Skip to content
Get Matched with a Provider

LifeStance Insights

Category

Anxiety & Stress Resources

Filter Articles By:

Making Peace with Family Dynamics During the Holidays

The holidays are a mix of joy and stress, especially when spending time with family. Home, where we first learned to connect with others, can feel like a time machine. Old patterns resurface, and unresolved tensions may bubble up, making it feel like you’re reporting from a storm. Family gatherings can reveal how childhood relationships still shape us. The way we interact with family today often mirrors habits from the past, offering a chance to reflect and grow. A Note of Caution Trauma is one of the most significant life events, with lasting effects that can shape how we react and cope. By reflecting on the past with curiosity, we can uncover both the strategies we’ve developed to adapt and the traumatic experiences that continue to affect us in profound ways. These moments can trigger intense reactions, and addressing them often requires the support of therapy. Therapy provides a safe space to explore and process these experiences, which can sometimes resurface during fami...

By Jonathan McIntosh, LPC

Published: December 18, 2024
Read Time: 3 Minutes
Read More
Making Peace with Family Dynamics During the Holidays

How To Deal With Social Anxiety During the Holidays: Expert Tips 

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, reconnecting with friends, and cherishing moments with family. It’s a season filled with gatherings, celebrations, and opportunities to strengthen relationships. However, for individuals struggling with social anxiety disorder, this time of year can feel anything but joyful. Instead of excitement, the thought of holiday events often brings overwhelming fear, stress, and a deep sense of dread for these individuals. Navigating crowded gatherings, engaging in small talk, or even just being in the spotlight at family functions can be immensely challenging, making the holidays a season of anxiety rather than connection. Two LifeStance clinicians, Jennifer Farrell, LMFT, and Richard Carey, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, offer helpful tips for managing social anxiety during the holiday season. They provide practical strategies for navigating social situations and point out symptoms to look out for that may indicate the need for professional help when anxiety significantly impacts one’s daily life or overall well-being. According to Farrell, social anxiety stems from “an overwhelming fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassing oneself.” This intense fear often leads to avoidant behaviors, such as skipping events altogether or limiting interactions. For so...

By LifeStance Health

Published: December 6, 2024
Read Time: 4 Minutes
Read More
How To Deal With Social Anxiety During the Holidays: Expert Tips 

Bridging the Divide: Managing Family Relationships Across Political Lines

In today’s polarized political climate, differing political views can strain even the closest family relationships, sometimes leading to family estrangement. According to a 2023 Quinnipiac Poll, roughly 61% of voters hope to avoid discussing politics while visiting with family and friends during holidays compared to only 29% of voters who look forward to discussing politics at family events. Additionally, a new LifeStance Health survey found that the 2024 U.S. presidential election has caused one in five respondents significant anxiety this year. Family gatherings, once a time for connection and joy, can quickly become arenas for heated political debates. Interestingly, the Quinnipiac poll also attributes social media as most responsible for divisions among voters 18-34 years old, followed by cable news and political leaders. This may help explain a divide in political views within multi-generational households, as younger generations consume more social media content. These conflicts around differing political views not only disrupt the harmony of family events but can also lead to lasting emotional and mental health challenges if not navigated accordingly....

By LifeStance Health

Published: October 8, 2024
Read Time: 8 Minutes
Read More
Bridging the Divide: Managing Family Relationships Across Political Lines

Election Anxiety is Real–Here are Five Ways to Cope

This article was originally published on October 14, 2020 and updated September 20, 2024. Regardless of your personal political views, there’s one thing everyone can agree on: this election season has been hard. On top of the stress so many people are feeling about personal finances, the economy and global conflict, the upcoming election is causing anxiety across the country. In fact, it can even lead to symptoms that some mental health professionals have coined “Election Stress Disorder.” While this phenomenon may not be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM ), it is a recognized and documented experience characterized by lack of focus, depressive symptoms, increased anxiety and exhaustion. So, if the nearing election is giving you panic and stress, you’re not alone. A new LifeStance Health survey found that the 2024 U.S. presidential election has caused one in five respondents significant anxiety this year. Regardless of which candidates you support and your reasons for doing so, it feels like a lot is riding on this election. While the stakes may feel particularly high in 2024, election anxiety is not new. In fact, in 2016, about 52% of people surveyed described the election cycle as being a significant source of stress. By November 2019, that percentage had already inc...

By Dr. Tiffany Truesdale, PsyD

Published: September 20, 2024
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Read More
Election Anxiety is Real–Here are Five Ways to Cope

Safety Plan for Suicide Ideations: Tips from Experts

Suicide Safety Plan: What It Is, Who Needs It, and Expert Insights Suicide, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, is a crisis that touches millions of lives each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 alone, 48,000 people—nearly twice the capacity of Madison Square Garden—died by suicide. In the same year, 12.3 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.5 million made a plan to carry out suicide, and 1.7 million attempted to end their lives. Despite accounting for 50% of the population, men account for nearly 80% of suicides. The elderly, especially those aged 85 and older, have the highest suicide rates, followed by those between the ages of 75 and 84. Amid these grim statistics, suicide prevention efforts have proven to be effective, with significant breakthroughs emerging in recent years. In 2022, a major step was taken towards suicide prevention when the national suicide helpline phone number was shortened to 988. This made a significant impact, but more can be done in suicide prevention by emphasizing the importance of a suicide safety plan. We asked three LifeStance mental health care experts Jillian Bace, LCSW, Dr. Melissa Cobbs, PhD, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, and Corinne Mellin...

By LifeStance Health

Published: September 10, 2024
Read Time: 9 Minutes
Read More
Safety Plan for Suicide Ideations: Tips from Experts

How to Stop a Panic Attack: A Checklist to Help You Through Anxiety

If you live with Panic Disorder or any other Anxiety Disorder, the fear of a panic attack may worsen your symptoms. One of the best ways to ease that Anxiety is to prepare for a possible panic attack and have a plan. But what if you forget your plan when the time comes? If you’ve ever had a panic attack, you know: no matter how many times you’ve talked through it with your therapist, it’s hard to recall calming techniques when your mind is racing. That’s where your panic attack checklist comes in. Print or write out a list of the things you can do if you feel a panic attack coming and keep the list with you at all times. It may seem small now, but it can change everything if you need it. Step 1: Take Inventory of Your Mental Health Toolbox Use your answers to the following questions to think of resources you can access if you have a panic attack. You may notice that you’re missing resources in some areas—that’s okay. Take this opportunity to bulk up your mental health toolbox:...

By LifeStance Health

Published: February 5, 2024
Read Time: 6 Minutes
Read More
How to Stop a Panic Attack: A Checklist to Help You Through Anxiety

Physical Anxiety Symptoms Without Feeling Anxious: Understanding Your Body’s Response

Anxiety isn’t just about how we feel emotionally. It’s a comprehensive response that can affect our bodies in ways we might not readily associate with feeling anxious. In many instances, people experience physical symptoms of Anxiety without attributing them to state of their Mental Health. It’s crucial we learn how to identify the physical responses to mental or emotional stimuli so that we can find ways to soothe our Anxiety and become the best version of ourselves. Many people ask, “What does anxiety feel like physically?” The answers might surprise you. Which Types of Anxiety Cause Physical Symptoms? Anxiety is a natural and occasional response to life’s challenges. For some, however, Anxiety can become persistent, affecting daily life. Anxiety isn’t just an emotional experience; it often presents with physical symptoms, which can occur even when one isn’t feeling overtly anxious. Understanding the root cause of your Anxiety can provide clarity. Addi...

By LifeStance Health

Published: January 31, 2024
Read Time: 4 Minutes
Read More
Physical Anxiety Symptoms Without Feeling Anxious: Understanding Your Body’s Response