol and beer were the solution to their depression. Depression and anxiety are killing them. But being an alcoholic won’t solve depression and anxiety. It was actually like my story about my mental health condition and my alcoholic journey.

I used to have a best friend named Jack, and we went a long way back. We first met in college during a challenging depression, and our friendship developed naturally. It was one late and unsettling night when I heard so many disturbing voices and thoughts because of my mental health condition. I sought solace and distraction; a nearby supermarket seemed like a plausible retreat. Amid the quiet aisles, it was the alcohol section that brought me face-to-face with Jack. I knew it was not the healthiest choice, and yet, at that vulnerable moment, I felt an instant connection and feelings with him over a shared bottle. This was merely a temporary escape from the inner turmoil, and still, it marked the beginning of our shared journey.

Jack introduced me to my poison of choice in that phase of depression – whiskey. I hesitated to drink because I had never indulged in alcohol before. Also, my mother used to say that drunkards go to hell, an opinion formed considering my biological father was one, and he never did anything good for the family. However, Jack, my new companion in this dance with alcohol and depression, was slightly more persuasive than I had thought. Against my better judgment, I allowed the allure of his persuasion and the whiskey to draw me in, so I sipped.

The first thing I noticed was the taste of licorice in my mouth. I had always loved licorice; I would never say no to Twizzlers or Red Vines, even though many put them against each other. Licorice is licorice, thank you very much. I also got a hint of vanilla, toffee, nuts, and woodsy. I found out later in everyday life that the woodsy flavor came from oak, the type of wood that typical barrels for more alcohol storage were made of.

Anyway, I liked the taste of whiskey, so Jack said, “Drink more.” I did. A sip turned into a gulp; a gulp turned into a guzzle. The next day, I would get a headache, but Jack would advise me to drink my pain away as treatment.

Leaving College And Adulting Journey

When I left college, I moved to another state and began to lose contact with my college friends. I was sad, but I told myself, “As long as Jack’s with me, I’ll be fine.”

I thought college prepared me for adult life, but I eventually realized how challenging it was to become one. After all, finding a stable one was already tricky and difficult. 

I was not the only fresh grad from an Ivy League school – there were tens of thousands of us, and many had more connections than me. I soon got a job as a junior marketing exec at an agency. Still, my struggles were far from over since I had to maintain an excellent credit score, pay monthly rent, and get a car on a mortgage. Not to mention, there were food, electricity, water, and other miscellaneous bills that I figured would never go away. 

While my salary could cover all my expenses, the depression, anxiety, and physical toll I experienced after six months became almost unbearable. In other words, I developed symptoms of depression. Feeling lost, I turned to my best friend, Jack, again. We would binge drink together every night until I was on the edge of getting drunk. I almost saw myself being an alcoholic person because of being depressed. But then, more work piled up, and I messed up some. I stopped caring about hangovers and started drinking more alcohol, even in the middle of the day.

And What Happened?

Jack had become a crutch for me. I used him to escape reality and that I was struggling to make it. I was happy to forget the things that made me depressed, even for just a few hours. It was a way to numb the pain of my depression and anxiety.

But Jack was a double-edged sword. As I drank more and more alcohol, I became more and more dependent on him. I would drink alcohol every night and even in the middle of the day. I was no longer controlling my binge drinking, which had become an addiction.

My depression began to get worse and worse. I started to feel like I was no longer in control of my life. I had gone from being a bright, ambitious college student to a reckless, jobless alcoholic. I felt like I had no hope and was destined to fail in significant life choices, along with my depression.

I was in such a dark place. I had no one to turn to, no one to talk to. I was so ashamed of who I had become that I was too embarrassed and depressed to tell anyone about my situation. I felt like I was all alone and lonely, and I had no one to help me, which led to major depression.

I was collapsing in on myself and had no idea what to do. I was desperate for help, and I was so desperate that I decided to seek professional help. I made an appointment with a therapist, and for the first time in a long time, I opened up and told him the truth during cognitive behavioral therapy.

Seeking And Getting Help

At first, I was embarrassed and ashamed to tell him my story, but I eventually realized that I was not alone and that there was help. I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one going through this depression.

After talking to my therapist and getting his help, I started my journey toward recovery. I learned to care for my body and mind and focus on my goals and dreams. I was able to start living a life where I was in control.

It was a long and challenging journey, but with the help of my therapist and my family and friends’ support, I overcame my alcohol addiction and depression. I was able to build a new life for myself, and now I am a successful business owner with a happy and healthy family.

Moral Lesson

My story proves that no matter how dark and hopeless things may seem, there is always hope and help. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, depression, or other mental health problems, please seek help. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and you are not alone. With the right help and support, you can overcome obstacles and depression and start living a happy and fulfilling life.

How Does Alcohol Affect Depression?

Alcohol and depression are related. Drinking heavy alcohol from time to time is okay, and this won’t make you an alcoholic. Few alcohol-free weeks can be relaxing for many people, and we all deserve a break, especially after a very stressful week. However, when taken in excessive amounts, alcohol use can slow down our brain’s functions and central nervous system by affecting our brain’s chemical levels. This leads you to be alcoholic and depressed. Alcohol dependence could also affect the part of our brain chemistry that controls inhibition. This is why we are calmer and less anxious, even if we just had a drink.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety And Depression?

General psychiatry experts believe that both depression and anxiety with panic attacks are severe mental illnesses that can cause many different issues for a person. Different factors cause these mental illnesses, but one of these factors is alcohol abuse. Drinking on occasion can be good. It keeps us relaxed, and it elevates our mood. However, too much alcohol can alter our brain chemicals, slowing our brain’s ability to function well. This leads to some brain regions slowly turning to depression or anxiety.

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How Does Liquor Affect Mood?

We usually on drink-free days when we either want to elevate our negative mood or when we want to promote our positive mood. We drink because we want to do something about our emotions, as if alcohol has become a coping mechanism. Studies have provided strong evidence that when we consume alcohol, we tend to feel more emotions than usual. The effect of alcohol on a person’s mood will depend on their age, education, gender, and alcohol dependency. People generally tend to be more emotional or sometimes more aggressive when they drink.

Why Do Depressed People Turn to Alcohol?

When a person is depressed, they tend to look for ways to cope with their depression differently. Unfortunately, people have chosen to use alcohol to cope, which has led to many more issues. Alcohol abuse can lead to the severity of depression because alcohol can alter our brain’s chemical levels. This causes certain brain areas to malfunction, causing depression to develop or become more severe. We indeed become more relaxed with depression. However, it is not a good way to cope.

Does Alcohol Kill Brain Cells?

No, alcohol does not kill your brain cells, no matter how dependent you are. That’s according to clinical and experimental research of the National Institute. However, what it does is damage your dendrites or your neurons. This causes difficulty in delivering messages from one dendrite to another. This difficulty in relaying messages causes an issue with your central nervous system and other bodily functions. So, ensure that even when you drink alcohol, drink responsibly. This might save your life.

Is Drinking Alone A Bad Sign?

Being alone can be a good thing. This could be a time to reflect and evaluate yourself and how to improve in life. Doing activities and hobbies on your own could be a way of self-care. Drinking alone could be a pastime that you would do to relax after a long day or a stressful week. However, when drinking alone becomes an issue where you start to abuse alcohol, it becomes a bad sign. So make sure to drink moderately, and if ever you are going through things and using alcohol as a coping mechanism, try and seek help. Drinking will only make things worse.

Can An AA Member Drink Beer?

Being in a support group, the people around you ensure you do not go back to your old addicted ways. This includes making sure that you do not take any alcohol or substance abuse habit that will push you over the edge. This helps avoid relapses, and this support system can help you cope with stress and highly emotional situations in a healthier way. Drinking that alcohol and beer could undo years of hard work, which is why AA members police each other to make sure this does not happen.

Does Daily Drinking Make You Alcoholic?

The occasional drink or two would not hurt. It helps you de-stress, and it can keep you relaxed. Overall, this does not present itself as a health risk. However, once it becomes a daily activity, it can become a factor for your health to decline, including your physical and mental health. An increase in alcohol consumption can be a progression of your mental health issues, and it may be time for you to evaluate your drinking habits. Experts recommend a certain amount of alcohol per day, and this does not have much of an effect on your health. Still, once it goes beyond that suggested amount, it now becomes an issue. Be sure to watch your intake and know when it becomes too much.

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Why Depressed People Drink Alcohol?

Two things might answer this: first, people use alcohol to numb their emotions. When someone is sad or lonely, they use alcohol and beer to become desensitized to their pains, hoping to elevate their mood. Second, they use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Either way, the result is to forget and hopefully be in a better mood.

Why Do I Enjoy Drinking Alcohol?

Drinking can be an enjoyable pastime as it helps us de-stress, relax, and elevate our moods. This way, we feel more energized, making us more confident to approach things differently. This is quite normal for many people, which is why many people turn to alcohol and beer. Unfortunately, some have abused it to the point where it is no longer healthy for them.

How Does Someone Become Alcoholic?

A person becomes an alcoholic when they start to drink more than usual, and they begin to depend on alcohol for their happiness or to cope with their emotions. Some signs of a person being alcoholic are they are irritable when they are not drinking, habitually drinking alone, lying about their alcohol misuse and habits, and they may constantly blackout and lose their memory.

How Can I Quit Alcohol?

What you can do is first commit to quitting. You have to fully understand and accept that drinking has become so unhealthy that it is now becoming harmful. From here, seek support groups to help you through this process, or you can check yourself into a mental facility. Either way, your goal is to seek help because this will be a complicated process, and you will need the support of the people around you and those who understand what you are going through.

What Are The Signs Of Liver Damage Due To Alcohol?

This could be different for some people, so you must regularly visit and consult with a doctor. Still, generally, the symptoms are: abdominal pain, jaundice or yellowing of the skin, abdominal tenderness, dry mouth, increased thirst, fatigue, loss of appetite, your hands and feet may turn red, and your skin may become abnormally dark or light.

What Happens If You Give Up Alcohol For A Month?

Over the few weeks you would give up alcohol, there could be different outcomes per week, which your body would be thanking you for. During the first week, your sleeping pattern becomes better. In week two, you lose your acid reflux. For week three, your blood pressure starts to reduce, and finally, for week four, your skin looks better, and your liver function returns to normal. Hopefully, by the end of that month, you will lose interest in drinking altogether.

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Why Should You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

The best reason for this is so you start to become healthier again. Drinking can cause many health issues and problems, from physical to mental health. Too much alcohol can cause your liver to fail, and it might just kill you. Another reason is so you could become a better example for your kids and family members. Alcohol can be destructive; you do not want your kids to see you that way. Finally, it will change your life for the better.

Is There A Connection Between Being Depressed And Alcoholic?

Yes, there is a connection between depression and alcohol use. People with depression are more likely to use alcohol as a form of self-medication or coping, sometimes leading to alcohol abuse or dependency. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the development or exacerbation of depressive disorder symptoms.

What Does Alcohol Do To A Depressed Person?

While alcohol can temporarily provide feelings of relaxation or relief from emotional pain for some people, it is a depressant that can ultimately worsen depression. Alcohol disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those related to mood regulation. Over time, alcohol use can lead to increased feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive symptoms.

How Does Alcohol Affect Mental Health?

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on mental health. Beyond its potential to worsen or trigger depression, it can also contribute to other mental health conditions, including anxiety and substance use disorders. Prolonged and heavy drinking can impair cognitive functioning and exacerbate emotional distress.

Is Alcohol A Coping Mechanism For Depression?

Some individuals with depression may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism to temporarily alleviate emotional pain or numb their feelings. However, this is not a healthy or effective long-term coping strategy. Alcohol is not a solution for depression and can lead to a cycle of worsening mental health and increased alcohol dependency.

What Comes First: Depression Or Alcoholism?

The relationship between depression and alcoholism can vary from person to person. In some cases, depression precedes alcoholism, with individuals using alcohol to self-medicate their depressive symptoms. In other cases, excessive alcohol use can lead to depressive symptoms. The two conditions can reinforce each other, creating a challenging cycle to break.

It’s crucial for individuals struggling with depression and alcohol use to seek help from mental health professionals who can provide appropriate treatment and support. Treating both conditions simultaneously is often necessary for a successful recovery. If you or someone you know is dealing with these issues, contact a healthcare provider or a mental health specialist for guidance and treatment options.

Final Thoughts

I felt the need to stop drinking when I was in the back of a police car one morning. Apparently, I got so drunk at the park that I passed out there, and the local joggers found me but didn’t want to wake me up, so they called 911. They eventually let me go when I assured them that I was merely a drunk lady who posed no threat to others. Still, I made sure to part ways with my best friend, Jack, before getting mental help from the psychological symptoms.

 

 

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Regardless of what mental disorders you are suffering from – a debilitating phobia, compulsive thoughts, panic attacks, or persistent worries –  it is vital to know that you can live without fear and irrational worries. Treating mental health conditions can definitely help, and therapy is frequently the best choice for a lot of people with anxiety disorders. That is because therapy for anxiety symptoms, which is not the same as medication therapy, manages not only the problem’s symptoms. Therapy can help you ease anxiety by identifying the causes of your fears and apprehensions, learning how to calm the mind, better problem-solving and survival skills, and perceiving situations in fresh and less terrifying ways. Therapy provides you with the tools to deal with the condition and educates you on how to utilize them appropriately.

 

Therapy Should Be Customized To Your Particular Diagnosis And Symptoms

Anxiety vary significantly, so therapy should be customized to your particular diagnosis and manisfestation. For instance, if you have PTSD, your medical treatment is different from a person who requires help for panic attacks and other mental health conditions. The frequency and length of the therapy with a mental health professional are also dependent on the intensity and type. But many therapies for anxiety and depression are relatively brief. The American Psychological Association states that a lot of individuals do better considerably within eight to ten sessions.

Exposure Therapy And CBT

Various therapy forms are used and recommended to manage and relieve symptoms of anxiety, but the most common approaches are exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (talk therapy). Each of these therapies treatment including therapy cbt may be utilized singly or together with other therapy forms. Anxiety therapy, particularly behavioral therapy cbt, may be done individually or with a group of individuals with the same signs and symptoms. However, the aim is the same: to reduce the level of your symptoms, overcome your terrors and apprehensions, and achieve peace of mind.

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What Are Some Of The Complementary And Alternative Remedies For Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, it is the most prevalent mental illness in the U.S. While medication and psychotherapy are traditional options to treat anxiety disorders, some people prefer to explore complementary and alternative treatments. These anxiety treatments can include mind-body techniques, herbal and dietary supplements, acupuncture, and other alternative therapies.

Mind-body techniques are popular alternative remedies for anxiety. These techniques, including meditation, yoga, and tai chi, focus on the connection between the mind and body. Meditation involves quieting the mind and focusing on breathing conditions, while yoga combines breathing techniques with physical postures. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that involves slow, gentle movements and deep breathing.

Research has shown that mind-body techniques can be effective in reducing symptoms. In one study, participants who practiced meditation for eight weeks showed a significant decrease in symptoms compared to a control group. Yoga has also been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, with one study finding that yoga was as effective as cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing anxiety. Tai chi has also been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms, with one study finding that it was more effective than traditional exercise in reducing anxiety.

Herbal and dietary supplements are another alternative treatment option for people experiencing this mental health condition. Common supplements include valerian root, kava, and omega-3 fatty acids. Valerian root is a natural sedative that has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality. Kava is a plant that has been used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety and promote relaxation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, have been shown to have a positive effect on mood and may also alleviate the symptoms.

While herbal remedies and dietary supplements can be effective in reducing symptoms, it is important to use caution when taking these supplements. Some supplements can interact with other anti anxiety medications or health conditions, and some may have potential side effects. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before taking any supplements.

Acupuncture is another alternative option. Acupuncture involves the usage of thin needles. Professionals use these needles to poke into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow. It is believed that this can help balance the body’s energy and lessens the symptoms.

Research has shown that acupuncture can be effective in reducing symptoms. In one study, participants who received acupuncture showed a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to a control group. Acupuncture has also been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Other alternative remedies for anxiety include aromatherapy, massage, and chiropractic care. Aromatherapy involves using essential oils to entice relaxation and reduce symptoms. Massage can help promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension, which can be helpful for people with anxiety. Chiropractic care involves the manipulation of the spine to improve nervous system function and reduce symptoms.

While alternative treatment plans can be effective, it is important to approach them with caution. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before trying any alternative options, as some may interact with other medications or health conditions. Additionally, some may not be covered by insurance and may be expensive.

What Type Of Therapy Is Best For Persons With This Type Of Anxiety Disorder?

CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is the most popularly recommended remedy for anxiety disorders. Studies have proven that it effectively manages panic attacks, social anxiety or social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and different phobias, among others.

What Are The 6 Types Of This Disorder?

The six types include phobia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia. 

How Is This Disorder Diagnosed And Treated?

To diagnose anxiety, a doctor or another medical professional initially performs a physical symptoms examination. This helps identify signs and symptoms of anxiety associated with an existing medical condition or medications that the person is taking. Urine and blood tests and other tests could also be taken if other physical health problems are suspected. If the doctor does not find any possible cause of your symptoms, a psychological evaluation is performed. Mental health specialist assesses the symptoms of the patient and family history. In anxiety disorder diagnoses, many doctors use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM-5 published by the American Psychiatric Association. Through the psychological evaluation, diagnoses and possible treatment options are determined.

What Is The Latest Treatment For People With This Mental Health Disorder?

Modern pharmacological treatment is safe and can be used to treat anxiety or panic disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that are used as the first-line medications for anxiety disorders. The FDA-approved ketamine, originally used as an anesthetic, is now being administered to patients diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and treatment-resistant depression.

What Gets Rid Of This Mental Health Disorder?

Symptoms of teen anxiety or panic interfere with your daily life. You can try reducing your symptoms by doing these things below:

  • Exercising regularly is beneficial not only for your physical health but also emotional
  • Quit smoking
  • Avoid consuming too much coffee and alcoholic drinks
  • Get enough sleep
  • Try meditation
  • Do deep breathing exercises
  • Maintain a healthy diet 

What Helps If This Type Of Mental Health Condition Is Severe?

Most individuals with severe and acute anxiety can be treated with professional medical care, although treatment usually varies from person to person. The positive outcomes of psychological counseling or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are typically seen in three to four months. Prescription medicines can be a short or long-term choice, depending on certain situations or medical conditions and how severe the symptoms are. 

Is This Type Of Disorder A Mental Illness?

Intermittent anxiety is acceptable or even normal. But an anxiety disorder is not okay at all. This is a collection of mental health illnesses that lead to overwhelming and persistent worry. Extreme conditions could prevent you from working, going to school, or attending social get-togethers which might worsen your fear and worry.

What Do Psychiatrists Usually Prescribe For Anxiety?  

Psychiatrists recommend antidepressants, such as SSRIs, to treat their patients with anxiety. The most commonly used SSRIs include Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Lexapro, and Paxil. These medications have been administered to patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder. 

Why Do People Have This Condition?

A major affair or an accumulation of small stressful circumstances may lead to extreme anxiety or panic attack, for instance, work-related stress, financial problem, or the loss of a loved one. Additionally, individuals with specific personality types are more inclined to get anxious compared to others. Brain chemistry and genetic makeup are also factors that cause people to feel anxious.

What Type Of Doctor Do You See For This Type Of Mental Health Condition?

If you are suffering from severe anxiety, you may need to visit a mental health provider, such as a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist is a licensed doctor who focuses on providing diagnoses and medication for mental health illnesses. On the other hand, a psychologist, among other mental health professionals, is capable of diagnosing anxiety and providing psychotherapy. 

What Is The First-Line Treatment For People With This Type Of Mental Health Disorder?  

Tranquilizers, such as benzodiazepines, are the most popularly recommended drugs for anxiety. Additionally, medications like Klonopin, Xanax, Ativan, and Valium bring fast relief, usually within thirty minutes up to one hour.

What Is A Good Vitamin For This Mental Health Disorder?

Vitamin B is the most commonly suggested vitamin to use for people dealing with anxiety, as they are known to be a great stress reliever. Other equally effective supplements that an individual can try taking regularly include Glycine, L-theanine, Ashwagandha, and valerian root. 

What Is A Drug That Calms You Down?

Benzodiazepines are popular because they function as mild tranquilizers, hypnotics, or sedatives. They are the most commonly recommended type of drug all over the world. The relaxing and sedating effects of benzodiazepines are often seen even without the use of drugs.

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There is no single pill that can completely fix anxiety. Effectively managing this disorder will take commitment and time. Therapy entails confronting your terrors instead of evading them, so your feelings will sometimes worsen even before they improve. The vital thing to do is to stick and be committed to following your doctor’s and therapist’s recommendations. If, at some point, you feel like you want to give up, remember that therapy is a very effective tool for the long term, and you’ll soon be reaping the benefits if you endure and see it through.

Aside from this, making wise choices and effective stress management can also help you with your recovery. Your activities, which include your personal and social life, inevitably affect anxiety. Avoid indulging in alcohol and recreational drugs that can make your symptoms worse. If quitting alcohol seems so hard, look for support groups or consult a professional to help you. Set yourself up for success by learning and practicing daily relaxation techniques and a positive mindset every day of your life.

What Are The Best Ways To Cope Naturally?

To cope naturally with anxiety, a person must incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. This is to improve their mood and to help them stay healthy. Other coping strategies include avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs, practicing meditation and yoga, and making sleep a priority. Other strategies worth considering are eating healthy foods, learning to relax, and discussing your concerns with a trusted friend or family member.

How Effective Are The Therapies For This Mental Health Condition?

Therapy is often considered a very effective strategy to help people with anxiety. This is because it not only treats the symptoms of the person but also reveals the causes of the person’s worry and irrational thoughts. Further, therapy teaches the person some coping strategies and problem-coping skills that they may be able to use to look at the situation in a less frightening way.

What Are The Best Ways To Cope Medically?

What Are The Biggest Challenges For People With This Disorder?

What Is The Safest Medication That Has The Least Side Effects?

 

 

What are the benefits of family therapy? Is it worth your time to look for marriage and family therapists? Let’s find out the benefits of family therapy.

family therapy benefits

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Benefits Of Family Therapies

Therapy sessions include strategies derived from cognitive, interpersonal, behavioral, and other forms of mental health treatment. Unlike other services, the strategies utilized depend on the particular issues. Know and identify more about the advantages of family therapy in this article.

Marriage and family therapy isn’t just for mental illness. A marriage and family therapist can also help the members of a family improve their relationships. According to the American Association and National Institute studies, emotional or behavioral issues in children are common reasons to consult a mental health professional or a life counseling expert. Children’s issues don’t exist and do not affect anything, or anyone. They exist, and they require attention and support from friends and family members. It should be remembered that ‘family’ doesn’t always mean blood relations. It can be anyone who supports, cares for, and loves another even if they are not related members or living in the same home. A therapist administering therapy like this can apply their knowledge to a broad range of relationships, helping alleviate relationship tension and address mental health conditions resulting from them.

Types Of Family Therapy

  • Structural

This type of therapy can help because it involves making adjustments to build the family’s strengths within the household and ensuring that parents are managing the children and the entire family appropriately, including setting proper boundaries during challenging situations.

  • Systemic

This medically reviewed model’s basic principles involves the emphasis on unconscious communication and the purpose and meanings of each family member’s behavior, including adults and child’s behavior. The therapist in this type of treatment recovery is impartial and detached.

  • Bowenian

This therapy method is most suitable and helpful for circumstances where several members of the family are hesitant to include the rest of the family members during family counseling. The Bowenian treatment was developed from two main principles – triangulation, or the tendency to release one’s stress and anxiety by venting to another person, and differentiation, or the process of learning to be less mentally and emotionally responsive to family relationships.

family therapy benefits

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  • Strategic

This family counseling treatment is also more direct than the other types. The marriage and family therapist delegates assignments to each family member who participates for the purpose of changing the way the brood interacts. He then evaluates the way the relatives communicate and discusses their decisions. He also takes the position of authority in this form of treatment, which enables several members of the family that do not typically hold the authority to communicate more efficiently.

    • Make proper observations of how each family member interacts.
    • Assess and find solutions to contribute to and address specific issues such as marital problems, financial problems, and other family relationships issue.
    • Make a diagnosis and treatment, as well as improve coping skills for mental health problems (which may include substance abuse, alcohol addiction, depression, and more) and challenges within the family.
    • Help family members in their journey towards transition and traumatic loss, such as in death or divorce.
    • Efficiently help substitute abnormal behavior patterns into healthy one.

What Is The Benefit Of Family Therapy?

family therapy benefits

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Family Therapy Enhances Communication

  • Issues originate from cross-generational restrictions, an example is when parents live with grandparents, or children are raised by their grandparents. The marriage and family dynamics might not be the same across generations. The objective is to enhance communication and help each family member create healthy boundaries.
  • Families who come from diverse cultural, religious, or racial backgrounds. The goal here is to aid relatives in better understanding each other and learning to build healthy relationships.

Family Therapy Reduces Problem Effects

  • The client’s problems are seemingly connected to problems with other family members. In circumstances where the problems are profoundly connected to problems with other family members, the family therapist’s objective is to tackle each contributing concern and resolve or reduce the effects and mitigate any mental health concerns..

Family Therapy In Blended Family

  • Blended families or stepfamilies can also benefit from the services of family therapists. These types of households can be affected negatively by issues that are specific to their situation. For the blended family, the objective of this psychotherapy is to cope with issues, improve comprehension communication, and build good interactions between family members. Attend family therapy now if you need assistance.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What Is The Primary Goal Of Family Therapy?

  2. Does Family Therapy Really Work?

  3. Can Family Therapy Make Things Worse?

  4. What Are The Basic Concepts Of Family Therapy?

  5. What Questions Should I Ask My Family Therapist?

  6. What are the disadvantages of family therapy?
  7. How do I get the most out of my family therapy?
  8. What are the goals of family therapy?
  9. What are the appropriate boundaries in family therapy?
  10. How do I prepare for a family therapy session?

There was rarely a time in my life when I had not been punctual, except for when I forgot to change my alarm’s battery, causing it not to go off at all.

avoiding tardiness

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In truth, I hated making someone wait for me, regardless of any situation. My reason was that no one forced me to agree to a meeting at a particular time, so I should have no excuse for not being at the rendezvous place on time. This way of thinking seemed to always work in my favor; that’s why I continued to do it.

However, I could not say the same one more thing for my younger sister. Ever since we were kids, she was the last to prepare for school every morning. Mom and Dad had to take turns waking her up and even needed to resort to shouting or banging doors to make that happen.

When I was in 9th grade, my sister entered the 7th grade. Our first classes took place at the same time estimates – 8:30 A.M. – so we were supposed to be out of the house 30 minutes before that time. Otherwise, we would miss the first school bus and need to wait for 15 more minutes for the second one to arrive.

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Throughout that year, I could only count the number of times when my sister managed to ride the first bus with me using one hand. The girl could not get ready for school on time, no matter how many letters our parents got from her teachers, complaining about her tardiness. As it turned out, she often missed the first 10 minutes of the class, and the teachers were unhappy.

We all thought that this problem would end in 8th grade because my sister’s first period was at 9 A.M., but we were wrong. If anything, it got worse since she would often “take a nap” after breakfast once Mom had gone to work, and she was all by herself. This tardy routine continued even in college, much to our parents’ chagrin.

As for me, I made it my life’s work task to understand my sister’s seemingly never-ending tardiness. I picked my best friend’s brain, who happened to be a budding psychologist years ago, to figure out more sense about it. Here’s what I learned.

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Constant Lateness Could Be A Sign Of Mental Health Disorder

The main thing I understood was that tardiness could be a symptom of a mental health disorder. I even thought about it as part of attention hyperactivity disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity, or whatever that is. I thought that when someone lost track of time, they must have issues with hyperactivity disorder or the likes of it. But I was wrong, I know that now.

After all, it was one thing to be chronically late because your car battery died, you got in an accident, or a loved one needed your help urgently. If someone was clearly making up excuses for their chronic lateness and failing to make it seem believable, that’s not okay.

One of the significant mental health disorders that might cause tardiness was stress and anxiety. Anxious people tend to stay in their heads for a long time without moving or taking any action, you see. They could spend hours thinking and not realize how much time they had lost. It would be incredible if the person were aware of what’s happening and why, but most people hadn’t realized it at all. Eventually, it causes them too much anxiety.

Constant lateness could also be an early sign of impulse control disorder. If you think about it, a person could easily avoid getting up minutes late by setting up multiple alarms around them. Considering you had been making a similar effort, but to no avail, it might be ideal to seek a mental health professional’s advice on the deficit hyperactivity disorder matter.

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Furthermore, aside from deficit hyperactivity, the lack of self-confidence might be the reason behind someone’s tardiness. For instance, if you snagged a job at a fast-paced company, and you still could not believe that you deserved the spot, you might often end up not living up to others’ expectations. You might see your reflection before work and start talking down about your abilities to the track extent that you have already missed the time of schedule.

How To Stop Being Late

Consulting a psychologist regarding your tardiness might be the best course of action.

When I suggested that to my sister, I must admit that it didn’t gain positive reactions from her or our parents. They all had this belief that only mentally challenged people would do that. But after retelling the possible mental health causes of constant lateness, my sister finally agreed to professionally meet my best friend.

After a few appointments, it turned out that my sister had social anxiety. Although it seemed like she didn’t care about being on time or not interested in time management skills, we became aware that her anxiety was making her tardy all these years. The psychologist prescribed an example of one-on-one counseling to my sister, followed by immersion in crowded places whenever she felt ready, as part of the guide for addressing tardiness from a mental health perspective.

two ladies talking about tardiness in a school cafeteria

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Months later, my sister’s tardiness seemed to lessen little by little.

Bottom Line

Being always chronically late does not mean that someone is a rebel who doesn’t care about rules. Most of the time, people do care. The only problem is that they have no idea how to change this habit of constantly being late.

Well, now that you’ve reached the bottom of this article, you cannot use the same excuse anymore. Let your brain soak in the information above. If you need further guidance, consult a mental health guide to tardiness for expert advice. Talk to friends and family for emotional support. Good luck!

FAQs

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