Perfectionist Parenting is Detrimental to Children

Excellence is a worthy goal, perfection is not. Perfectionism leads to unhappiness. Parents who demand perfection from their children cause their children to set unattainable goals for themselves. When a child cannot achieve the unrealistically high standards they have established it can lead to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, and suicide. Parents can transfer perfectionism to children both intentionally and unintentionally. For more information and details on this topic read the article below.

Parenting: Raise Excellent -- Not Perfect -- Children | Psychology Today

Deep Conversations Linked to Happiness

A new study has shown that when people engage in a profound conversation, as opposed to small talk, it increases their happiness. In addition, those who spend more time talking with others reported a higher level of happiness than people who spent more time alone.

UA Psychologist 'Eavesdrops' on Happiness

Impact of Genetics on Anxiety Disorder Treatment

The National Institute of Mental Health recently conducted a study that shows how a specific gene may be linked to the length of time it takes to treat anxiety disorder. Some people naturally have a gene variation that may impact the amount of time it takes to treat an anxiety disorder. In this test some mice were genetically engineered to have this gene. Both mice and people, with and without this gene, underwent a process to induce fear and then decrease it. Those with the gene took longer to achieve fear extinction. These finding help explain why some people take longer to respond to treatment for anxiety-based disorders. This study may lead to the development of a test for the gene, enabling therapists to better understand how long it will take to treat their patients.

NIMH � Gene’s Impact on Forgetting a Fear-Based Memory Same in Humans and Mice

Free Mood and Medication Tracking Tools

There is a free online tool for tracking moods and medications.  This tool helps keep track of medication history; including dosage, start date, and end date.  Moods can be recorded more than once a day.  This information can be displayed in a chart and even printed out to bring with you to the doctor's office. Optional support alerts are available (they send you an e-mail reminder to enter info).  Caregiver information can be provided at your discretion, allowing your caregiver internet access to your mood tracker information.  A small journal entry allows you to track additional details which can be hidden from your caregiver if it contains private details.  This will probably be the most useful for people in the process of finding the right medication but may also be useful for other circumstances.
MoodTracker

If you don't like the one above, or it doesn't suit your needs, check some other mood trackers using the links below.  MedHelp requires you to sign up for their site and automatically sends newsletters and updates to your e-mail.  The benefit is a very large selection of mood trackers which are listed with symptoms, treatments, and triggers that each one is able to track.  Information can be set to public or private.
MedHelp Mood Tracker Gallery
MedHelp Anxiety/Panic Tracker Gallery

Tips to Help Reduce Anxiety

Image by Kevin Labianco via Flickr

These are anxiety coping and reduction strategies that I am currently trying or have already used successfully.  Everyone is different so if it sounds good give it a try, if it doesn't work try something new!

Identify Your Body's Stress Cues
Sometimes we don't realize we are stressed to the max until it becomes overwhelming.  Learn how to identify the first signs of stress but don't become overly fixated on it either.  Some common first signs of stress are muscle tension, a knot in your stomach, and a stress headache.

Breathing Techniques
This has got to be the most universally effective method of fighting stress.  The best part is that it's free!  There are a variety of breathing techniques out there.  I tend to favor yoga breathing techniques.  Yoga breathing has actually been proven to help treat depression and reduce anxiety.
Yoga:  Not Just an Exercise
Sudarshan Kriya:  How the Magic Unfolds

Coping/Positive Thinking Statements
The thought process is a powerful thing.  Taking the time to mental "reprogram" and reassure yourself is worth it.  Pick a statement that works for you and repeat it when you feel stress or panic sneaking up on you.  When you are anxious it becomes hard to focus, so keep it short, simple, and easy to remember.  My stress chasing statement is "Calm. Peace. Serenity."

Meditation and Yoga/Prayer
In order to maintain a calm, well-balanced state of mind try meditation, yoga, or prayer.  All three of these options have been proven to reduce and manage stress effectively.

Please add comments if you have any other tips, advice or strategies to accompany this list.

Additional Helpful Resources:

Panic Attack Prevention Program- free online information about panic attacks and how to overcome them
Coping Statements For Anxiety- a list of coping statements to choose from (not where I got mine but I like these)