Mental Health Q/A Support Group

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  1. What are some of the tools or coping skills that clients can use to deal with different kinds of stress?

  • Mindfulness

  • Self-care 

  • Move yourself from any kind of situation that is affecting you negatively

  • Utilizing DBT (dialectical behaviour therapy) is very helpful since it provides one with the new skills that’s needed to manage painful emotions, overwhelming feelings and decreases conflicts in relationships

2. Suggestions on how to cope up with social anxiety/panic attacks and how to handle it in public places.

  • Counting in your head

  • Doing breathing exercises but not overdoing it since it might have the opposite effect

  • Press your pressure points

  • Chewing gums by engaging your other senses

  • Focus more on your surroundings like what are 5 things that you can see, what are four things that you can hear, three things you can touch, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste.

3. Scenario based question

I am working at Starbucks and two people are there. One is on break and the line is now 10-15 people long and now I am having a panic attack because I have anxiety issues. I am trying to do some mind-reading. I feel like people are staring at me and saying bad things about me. What can I do to get out of my negative mindset and thoughts?

  • Taking a short break can help you to take some time-out, recollect your thoughts, calm yourself down but this is certainly not the best realistic approach to tackle these kind of scenarios on a regular basis

  • The root cause here is basically because of the “long line” which has increased the anxiety level 

  • Learn your triggers and try to release the anxiety or negative thoughts first 

  • You have to address the negative thoughts first; you can’t really control the long line or your co-worker who is on a break. But, you have control over your thoughts. At best, you can discuss these issues with the management team saying that there are about 10-20 people over there but one person can’t really take care of all of them.

  • Focus on one thing at a time

  • Incorporate coloring books in your routine since it helps to de-stress and reduces the anxiety level too. It’s more of a creative therapy that will help one to focus more and bring more mindfulness

  • Try to make better choices and do what you love doing

  • Don’t aim to be a perfectionist 

  • Maintain a positive attitude

  • Be your true-self and challenge your thoughts

  • Be proud of your progress