Overstimulation in ADHD

Overstimulation is what happens when there’s too much sensory input for your brain to handle. It can make you feel overwhelmed, irritable, and uncomfortable. Because the ADHD brain isn’t as equipped to filter out sensory input, you’re more likely to have a lower threshold for the amount of stimuli you can tolerate before becoming overstimulated. What Does Overstimulation … Read more

How Sensory Processing Disorder Can Impact Your Life

Scratchy fabrics, loud noises, the sights and smells of pungent foods … Most of us can just let these sensory experiences pass us by, but people with sensory processing disorder seem to have a stronger reaction—and sometimes an underreaction—to certain sensory stimuli.1 We get it: sensory processing disorder can be a lot! Experiencing challenges with sensory processing … Read more

Techniques to Tame the Fight-or-Flight Response

If you’ve ever been in a highly stressful situation, you’ve likely experienced the fight-or-flight response. Your pulse races, your breathing speeds up, your pupils dilate—all in response to a perceived danger. These symptoms serve an important purpose in some situations, but they can feel disruptive and uncomfortable in others. Someone with a mental health condition, … Read more

Medications for Treating Panic Disorder

What is the most important information I should know about panic attack medications? If you are taking panic attack medications: do not suddenly stop taking your medicine or reduce your dose without talking to your doctor; some medications can cause serious or dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Medication is one of the most popular and effective treatment … Read more

How to Stop a Panic Attack

Panic attacks can be extremely difficult to deal with. They typically come on suddenly, bringing on escalating feelings of dread and anxiety. Many people with panic attacks may also have bothersome physical symptoms, such as shaking, rapid heart rate, difficulty swallowing, and chest pain. Although not life-threatening, panic attacks can be frightening, disorienting, and mentally and physically … Read more

Need a Breather? Try These 9 Breathing Exercises to Relieve Anxiety

Breathing is a necessity of life that usually occurs without much thought. When we breathe in, blood cells receive oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product that’s carried back through your body and exhaled. Improper breathing can upset the oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange and contribute to anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue, and other … Read more

Why Panic Attacks Cause Shortness of Breath

During a panic attack or sudden anxiety episode, the fight-or-flight response is activated, which can lead to an intense cascade of uncomfortable symptoms, including shortness of breath and hyperventilating. Whether you have had a single panic attack or have been diagnosed with panic disorder, experiencing shortness of breath can feel incredibly unsettling and frightening. Better … Read more

How to Recognize and Cope With Panic Attack Symptoms

Panic attacks cause a variety of symptoms that may feel overwhelming, uncontrollable, and frightening. These can include heart palpitations, shaking, sweating, hyperventilation, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, depersonalization, numbness, and fear. Panic attacks are the main symptom of panic disorder​, but they can occur with other mental health and medical conditions. It’s helpful to explore the most … Read more

Differences Between Panic Disorder and GAD

Panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) share some symptoms, such as excessive worrying; however, they’re two separate, distinct mental health conditions. Learn about these two common mental health conditions and the differences between them. Panic Disorder Recurring panic attacks Fear of going insane or losing control Feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from … Read more

How to Cope With Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If you have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), it is essential to learn how to cope with persistent anxiety and physical symptoms. While everyone’s experience with GAD is different, there are many common symptoms that almost everyone will experience to some degree. These symptoms include physical symptoms (muscle tension, body aches, etc.), behavioral symptoms (procrastination, isolation, etc.), and emotional symptoms … Read more