True or False
Anxiety disorders aren't real illnesses.
FALSE - Anxiety disorders are real and diagnosable psychiatric conditions.
Practice a coping skill for 1 minute
MUSIC - write down all the song titles you know that start with the letter A.
NON MUSIC - count all the green objects in the room
How does the American Psychological Association define anxiety?
What is ... "an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure."
Choose at least 1 song title that describes how you are feeling, how you felt earlier this week, or calls out to you in some way.
(some title suggestions)
Anxiety
Stressed Out
Overwhelmed
Help
Crawling
Basket Case
Talk to Me
Breathin'
Micheal in the Bathroom
People are Strange
Worried About My Baby
OK Not to be OK
Brave
Into the Unknown
There are multiple types of anxiety disorders.
TRUE - An anxiety disorder encompasses a class of psychiatric conditions that involve the emotion of anxiety. (ex. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, etc.)
Practice a coping skill for 2 minutes.
MUSIC - Dance to a song you like
NON MUSIC - Do jumping jacks
Name 2 symptoms of anxiety.
nervousness, panic, sweating, rapid heartbeat, fear, tenseness, rapid breathing, trembling, feeling weak or tired, trouble concentrating
Play 2 feelings you had this week on an instrument. Name those feelings
(examples of feelings)
Sad
Mad
Hopeless
Nervous / Anxious
Happy
Calm
People with an anxiety disorder should avoid all stressful situations.
FALSE - stress and anxiety are parts of life that cannot be avoided. Some stressful situations can be limited, but learning how to cope or use therapeutic techniques in stressful situations is more manageable than avoiding all stress.
Practice a coping skill for 3 minutes.
MUSIC - listen to a song you like
NON MUSIC - watch a funny video
Name 3 things you can do to ease your anxiety levels.
These could include coping skills or therapeutic techniques that helps in the moment of heightened anxiety or these could include changes you make to your lifestyle.
Your Choice!
(activity suggestions)
Dance to a song you like
Sing along with a song you like
Play instruments
Listen to a song and then discuss it
Anxiety will go away on its own.
FALSE - Anxiety disorders can be chronic and dangerous, especially if not managed properly.
Practice a coping skill for 4 minutes.
MUSIC - close your eyes and travel to a safe, relaxing place (using GIM technique)
NON MUSIC - close your eyes and travel to a safe, relaxing place (using GIM technique)
ADAPTATION: draw your safe, relaxing place instead of closing your eyes
What is the difference between stress and anxiety?
Improvise on an instrument for 4 minutes
Wow! You expressed yourself for 4 minutes!
Medication is one form of treatment that can be highly effective for some people with an anxiety disorder.
TRUE - Medication is one way people can manage their anxiety disorder. It is also true that there are other forms of treatment that can be effective, depending on the severity and diagnosis/ diagnoses.
Practice a coping skill for 5 minutes.
MUSIC - engage in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
NON MUSIC - engage in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR)
What is the most common mental illness in the United States?
Anxiety - anxiety affects 40 million adults in the U.S. (18 or older) every year
Take 5 minutes to write down some song lyrics regarding a topic of your choice.
(topic suggestions)
What anxiety feels/ looks/ sounds/ tastes/ smells like
A stressful situation (that you then problem solve)
A trigger (which you can pair with a coping strategy or technique)
How you feel about therapy
Something you are proud of / like about yourself
A goal you have for the future