Defense mechanisms protect us from feelings that our mind has decided are too much to handle. It redirects, reframes, deflects, and sometimes distorts reality in convincing ways, all in the service of keeping us functional. These mental strategies are called defense mechanisms, and once we know how to recognize them, we start spotting them everywhere. […]
At first glance, May feels hopeful. The weather is warmer. Summer is approaching. School is winding down. Vacations, graduations, celebrations, and longer days finally arrive after a long winter. Yet, for many of us, May can feel less like a fresh start and more like a stressful sprint to the finish line. Calendars become packed […]
We recently presented to the Junior League of Nashville on the topic of “Managing Storm Anxiety.” Joined by Andrew Leeper from Nashville Severe Weather (we are huge fans so it was a thrill), we shared information about the different ways that people respond to severe weather and ways to manage it. Storms can evoke powerful […]
Middle Tennessee has just been through an unusual and stressful experience. Snow, ice, sleet, and extended temperatures below freezing have led to major disruptions for so many in Middle Tennessee. At the writing of this blog, there are still 107,277 customers without power (including this very author). Many people dealt with fallen trees, damaged power […]
While it is true that high functioning anxiety is not technically a clinical diagnosis, it is a term many people resonate with deeply. It describes an experience where anxiety is present beneath the surface, while a person appears outwardly capable, productive, and successful. Those of us with high functioning anxiety often meet expectations, show up […]
Most people feel uncomfortable when they receive criticism. Feedback can bring up embarrassment, disappointment, or self-doubt, among other challenging feelings. Yet, for some people, criticism feels much more intense. Even small pieces of feedback can linger for hours or days. A brief comment may replay in the mind repeatedly, triggering feelings of shame, anxiety, or […]