Learn more skills to manage social anxiety in one of my in-depth mental health courses:

In this video we’re going to talk about three ways to retrain your brain to get better at handling social situations and the social anxiety that comes with them.
More people are feeling social anxiety than ever. The World Health Organization recently released a report stating that the Covid-19 pandemic led to a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide. I know that for me, social interactions seem more awkward, that I feel more anxious around people than I did in the past, and that I have a lower tolerance for social interaction than ever. And I know that’s a common experience these days.
So why is that? In part, it’s due to having gone through more isolation than ever. It’s probably due to how the brain adapts to situations, but also how we think about social anxiety and social situations.
Social Anxiety is one of the most common forms of anxiety and affects a lot of people. But you can learn the skills to combat social anxiety and get more and more comfortable in social situations by learning the three skills I teach in this video.

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life’s direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love

If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services.
Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

How to Cope With Depression

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How to Cope With Depression

People who experience a traumatic event can often take some time to adjust and are more likely to suffer from depression. They may withdraw from friends and family and stop socializing altogether. Other people may have a genetic predisposition to depression. Others may have negative experiences in their early life that increase their risk. A physician can help determine which of these scenarios applies to you. You should seek medical care for depression as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can try these tips to manage your symptoms.

Depression is a serious mental illness that affects the mood, thoughts, and behavior. It blunts pleasure, shuts down creativity, and prevents us from feeling connected to other people. As a result, we feel deep emotional pain. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to cope with the depressive symptoms. While no one can predict when depression will strike, it is important to seek treatment and support as early as possible. The right treatment will help you regain your life and feel more at peace.

Generally, people with depression exhibit a depressed mood and may have other physical symptoms, such as aches and pains. Sometimes, depression can also cause problems with memory, concentration, and decision-making. People with depression also have trouble sleeping, enjoying activities, and thinking about suicide. Other signs and symptoms may include weight gain and restlessness. While these symptoms can be common for those suffering from depression, the severity and frequency of them may vary. For some people, these symptoms may be the first sign of depression.

In most cases, antidepressant medication is effective in treating depression. In some cases, medications are combined with psychotherapy. Sometimes, an individual may need to switch medicines, or even add new ones to treat their condition. Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine which medication is right for you. While antidepressants are helpful, they are not a cure for depression. If you don’t respond to antidepressants, you may benefit from psychotherapy.

While depression can be difficult to treat, the good news is that it’s one of the most easily treatable mental disorders, with nearly 90% of patients responding to treatment. Most people experiencing depressive symptoms will see an improvement in their symptoms after treatment. If left untreated, depression can last for years, and can even lead to physical illnesses, thoughts of suicide, and physical symptoms. Even when a depressive episode does resolve on its own, the condition can reoccur. Treatment for depression has become more accessible as the stigma around mental health continues to diminish.

Other treatments for depression include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). These treatments work by affecting chemical messaging in the brain. Although these techniques are effective for severe cases of depression, the exact mechanisms involved are not known. In most cases, ECT is reserved for serious cases where antidepressants fail. However, after years of research and development, this treatment has become an accepted part of the medical community. The benefits of ECT are well known.