Girls these days are stressing out: according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA), women are twice as likely as men to have an anxiety disorder.
Join us as we ask some questions with Erin Munroe, author of The Anxiety Workbook for Girls.
AiT: We had a chance to check out your book, The Anxiety Workbook for Girls (Fairview Press), did we see it correctly that you said Anxiety rocks?!?! Tell us more: EM: Well, SOMETIMES it rocks! Sometimes it stinks! But when I was talking about anxiety rocking I was talking about times that anxiety is actually helpful.
If we didn't get a little anxious about things like doing well in school, playing well on the field, or maintaining good social relationships, we wouldn't be very motivated to be successful in these areas.
This type of anxiety could probably be explained as "excitement" in some folks.
It isn't the type of anxiety that stops you in your tracks, it is a motivating and exciting type of anxiety.
AiT: What are some pressures you feel add to girls' lives today that may add to anxiety and stress? EM: Ugh, I thought it was bad when I was growing up, but kids these days really do have it tougher than we did, and it doesn't really seem to be getting any easier.
The high stakes testing in many school districts creates nervous nellies across the board.
The pressure to perform in any activity instead of just doing it for fun is another area where girls have it tougher these days.
There was a time you could just doodle or kick a ball around just to enjoy the activity.
Now you need to be the best doodler so a high school or college can say, "You are talented, we want you!" We have done a great job of taking the joy out of activities and packed them with stress inducing pressures.
Another area I think makes life more difficult for everyone is that we are constantly "on".
There is little to no down time for anyone - cell phones, itouch, ipad, the internet, it is really crazy.
I encourage families to have a period each day where everything is off, and everyone can relax, but it is really difficult to get them to follow through - the kids are usually better at it, which means we as adults are sending super confusing and stressed out messages to our kids.
AiT: How do we know if it is really an anxiety disorder, and not just normal worry? EM: I really feel as though the moment someone's "worry" starts to impact his or her regular routine it is time to see someone about anxiety.
So if you are generally nervous about tests, but you sleep fine, can eat breakfast, and can think about your life the way you would any other day - fine.
The moment you notice your sleep is disrupted, you can't eat, your can't think about anything but the test, or you notice any other changes in functioning it is time to check in with someone.
This doesn't mean you have an anxiety disorder, but it does mean you could use some help in managing your worry.
AiT: What are some of your favorite recommendations for girls to de-stress? EM: I love getting girls to move their bodies and laugh.
Finding a great yoga class, trying to run with a friend.
I find that it is most helpful when you really stink at the activity because then you end up totally giggling at yourself or with your friend.
I also find music extremely helpful for many - just watch what type of music you are listening to - you don't want it to be something that makes you sad, you want it to be something that is soothing or makes you feel happy and energetic.
AiT: When is it time to get professional help? EM: Very similar to knowing when you have crossed a line with worry, you need to get professional help as soon as your anxiety is affecting you in other areas of your life.
And I think it is important to recognize that you might not need professional help for a long time, maybe just a few visits with a counselor or with your primary care doctor is what you need to get your worries out in the open and learn some stress management techniques.
Also, when it is addressed by parents and guardians, many kids feel a ton better just knowing they are not in it alone and have people to talk to.
Erin Munroe is the author of "The Everything Guide to Stepparenting", technically reviewed by Irene Levine, PhD, and published by Adams Media.
She has also authored "The Anxiety Workbook for Girls" for Fairview Press (July, 2010), and "When Big Issues Happen to Little Girls" for HCI (December, 2010).
Currently Erin works as a School Adjustment Counselro in Dorchester, MA and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at a Community Health Center where she sees children, adolescents, and families experiencing a range of issues, including trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorders, adjustment disorders, and more.
Erin has been working in the mental health field since 2001 and has primarily worked with adolescents in schools as a licensed School Guidance Counselor and Adjustment Counselor and outside of school as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Erin is also a stepmom, a mom, a dog owner, a runner, reader, baker, and yoga lover.
She was super duper anxious when as a kid and still uses all the stress management tools that are in the book (Seriously!!).
Join us as we ask some questions with Erin Munroe, author of The Anxiety Workbook for Girls.
AiT: We had a chance to check out your book, The Anxiety Workbook for Girls (Fairview Press), did we see it correctly that you said Anxiety rocks?!?! Tell us more: EM: Well, SOMETIMES it rocks! Sometimes it stinks! But when I was talking about anxiety rocking I was talking about times that anxiety is actually helpful.
If we didn't get a little anxious about things like doing well in school, playing well on the field, or maintaining good social relationships, we wouldn't be very motivated to be successful in these areas.
This type of anxiety could probably be explained as "excitement" in some folks.
It isn't the type of anxiety that stops you in your tracks, it is a motivating and exciting type of anxiety.
AiT: What are some pressures you feel add to girls' lives today that may add to anxiety and stress? EM: Ugh, I thought it was bad when I was growing up, but kids these days really do have it tougher than we did, and it doesn't really seem to be getting any easier.
The high stakes testing in many school districts creates nervous nellies across the board.
The pressure to perform in any activity instead of just doing it for fun is another area where girls have it tougher these days.
There was a time you could just doodle or kick a ball around just to enjoy the activity.
Now you need to be the best doodler so a high school or college can say, "You are talented, we want you!" We have done a great job of taking the joy out of activities and packed them with stress inducing pressures.
Another area I think makes life more difficult for everyone is that we are constantly "on".
There is little to no down time for anyone - cell phones, itouch, ipad, the internet, it is really crazy.
I encourage families to have a period each day where everything is off, and everyone can relax, but it is really difficult to get them to follow through - the kids are usually better at it, which means we as adults are sending super confusing and stressed out messages to our kids.
AiT: How do we know if it is really an anxiety disorder, and not just normal worry? EM: I really feel as though the moment someone's "worry" starts to impact his or her regular routine it is time to see someone about anxiety.
So if you are generally nervous about tests, but you sleep fine, can eat breakfast, and can think about your life the way you would any other day - fine.
The moment you notice your sleep is disrupted, you can't eat, your can't think about anything but the test, or you notice any other changes in functioning it is time to check in with someone.
This doesn't mean you have an anxiety disorder, but it does mean you could use some help in managing your worry.
AiT: What are some of your favorite recommendations for girls to de-stress? EM: I love getting girls to move their bodies and laugh.
Finding a great yoga class, trying to run with a friend.
I find that it is most helpful when you really stink at the activity because then you end up totally giggling at yourself or with your friend.
I also find music extremely helpful for many - just watch what type of music you are listening to - you don't want it to be something that makes you sad, you want it to be something that is soothing or makes you feel happy and energetic.
AiT: When is it time to get professional help? EM: Very similar to knowing when you have crossed a line with worry, you need to get professional help as soon as your anxiety is affecting you in other areas of your life.
And I think it is important to recognize that you might not need professional help for a long time, maybe just a few visits with a counselor or with your primary care doctor is what you need to get your worries out in the open and learn some stress management techniques.
Also, when it is addressed by parents and guardians, many kids feel a ton better just knowing they are not in it alone and have people to talk to.
Erin Munroe is the author of "The Everything Guide to Stepparenting", technically reviewed by Irene Levine, PhD, and published by Adams Media.
She has also authored "The Anxiety Workbook for Girls" for Fairview Press (July, 2010), and "When Big Issues Happen to Little Girls" for HCI (December, 2010).
Currently Erin works as a School Adjustment Counselro in Dorchester, MA and as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at a Community Health Center where she sees children, adolescents, and families experiencing a range of issues, including trauma, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorders, adjustment disorders, and more.
Erin has been working in the mental health field since 2001 and has primarily worked with adolescents in schools as a licensed School Guidance Counselor and Adjustment Counselor and outside of school as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
Erin is also a stepmom, a mom, a dog owner, a runner, reader, baker, and yoga lover.
She was super duper anxious when as a kid and still uses all the stress management tools that are in the book (Seriously!!).
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