Author: Jamie Wiebe

Contributor

6 Ways to Deal With People Who Are Distant

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Astronaut in space

Some people keep feelings and emotions close to the vest. They aren’t bad people, but it can be frustrating when we’re only treated to occasional glimmers of their sparkling personality. Their slow message response times (leaving you “on read”) and unaccepted invitations make you feel unwanted, or that you’re the only person putting in any effort.

Having a heart-to-heart with a cheerful, friendly person, however, rarely feels like a struggle. But if everyone was cheerful and friendly, we’d already have world peace. Dealing with people who are distant seems to present a bigger challenge. Continue reading 6 Ways to Deal With People Who Are Distant

Why We Procrastinate (and How to Stop)

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Man sleeping with a book on his face

When you’re looking down the barrel of a school midterm report or a major work project, finding inspiration should be easy. You’re on deadline, after all! But the urge to procrastinate strikes us all, and often at the worst times.

Procrastination takes many forms, and leans on avoidant traits that end up harming us in the long run.. Here are the main reasons we procrastinate — and how to stop. Continue reading Why We Procrastinate (and How to Stop)

What is Group Therapy and How Can It Help You?

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
People speaking in a group

Hollywood loves to depict group therapy a certain way: always held in a large, sunny, open room, like a church or a community center, with a ring of folding chairs. There’s always coffee. Someone will come in late, and be warmly welcomed — and then immediately lay all of their worries bare.

If that’s what you expect going into your first group therapy session, you might be surprised.

Continue reading What is Group Therapy and How Can It Help You?

Is Video Gaming Addiction Real?

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A man sits in the dark playing video games

Video games provide a reprieve from our day-to-day life. We can escape into a fantastical, post-apocalyptic landscape in the Fallout series, or slay dragons and romance warriors in Elder Scrolls: Skyrim. After all, what’s wrong with a little make-believe?

Psychology researchers are trying to find out.

Continue reading Is Video Gaming Addiction Real?

12 Comments that Are Unexpectedly Detrimental to People’s Mental Health

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A sign that says "Be optimistic"

If a friend suffers from mental illness, wanting to help or offer supportive words is understandable. Seeing someone you love in pain hurts your heart, too. There’s nothing wrong with reaching out about a friend’s mental health — but respect and delicacy is paramount. A callous or poorly thought-out comment can cause a spiral or depressive episode for someone with mental health challenges.

Pay attention to your words. These 12 comments might actively damage someone’s mental health — and at a minimum, they won’t help improve their well-being.

Continue reading 12 Comments that Are Unexpectedly Detrimental to People’s Mental Health

Why Some People Isolate and Some Reach Out

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A wooden hand on a white background

When you’re feeling down in the doldrums, chances are good you’ll respond one of two ways. You might barricade yourself inside your home, not wanting to speak to anyone. Or you may reach out to friends, unloading your worries on their listening ears. Neither approach is wrong.

Whichever way you naturally gravitate, it may be difficult to understand those who act differently than you do when they’re feeling fragile. If you hunker down, you might be amazed by your boyfriend, who likes to jabber out his anxieties. And talkers might be confused by their best friend, who disappears for weeks when she’s feeling down.

Here’s why you might be inclined to reach out or retreat — and advice on helping others who do the opposite.

Continue reading Why Some People Isolate and Some Reach Out

What is Catastrophic Thinking? (And How to Stop)

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A woman looks pensive in the dark with colored light around her body

When your thoughts start spiraling, getting off the “staircase” can feel impossible. One terrible notion leads to the next: If I can’t get this report done in time, you might think, then I’ll be fired. And if I’m fired, I’ll have nothing to do all day. If I have nothing to do all day, I’ll fall into a video game and beer hole. If I fall into a video game and beer hole, then my wife will leave me. And then…and then…and then…

Does this process sound familiar? This anxiety spiral — also known as “catastrophic thinking” or “magnifying,” — often occurs alongside anxiety and depression. Think of your brain as a rocky mountain: one single distressing thought loosens an avalanche of related anxieties.

Continue reading What is Catastrophic Thinking? (And How to Stop)

7 Men Breaking the Mold on Mental Health

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Understanding your mental health requires spending a lot of time analyzing and sitting with your thoughts — something that goes staunchly against everything the patriarchy stands for. Both men and women suffer from this culturally embedded misogyny: talking about your “feelings” is considered women’s work and an entirely unsuitable activity for manly men.

Mental health issues affect men and women equally, but men are less likely to seek help and more likely to die by suicide. In order to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, more men are coming forward publicly to share their struggles. Normalizing these issues for both men and women is an important step in our national mental-health conversation — and these seven men are leading the way.

Continue reading 7 Men Breaking the Mold on Mental Health

Struggle with Time Management? Here’s What It Says About Your Mental Health…

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A person's arm with a watch

Keeping a laundry list of tasks and to-dos in order can be a headache for anyone, but for some people, the difficulty goes beyond mere annoyance. Starting work each morning can feel like wrangling a bear — and often, that bear is your mind. No, work won’t always be easy (it’s called work for a reason), but it doesn’t need to be the bane of your day-to-day existence.

It’s important to understand what about task management pains you. Is it stressful? Are you overwhelmed? Are you so nitpicky that you get stuck on tasks for days? When task management turns from an annoyance into a daily struggle, step back and examine your mental health. Understanding the blocks your brain puts up during working hours will help you — with the help of a therapist if you choose — create a plan of attack.

Continue reading Struggle with Time Management? Here’s What It Says About Your Mental Health…

Are You Hiding Anxiety Behind These Behaviors?

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Man looking at reflection in window

Anxiety can be a nebulous emotion. Sometimes it’s obvious you’re worrying — even Doctor Obvious could diagnose you if you’re spending four sleepless hours each night fretting over your big move. But sufferers of generalized anxiety might not be able to identify obvious triggers or realize some of their worst habits stem from the stress. You may recognize your odd, changing behavior, but you can’t identify why — and the uncertainty only creates more stress.

Here are six behaviors that signal that your anxiety needs more attention, or even the help of a professional therapist.

Continue reading Are You Hiding Anxiety Behind These Behaviors?