How To Articles

Medically reviewed by April Justice, LICSW

Below are some of the article topics you may find in the “how-to” section. These topics are expanded on in detail in the full articles. If you want further support in these topics, consider contacting a mental health professional. 

How to talk to people with social anxiety

Social anxiety disorder can make it challenging to make new friends or know how to start a conversation. The “how to” article on this topic explains how seeking a therapist may help you through your phobia. They can teach calming techniques like deep breathing and help you reframe challenging thoughts. Some therapists offer techniques like exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), which has been considered the “gold standard” of therapy for social anxiety. 

How to build confidence 

Being confident may help you meet your goals or improve your self-esteem. Some people have low confidence because of challenges in their past. To build confidence, it may be helpful to go through specific exercises, such as listing out your skills, gratitude journaling, or talking to a therapist. 

How to communicate better 

Some people seem like natural communicators, but others may struggle with communication. Miscommunications and awkward conversations are normal. You can learn new conversational skills by talking to a therapist and identifying patterns that may get in the way of effective communication. Practicing body language, speech, and tone can also help. Because communication is often the base of all human interaction, knowing how to communicate effectively can be essential. 

How to stop overthinking

Looking critically at a situation can be healthy. However, some people may think so much about the details behind a situation that it qualifies as overthinking. Working with a cognitive-behavioral therapist on mindfulness techniques lets you put your worries in perspective and move past them healthily. Overthinking can be stressful, but by learning to slow your racing thoughts, you may quell anxiety and feel better about yourself. 

How to cope with guilt 

When you experience guilt, it can mean you acted against your morals or values. It could also be due to hurting someone or being made to believe you have done something wrong. Guilt can be confusing, so the abovementioned articles may help you cope more healthily with this emotion. You can turn your guilt into action by learning what guilt has to teach you and why it occurs. 

How to stop intrusive thoughts 

Intrusive thoughts are terrifying thoughts in people with obsessive-compulsive-related disorders like OCD. These thoughts may involve themes based on topics that go against your moral code. They can cause fear or disgust to arise and may be challenging to get rid of. Several modalities are suited to treat OCD, including exposure therapy. Learning more about this modality and its methods may help you avoid these types of thoughts.  

How to stop feeling hopeless 

Hopelessness is a common symptom of many mental health conditions but is mainly attributed to depression. If you’re experiencing thoughts of hopelessness, you’re not alone. Often, these thoughts can be targeted with lifestyle changes and professional support. You can find more information about this topic in the articles above. 

How to help a suicidal friend 

It can be scary to know your friend is suicidal and not know how to help them. In these cases, it can be crucial to reach out for support. Let your friend know the resources available to them, such as the suicide hotlines in their area. 

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text 988 to talk to a crisis provider over SMS. They are available 24/7 to offer support. 988 also offers an online chat for those with an internet connection.

How to be a good person 

While “good” can be subjective, a good person may be empathetic toward others and attempt to avoid harm. Look at the actions you want to change and plan to change them. If you require support in the process, consider reaching out to a mental health professional.   

How to help a hoarder 

Living with or knowing a hoarder can be challenging, and you may have the desire to help them change their habits. Helping hoarders may involve not enabling or forcing them to remove their stuff. Instead, it can be crucial for this individual to receive professional support. There may be underlying mental health challenges causing them to hoard. 

How to improve interpersonal skills 

Learning how to be a better friend and leader can be a challenge. Some people seem to be born with the ability to connect socially, while others may have to learn it over time. To improve, try talking to strangers and being more aware of your body language. Talking to someone can be challenging if you're lacking confidence. You might benefit from talking to a therapist for support in these cases. 

How to be happy alone 

Some people may try to find happiness and comfort in their relationships with others. However, others may try to be happy with themselves beforehand. Being alone and happy can be challenging for people with attachment anxiety, but it is possible. By working with a therapist, educating yourself on mental health, and learning about attachment, you may be able to learn to be happy alone.  

How to overcome shyness 

Some people are naturally shy, while others may experience circumstantial shyness. Being shy when you’re new in a location or struggling with communicating can be natural. Besides seeking therapy, putting yourself into social situations can be an effective way to begin to expose yourself to other people. Meeting with a group of people who share the same interests can also help you change.  

How to overcome fear 

Learning to overcome your fear can seem simple in theory but may be more difficult in practice. Some people find success by trying exposure therapy. For example, you might try exposure therapy if you are afraid of heights. Exposure therapy aims to introduce anxiety-inducing elements into your life until you can conquer the next step. Setting reasonable goals is the key to exposure therapy. Talk to a therapist to learn more about how to get started. 

How to get over an ex 

You’re not alone if you struggle to get over your ex-partner. Distracting yourself with new hobbies or lessons may help you move forward. You can also consider speaking to a therapist about your breakup circumstances and the emotions that have arisen for you. 

How to find support 

If you’re interested in finding mental health support for any of the above topics or anything else, a few options are available to you. Some clients appreciate the flexibility and accessibility of online therapy platforms like BetterHelp. 

Through an online platform, you can talk about any topic with a therapist from home or anywhere with an internet connection. In addition, you don’t need a mental illness or diagnosis to receive support. Some platforms offer additional resources, such as journaling prompts, group therapy, and worksheets clients can use from home. 

Studies also back up the effectiveness of internet-based interventions. One study found that a chat-based online therapy platform was more effective than in-person therapy in reducing symptoms of mental illness and could be more cost-effective.  

Takeaway 

The above how-to topics are just a few of what exists in the how-to category section. To learn more about mental health, consider reading the above articles or reaching out to a mental health professional for guidance.