Therapist Blog Challenge #17: Managing Social Anxiety

Here's another Therapist Blog Challenge to get your creative juices flowing!

Therapist Blog Challenge #17 deals with how to cope with Social Anxiety Disorder. Those who experience this condition often feel crippling insecurity and fear in social situations. Here's some inspiration to write a post where you explain what SAD is and also offer ways to effectively manage it.

[Headline] Come up with a catchy title for your blog post. You may write your own or use one of the following:

"Get me out of here!": Dealing with Social Anxiety

"Everyone's Staring at Me!": Coping with Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder: How to Manage It and Enjoy Parties Again!

[Strong Intro] Introduce your readers to the topic, define Social Anxiety Disorder, and tell what the post is going to be about. Here is an example:

While many people consider parties and get-togethers to be fun, others have a much different experience. Some suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder, which causes a person to have excessive and irrational fear of social situations. While others normally enjoy social gatherings, those dealing with social anxiety feel extreme self-consciousness and nervousness. This is way beyond simply shyness; it's a real disorder that can disrupt someone's quality of life. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to minimize the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder. Here are a few ways to effectively manage social anxiety:

[Scanable Content] Make your content easy to quickly scan and find the main points.

Therapy

A professional therapist can help someone with social anxiety understand that his/her fears are irrational and overcome them with cognitive behavioral therapy, social training skills, or exposure therapy. A mental health specialist can help provide the tools to move past the limitations someone may feel because of Social Anxiety Disorder.

Deep Breathing Exercises

Focusing on something as simple as breathing can help a person experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder to regain clarity and feel calm and relaxed. When someone is feeling nervous or panicked, there is often a tendency to have quick, shallow breaths. By bringing awareness to one's breath, the heart rate slows down and the person is more in control. Regularly practicing deep breathing/ meditation techniques can help alleviate the effects of Social Anxiety Disorder.

Medication

Medication is a technique to manage symptoms of social anxiety and is usually used in combination with psychotherapy. Anti-depressants can help reduce anxiety and make someone feel like his/herself again. Those who turn to medication for treatment typically experience general anxiety as well. Talk to your doctor to see if medication is right for you.

[Strong Ending Paragraph]

Now, write a short paragraph to tie up your blog post. For this particular subject, it may be good to offer some encouragement that someone suffering from social anxiety can make it through. Below is an example:

Social Anxiety Disorder can be frustrating and discouraging, as you want to enjoy a healthy social life, but know that there is help. You may never become a party animal, but you can effectively manage anxiety in order to feel more comfortable, functional, and secure in social settings.

Additional reminders about the Therapist blog challenge

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I’ve invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Therapist Blog Challenge #16: Surviving the Holidays

Therapist blog challenge #16 focuses on how to help readers make it through the crazy emotional stress of the holiday season.

[Headline] Come up with a catchy title for your blog post.  Here are a few examples:

Crazy Christmas and Hectic Hanukkah! How to Make it Through the Holidays

How to Survive Holiday Chaos and Have Fun with The Family

Dealing with Holiday Stress: Tips to Get You Through

[Strong Intro] Lay out the topic with a little more detail.  Below is an example.

The holidays are upon us! Time to deck the halls, eat delicious food, and spend time with the family. And while 'tis the season to be jolly, experience tells us that not every moment will be perfect. Stress levels and emotions can run high, and our mental sanity can take a hit. Here are strategies to deal with holiday chaos and actually enjoy the season:

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Break your content into smaller, readable sections with a clear sub-heading.

Anticipate Some Stress

If you are expecting absolute perfection, you will be let down. Prepare for the holiday vacation knowing that there is going to be some stress involved. Your in-law might offend you, the kitchen will be a mess, you might get overwhelmed with all there is to do, etc. By understanding that things will be hectic at times, you can have realistic expectations and prepare to deal with such moments. This is not to suggest that you should set yourself up for a miserable, anxiety-filled family vacation. On the contrary, by anticipating some stressful moments, you'll be more able to savor the good ones.

Don't Schedule Every Minute

It's exciting to plan a fun-filled vacation, but if you find yourself or others constantly worn out from the non-stop skiing, baking, or outings, take a step back from all the activities. Sleep is valuable for everyone, so amidst the holiday partying, make efforts to meet the needs of your physical body. Instead of going out to a movie, why not watch one at home so the little kids can start to unwind before bed? Consider lightening up the calendar a little bit.

Plan for Alone Time

If you're married, single, or in a relationship, take time away from the family crowd to refresh. This may mean going for a jog, scheduling a quick date, or doing anything that lets you relax and be yourself. It will be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the family party and can rejuvenate you to spend more time with them.

Decide to Be Happy

Even if you're stressed, even if you're tired, even if there's some family tension, decide to be your best self. A negative attitude is contagious, and no one likes a party-pooper! On the contrary, a positive outlook is infectious as well, so send out good vibes to others who may be feeling the holiday stress as well. It's likely that you get to be with large groups of family only every so often, so make the most of that time.

[Strong ending paragraph] The final paragraph wraps up your post and can include a summary of important points.

Remember that the holidays are meant to be an enjoyable time with loved ones, not a torturous event. By having realistic expectations, practicing self-care, and taking things easy, you can enjoy the holiday season.  How do YOU handle holiday stress?

Now get to writing!

Additional reminders about the 2014 blog challenge

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too. Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I’ve invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

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Therapist Blog Challenge #12: Share Holiday Tips

We all know the holiday season can be stressful and filled with everything from difficult family dealings to enhancing feelings of depression and loneliness. Take this opportunity to reach out and share helpful tips to get your clients and readers through the holiday season. Whether lighthearted or serious, how you approach the topic depends on how you can best serve your ideal client.

One of the most popular blog posts on my private practice site Wasatch Family Therapy was a blog inspired by the 2003 movie, Elf. A therapist used Buddy the Elf's most popular sayings to write a blog incorporating positive psychology. This lighthearted approach using a beloved holiday character can be a sweet way to offer some great tips for getting through the holiday season. Remember to write something that speaks to you and your ideal client.

Here are a few possible topics:

• Holiday stress
• Difficult family situations
• Co-parenting and the holidays
• Preventing loneliness
• Giving back/community service
• Gift giving
• Creating Holiday traditions
• Don't forget the Griswolds, The Grinch, Santa Claus, A Christmas Story or any other characters you love that always have something to teach!

Additional reminders about the 2013 blog challenge

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I’ve invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Therapist Blog Challenge #11: Promote Gratitude

Let the benefits of gratitude inspire your next professional blog post.

It's the time of year when Facebook posts, blogs, and tweets take on a tone of gratitude. This is an excellent opportunity for you to share with your readers things that you are grateful for or encourage them to express their gratitude.

• Share your own gratitude list: This can be as easy as creating a simple list of things you are thankful for, or writing an article about the positive benefits of gratitude on mental health.
• Write about gratitude and mental health research: Expressing gratitude is beneficial for a person's well-being (Emmons, 2003). Enjoy the benefits this blog might offer for you and your clients. As a marriage and family therapist you might want to cite Gottman's work on positive versus negative interactions with couples and how that can predict relationship longevity (Gottman, 1989).
• Encourage readers to keep a gratitude journal: I came across this nifty Gratitude Journal app that you could share in your article. Writing down what you are grateful for has been associated with increased happiness and well-being.

Enjoy sharing the benefits gratitude during this time of Thanksgiving!

Additional reminders about the 2013 blog challenge

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I’ve invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of personality and social psychology, 84(2), 377.

Gottman, J. M., & Krokoff, L. J. (1989). Marital interaction and satisfaction: a longitudinal view. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 57(1), 47.

Therapist Blog Challenge #10: Celebrate an Awareness Day

Let an awareness day or month inspire your next professional blog post.

Each year we celebrate a variety of awareness dates that highlight and bring attention to a variety of challenges that people face in the U.S. and across the world. October is National Depression, Mental Health Screening Month, and World Mental Health Day. These awareness dates can make for easy blog topics. Find an awareness date that matches the work and client you are passionate about and let it inspire your next blog article.

This post can be an excellent opportunity to educate your clientele. Find statistics from reputable sources to share with them regarding the particular topic you hope to bring awareness to. Post or share quizzes, assessments or symptom lists. Share events that are happening in your area that they might be interested in attending. Remember to post on or before the date you would like to highlight!

Here are some ongoing or upcoming dates for 2013:

October

• Depression & Mental Illness screening month
• ADHD Awareness Week (Oct. 13 to 19)
• OCD Awareness Week (Oct. 14 to 20)
• National Bullying Prevention Month

November

• Survivors of Suicide Day (Nov. 23)

December

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3)

Lists of these awareness dates can easily be located online and happen during almost every month of the year. Dates include everything from Mental Health Month to things like Schizophrenia Awareness Week. So, what are you waiting for. Get blogging to raise awareness for a cause close to your heart.

This part is new! Once you've written your blog post, click the option below "click to view/add link" and to post it on the link party below!

Additional reminders about the 2013 blog challenge

• Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too.
• Post a link for this blog challenge in the InLinkz widget above.
• Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.
• Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.
• Pin it on the challenge Pinterest Board. I’ve invited everyone who posted a comment on the initial blog challenge post as collaborators so you can pin onto the group board.
• Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.
• Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).
• The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.