ParentPsych

Research-based parenting tips and tricks from psychologist Brent Smith, PhD. More at and the ParentPsych YouTube (linked below).

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

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#anxiety #coronavirus #mentalhealth #parenting #selfcare #CBT #fear #cognitivebehavioraltherapy #exposure #parentselfcare #fear

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

1/ Strategy 5/10: Suppressing our COVID19-related fears doesn't make them go away. While ignoring our fears and anxieties can offer some brief relief, they continue to stew and percolate, often expressing themselves in worsening emotional and physical symptoms.

But what if...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

4/ ...it means we need to seek help from family, a faith community, or a licensed mental health provider, and then make a plan for the future.

To learn more, check out my latest video, 10 Ways to Manage Anxiety During the COVID19 Pandemic, at https://t.co/8pHFz08FA7. Take care!

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

4/end ...anxiety, a licensed psychologist trained in CBT may be able to help.

To learn more, check out my latest video, 10 Ways to Manage Anxiety During the COVID19 Pandemic, at https://t.co/8pHFz08FA7. Take care!

#anxiety #coronavirus #mentalhealth #parenting #CBT

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

3/ ... such as catastrophizing or filtering out good news; and to replace these with more realistic, helpful, and adaptive ways of thinking.

This approach, part of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has tons of research behind it! If you're struggling with managing your...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

2/ ...of mutually reinforcing negative thoughts and feelings.

One of the most powerful ways to intervene in the storm of strong emotions is by changing the way we think. We can learn to catch our unhelpful thoughts; to identify what are called "cognitive distortions",...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

1/ Strategy 4/10: In stressful or difficult times, it is very easy to get caught up in overly negative, unhelpful ways of thinking. Patterns of maladaptive thinking can then cause additional emotional distress and anxiety, leading to a spiral...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

5/ ...unproductive, excessive fear and fretting. Everyone wins :-)

Want to learn more? Check out my latest video, 10 Ways to Manage Anxiety During the COVID19 Pandemic, on the ParentPsych Youtube channel. Stay strong and stay safe!

#anxiety #coronavirus #mentalhealth #CBT

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

1/ Strategy 3/10: Emotions such as anxiety can be difficult to manage. We've already learned how avoiding anxiety is not a helpful strategy in the long term, & how there are times to experience and accept anxiety. But living constantly w/ the feeling of anxiety is not helpful...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

4/ ...than merely avoiding anxiety. Rather than running away from anxiety, you instead actively and intentionally choose to use your mental energy in a productive, value-congruent way. You choose your mental and physical health - and likely that of your family! - over

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

1/ Many people try to manage anxiety by avoiding it. We gain temporary relief by pushing our anxiety down and pretending it isn't there. While this method can give us a break now and then, it isn't an effective long-term strategy...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

6/ ...10 Ways to Stay Strong and Manage Anxiety During the COVID19 Pandemic, at https://t.co/UGEsB5tqrK. Take care!

#anxiety #acceptance #ACT #coronavirus #parentanxiety #parentmentalhealth #mentalhealth #parentstress #pandemic #selfcare #CBT #stress #fear #childanxiety

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

1/ Many people try to manage anxiety by avoiding it. We gain temporary relief by pushing our anxiety down and pretending it isn't there. While this method can give us a break now and then, it isn't an effective long-term strategy...

[ParentPsych @ParentPsych7]

5/ Once we stop struggling to push our anxiety down, and realize that we can accept and tolerate it, we are able to get on with the business of living, being productive, and engaging meaningfully with others.

To learn more, check out my latest video...