Latest news with #GrowTherapy
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
4 Ways Therapists Say People With Anxiety Get Stuck — And How To Get Unstuck
Nearly 1 in 5 Americans has anxiety. So when my therapist said I was one of them, it wasn't a surprise. As a recent cancer survivor, busy mom of five, and a journalist immersed in terrible global news, I'd heard that before. But I hadn't learned that feeling unsafe and out of control are actually two of four ways people with anxiety get 'stuck.' That part was new — a pattern to the chaos? Suddenly, the condition wasn't just 'anxious' versus 'calm' — there were patterns and triggers I could understand. My therapist was referencing principles from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), schema therapy, and attachment theory, said Dr. Nicolette Natale, psychiatrist and chief marketing officer at in Bellmore, New York. For non-therapists, this means anxiety often stems from four common 'cognitive distortions' or 'core beliefs,' Natale explained. 'Individuals who have generalized anxiety disorder may ruminate or get stuck on thoughts associated with fear/safety and lack of control, whereas someone with social anxiety may deal with more thoughts about self-worth or fear of judgment,' she said. 'CBT suggests that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are connected, and that certain 'thinking traps' or belief systems often maintain anxiety,' said Stacy Thiry, a licensed mental health counselor at Grow Therapy. Here's what I discovered about the four ways anxiety traps us — and how to break free. The Four Ways People With Anxiety Get Stuck Feeling Unsafe 'If someone gets stuck in fear/safety, they might constantly scan their environment for danger, catastrophize situations, or live in a near-constant state of hypervigilance,' Thiry said. You might not even realize you feel this way. 'Looking at these thoughts with curiosity instead of fear is a major step,' Natale said. 'When people believe that in the future they won't be safe enough, they feel anxious,' said Eran Magen, assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. He added that people in this situation might not trust themselves to be able to create a safe environment, or they might mistrust other people or factors, such as the weather. Safe might mean accepted in a social setting, physical safety or something else entirely. Feeling Out Of Control The pandemic, global unrest and events in our personal lives can leave anyone feeling unsure of what's next. 'If it's lack of control, they might obsess over plans, schedules, or the future, because not knowing what's next feels intolerable,' Thiry said. Blaming Ourselves 'Self-esteem/self-blame often shows up as intense self-criticism: 'I should have done more,' or 'It's my fault things turned out this way,'' Thiry said. 'For those stuck in self-blame, self-compassion is essential, but it's not always intuitive. It helps to reframe your inner dialogue. Ask yourself: 'Would I say this to someone I love?' And for those struggling with trust, relational work, whether with a therapist or through secure relationships, can help slowly challenge those internalized fears.' Distrusting Others 'Distrust of others might look like chronic relationship anxiety, difficulty letting people in or assuming the worst in social settings,' Thiry said. Maybe others have let you down in the past, or maybe you perceive they will in the future. Living in a world where you can't trust others is isolating — but you aren't alone. How To Get Unstuck Notice And Name It 'Start by paying attention to what your anxiety sounds like in your mind. Does it focus more on your external environment ('Something bad is going to happen')? Or more on yourself ('I'm not good enough,' 'I'm going to mess this up')?' Thiry asked. 'Journaling can help you spot patterns, especially if you track your anxious thoughts across a few days or weeks.' Stuck on how to notice those thoughts? She recommends the following questions: 'Try asking yourself: What am I afraid of at this moment? Who or what do I feel is responsible? What do I believe about myself when I'm anxious? What do I believe about others or the world?' One you notice them, you can name these fears: ''Ah, this is my fear of losing control showing up again,' creates a little bit of distance between you and the anxiety. And that distance is where healing begins,' Thiry said. 'If you've identified one or two of these core categories in yourself, you're already halfway there.' Normalize It 'Normalize the heck out of it. Your brain isn't broken, it's just trying to protect you in the only way it knows how,' Thiry said. 'First, please know: You are not alone.' 'Let's stop pathologizing ourselves for being anxious in an anxious world. Anxiety isn't just a 'you' problem, it's often a response to our environment, our history, and how safe (or unsafe) we've learned the world to be,' Thiry said. Challenge The Worry If you realize you are anxious about work, Magen explained, you might notice it's really about not having enough money for your expenses. 'We can begin to challenge this worry. We might realize we've never actually run out of money before, that we have friends and relatives who would help us in case of emergency, that we have discretionary spending … or that our income has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years.' He said this helps counter and 'loosen' the anxious thought. 'A vast number of patients in my practice have benefited from work we have done to catch 'the stories' that we tell ourselves, and realize what is real, and what is made up,' said Dr. Alex Dimitriu, who's double board-certified in psychiatry and sleep medicine and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine in California. Wait Longer People with anxiety aren't always great at playing the long game, Dimitriu said. 'With this loss of nuanced thinking and tendency towards hurried solutions, people with anxiety are bad at holding a course — when that is exactly what is needed for most interventions to work,' he said. 'People with anxiety get 'stuck,' because they overthink and question everything, and don't have the patience to work on a solution that may take time — they give up too easily, or they are too doubtful to start.' Dimitriu said you need to stick with something at least two months to see if it helps. Thiry said if traditional therapy isn't working, try something else: 'You might benefit from somatic work (like EMDR or somatic experiencing), trauma-informed care, or even nervous system regulation practices.' Change Your Standard Of Success Trying to 'fix' your anxiety? That might not happen. Instead, Thiry suggests teaching your mind and body that 'safety, control, worth and trust are possible, even when they don't feel guaranteed.' 'Also, revisit what you're asking of yourself. Are you expecting to never feel anxious again? Or are you learning how to respond to anxiety in kinder, more skillful ways? The latter is much more realistic, and empowering,' Thiry said. 'And sometimes, the most healing thing we can do is admit: 'I'm exhausted. I need rest. I need softness. I need to stop fighting myself.' That shift, from performance to permission, is often where the real work begins.' Related... 8 Subtle Ways Parents Create Anxiety Without Realizing It 4 Things That Are Not Your Responsibility — Even If Your Anxiety Says They Are 10 Surprising Signs of Social Anxiety That Might Feel A Little Too Familiar Are You Feeling Anxiety Or Intuition? Here's How To Know The Difference.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
We Asked 1,200 Families About Their Eating Habits—And 82% Prioritize This One Thing
Fact checked by Sarah ScottThe family dinner is still a thing, with 82% of families still making it a priority. Family dinners are a time to connect and catch up. The cost of feeding your family is rising. Families report going over budget for about four months of the six children who participate in different activities—always on conflicting days and times—it's not easy to gather for a family meal. But, despite modern life pulling us in all sorts of directions, we still make it a priority to eat dinner together at least one or two times a week. The experience feels like listening to a marching band in a hurricane, but hey, at least we try. We aren't alone. According to Parents Family Food Study, much like our crew, most families still place a high value on the family dinner, even with our increasingly digital lives and diverse schedules. To be honest, that's pretty refreshing. The survey of 1,200 people with kids under age 18 living in the home uncovered some truly fascinating statistics about the state of the family meal. For instance, families are actually enjoying eating at home four to five times per week. Additionally, the study found these things to be true about how families are doing dinner these days: 82% consider dinner to be the main family meal. About 80% say dinner is a time to catch up and connect, as well as to make core family memories, and they would make time for the family meal no matter what. 91% plan meals for the week. 67% have a picky eater in the bunch. 44% have a family member with a dietary restriction, while over half say it affects how the entire family eats. 59% of kids help make dinner. So what are the main topics of conversation around the dinner table? Relationships, friends, and school, with other topics ranging from jokes to pop culture, top the list. Families are also emphasizing mealtime traditions like no tech, themed meals, and talking about each family member's 'highs and lows.' With school and activities, jobs and household obligations, as well as an ever-increasing array of devices commanding our attention, it can sometimes feel like my husband, kids, and I are just ships passing in the night, without exchanging more than a few words to one another. So, as Stacy Thiry, a licensed family therapist at Grow Therapy, notes, 'Family dinner is more than just a meal.' She says about the evening meal, 'It's a ritual, a safe space, and sometimes, the only time in a day when everyone is truly present with one another.' Sarah Schlichter, MPH, RDN, host of the Managing Mealtime Madness podcast and creator of Bucket List Tummy, agrees. 'Family dinners are even more important than ever in this digital time,' she tells Parents. The mistake some make is thinking that the family has to gather every night for a meal to get it right. But Thiry says even eating together once or twice a week offers a chance to reconnect. She encourages parents not to strive for perfection. 'Just focus on making it somewhat consistent, and it needs to be real,' Thiry advises. The most important thing is that you are present at the table. 'If your family dinner happens at 8 p.m. after sports practice, with takeout on paper plates around the coffee table, that still counts!' she says. Gabrielle Lyon, DO, a board-certified physician, bestselling author, and founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine, echoes that sentiment, saying, 'Don't worry if it's messy or loud. Connection thrives in authenticity, not perfection.' The same principle of not attempting to achieve perfection applies when you are dealing with picky eaters or family members with dietary restrictions. Indeed, you can still make family dinnertime happen even if everyone isn't on the same plate, er, page. 'The key here is to focus on connection over control,' Thiry advises. Ways to satisfy all dietary needs and preferences, and reduce overall mealtime stress, include: Offering build-your-own meals. Ideas include tacos, grain bowls, or pasta. With this approach, everyone has some autonomy while still eating the same core meal, according to Thiry. Planning theme nights. Everyone loves a taco Tuesday and pizza Friday. Per Schlichter, theme nights also reduce the mental fatigue of planning, plus the whole family knows what to expect. Preparing side items that everyone will eat. While the protein or other main meal item may be different, each person can add the same fruits, veggies, and a roll to their plate, per Schlichter. Meal plan with a partner. Don't take on the task of deciding what to eat all week alone, advises Kary Rappaport, OTR/L, MS, SCFES, IBCLC, and Kimberly Grenawitzke, OTD, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, CNT at Solid Starts. They also recommend collaborating on meal ideas with friends to keep things fresh. Finally, batch prepping ingredients on the weekend provides many benefits. One of those benefits is that meal items can be at-the-ready for each dietary need come dinnertime. Dr. Lyon suggests chopping veggies, cooking grains, and marinating proteins on a set day, which also takes the pressure off during busy weekdays. Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC at Live It Up, encourages all family members to help with meal prep. (If time allows in that busy schedule we keep talking about!) 'Getting everybody involved with this may also help to decrease stress,' Bakovic says. As a bonus, tackling the task together provides an opportunity to connect and have meaningful conversations, free of distractions. Just don't forget to recruit the troops for clean up as well! It's undeniable that family dinnertime is important for a variety of reasons. 'Sitting together at the table—without phones, without distractions—gives children and adults alike a moment of emotional grounding that's often missing from our fast-paced lives,' Dr. Lyon stresses. She says that family mealtime also affords parents with an opportunity to model healthy nutrition for kids. But with the rising cost of food, shopping for meals the whole family will enjoy can also be fraught with stress. Our Parents Family Food Study found that families are spending about $700 per month on groceries, and that parents are going over budget about four months of the year. If you are looking for cost savings for your family dinners, here are a few ideas to try: Plan meals around what's on sale. Buy bulk foods. Shop canned and frozen options. Lean into leftovers. Ultimately, the experts we talked to say it's more valuable than ever to keep trying to make family dinners happen, no matter the obstacles. Rappaport and Grenawitzke leave parents this takeaway: 'When the habit is set early, it's much more likely this tradition will continue.' Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
AI-Native VC SignalFire Raises Over $1B to Fuel the Next Wave of Applied AI Startups, Pushing AUM to ~$3B
Investors double down on SignalFire's data-driven model for early-stage investing. SAN FRANCISCO, April 07, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SignalFire, a leading early-stage venture capital firm focused on applied AI, has raised over $1 billion in new capital to fund the next generation of technology startups, bringing its total assets under management (AUM) to approximately $3 billion. This capital raise amid a turbulent fundraising environment is a testament to exceptional investor confidence in SignalFire's AI-native edge, thesis-driven investment strategy, and in-house operational expertise, which give the firm differentiated access to the next generation of high-growth AI companies. The fresh capital will be deployed across SignalFire's Seed, Early, Executive-in-Residence (XIR), and Opportunities funds. "Our investors see what we see — applied AI is the defining opportunity of our time. With this new capital, we're doubling down on the next generation of category-defining AI startups tackling the world's biggest challenges. Backed by our proprietary AI platform and deep operational expertise, we equip founders with the tools, data, and support they need to scale breakthrough companies faster."- Chris Farmer, Founder & CEO, SignalFire A decade of early-stage AI investing in a changing VC landscape SignalFire's longstanding focus on applied AI has fueled the success of companies like Grow Therapy, EvenUp, Stampli, and Grammarly**. At the heart of SignalFire's differentiated approach is Beacon AI — a proprietary machine learning platform powered by talent data spanning more than 650 million individuals and 80 million organizations worldwide — that has been refined in-house for over 12 years. Beacon AI uncovers market trends and talent intelligence that helps SignalFire investors and portfolio companies find and build exceptional teams, products, and businesses. "From customer intros and fundraising advice to hands-on support across data science, hiring, and scaling, SignalFire's impact goes far beyond capital. They've been a true force multiplier for our growth."*- Jake Cooper, CEO & Co-Founder, Grow Therapy As many established VC firms shift toward late-stage investments and diversified strategies, SignalFire remains dedicated to AI founders at the earliest stages (pre-seed through Series B), helping them grow from ideation to industry leadership. In many cases, the firm aims to be the "first check" for applied AI startups — backing founders as early as possible through initiatives like its AI Lab incubation program and Beacon AI, which can identify high-potential founders even before they start companies. Built different: SignalFire's AI-native DNA Unlike traditional VCs that are scrambling to retrofit data and AI into their processes, SignalFire has operated as an applied AI company since its inception, using the same AI techniques, workflows, and infrastructure as many of its portfolio companies. SignalFire's AI-native team helps the firm spot breakthrough startups earlier and accelerates company growth with Beacon AI-powered tools for data science, hiring, customer insights, and go-to-market strategy. "AI's next frontier isn't invention, it's implementation. With these funds, we'll continue to back founders who transform theoretical AI technology into market-changing solutions. With SignalFire's engineering DNA and proprietary data platform, we're uniquely positioned to identify and accelerate companies that aren't just building technology but reshaping industries and outcomes."- Wayne Hu, Partner, SignalFire About SignalFire SignalFire is the first VC firm built like a technology company to better serve the needs of founders as they build and scale their startups. With approximately $3B in assets under management, SignalFire invests in applied AI companies from pre-seed to Series B in key sectors, including healthcare, cybersecurity, infrastructure, consumer, and other enterprise verticals. The firm's Beacon AI platform tracks over 650M employees and 80M organizations, giving the firm an unmatched data advantage in identifying and supporting world-class startups. Its sector-focused investors and a dedicated team of seasoned operators drive SignalFire at startup speed. They provide support across a company's full lifecycle through data and resources tailored by growth stage, plus a diverse ecosystem of partners and customers. Notable investments include Grammarly, Grow Therapy, EvenUp, and Stampli.** Learn more at Disclosures SignalFire is an investment adviser registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. However, such registration as a registered investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This presentation does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security; it is neither a prospectus nor an advertisement, and no offering is being made to the public. *Portfolio company founders listed above have not received any compensation for this feedback and may or may not have invested in a SignalFire fund. These founders may or may not serve as Affiliate Advisors, Retained Advisors, or consultants to provide their expertise on a formal or ad hoc basis. They are not employed by SignalFire and do not provide investment advisory services to clients on behalf of SignalFire. **The portfolio companies identified do not represent all of the investments made or recommended for the Funds. It should not be assumed that investments made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the investments in this list. View source version on Contacts Media Contact Caroline KamerschenCaroline@ 770-712-2636
Buzz Feed
11-02-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Experts Say These 6 Common Work Habits May Actually Be Signs Of ADHD In Adults
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, often persists untreated into adulthood. Although approximately 10 million people are estimated to have it in the U.S., only 1 in 10 have received treatment for it. Many adults with ADHD lead successful careers, but the condition can create job challenges. Impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness are hallmarks of ADHD, though symptoms vary. 'Each person with ADHD is unique, and the symptoms of ADHD can differ from one person to the next,' said Sean Abraham, a licensed clinical social worker at Grow Therapy. 'While one person with the condition might not enjoy or thrive in one type of career because of their symptoms, another might succeed in the same position.' Below, clinicians shared personality traits and work behaviors that are commonly associated with ADHD: 1. Needing everything to be perfect. There can be an overlap between people who have ADHD and employees with perfectionist's tendencies, said Dede O'Shea, a psychologist based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who is also a clinical faculty member at Tufts University. 'ADHD does affect a part of the brain that controls how you direct your attention. People with ADHD, that control area is not working properly. So they really can't put their focus onto what they need to get done. It just keeps going back and forth between all of these different ideas. And so sometimes that perfectionism can come about as a way to try to cope with that and think, 'OK, if I get everything done correctly, then I can get started,'' O'Shea said. 'That's where they get into trouble, because they never get to that point where they feel like everything is perfect enough to be able to really get started.' 2. Procrastinating until the very last minute. 'Of the popular work archetypes, the 'procrastinator' would be one way that adult ADHD presents,' said Dr. Deepti Anbarasan, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. 'This can be attributed to their difficulty with executive functioning and with structuring their tasks in a timely manner.' For employees with ADHD, the inability to meet deadlines can often be due to anxiety. 'Work archetypes among people with ADHD are as diverse as in any other group. Some might exhibit a procrastination-defeatist style, where overwhelming anxiety leads to paralysis,' said Megan Anna Neff, a clinical psychologist. 'Others might use urgency as a motivator to combat procrastination.' 3. Consistently running late to meetings and work. People with ADHD may have trouble showing up on time to meetings and to work despite their best efforts. 'Being your own boss or meeting deadlines might be difficult,' Abraham said. While many of us are occasionally late, people with ADHD experience what is known as 'time blindness,' where 'they might have difficulty really gauging how much time they need to get to where they want to go, or they only have in their mind the time that they need to arrive,' O'Shea said. 'What I hear a lot is that they are supposed to be at work at 9 a.m., and so they have in their mind 9 a.m. and that's when they leave the house, because all they could think in their mind was 9 a.m.' 4. Having meltdowns when work gets stressful. Your brain's prefrontal cortex controls your attention and your emotional responses, and for people with ADHD, that area can be underdeveloped, O'Shea said. 'When they can't control all of those different thoughts, all of those different emotions that are going on in a high-stress situation, then that can lead to the dysregulation, having kind of a mental breakdown, really not being able to get ahold of their feelings,' she said. 'Many people either just go blank with that dysregulation, or have an outburst as well and become really emotional, really irritable, under that high pressure, high-stress environment.' At work, that can mean having excessive reactions whenever there's an unexpected new task or setback. Because people with ADHD already are prone to having difficulty with their reactivity, 'Whenever there's a change, something unexpected, or out of their usual routine, that additional piece can lead to that emotional dysregulation,' O'Shea said. 5. Habitually emailing with mistakes. 'Executive functioning is like the manager in your brain ― it's what helps you stay organized,' O'Shea said. And for people with ADHD, their executive functioning can be impaired, and they can have trouble focusing when they need to and a tendency to rush through what they're doing, she said. 'They might feel like, 'OK, I'm on task' ... but they're still not able to control that attention to read and fully process all of the information that's in front of them,' O'Shea said. 'It's hard for their brains to stay stimulated long enough to really do that kind of especially tedious, more boring tasks that are like reading emails, looking at paperwork. The ADHD brain needs a lot of constant stimulation.' If colleagues are always having to follow up or fix what you do as a result of you making careless mistakes or you missing key details from emails or paperwork, that can be a sign of how ADHD is affecting your work, O'Shea said. 6. Brainstorming creative ideas that you later have trouble executing. People with ADHD tend to be creative problem-solvers, but because of their impaired executive functioning, these employees can also have trouble with making those creative solutions happen. 'In the workplace, people with ADHD can be known as great creative thinkers, really passionate, someone who you want on the team to really be imaginative,' O'Shea said. 'But they can still have trouble at the same time because of that difficulty with knowing how to come up with stuff to actually work on the project, and be able to focus on how to actually get things done.' What to do next if you suspect you have ADHD Maskot / Getty Images O'Shea said it can help to first get a sense if how people see you at work is in line with how you are viewing yourself. You can do this without directly disclosing that you think you have ADHD. Ask a trusted colleague: 'How do you see my behaviors in the office? Am I having any trouble with getting things done, with meeting the deadlines that were laid out? Do other people in the office have the same kinds of problems? Like, is everyone under stress?' she said. That way, you can gauge how you are doing, compared to the productivity and stress levels of others on your team. If you do think you have ADHD, a good starting point is consulting with your primary care provider or a clinical psychologist specializing in adult ADHD, said Neff. 'Online ADHD screeners can be an initial step, but it's important to keep in mind that these are just single data points, and high scores could be due to various reasons,' Neff said. 'For some, medication might be beneficial, but this requires an official diagnosis and consultation with a health care professional. Starting the conversation with your primary care physician is often the best first step towards an assessment.' After that, you can get started on a treatment plan. 'Adult ADHD can respond well to both behavioral and pharmacological interventions. Effective treatment can significantly improve quality of life and functioning, not just in the workplace, but also personally and socially,' Anbarasan said. For adults with ADHD, a treatment plan may also include asking your company for workplace accommodations. Abraham gave the example of moving to a desk with fewer distractions, using project management software for better organization, and providing written instructions instead of spoken instructions as a few examples of what those adjustments could look like. 'You should highlight that the accommodations will help you provide the best results for your company and allow you to take advantage of your skills and abilities,' Abraham said.
