Kathleen’s life was transformed when she learned to ask for help. After struggling with crippling anxiety for years, she finally found the courage to reach out for help. By leveraging the power of asking questions, she was able to put her life back on track and speak at events around the world. She now shares her expert knowledge and unique perspective on anxiety, depression, and addiction through her writing and coaching. She writes:
“I have always been someone who asks questions – I love to understand how things work and why things happen. As a kid, I would always ask my parents questions about the world around me. Looking back, I realize this was also a way of holding myself accountable, trying to prove to myself that I could be smart and articulate even when I didn’t feel like it. So, when I was in grade school, I decided I would write down all the questions I had about life and then I would go over them with my parents. My hope was that this would help me understand the world better and get smarter as I went along. It was therapy for me. I would write down my questions and then we would talk about them. I kept a lot of those conversations in my head as I grew up and eventually put them into words. Which is how I ended up writing a book.”
In Kathleen’s words, writing a book was the best thing she could have done for her mental health. By forcing herself to sit down and put her thoughts into a text, she was able to gain a better perspective on her situation. Now when she writes down her questions, she has a much clearer picture in mind of how to answer them. She continues:
“What I learned from writing my book is that it is extremely beneficial to force yourself to do something you know you should not be doing. In this case, I knew I should not be ignoring my mental health. So, I decided to seek help, specifically from mental health professionals. By putting my thoughts into a written format, it made them more accessible to me. In turn, this led me to realize how much I needed therapy and how scared I was of facing my problems head on. So, in writing my book, I was able to get that help I so desperately needed. And it all started with a simple question.”
How Can We Help?
Anxiety, depression, and addiction are all serious issues that affect far too many people. And unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma around these issues. Learning to ask for help doesn’t have to be hard. All it takes is finding the courage to reach out and letting someone know that you are struggling. There are so many people out there who could use some help, and it starts with just one simple question.
Why Are You Afraid To Ask For Help?
There are many reasons why people might be afraid to ask for help, but let’s discuss two of the most common reasons. The first is shame. When we are born, we are all given a brain and a body and we are expected to use both of them productively. As we grow older, we are taught to be independent and take care of ourselves. However, when faced with challenges that we are not familiar with, we sometimes feel as though we lack the strength or skill to be able to overcome them on our own. In those moments, it is natural to feel a little bit shamed because we do not want to admit that we cannot handle something on our own. Unfortunately, when that happens, the best thing you can do for yourself is to ask for help. The more you ask for help the stronger you will become, and the less you will feel the need to be ashamed of asking for assistance. The second reason why people might be afraid to ask for help is because they assume that whoever they are asking will judge them. Many of us have seen celebrities struggle with their mental health and substance abuse issues, and we have become desensitized to the idea that asking for help is somehow weak. However, that is far from true. There is absolutely nothing weak about asking for help. In fact, it is one of the strongest things a person can do for themselves. It takes confidence to ask for help, and when you find that confidence, you will be able to ask anyone for any help you might need. It is a very empowering feeling.
What Is The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health And Addiction?
There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. When we are faced with painful thoughts and feelings, we often do not feel safe enough to seek help. We often believe that people will judge us if they know that we are struggling. In reality, we should not let stereotypes and judgements surrounding mental health and addiction get in the way of us receiving the help we need. There is absolutely no reason to be ashamed of having these kinds of issues. In fact, there is a lot of reason to be proud of it. These problems do not define you as a person, and to let others know that you are struggling is the best way to begin the treatment process. As long as you are not hurting anyone else, there is no reason why you should not be able to heal yourself.
How Do You Solve Conflict?
When we are faced with stressful situations, we often react in ways that are not particularly healthy. Sometimes, we can become so focused on solving the problem at hand that we completely ignore other people. In order to be a effective leader, manager, or team member, you must be able to work through conflict productively. It is important to learn to resolve conflict in healthy ways because there is often more than one side to every story. Although it might feel like there is only one, there are always multiple perspectives that need to be considered when dealing with conflict. When you learn to look at things from multiple perspectives, you can usually find a solution that is acceptable to everyone involved. Learning to ask for help is the best way to prevent conflicts from occurring in the first place because it allows people to express their thoughts and ideas without feeling attacked. If someone is feeling attacked, there is almost certainly a reason for it, so the best thing you can do to solve this issue is to ask for help.
The Importance Of Self-awareness
Self-awareness is one of the most important skills you can develop. It allows you to become more independent and aware of your strengths and weaknesses. When we are afraid to ask for help, we are generally not aware of how we are feeling. We do not realize what is causing us to feel the way we do. Once you become more self-aware, it is easier to correct your behavior and make necessary changes. If you want to change your life for the better, you must first understand what is keeping you where you are. Learning to ask for help is the best way to increase your self-awareness because it gives you a clear picture of how you are feeling and what you are doing. If you are not feeling happy, you should probably adjust your behavior because there will inevitably be times when you are not feeling happy. Asking for help gives you the opportunity to correct your behavior and find more happiness.
Mental Health And Addiction Are Complex Issues
Mental health and addiction are complex issues that affect a lot of people. It is not fair to say that one size fits all when it comes to dealing with these kinds of problems. Each person is going to have a different experience depending on their background and what is in their way. Learning to deal with these issues effectively takes time and a lot of trial and error. It is not easy for anyone to just walk into this kind of situation and know how to effectively solve these problems. This is why it is best to learn as much as you can about them and how to deal with them, so you can provide the best possible care for your customers or patients.
Writing a book is the best thing that could have ever happened to Kathleen. She was able to find the courage to reach out for help and put her experiences into words. Through writing, she was able to find the mental health professionals she needed and eventually started her own practice. As a result of her practice, she has been able to help many people find the confidence to ask for help, too. She continues to give back by speaking at college campuses and mental health events around the world, trying to destigmatize mental health and addiction issues.