Category: Anxiety

The Dreadful Disposition of a Lack of Energy

The Dreadful Disposition of a Lack of Energy

Posted on by Alicia

When you live life one step forward, but two steps back

I have about four to five hours of active productivity within me per day.

Prioritizing doesn’t always seem to work since there is obviously more things to do actively during the day than four hours’ worth.

Included in these few hours are:

  • Laundry (never-ending)
  • Cooking/cleaning/organizing (never gets done, barely a dent is made in these behemoths of tasks)
  • Errands (grocery shopping, post office, vet, doctor appointments, and such)
  • Socialization (yeah, that’s a killer. More than two hours and I’m generally completely drained.)

My lack of energy is due to depression, bodily pain (previous injuries), and major introversion (which affects socialization). Continue reading “The Dreadful Disposition of a Lack of Energy” →

Speaking Up About Mental Health

Speaking Up About Mental Health

Posted on by Alicia

A Guest Post by Jordan Jones

Jordan Jones and Mental HealthJordan Jones is a 17-year-old from Mississippi and is a content creator. He focuses on mental health and wants to help others speak up about this much-too-often taboo topic. Jordan cares about people; he wants to help bring value to others. His happiness is helping others. Continue reading “Speaking Up About Mental Health” →

Stress & Anxiety Leave Me Speechless

Stress & Anxiety Leave Me Speechless

Posted on by Alicia

In 2001, I thought I was handling my recent stress and anxiety well. I was a 6th grade teacher in a low-economic, drug and gang-ridden community. The job equated stress. However, I loved my students, even the ones who challenged me to do so.

Over a couple of days that fall, I lost my ability to speak. I had recently been under the weather, so I wasn’t surprised that my doctor treated me for laryngitis. However, my voice never returned. Nearly a month had passed when my doctor finally recommended I see an otolaryngologist. Continue reading “Stress & Anxiety Leave Me Speechless” →

It’s Got Me Pulling My Hair Out!

It’s Got Me Pulling My Hair Out!

Posted on by Alicia

When Anxiety Becomes Too Much

We’ve all heard it or have said it:

I’m so stressed/worried/frustrated that I’m pulling my hair out!

My son suffers from trichotillomania.

What a freakin’ long word.

(trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh)

For those of you who don’t suffer from this, it is the compulsion to pull your hair out. Oftentimes, it is due to anxiety…and sometimes the sufferer has a history of OCD. Only 1–2% of adults and adolescents even have this condition; my son won this jackpot.

Continue reading “It’s Got Me Pulling My Hair Out!” →

Stuff Students Say

Stuff Students Say

Posted on by Alicia

Beware the gab.

I have taught English and literature classes for twenty years. Private and public schools, grades 6 through 12. It’s a demanding job, most of the time more demanding that this anxiety-ridden teacher can handle. Usually, I can contain it during a workday. Every now and then, though, it takes hold and all I can do is to speak as little as possible and focus on breathing in order to not snap.

This week, I had an afternoon where my anxiety became debilitating. So, after providing assignments to my 14-year-old scholars, I sat, attempted to control my breathing, and attempted to hold onto my sanity.

After listening to my students during these moments of controlled breathing, I decided to type some of the phrases and conversations I was hearing around my classroom. I set my focus on the breathing and typing.

So, for your amusement, here is a list of mutterings…

Continue reading “Stuff Students Say” →