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Jordan Frank

How Anxiety Can Cause Physical Symptoms

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Anxiety is often thought of as a mental or emotional experience, but it is also a physical one. When the brain perceives a threat, real or imagined, it activates the body’s stress response system. This response is designed to protect us in dangerous situations, but when it becomes overactive or chronic, it can lead to a wide range of physical symptoms. Many individuals experiencing anxiety are surprised by how intensely it can affect the body. Symptoms such as chest tightness, stomach discomfort, dizziness, and fatigue are common and can sometimes feel alarming. Understanding why these symptoms occur can help reduce fear and clarify when they may be related to anxiety rather than a medical emergency. The Body’s Stress Response System Anxiety activates the body’s fight-or-flight response, a survival mechanism controlled by the autonomic nervous …

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How Mental Health Symptoms Present Differently Across Age Groups

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Mental health conditions affect individuals across the lifespan, but the way symptoms present can vary significantly depending on age. Children, adolescents, adults, and older adults experience different developmental, biological, and social influences that shape how emotional and psychological distress is expressed. Understanding these differences is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Symptoms that may be obvious in one age group can appear differently or be overlooked in another. Age-specific psychiatric care helps ensure that mental health concerns are recognized and addressed in a way that reflects each stage of life. Mental Health in Children: Behavioral and Developmental Expressions In children, mental health symptoms often present through behavior rather than verbal expression. Younger children may not have the language or emotional awareness to describe what they are feeling, so distress may show up in …

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The Mental Health Impact of Chronic People Pleasing

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry People pleasing is often viewed as a positive trait. Being helpful, accommodating, and considerate of others can strengthen relationships and create social harmony. However, when the need to please others becomes chronic and automatic, it can begin to take a toll on mental health. Chronic people pleasing often involves consistently prioritizing others’ needs over one’s own, avoiding conflict at all costs, and relying heavily on external approval for a sense of self-worth. Over time, this pattern can contribute to anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and difficulty maintaining healthy boundaries. What Chronic People Pleasing Looks Like People pleasing goes beyond kindness or generosity. It becomes a behavioral pattern when individuals feel unable to say no, even when they are overwhelmed or uncomfortable. It may also involve suppressing personal opinions, overcommitting to responsibilities, or constantly seeking validation from …

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How Mental Health Conditions Affect Decision Making

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Decision making is a central part of daily life. From small choices such as what to eat or how to spend free time to major decisions involving relationships, work, or health, the brain is constantly evaluating information and weighing outcomes. Mental health conditions can significantly affect this process, influencing how individuals interpret situations, assess risk, and respond emotionally to choices. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and trauma-related disorders can alter cognitive patterns and emotional regulation in ways that make decision making more difficult. Understanding these effects can help individuals recognize when mental health may be influencing their thinking and why treatment can improve clarity, confidence, and daily functioning. How the Brain Makes Decisions Decision making involves multiple regions of the brain working together. The prefrontal cortex helps with planning, reasoning, and …

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How Rumination Fuels Anxiety and Depression

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Medically Reviewed by Mark Hrymoc, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, double-board certified in General & Addiction Psychiatry Many people experience moments of overthinking, especially during stressful or uncertain times. Reflecting on past events or worrying about the future can feel like an attempt to problem-solve or gain control. However, when thinking becomes repetitive, negative, and difficult to stop, it may shift into rumination. Rumination is a pattern of persistent, repetitive thinking that focuses on distress, problems, or perceived failures without leading to resolution. Rather than helping individuals move forward, it often intensifies emotional distress. This pattern is strongly linked to both anxiety and depression and can play a central role in maintaining these conditions over time. Understanding how rumination works and how it affects the brain can help explain why it is so difficult to break and why targeted treatment is often necessary. What Rumination Looks Like Rumination involves repeatedly going …

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