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High School and College Student Anxiety: Why the Epidemic?

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High School and College Student Anxiety: Why the Epidemic?

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Source A: This source is the main reason that I picked this topic other than I think that it can help because it states that the number one reason that student seek counseling is because of anxiety. I knew anxiety levers were high but I would've never guessed that it was as big as it is. My theory is that these counselors should try getting these student that come in with anxiety to join an art class at their school or provide art therapy to them maybe one a week. What I think is really cool about this article is that they interview a counselor that has had multiple experience with anxiety. In the interview he said that he'd been battling crippling anxiety, an anxiety skin disorder, and depression for years. After talking to a counselor for several moths, he got better and now he is a counselor himself. I think that this would really help kids if they talk to a counselor who has has the same experience as them because it provides a common ground between the both of them so they can really talk about it.

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The epidemic of anxiety in high schools and on college campuses is stunning. Over the past seven years, anxiety has become the #1 reason college students seek counseling?[1] I'm seeing it in my clinical practice, reading about it in news articles, and hearing about it from therapists when I give workshops around the country on anxiety treatment. Anxiety disorders affect 25% of teenagers, a percentage that has steadily risen over the past 30 years and is showing no sign of slowing down.[2] What's going on?

When I was writing Prescriptions Without Pills, which offers self-treatment options for relieving anxiety, I had little idea how prevalent anxiety disorders were becoming and even less awareness of the dramatically rising rates among high school and college students. The treatment "prescriptions" I suggest in the book seem all the more vital now. Students are best off relieving their anxiety with techniques that do not involve medications. Anti-anxiety medications can create physical dependency (sedating antidepressants) or addiction (benzodiazepines like Valium).

Prevention almost always beats treatment, so I have been on the lookout for ways to understand the factors that have been triggering the increases in anxiety among young people.

I am pleased therefore to have stumbled on an opportunity to interview 21-year old author and mental health activist Jake Heilbrunn. Jake's book Off The Beaten Trail, his newly released TEDx talk, and his speeches to student groups around the country have impressed me.

A interview with Jake Heilbrunn on the student anxiety epidemic

Many thanks to Jake for sharing his perspectives with us.
DrH: Jake, how did you become so dedicated to helping anxious teenagers?
JH: During my first semester of college, I battled crippling anxiety, an anxiety-induced skin condition, and depression. One of the few people who knew I was going through this was a career counselor. At the end of my first visit with this career counselor, who had asked me how I'd been feeling and what about, I broke down crying in her office. After bottling up my issues for months, I had found an adult who encouraged me to share what was on my mind. The relief I felt that day was enormous.
DrH: What do you think is a key reason young people are experiencing so much and such severe levels of anxiety?
JH: Based on my own experience plus talking with thousands of high school and college kids when I speak at schools across the country, I see the widespread use of social media as a major new anxiety trigger.

Millennials and Gen Z'ers like myself are growing up in a world with two lives, both equally as real: digital and analog (in person.) In our digital lives (a.k.a "social media") we are constantly trying to maintain an image. We paint pictures of our lives with the photos and stories about ourselves that we post. And we compare the realities of our lives with the images others paint on social media of their lives, or at least of what they want us to think their lives are all about..
DrH: Why do you think social media be a bigger anxiety-generator for young people than for older adults?
JH: Quantity. Gen Z'ers spend, on average, four hours a day on social media.[3] Imagine spending ¼ of your waking-life subconsciously comparing yourself to the people you follow on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.

More time on social media yields more emotional distress. Constant scrolling and social comparison bring about thoughts like, "I'm not good enough, happy enough, smart enough, good looking enough...etc." A continual stream of these kinds of negative comparison thoughts all too frequently culminates in overwhelming feelings of worry-generating anxiety- and of being less-than, which generates depression.

In fact, research studies have shown a direct link between quantity of time spent on social media and levels of anxiety and depression.[4]

At the same time, the more anxious young people feel, the more tempted, and even addicted, they may become to constant searching on social media for information about their social status. The vicious cycle spins on.
DrH: Are there additional ways in which social media seems to invite anxiety?
JH: For sure. Students open the door to enter their dorm room, and instead of talking with their roommates what do they do? They check their Facebook page. They want to take a study break, and what do they do? The same. First thing when they wake up in the morning what do they do? Check their email and Facebook pages. All of this social media checking is time that in the past might have been spend hanging out with friends.

Chatting in person, unlike reading about friends on social media, builds social connections. Social connections build self- confidence. So in addition to creating anxious feelings, social media checking decreases the amount of oxytocin-induced good feelings generated by actual friend-to-friend contact.

In addition, there's something about cell phones and computers that makes them addictive. That means that student's are not just occasionally thinking about how they match up with others. Addicts keep checking and checking in hopes of a shot of good feelings. And they far too often experience anxious or depressed feelings because instead of getting that shot of an upper feeling, they see someone who looks better than them or someone who has said something hostile about them.

Of course, looking at others for clues about how others see you has long been a teenage way of clarifying self-image. Teenagers have always sought to understand who they are and how they rank with others by checking out what others think of them. The sad twist induced by social media is that students receive false images of great happiness induced by others' image-enhancing posts. And when Likes for their posts replace the fun teens used to get from direct social interactions like talking, smiling and "hanging out" with their friends, life becomes both scarier and less fulfilling.
DrH: What else may be inducing so much student anxiety?
JH: Of course there are the usual suspects like girlfriend and boyfriend difficulties, stress from too much homework, and roommate conflicts.

What may have changed however is that helicopter parenting, with parents always hovering nearby to "help" rather than kids learning to problem-solve on their own, may leave college students less prepared for dealing with these stresses.
DrH: What about the reality that more young adults now go to college?
JH: That's probably a factor as well. In high school kids and their parents stress about what college they will get into. In addition, for many students, college is the automatic next step after high school even though in their gut they know that they have only minimal interest in getting more education.

Then in once they get into college, students and their parents are spending huge amounts of money and may be taking on huge student loans. Yet so many kids at college have very little sense of what's valuable in what they are buying. So college can generate huge financial pressure with little payback other than a fun social life -i.e., parties and drinking.
DrH: How can parents and educators help young people who are suffering from anxiety?
JH: Many millennials and Gen Z'ers feel inordinate pressure from parents and society to be successful in school. While it is true that young people in previous generations also felt this kind of pressure, the advent of social media seems to have significantly magnified it. When parents feel anxious about if their kids will get into the right college, or succeed in college and after, this pressure multiplies.

So to help their kids, one place for parents to start is to evaluate their own anxieties. If parents can take a leap of faith and just love their kids as they are, with or without measurable achievements, that more relaxed and loving attitude may go a long way to easing the passage into adulthood for their kids.

Parents also can be helpful by inviting their kids to say what is going on inside their heads. " What..." and " How ..." are the best question-starter words as these open-ended starters invite full answers. " Do you..." or " Have you...", by contrast, invite short yes or no answers. They also tend to invite defensive responses instead of thoughtful ones.

Parents then need to be willing to respond with interest, not with criticism, whatever the answers they hear. " Yes, that makes sense because..." Then, if they don't get it, they can ask for more information. They can ask the next " What..." or " How ..." question. The conversation will quickly end if a parent responds with any version of "You shouldn't feel that way because...".
Dr.H: How did talking with a counselor help you to relieve your anxieties?
JH: Over a period of several months, I saw the career counselor five times. The counselor taught me anxiety coping skills, mainly by encouraging me to say aloud the negative thoughts. Putting into words the anxious feelings that had been consuming me enabled me to listen to my feelings so they could inform me about my concerns. The counselor asked me then what might be alternative ways of responding to these concerns. I began then to discover new solutions to the challenging situations I was facing.

Talking about my feelings and thoughts with a listener who took my concerns seriously and then encouraged me to seek solutions taught me to do the same. Talking about the feelings offers relief in and of itself. In addition, with feelings and thoughts out in the open, I could begin figuring out what might help.

These conversations changed the course of my life. They taught me that anxiety signals that there's a problem I need to address and solve. They kick-started my journey that led to me being able to overcome my disabling anxiety.
What else did you learn from your college experience of anxiety and eventual relief?
Parents and educators need to understand that when young people are experiencing anxiety and depression, we often feel ashamed. We think we are alone. We think nobody else is experiencing these feelings. And we have no clue what to do to make the anxious feelings go away.

With no one to talk with, we feel isolated, hopeless, stuck in feelings that embarrass us, and spinning with worries instead of launching into problem-solving. That's when self-harming behaviors can begin to look appealing.

Now, looking back, I can see that in these fragile moments:

--We first need to be heard. Not to be told that it's not really so bad, but rather to take our feelings seriously, as good data. That way we can begin to hear and understand ourselves.

--Then to be asked, or to ask ourselves, "So what might you want to do about this situation? What could you do differently that might help?" These questions lead us to begin to problem-solve.
SH: What other culturally prevalent beliefs may contribute to anxiety?
JH: Many young people believe that they need to be "perfect" to be happy and successful. I held this belief, and it scared me a lot. I kept encountering other students who seemed to be more "perfect," and I was terrified.

Our education system has a heavy focus on grades. Students may the share the belief that good grades = success, and bad grades = failure. Buying into the belief that grades are the sole factor that determine success and happiness in life promotes anxiety. It's terrifying when we believe that we are a failure, and will continue to be a failure, if we don't get A's and gold stars.

This isn't to say that students shouldn't work hard, seek advice or tutoring, and strive to learn. The problem comes when students adopt a belief that "grades are everything." This belief can lead to anxiety, cheating, depression and even drastic measures like suicide.

By switching our beliefs to a perspective that focuses on learning because of interest in the subject, we can decrease stress, and gain more education, from high school and college studies.

Gratitude, sports, writing in a journal, volunteering, exercise, and extracurricular hobbies also develop the broader perspectives that set up for both vocationally and socially successful living.

One further mistaken belief for me however was the most deadly. I believed that my parents and teachers were the ones who knew best about what was good for me. This belief resulted in inability to listen to my own gut, to my own thoughts and feelings. When I assumed that my parents wanted me to be in college, and I didn't want to be there, I began to drown in an anxiety whirlpool. I was shutting down the quiet voices within myself in favor of doing things because of other people's expectations, which proved to be a perfect route for ever-increasing anxiety and depression.
Dr. H: What information would you offer to a student who is struggling with anxiety?
JH: I'd teach them first that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. Anxiety is normal. Everyone feels it from time to time. It's even a helpful feeling because it warns them when something needs their attention.

I'd teach them too that anxiety is temporary. It goes away as soon as they identify and create a plan of action to fix the problem that the anxiety is trying to get them to look at.

I would encourage them to find someone to talk with. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

I'd tell them to listen to the thoughts that go with their anxiety. Then figure out a new plan of action for the situation that the anxiety is trying to get them to pay attention to.

And lastly, I would tell them that anxiety can be chronic, a sickening feeling that seems to come out of nowhere and lasts on and on. For most high school and college students however anxiety need not be a meaningless curse. Yes, it may feel absolutely horrible. That's for sure. At the same time, anxiety can highlight important concerns and point the way to solutions. Anxiety then transforms into a blessing that helps us to find peace and purpose.

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[1] https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/03/29/anxiety-and-depression-ar...

[2] https://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/featured/teenagers-are-feeling-...

[3] https://blog.globalwebindex.net/chart-of-the-day/gen-z-now-spend-4-hours...

[4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2016/04/30/study-links-heavy-f...

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High School and College Student Anxiety: Why the Epidemic?

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The epidemic of anxiety in high schools and on college campuses is stunning. Over the past seven years, anxiety has become the #1 reason college students seek counseling?[1] I'm seeing it in my clinical practice, reading about it in news articles, and hearing about it from therapists when I give workshops around the country on anxiety treatment.

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Source B: This is my evidence for the targeted audiences. If you look into this website, you can see that these mental disorders affects almost anyone at any age. I think that this website gives an overload of information but at the same time it's super interesting because it gives you all of the statistics for almost every race/ culture. You wouldn't think that in some cultures it only affects some genders and specific ages but it does so that really surprised me.

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beyondblue work with specific groups in a range of settings to bring resources and information to the entire community.

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Do You Live with Anxiety? Here’s 11 Ways to Cope

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Do You Live with Anxiety? Here’s 11 Ways to Cope

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Source C: So my passion project is about how art helps with mental illnesses but in particular, anxiety. This article isn't about how art helps with anxiety but just come general ways to help cope with anxiety. I chose this article because obviously art isn't going to help with everyones anxiety, so I wanted to include this also for the people that think that art isn't going to help them.

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If you deal with anxiety, there are strategies you can use to help manage immediate symptoms, as well as long-term methods to combat recurring issues.

Anxiety is the body's response to real or perceived danger. It's a natural process that every person deals with at one time or another.

People often use anxiety as a blanket term for a general feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease. However, there's a difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder, the latter of which includes many different conditions.

If your anxiety is sporadic and getting in the way of your focus or tasks, some quick natural remedies could help you take control of the situation.

Suppose your anxiety is focused on a situation, such as worrying about an upcoming event. In that case, you may notice the symptoms are short-lived and usually subside after the anticipated event takes place.

1. Question your thought pattern

Unhelpful thoughts can take root in your mind and distort the severity of the situation. One way is to challenge your fears, ask if they're true, and see where you can regain control.

2. Practice focused, deep breathing

Measured breathing practices may help you manage immediate feelings of anxiety. Try breathing in for 4 counts and breathing out for 4 counts for 5 minutes total. By evening out your breath, you'll slow your heart rate, which should help calm you down.

The 4-7-8 technique is another popular breathing pattern for anxiety management.

Discover eight breathing techniques for anxiety management here.

3. Use aromatherapy

Limited research suggests that aromatherapy can help reduce feelings of anxiety in some settings. Aromatherapy practitioners and supporters often report many anecdotal benefits of the practice.

Whether they're in essential oil form, incense, or a candle, natural scents like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood can be very soothing.

Learn more about aromatherapy here.

4. Exercise

Sometimes, the best way to stop anxious thoughts is to leave a situation and get moving. Focusing on your body and not your mind may help relieve your anxiety. Low impact exercises like walking, yoga, and tai-chi can often help people to reduce stress and manage anxiety symptoms.

Getting some quick exercise can help boost your mood and calm your mind.

Learn more about the benefits of exercise for your mental health here.

5. Grounding techniques

Grounding techniques such as journaling and the 333 rule can often help to calm immediate feelings of anxiety.

The 333 rule involves naming three things you can see, three sounds you can hear, and interacting with three things you can touch.

Writing down what's making you anxious gets it out of your head and can make it less daunting. Reading your thoughts and feelings can help you take stock of your emotions in the immediate moment.

This can also help you better understand the situations and events that cause anxiety.

If anxiety is a regular part of your life, it's important to find treatment strategies to help you keep it in check.

If you're unsure where to start, discussing options with a mental health professional who might suggest something you hadn't thought of before is always helpful.

1. Identify and learn to manage your triggers

You can identify triggers on your own or with a therapist. Sometimes they can be obvious, and other times, less so.

Common anxiety triggers include:

work, relationship, and other life stresses

withdrawal from drugs or certain medications

side effects of certain medications

exacerbation of past trauma

chronic pain

Everyone has different triggers, and identifying them is one of the most important steps to coping with and managing anxiety attacks.

Learn more about the different triggers for anxiety here.

2. Try therapy

Different psychotherapies can help you better understand your anxious feelings and develop coping strategies.

For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people learn different ways of thinking about and reacting to anxiety-causing situations. Research shows that CBT can be an effective method of treating anxiety disorders.

Learn more about CBT for anxiety here.

3. Ask your doctor about medications

If your anxiety is severe enough that your mental health professional believes you'd benefit from medication, there are several directions, depending on your symptoms. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

The most common anxiety medications are:

Learn more about anxiety medications here.

4. Do a daily or routine meditation

While this takes some practice to do successfully, mindful meditation, when done regularly, may eventually help train your brain to manage anxious thoughts when they arise.

If sitting still and concentrating is difficult, try starting with yoga or walking meditation. Many free guided meditation apps can help you get started.

Learn more about the different types of meditation here.

5. Keep a journal

It can be helpful to create a habit of writing down your thoughts and emotions in a journal daily. The process of writing down thoughts itself can be calming for some.

Journalling can also have long-term benefits. show that regular emotion-led journalling can help reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of distress.

Discover six benefits of journaling.

6. Socialize

Although everyone is different, and some people experience social anxiety, spending time with friends and family regularly may help you manage your anxiety.

Socialization can help relieve stress, encourage feelings of laughter and togetherness, and decrease loneliness. has shown that social connectedness can help you become more resilient to stress in the long run.

Discover our 12 tips for socializing here.

7. Staying active

Exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and staying connected to people who care about you are great ways to stave off anxiety symptoms.

Studies show that exercise, in particular, can have a positive impact on managing anxiety.

Discover 10 natural lifestyle remedies for anxiety.

8. Diet and supplements

Changing your diet or taking supplements is a long-term strategy. Research shows certain supplements and foods can play a positive role as part of broader anxiety treatment.

These include:

If you're taking other medications, make sure to discuss herbal remedies with your doctor, as there can be adverse reactions.

Discover more about foods that may help reduce anxiety here.

When anxious, people feel a general unease or worry over an actual or perceived danger. The extent of these feelings can range from mild to severe. This unease can cause additional physical symptoms. However, these will vary between people and events.

Common physical symptoms of anxious feelings include:

Anxiety attacks

There are times anxiety can get severe and become an anxiety attack. An attack may initially feel manageable and gradually build up over a few hours.

Anxiety attacks may cause:

Anxiety attacks share some symptoms with panic attacks, but they are distinct occurrences.

Learn about the differences between anxiety and panic attacks here.

Anxiety may always be a part of your life, but it shouldn't overtake your day-to-day. There are many things you can do to manage immediate and long-term anxious feelings.

While home remedies may help, a mental health professional can help streamline the process of identifying your triggers and maintaining long-term strategies through behavioral therapy, medications, and more.

Read this article in Spanish.

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How to Cope with Anxiety: 13 Simple Tips

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Identifying your triggers can take some time and self-reflection. In the meantime, here are 13 strategies you can try to help calm or quiet your anxiety from taking over.

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Source D: As I said I am going to be focusing on anxiety and stress so here is a source that has information about stress. Usually when you have anxiety, along with it comes stress. In some cases stress and anxiety are the same thing but in others, they're completely different. I think people should know the difference between stress and anxiety because there are different ways to cope with both and thats the most important part. If you read all of the symptoms in this article, you can pair them with the symptoms of anxiety.

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Stress Symptoms: Effects of Stress on the Body

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Stress can seriously affect your body and mind. Learn more from WebMD about our response to stress, both healthy and unhealthy.

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Art Therapy: Healing Through Artistic Expression | Phychreg Podcast

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Art Therapy: Healing Through Artistic Expression | Phychreg Podcast

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Source E: This is a podcast by Dr Berney and Dr Marshall about art therapy and how much it can help someone. They call it "healing through artistic expression" because art helps you show your voice through your artwork and not by talking, or having the freedom to do whatever you want because thats really what art is, doing what you want to do. They explain how art can help the patients with so many things like explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.

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Welcome to The Mental Breakdown and Psychreg Podcast! Today, Dr Berney and Dr Marshall discuss art therapy, a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.

Read the articles from Psychology Today here and from the American Art Therapy Association here.

Learn more about the 1st Mental Health Bloggers Conference here.

You can now follow Dr Marshall on Twitter, as well.

Dr Berney and Dr Marshall are happy to announce the release of their new parenting e-book, Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Healthy Child Part 2: Attention. You can get your copy from Amazon here.

You are welcome to suggest topics you would like for us to cover.

Visit Psychreg to read about all things mental health and psychology.

Just a few reminders from us:

The Parenting Your ADHD Child course is now on YouTube. Check it out at the Paedeia YouTube channel.

The Handbook for Raising an Emotionally Health Child Part 1: Behavior Management is now available on Kindle. Get your copy today.

The Elimination Diet Manual is now available on Kindle and nook. Get your copy today.

Please leave us a review on iTunes so that others might find our podcast and join in on the conversation. The Psychreg Podcast is now on Google Play Music.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS

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Art Therapy: Healing Through Artistic Expression | Psychreg Podcast

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Welcome to The Mental Breakdown and Psychreg Podcast! Today, Dr Berney and Dr Marshall discuss art therapy, a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.

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Source F: Here is another source about the symptoms of anxiety. This article lists the many different types of anxiety disorders and gives an in depth explanation of all of them. I think that my project could really help those with the anxiety and self injury disorder because it will distract you from doing something to hurt yourself.

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What happens when you have a panic attack? What does generalized anxiety look like? Learn more about the symptoms of anxiety disorders, and about the different types of these disorders.

1. Signs You Have an Anxiety or Panic Disorder Here's how to tell panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and phobias from ordinary fears and anxiety.

2. What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like? Panic attacks involve sudden feelings of terror that strike without warning. People experiencing a panic attack may think they're having a heart attack, dying or going crazy.

3. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD, is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events with no obvious reasons for worry.

4. Performance Anxiety/Stage Fright Commonly called "stage fright," performance anxiety is the fear of doing something in front of a group of people. Learn strategies for feeling more comfortable ''on stage."

5. Social Anxiety Disorder Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations.

6. Slideshow: When Fear Becomes Phobia More than 19 million Americans have a phobia -- an intense, irrational fear when they face a certain situation, activity, or object.

7. Dependent Personality Disorder People with Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD) become emotionally dependent on other people and spend great effort trying to please others. They tend to display needy, passive, and clinging behavior, and have a fear of separation.

8. Anxiety and Self-Injury People who suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, or an eating disorder are also at risk for self-injury.

9. Anxiety and Trichotillomania Hair pulling is a type of impulse-control disorder, and is often linked with depression or anxiety.

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What happens when you have a panic attack? What does generalized anxiety look like? Learn more about the symptoms of anxiety disorders, and about the different types of these disorders. Signs You Have an Anxiety or Panic Disorder Here's how to tell panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and phobias from ordinary fears and anxiety.

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Source H: A very common "mental illness" is anxiety. A lot of people experience some kind of anxiety in their life no matter what age you are. For years (I didn't know this) but art therapy has been around for a very long time. "The use of art therapy for mental health purposes originated during the 1950s when it was found that art-making could assist in healing and coping with symptoms. During the art therapy process, a trained specialist guides the client’s experience through the use of counseling techniques and different types of artistic expressions. Common art mediums used within the art therapy process include painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, and photography." That explains how long its been used because it's so effective and it really can work.

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Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by persistent and frequently unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are marked by a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, and fearful thoughts.

Fearful perceptions about panic attacks can become so severe that you may develop avoidance behaviors. These avoidance behaviors develop into a separate and commonly co-occurring condition known as agoraphobia, which causes you to stay away from environments or situations that may trigger a panic attack.

Panic disorder is a treatable condition and there are several different treatment options. When considering therapy, most people envision traditional "talk therapy" or psychotherapy in which the qualified professional and client meet to discuss symptoms and develop goals. However, artistic endeavors also offer a form of therapeutic healing.

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy involves the use of art to promote health and wellness. The creative process is based on the belief that self-expression can help you resolve inner conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, lessen stress, and increase your self-awareness.

The use of art therapy for mental health purposes originated during the 1950s when it was found that art-making could assist in healing and coping with symptoms. During the art therapy process, a trained specialist guides the client's experience through the use of counseling techniques and different types of artistic expressions. Common art mediums used within the art therapy process include painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, and photography.

Art therapy does not require that a person has artistic experience or talent; even if you can't draw at all, it can still be beneficial to you. Art therapy can be used in conjunction with traditional individual therapy, group therapy, marriage and family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

How Can Art Therapy Help With Panic and Anxiety?

Art therapy provides a way to gain insight and understanding through self-expression. The fears and other emotions that often accompany panic disorder can be hard to express through words alone, so the creative process of art therapy can help you tap into and express deep feelings.

Getting Started in Art Therapy

Engaging in creative endeavors on your own may be a great way to combat stress and practice self-care. But to get started in art therapy, you will need a qualified art therapist to help you in the healing process. Qualified art therapists are usually available in a variety of settings, including community agencies, private practices, hospitals, and clinics.

When you seek an art therapist, verify that he or she has additional experience working with people with panic disorder. Your current doctor or therapist may be able to refer you to a licensed art therapist. You can also check out the Art Therapy Credentials Board online directory where you can find a listing of available art therapists in your area.

Art therapy can be a useful supplement to your therapy but should not be viewed as the sole path to recovery. Work with your therapist and healthcare providers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for your panic disorder.

Thanks for your feedback!

What are your concerns?

Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand

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Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder that is characterized by persistent and frequently unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are marked by a mix of physical and cognitive symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, and fearful thoughts. Fearful perceptions about panic attacks can become so severe that you may develop avoidance behaviors.

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Bridging psychological barriers between the child and the father after his returning from the war – Could group art therapy help? 

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Bridging psychological barriers between the child and the father after his returning from the war – Could group art therapy help? 

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Source I: This article had a really strong point of how art really can help mental illness by telling how a veteran used drawing to get close with his son. After coming back from the war, he met his kid. It was hard for the kid to know his dad because he hadn't seen him for so long it was like he didn't know him. They began going to therapy and provided there, was art therapy. The kid and kid dad quickly bonded over drawing pictures because it was like talking though paper, but without words. This is another example of how much of an impact art therapy can make on someones life. It can bring people together and

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Bridging psychological barriers between the child and the father after his ...: EBSCOhost

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 Art Therapy for Mental Health Recovery. THIS IS MY OUTCOME

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 Art Therapy for Mental Health Recovery. THIS IS MY OUTCOME

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Source J: I learned that there are so many different things that art can help with. I don't think that people really understand how much art can do for someone. If you just take a little bit of time per day to practice an art, you will have reduced stress and anxiety. The things that it could reduce are:

give voice to experiences and feelings not easily expressed in words

relax and de-stress

develop self-awareness and self-esteem

work on social skills

manage behaviors and/or symptoms

solve problems by looking with a different perspective.

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What is art therapy?

Art therapy usually focuses on the art process rather than the final form. How you feel while making your art and what you learn about yourself is the most important thing.

Art therapy can help you cope with difficulties and stress, and speed up the recovery process.

Art therapists work with people of all ages and backgrounds - you don't have to be an artist to benefit.

We provide a safe, supported environment to help you:

give voice to experiences and feelings not easily expressed in words

relax and de-stress

develop self-awareness and self-esteem

work on social skills

manage behaviours and/or symptoms

solve problems by looking with a different perspective.

There are several different forms of art therapy available, depending on your needs.

Art therapy provides a safe space to explore "art for arts sake" in your own way. This can happen in an open studio setting with a little guidance or in a supported, structured class where you can learn different art skills. Engaging in creativity in this way can aid recovery as it helps you to focus, relax and express yourself.

Art therapy uses the creative process of making art as a safe way to represent your inner experiences, develop awareness and support personal change. Along with creating art, the art therapist may use relaxation and visualisation techniques and guided imagery, in the therapy session. This can help you cope with difficulties and stress, and speed up your recovery process. The art therapist offers a safe, supported holding space to allow a person to process difficult emotional issues.

All types of visual art forms may be used, such as painting, drawing and clay work.

What participants say about attending art therapy

"It's a good place to express yourself creatively... I like the atmosphere - it's good to relax. You don't have to try too hard to create something. You can experiment."

"It's a non threatening environment. I've got the freedom to do what I want. It's a non-competitive atmosphere and you get support. I suppose it's the common ground that everyone else has a mental illness and there's no judgement."

"I have a strong motivation to use this as a component in restructuring my life. The artistic and creative aspects are crucial."

"It's helpful for me to get out and be creative and to have social interaction. It's as the name suggests - a place to be expressive and creative."

"The art therapy and creativity has really helped me grow and learn new things about myself... it has helped me make the changes I need to get better."

This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.

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Art therapy usually focuses on the art process rather than the final form. How you feel while making your art and what you learn about yourself is the most important thing. Art therapy can help you cope with difficulties and stress, and speed up the recovery process.

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GRIEVING THROUGH ART EXPRESSION AND CHOICE THEORY: A GROUP APPROACH FOR YOUNG ADULTS.

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GRIEVING THROUGH ART EXPRESSION AND CHOICE THEORY: A GROUP APPROACH FOR YOUNG ADULTS.

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Source K: This is a good example of how people are really reacting to art therapy. There are so many people that can agree that art therapy works and that its worth it. Arts are all about what you want to do and how you can create your art so thats why I think that this is so beneficial for people to destress.

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