Mental Health

The most common terms in mental health are anxiety and depression and a little is said below on these topics. Plus I say a little on common presenting issues which can be helped through counselling and being offered the therapeutic process.

Anxiety is a natural part of being human and most of us will experience anxiety from time to time.  It can be a response to both danger and a new experience.  It can become a problem when we are either stuck with these feelings and they don’t pass or create unhelpful responses that cause other problems in our life, such as drinking, drug taking and other risky behaviour.

Anxiety can create physical reactions, feelings of our heart pounding, panic attacks etc.  These can be alleviated using techniques such as breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.  They can also be helped through counselling and changing our thoughts but also change in other ways unique to you.

Depression is described by The World Health Organisation as:

Depressive disorder, or depression, is a common mental health condition that can happen to anyone. It is characterized by a low mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time.

This is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. Depressive episodes last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. People with depression may experience disturbed sleep and changes to their appetite. They may have feelings of low self-worth, thoughts about dying and hopelessness about the future. Tiredness and poor concentration are also common.

Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other adverse events are more likely to develop depression. Problems at school and work can also result in depression.

Depression often manifests as a range from mild through to severe.  It can be a very normal reaction to life events such as bereavement or illness.  It can be more severe and harder to shift with prolonged periods of low mood and sadness.  It can affect sleep, confidence, energy levels and show itself as anger and result in one withdrawing from loved ones and things we previously enjoyed.

Below are some of the things which may trigger a need for counselling:

Grief is an experience all of us will go through at some time.  It is both natural and personal experience which is part of being human.  How we experience grief and mourning will be affected by our relationship with that person whilst living, the manner of their passing, our other experiences of grief and many other things.  It is often hard to comprehend that that person is no longer part of our day to day lives. This is especially hard if they have been there with us every day.

It can also be compounded by a view we should be “over it” by a certain time, but there is no set time or way to mourn.  There is no normal.  Talking about our feelings to others can sometimes result in awkwardness as friends and family can avoid saying much in case they say the wrong thing.

Grief is a process and feelings of numbness, anger and sadness are some of the feelings which can be worked through and there is no set time for the process to be completed.  It can help to have somewhere to take, often complex feelings, and explore how you are experiencing the loss.

Divorce – can be a huge life changing event and understanding whether this is the route you wish to take is important.  Seeking to understand if there is a chance of finding a compromise and change within the relationship or if the balance tips towards separation can be vital for accepting the decision to stay or leave a relationship.  Counselling gives you the space to understand that decision and consider the wider family dynamic in a safe space. It can sometimes be similar to experiencing grief as loss can be part of separation and accepting the relationship is no longer part of your future can mean grieving its end.

Change – Life doesn’t stand still and can bring big alterations.  It can be very stressful as we go through life’s upheavals such as moving house, a new job, having a baby, dealing with teenagers, children leaving home and retirement.  These are just some of the challenges presented over our lifetime.  There are also concerns about Climate Change and Global shifts which can impact our mental health.  All these can be helped by learning more about ourselves and how we would like to respond to our changing circumstances.

Addiction – this is a complex issue which involves a combination of brain circuitry seeking a substance hit and also a self medication for painful life events which overwhelm us at different times.  It can be a release when little else will work but often that release is temporary or causes more problems, such as impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission.

Therapy can help one explore the why and seek a compassionate understanding of what has led to addiction.