Senior Thesis 2024: Cope With me
As early as the end of middle school, I was diagnosed with Anxiety and Depression. I went through many therapists, psychiatrists, and medications at the age of 13. Through this process I found great people, but also very helpful ways to cope. They changed over time, depending on the situation, daily feelings, and of course figuring out what helped best. Now I have a handful of great coping mechanisms and beneficial tools to go to, but how exactly does it work? And what are they?
I found an article in the National Library of Medicine; “Coping Mechanisms” by Emad B. Algorani and Vikas Gupta, on the general overview as well as a scientific side to it. They also put the idea into sections, building upon the acronym COPE (Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced);
“Problem-focused, which addresses the problem causing the distress: Examples of this style include active coping, planning, restraint coping, and suppression of competing activities.
Emotion-focused, which aims to reduce the negative emotions associated with the problem: Examples of this style include positive reframing, acceptance, turning to religion, and humor.
Meaning-focused, in which an individual uses cognitive strategies to derive and manage the meaning of the situation
Social coping (support-seeking) in which an individual reduces stress by seeking emotional or instrumental support from their community.”
I found these to be such good coping mechanisms to help process the various concepts and feelings in various situations. In this article, they say that the Problem-Focused approach can be the most helpful and beneficial to the person.
It touches on addressing the situation at hand and figuring out what helps eliminate the problem and anxiety. Something as simple as breathing
exercises, or removing yourself completely from that space or situation. There are many strategies that people use to help them cope, no matter what it is, as long as it helps.
In a personal sense, all of these points integrated into my life on a daily basis. I attempt to keep it positive, since some coping mechanisms can have a negative effect. Some articles address therse negatives in detail, especially with the topic of addiction and how some mechanisms can spiral into that.
main pieces
11 in x 15 in
Watercolor, Colored Pencil, and Gel Pen
Transposition
A Fluff of Comfort
In Another Place
I Need A Hug
Snacks!
9 in x 12 in
Watercolor, Colored Pencil, and Gel Pen
Those Special Little Gummies
Just One More Bite
WORKS CITED
Algorani, Emad B, and Vikas Gupta. “Coping Mechanisms - Statpearls - NCBI Bookshelf.” National Library of Medicine, www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/books/NBK559031/
Moskowitz JT, Folkman S. “Coping: Pitfalls and Promise.” Annual Review of Psychology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14744233/
“The Relationship between Music and Mental Health - Valley Oaks Health.” Valley Oaks Health -, 22 June 2023, www.valleyoaks.org/ health-hub/the-relationship-between-music-and-mental-health/
“Animal Therapy: How It Works, Benefits, and More.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/animal-therapy#how-it-works
“The Power of Pets.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 26 July 2022, newsinhealth.nih. gov/2018/02/power-pets
Bernstein, Therese. Greenwich Pediatrics, 13 Nov. 2020, greenwichpediatrics.com/12-hugs-a-day/#:~:text=Remember%20touch%20 is%20essential%20and,hugs%20a%20day%20for%20growth%E2%80%9D
Menges, Sara. “The 3 Biggest Advantages of Human Touch May Surprise You.” Quality Online Doctor & Telehealth Medical Provider, plushcare.com/blog/advantages-of-human-touch-hugs/
Federica Pallavicini, Alessandro Pepe, and Fabrizia Mantovani, The Effects of Playing Video Games on Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, and Gaming Disorder During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic: PRISMA Systematic Review, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.Jun 2022.334-354.http://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0252
Sternlicht, Lin, and Aaron Sternlicht. “Video Games, Mental Health, and Addiction – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” Video Games, Mental Health, and Addiction – The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Family Addiction Specialist: Addiction Counselor, www.familyaddic- tionspecialist.com/blog/video-games-mental-health-and-addiction-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
Hern, Alex. “Video Gaming Can Benefit Mental Health, Find Oxford Academics.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 16 Nov. 2020, www.theguardian.com/games/2020/nov/16/video-gaming-can-benefit-mental-health-find-oxford-academics#:~:text=The%20 study%2C%20which%20focused%20on,gaming%20can%20harm%20mental%20health
“Can Addiction Be a Coping Mechanism for Trauma?” The Guest House, 24 July 2023, www.theguesthouseocala.com/can-addic- tion-be-a-coping-mechanism-for-trauma/#:~:text=According%20to%20Coping%20Mechanisms%20by,and%20voluntary%20mobiliza- tion%20of%20acts.%E2%80%9D
“Cannabis and Mental Health.” How Does Cannabis Affect My Mental Health?, www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-men- tal-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/cannabis-and-mental-health/#:~:text=Cannabis%20and%20mental%20health,-Can%20canna- bis%20affect&text=Regular%20cannabis%20use%20can%20be,developing%20psychotic%20illness%2C%20including%20schizophrenia
“Is There a Link between Marijuana Use and Psychiatric Disorders?” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Hu- man Services, 8 May 2023, nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/there-link-between-marijuana-use-psychiatric-disorders