Helping Your Child (and Yourself) Combat Back-to-School Anxiety

August 1, 2021

Combating back-to-school anxiety may feel overwhelming but there are some ways to help ease emotions and make the transition a bit easier.

Helping Your Child (and Yourself) Combat Back-to-School Anxiety

August 1, 2021

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and another atypical school year is upon us due to the Covid-19 pandemic. You or your child may be feeling some back-to-school anxiety as you anticipate what things will be like this year. Masks, no masks, vaccines, no vaccines, quarantine rules, in-person learning, virtual learning, it is all a lot to take on.

Returning to school can cause anxious feelings even in a non-pandemic year with concerns over schoolwork, friendships, social interaction, teachers, getting to classes, etc. Combined with pandemic stressors you might be wondering how you can help your child and yourself combat back-to-school anxiety.

First of all, know that whatever you are feeling right now is ok. There is no “normal” way to feel as school begins. Your worries, your fears, even your relief is all valid.

Combating back-to-school anxiety may feel overwhelming but there are some ways to help ease emotions and make the transition a bit easier.

Here are some tips to help you and your child:

1.) Recognize your child may be struggling and validate their feelings.

Your child may be feeling lots of different emotions right now and they might not know how to verbalize what they are feeling. Look for signs in their behavior that may indicate they are struggling, things like crying, complaining of stomachaches, irritability, or clinginess. Validate those feelings by telling them you know it might be hard, they might be scared, and that is ok. Reassure them by telling them you will help them and together you will get through these challenging times.

2.) Try to stay positive around your child.

We all have moments of struggle but it is important to try to stay positive around your child, especially regarding areas they are concerned about. Your emotions, the words you say, can all impact how your child is feeling. If you are frequently verbalizing your fear over your child returning to in-person learning, then your child will likely be afraid as well. This is a great time to model positive coping skills for your child. If you tell them you are also afraid, show them how you are coping with it — focusing on the positive, taking deep breaths, practicing mindfulness, etc.

3.) Now is a great time to teach your child about mindfulness.

The underlying emotion of anxiety is uncertainty. Those feelings of your heart racing, breathing rapidly, unable to concentrate, not being able to sleep, can all be linked to the fact that we just don’t know what the future holds. We are afraid because we don’t know what the school year will be like. We don’t know if we will get sick or have to miss school or struggle with childcare. We only know what is happening right here and right now.

Mindfulness can be a great tool to combat anxiety. If your child, or yourself, are experiencing moments of anxiety teach them how to pay attention to where they are currently rather than letting their thoughts run away. Teach your child to identify when they are feeling scared or sad and then give them a coping solution— find a friend, talk to a teacher, breathe, walk to the bathroom, count to 10, feel the fabric of their shirt between their fingers, etc. These are skills that they can take with them throughout life.

4.) Practice routines ahead of time.

In 2020, normal routines fell apart as many kids didn’t have to catch the school bus or log in to computers until later in the day. Prepare your child for heading back to school by stating their routine a week or two before school starts. Have them start getting up early, go to bed earlier, getting ready for the day, getting their stuff together, and leaving the house so they aren’t caught off guard the first week of school. Being prepared will make one less thing to worry about.

5.) Consider sending a memento or note to school with your child.

Notes in your child’s lunchbox, a family photo, or a special keychain, can give your child something to comfort them if they get anxious at school. These items can help provide some calm and connection for you and your child during the day. If they get upset they can reach for the memento to calm them down.

6.) Acknowledge concerns and evaluate options.

This is a tricky time for parents. What is the right thing to do for your child? Should you make them wear a mask even if the school doesn’t require it? What about vaccines? Should you be sending your child at all? Can they participate in sports or is it too dangerous? Take some time to think through your concerns and your options. Talk it out with a significant other, a trusted friend, and your child. Develop a plan or solution that works for your family.

7.) Communicate with teachers.

If your child is having a particularly hard time, tell the teacher. If you develop a plan, let the teacher in on it. Reach out to social workers and nurses so that everyone is on the same page. Maybe even arrange a weekly check-in meeting so you can get more information about how your child is doing and ease your worries.

There is no doubt this year will again pose many challenges for families as they face back-to-school anxiety. Do your best to keep things positive and get help when you need it. If you or your child is struggling with how to cope, you may consider reaching out to a licensed mental health professional or counselor for assistance. A counselor or therapist can help you develop a plan that fits your life.

Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania?

Counselors at CW Psychological Services are professionally trained and licensed. We have openings for online, or telehealth, therapy appointments. Email us at info@cwpsychologicalservices.com or call at (610) 308-7575. We are here for you.

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Anxiety, Children, Parenting, School & Academics, Teens/Children Tagged With: anxiety, child, coronavirus, covid-19, mental health, parenting, sadness, scared, school

Treatment for Social Anxiety

July 29, 2021

For a year now, most of us have been unhappy with living a life in quarantine, wondering when the world would finally get back to normal. With vaccines rolling out and most towns and cities reaching herd immunity, society is beginning to open back up. Now if you are like some Americans, part of you […]

Treatment for Social Anxiety

July 29, 2021

Now if you are like some Americans, part of you is happy for life to return to normal, and another part of you is experiencing what some psychologists call “re-entry anxiety.” According to a report from the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 50% of Americans have expressed that they feel some anxiety regarding resuming in-person interactions post-pandemic.

This is a Normal Reaction to a Very Stressful Situation

Mental health experts have suggested there are two groups of people that will most likely experience re-entry anxiety. One of those groups is people who have a lingering fear that they will either catch or help to spread the disease or the new strains of COVID that seem to be cropping up.

The second group are people who feel their social skills have withered while quarantined and may find being around a lot of people and holding their end of the conversation to be very awkward, exhausting and challenging.

It’s important to mention that while you may be feeling anxious about re-entry into society, avoiding social situations will only make your anxiety worse. In fact, experts agree the longer you avoid the thing that makes you anxious, the harder it will be to face it.

What may help is to set small goals for yourself. For instance, you may want to set up small get-togethers with one or two others to start. Don’t feel the need to jump in the deep end right away, slowly acclimatize yourself to start.

Getting Help for Your Anxiety

We’ve all got to remember that we’ve faced a big trauma this past year and we must be gentle with ourselves. Life will feel normal once again. Until then, do the best you can do and ask for help when you need it.

Speaking with a trained therapist can be highly effective for people dealing with stress and anxiety. A therapist can help you navigate your emotions and offer tools to move through the anxiety.

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

RESOURCES:

Filed Under: Anxiety

4 Ways to Deal with Social Anxiety at Work

July 20, 2021

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 15 million U.S. Americans, or 6.8% of the population, suffers from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). SAD, also sometimes referred to as social phobia, is an intense fear of social situations. The sufferer believes they could become humiliated and embarrass themselves somehow in front of other people. […]

4 Ways to Deal with Social Anxiety at Work

July 20, 2021

The most common social phobia is giving a public presentation. Did you know that the number 1 fear of people all around the world is public speaking and death is the second? That’s right, more people are scared to get up in front of others and speak than they are to kick the bucket!

Shyness VS SAD

People often confuse shyness with social anxiety disorder, but the two are very different. While a shy person may be a bit uneasy around others, they will generally not experience the same intense anxiety as someone with an actual social phobia. Shy people also don’t go to the extreme avoidance of social situations while those with SAD will often do anything to avoid being in a social gathering.

Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder

Extreme and persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations where a person is exposed to scrutiny or unfamiliar people.
Panic attacks at the mere thought of the social situation.
The person recognizes the fear as excessive or irrational but still cannot control their feelings.
The social situation is avoided at all costs.
The irrational fears affect the person’s everyday life and interferes with career and personal relationship growth.

Dealing with Social Anxiety Disorder at Work

If your social anxiety is interfering with your career goals, here are 4 ways you can deal with it:

1. Meditate

Meditation has been scientifically proven to calm a person’s nerves. By being still and focusing on your breath for just 10 minutes each day, you can learn to settle yourself in the face of anxiety and stress.

2. Focus on Performance, Not Feelings

People suffering from SAD tend to focus solely on how they feel during a social setting, not the positive things that may happen. When you focus on how well you’ve done, you start to forget about your nerves.

As an example, during your next board meeting, don’t focus on whether or not you are blushing or sweating, you can’t control that anyway. Just focus on making good eye contact with everyone in the room. When all is said and done, you will feel fantastic that you made such an accomplishment.

3. Try and Be Realistic

It’s important to be realistic in the face of your anxiety. For instance, if you’ve given speeches in the past and have done well, then it is unrealistic to tell yourself that you are “going to bomb.” Instead tell yourself, “I have done well in the past, I am very prepared and I will do a good job.”

4. Work with a Therapist

If social anxiety has stopped you from getting promotions or helping your family financially, then it’s time to get some help from a professional therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders. He or she can give you coping strategies that will help you move forward in life.

If you or someone you know is suffering with SAD and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’d be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help life feel more comfortable.

Filed Under: Anxiety

How to Deal with Social Anxiety after COVID

July 8, 2021

It has been a very long year. Lockdowns and social distancing have had a profound impact on our hearts and minds. But thankfully, as the vaccines roll out and the country begins to slowly open back up, we are beginning to return to some kind of normal. While many people are jumping for joy with […]

How to Deal with Social Anxiety after COVID

July 8, 2021

While many people are jumping for joy with the idea of taking part in normal social gatherings and getting back to life pre-pandemic, there are also those individuals who are feeling a bit of social anxiety at the same time. This is to be understood.

Being social requires a set of skills. We learned as children how to interact with those around us. As we grew older, we learned even more of the intricate and complex social structures, rules, and more. Being away from society for a year or more has put a kink into these important skills for many of us. You may have learned how to ice skate as a kid, but if you haven’t been on skates for years, there’s a good chance you’ll break some bones!

Here are some tips for dealing with any social anxiety you may be experiencing:

Be Kind to Yourself

Many will find it absolutely exhausting trying to relearn all of the social skills they haven’t practiced in some time. It’s okay, you’re not the only one who is struggling right now. Just be kind and gentle with yourself.

Stick with Your Own Comfort Level

Some people may be feeling anxiety right now because they are unsure of how safe it is to be out in the world. If we’re honest, the talking heads on TV seem to give us mixed signals about what is really going on. All you can do is set your own boundaries and determine what you feel comfortable with. If you’re not comfortable giving or receiving hugs, don’t feel pressured by someone else. Respect your own boundaries and comfort level and take things day by day.

Take Things Nice and Easy

If you haven’t worked out physically in some time, you wouldn’t, on your first day at the gym, run for an hour on the treadmill and THEN lift heavy weights afterward. You’d take things slow so as not to hurt yourself.

Apply this same logic to your social life. If you feel out of shape socially, then take things slow. Don’t suddenly fill your social calendar with all kinds of activities and events. Start with a small gathering and go from there.

Speak with Someone

If you find your anxiety isn’t dissipating after some time, you may want to speak with a counselor. They can give you the tools to help you get out of your rut and back into a healthy and joyful life.

If you’d like to speak with someone about your anxiety, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: Anxiety

Tips for Re-Entering Society Post-Pandemic

July 1, 2021

It has been over a year since the world, and state of Pennsylvania, shut down because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As things begin to reopen, are you ready to get back out there? If you are feeling anxious, stressed, uncertain about re-entering society, you are not alone. This is an exciting, yet nerve-wracking time. We […]

Tips for Re-Entering Society Post-Pandemic

July 1, 2021

This past year our mental health has been rattled. We have been faced with constant questions, uncertainty, fear of the unknown, loss of loved ones, time, and experiences. It has been nothing short of difficult. We aren’t expected to just dive right back into “normalcy.” It will take some time to adjust.

Here are some tips to help you as you make plans to re-enter society post-pandemic:

1.) Remember what you can control.

When things are out of control we often feel anxious and stressed, and right now there is a lot that is out of our control. But, not everything. There are some things you can control. Focus on those. For example, you can control when/if you get a vaccine, your personal distance to others, where you go to attend gatherings (outside vs inside), and whether you wear a mask. You can create your own personal boundaries. If you aren’t ready to do something yet, you don’t have to. You decide if you go or avoid the situation and you decide when to leave. It can help to make a list of all the positives to keep with you.

2.) Make a list of all the things you want to do.

There is so much that we missed out on last year — vacations, birthday parties, festivals, concerts, hugs from loved ones. Everything was canceled due to Covid-19. There was so much disappointment, but that isn’t the case this year. You can now do so many of the things around Pennsylvania, and the world, you wanted to do last year but couldn’t. Make a list of all the things you want to do and allow yourself to get excited. Boosting your excitement will help to ease some of those anxious feelings.

3.) Let yourself feel feelings.

Instead of trying to fight off (or ignore) whatever it is you are feeling, allow yourself to feel. If you are grieving a loss, anxious about attending events, or going into public, let yourself feel and accept those feelings. It is ok to be unsure, anxious, depressed, scared, sad, excited, happy, etc. Whatever it is that you are going through, it is ok. There is no one-way of feeling and no right or wrong way. It is completely normal to be struggling. Counseling can be a great help for anyone who isn’t sure how to move forward in this post-pandemic world.

4.) Move at your pace.

We all have different comfort levels. Some people have been ready to re-enter the world for months, while others have continued to stay cautious. It doesn’t matter where you are on the spectrum of post-pandemic readiness. Move at a pace you are comfortable with. If you aren’t ready for a concert or festival, or to send your children back to school, then don’t. If you aren’t ready for gatherings or returning to the office, be open with others. You decide what you are or are not willing to do.

5.) Stay up-to-date but don’t overdo it.

It is important that you know the latest information on what is safe and healthy and what is not. But, that doesn’t mean it is healthy to have the news on 24/7 or be glued to your devices. Disconnect. Recognize when you are feeling overwhelmed and turn it off. Get your information from reliable sources and leave the rest.

6.) Get help.

Living through a global pandemic is traumatic. We all went through big changes, transitions, tremendous loss, and personal tests. It is perfectly normal to be struggling. If you are having trouble moving forward or re-entering the post-pandemic world, consider seeing a counseling professional. A licensed therapist can help provide healthy coping tools so you can care for your mental health.

Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania?

Filed Under: Anxiety, General Tagged With: anxiety, coronavirus, covid-19, covid19, mental health, normal, post-pandemic, re-entering, social, social distance, society, trauma, traumatic

The Healing Power of Nature

May 19, 2021

One only needs to read a few lines from poets such as Frost, Wordsworth, and Thoreau to recognize the love for and connection to nature human beings have always had. Nature stirs our souls and imagination and brings beauty to our everyday lives. But it turns out, nature also brings a slew of benefits to […]

The Healing Power of Nature

May 19, 2021

The Many Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

Research is now clearly indicating that spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on our health. Whether you bike, hike, or simply sit under a tree enjoying the sights and sounds, time in nature has shown to reduce stress, slow heart rate, improve pain, lower cortisol, and stimulate the immune system by boosting the production of natural killer cells that fight disease and infection.

In addition, time outside means time in the sun, and THAT means getting a nice boost of vitamin D, which can do everything from preventing disease, make our bones and teeth stronger, and improve our mood.

Give Ecotherapy a Try

Ecotherapy, which is also sometimes referred to as nature therapy, is a practice in the emerging field of ecopsychology. The idea behind this practice is that many modern people, whether they are aware of it or not, feel a massive disconnect from the natural world. When you think about it, our ancestors spent hundreds of thousands of years living WITH nature, feeling it under their bare feet, being outside, ebbing and flowing with the shifts in seasons.

But today, most of us are only connected to a digital device. Ecotherapy gets us away from our screens and out into the beauty of the natural world. Many clinicians, including myself, believe that the earth has a natural ability to balance us. When we get back in touch with the systems of nature, we can experience improved mental health.

If you are feeling out of sorts and like the idea of trying ecotherapy, you can simply spend more time outside. If you would like someone to help you reconnect with nature, please get in touch with me. I am a big proponent of nature therapy and use it in my practice.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: Anxiety, Depression, General

The Truth About Perfectionism

May 12, 2021

We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist. But as human beings, we can never reach a state […]

The Truth About Perfectionism

May 12, 2021

But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product – but we as humans are always growing and changing.

What is Perfectionism?

Many people view perfectionism as a positive attribute. They believe the more “perfect” they are, the more success they will have in life.

Perfectionism is NOT the same thing as always doing your best. It is important that we always do our best. By doing so, we can experience healthy achievements and growth. But perfectionism takes this concept to the extreme.

People with perfectionist tendencies often have self-defeating thoughts and/or behaviors that actually make it HARDER to achieve their goals. Perfectionism also can make the individual feel stress, anxiety, and depression.

Signs to Look For

Most human beings, from time to time, will strive for perfectionism in some aspect of their life. As an example, that “perfectly moist chocolate cake” I mentioned earlier got that way because the person who baked it was trying to get everything JUST RIGHT as a gift for someone’s birthday.

But there are those people who are “full-time” perfectionists. They strive for perfection in all aspects of their life.

Here are some signs you may be a perfectionist:

You don’t like to attempt tasks or activities unless you feel you can complete them perfectly.
You are end-oriented, meaning you focus little on the process of creating or learning something and put all of the emphasis on the outcome.
You cannot see a task as having been completed unless it meets your perfectionist standards.
You tend to procrastinate because you don’t like starting a task until you know you can perfectly complete it.
You tend to take far longer completing tasks than others. This can be problematic at work.

Getting Help

Again, perfectionism is not the same thing as doing your best. It is a condition whereby the individual is almost incapable of feeling joy or pride at what they accomplish because in their own minds, they are never quite good enough.

If you believe you may have traits of perfectionism and it is causing you stress, there are things you can do to change your behavior so you can live a healthier and happier life.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: Anxiety, Depression

3 Ways Teens Can Benefit from Therapy

April 8, 2021

Not many of us remember our teenage years as walks in the park. That’s because this time in our life is punctuated by uncertainties, social pressure, and a surge of hormones. Because of this perfect storm, many teens act out, which can cause a lot of chaos and disruption in the home and family. Here […]

3 Ways Teens Can Benefit from Therapy

April 8, 2021

Here are 3 reasons why teens can benefit from therapy:

Self-Worth Issues

Most teens have a certain level of self-worth issues growing through this awkward phase. But there are those teens that really suffer from low self-esteem. Therapy can help adolescence build their self-esteem.

Stress

Dealing with school, friendships, work, choosing a college… are all major stressors in a young person’s life. And many teens find it hard to speak with their parents. Therapy offers teens a way to communicate and let go of some steam and pressure that is building up.

Grief and Loss

There should be a rule that no young person should suffer the loss of a close friend or family member. Sadly, many teens do experience loss and the grief that accompanies it. This can be incredibly difficult for the teen and their parents to navigate. A therapist has been trained to know exactly how to guide a young person through the stages of grief.

Anxiety Disorders

It’s perfectly normal for teens to feel worried and anxious at times. But some teens experience such severe anxiety, it negatively impacts their life, schoolwork and relationships. Therapy can help teens learn to manage their symptoms.

Substance Abuse Issues

Unfortunately, many teens learn to cope with the intensity of life by using drugs and alcohol. A therapist can assess a teen’s substance use and determine the best course of action.

These are just some of the benefits teens can gain from working with a therapist. If you or a loved one would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: Addiction, Adolescents/Teens, Anxiety, Grief

5 Strategies to Calm Your Anxiety Quickly

March 17, 2021

When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in “what-ifs.” To make […]

5 Strategies to Calm Your Anxiety Quickly

March 17, 2021

To make matters worse, you may then begin to berate yourself for allowing the panic to get the best of you and begin to believe that all of those what-ifs are indisputable facts.

Luckily there are many powerful tools and techniques you can use to manage your anxiety effectively.

Breathe Deeply

The minute you feel a panic attack coming on, the first thing to do is stop and gain control of your breath. Deep, slow breathing sends a signal to our brains that everything is safe in our environment. Controlled breathing is one of the most powerful ways to activate your body’s relaxation response. It will take your mind and body out of “fight or flight” mode and put it instantly into a calm and relaxed state.

Accept That You are Anxious

It’s important to always remember that anxiety is “just a feeling.” And like all feelings, it can go as quickly as it came. You are having an emotional reaction to a string of thoughts. Accept your anxiety because trying to pretend it’s not happening will only make matters worse.

Let’s be clear – by accepting your anxiety, you are not resigning yourself to a life of eternal misery. You are not throwing in the towel and trying to suddenly like your anxiety. Nope. You are simply living a more mindful existence, being in the moment, and accepting whatever is in that moment with you.

Your Emotions Cannot Kill You

One of the most frightening things about a panic attack is the feeling that you are having a heart attack. But you aren’t. Your brain can and will play tricks on you, trying to get you to believe that you are in physical danger. But the truth is, you are not in physical danger. You are having an episode based on emotions and it will pass. Remind yourself of that as many times as you need to.

Question Your Thoughts

When your panic attack begins, your mind begins to throw out all sorts of outlandish ideas at you, hoping some of them stick. These thoughts are intended to keep the panic attack going.

Before you take any of these thoughts as reality and truth, question them. For instance, if your mind throws things out like, “No one here likes me. I am for sure going to screw this up. I probably left the stove on. And I’ll no doubt get stuck in bad traffic on the way home and maybe even get a flat so I will then be stranded, and on and on and on…”

Questions these ideas. Are you TRULY not liked by everyone around you? Most likely not. Are you really going to screw up? Probably not. Traffic? Well, maybe but a flat tire? Chances are no.

Always question your thoughts. You will usually find the majority aren’t very realistic or probable.

Visualize

Picture somewhere serene that brings you peace and calm. Maybe this is your grandparents’ old house or a lake you’ve visited before. Maybe it’s that fantastic beachfront condo from your last vacation. Just picture it in your mind’s eye and really put yourself there. See it, smell it, feel it. Feel how calm it feels to be in this space that is perfectly comforting and safe.

Use these techniques the next time you experience an anxiety attack. They should help you feel much calmer much sooner.

If you would like to explore treatment options for your anxiety, please get in touch with me. I’d would be more than happy to discuss how I may be able to help.

SOURCES:

Filed Under: Anxiety

Why do some people inflict self-harm?

March 2, 2021

Some people turn to self-injury or harm in response to emotional distress. These non-suicidal injuries are a way for a person to mirror psychological pain with physical pain.

Why do some people inflict self-harm?

March 2, 2021

Some people turn to self-injury or harm in response to emotional distress. These non-suicidal injuries are a way for a person to mirror psychological pain with physical pain.

But, as the person on the outside, witnessing self-harm to a loved one can be confusing and scary. The tendency is to jump to the idea that this person was trying to commit suicide when that is not usually the intent.

Why would someone choose to hurt themselves? There are a few reasons.

1.) Feeling pain can provide a distraction from what they are thinking. It focuses their attention on their physical feelings rather than thoughts and strong emotions. It allows them to regain some control.

2.) This intentional physical harm can provide a temporary calming effect, allowing them to release some of the tension associated with their strong emotions.

3.) It can be a way of “feeling something” when the person is emotionally numb or dissociated.

4.) It can be a form of expression when the person doesn’t know another way to communicate or document their strong emotions.

5.) A form of punishment. If they feel they are undeserving or have done something wrong this can be how they punish themselves.

6.) Self-harm can provide a temporary but intense feeling of euphoria immediately after.

How common is intentional self-injury?

Self-harm is not something you just see in movies. It is actually relatively common, so common in fact that March has been named Self-Injury Awareness Month. It is estimated that as many as 17 percent of teenagers and 5 percent of adults will experience some form of self-injury, according to the American Psychological Association. Self-injury commonly includes skin cutting, headbanging or hitting, and/or flesh burning.

Self-injury is not a healthy coping mechanism. It is not a sustainable way of managing emotions and/or relieving stress. It can cause permanent damage to a person’s body and puts them at risk for infection and death, if gone too far. It is important that if you suspect someone is inflicting self-harm they be provided the proper mental help so they can heal.

What to look for?

Those who inflict self-harm often find ways to hide their injuries from others. They choose places on their bodies that are easily covered with clothing and hide any tools they may use to inflict harm. That is why it is important to know the signs.

Symptoms of consistent injury — if you notice your loved one frequently seems to have cuts, bruises, burns, or scabs on their arms, legs, or other parts of their bodies it is worth having a conversation

Overdressing for the weather — wearing baggy clothes or long sleeves or pants when it is hot outside can be a big indicator that your loved one is trying to hide something

Lots of excuses — if you ask your loved one about their frequent injuries and it seems like they are always coming up with an excuse it could be a sign they are hiding the real reason for the injury

Avoiding, isolating, or withdrawing from activities. Your loved one might not be participating in swimming, sports, or other events because they are harming themselves and don’t want others to see or because they are depressed and are struggling with their emotions. If you see them isolating it could be time to consider counseling. A counseling professional can help your loved one to develop healthy coping mechanisms rather than turning to self-harm.

Ending Stigma

All mental health struggles carry some stigma causing people to be anxious or avoidant in seeking the help they need. But, self-harm carries even more embarrassment for the person. Often they will feel like they have no one to talk to or will feel ashamed at what they have done to their body. They will struggle to come forward about their problem because of their embarrassment.

People who turn to self-harm can be labeled attention-seeking, which only exasperates the problem. If you suspect someone you care about is struggling with self-harm be gentle, open, and careful in how you approach the topic. Let them know you are a safe place and you want to get them help. They need to feel comfortable confiding in you.

Offer Support Not Judgment

If someone is inflicting harm on themselves what they really need is support. They need to feel safe and not alone in their struggles. Help them to seek out a mental health counselor who they are comfortable with. Offer love and a listening, comforting ear, rather than judgment. You probably don’t understand why they are hurting themselves and that is ok. Do your best to stay calm and open-minded to their circumstances. It can also be helpful for you to seek counseling services for yourself to help you cope during these worrisome times.

Ready to begin counseling in Pennsylvania?

Counselors at CW Psychological Services are professionally-trained and licensed. We have openings for online, or telehealth, therapy appointments. Email us at info@cwpsychologicalservices.com or call at (610) 308-7575. We are here for you.

Filed Under: Adolescents/Teens, Anxiety, Depression, Self-Esteem, Teens/Children Tagged With: adolescences, adolescents, anxiety, DBT, depression, emotion distress, emotion regulation, parenting, self-esteem, self-harm, self-injury, stress, teens, trauma