Gratitude is something we talk about often and a subject that is getting more and more attention from many different schools of thoughts in recent years. Thanksgiving is notoriously the time of year where the general public focuses on gratitude and what we are thankful for. However, gratitude is something we should practice every single day in order to live a happier, healthier life. The benefits of practicing gratitude and being truly grateful for the various aspects and people in your life are tenfold and can impact your quality of life in many different ways. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the power of gratitude. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude isn’t as difficult as you may think, and it will bring a lot of strength and positivity to your life. But you don’t have to take our word for it – there is actually scientific proof that gratitude makes healthier and enhances our quality of life. If you take the time to invest in yourself and change the way you see the world, chances are you will be better off. Sure, we understand it is unrealistic to think we can walk through life and every situation it throws at us with a…
A person’s teenage years are some of the most trying and difficult. It is no wonder that many teens experience mood swings and depression, especially in today’s society where social media and the internet play such an instrumental role. As hormones change and puberty hits, teens go through a roller coaster of emotions and upheaval within their own bodies. Unfortunately, many teens become depressed and feel as if there is no light at the end of the tunnel. While some are able to get through this difficult time with the love and support of their family and friends, for others depression is just too much. This is where therapy comes in. It is becoming increasingly popular for parents and teens to seek counseling help to get through these difficult years. Teenage depression isn’t just a phase, it is a serious health concern that causes a wide range of emotions, including sadness, isolation, loss, and lack of hope. There is no exact formula for preventing teenage depression, but there are a handful of things you can do as parents and adults to help them get through this trying time. As kids get older, their problems become more complex and it becomes…
Our self esteem is very intently linked with our happiness. When you have low self esteem, it affects how you are able to be you. It doesn’t allow for your true self to shine through. Sometimes we become used to living a life with no confidence and low self-esteem, but whenever we get a small kick or boost, we realize the difference it makes in our overall well-being. There are different levels of low self-esteem, ranging from severe to mild, but the emotional symptoms are similar, just different in terms of severity. If you have low self-esteem, you may not value yourself, or perceive yourself as worthy or good. Let’s look at a few of the common feelings that go through the mind of someone with low self esteem: You don’t feel worthy, you’re not good enough You feel unassertive or indecisive You don’t like yourself, you may even hate yourself You always feel at fault, even when you aren’t to blame You feel guilty for doing anything nice for yourself You aren’t able to pinpoint your strengths and good qualities You feel like you are not deserving of happiness You don’t feel like you have any confidence Your self…
After one endures a traumatizing incident in their life, it can be extremely difficult to know how to move on. Many people experience a feeling that they are living in a dream, or rather, a nightmare, and just can’t seem to wake themselves up. Experiencing traumatic stress after a traumatic incident, is entirely normal, and you shouldn’t feel alone when you are experiencing the stress that follows said incident. Many people out there have gone through similar things, and even if it was a different type of incident they experienced, many times, the traumatic stress symptoms that follow are similar, if not the same. What is a traumatic event? Traumatic events vary, as the trauma that is endured, and felt, and the post stress is subjective among different people. Some examples of traumatic incidents include: Natural disasters Car accidents Shootings Finding out you have a life-threatening illness An assault (physical assault, sexual assault, robbery, mugging) Bereavement Military combat Terrorist attacks After a traumatic experience, many people fall into a shock like state, which is very normal. One may experience a mental numbness, a distance with reality, or an inability to accept what has happened. There can be a battle of…
It can be easy to confuse paranoia and fear. To an extent the two are very similar, nevertheless, paranoia is driven from suspicion. It starts by acts performed by other people whose motives are driven to you as hostile. Some people cannot independently diagnose themselves as paranoid, and usually, a therapist does that. When this happens, it means that you are interpreting malevolence when in actuality there is none. Whether you feel paranoid about someone leaving the gas on in your house or someone messing with the brakes on your car, your judgement and train of thought have been compromised. One of the main reasons why overcoming paranoia is in your best interest is because you may find yourself harming yourself or innocent people because of your beliefs. Paranoia may also lead to you not seeking medical intervention when it is necessary, i.e. fear of the doctors conspiring to turn you in to the FBI. The feelings and beliefs associated with paranoia often times lead to isolation and emotional segregation from loved ones. On the other extreme, the paranoia can become shared or transferred to others, which can be devastating. The process to overcoming your paranoia entails recognizing when you…
We all fear something, small or big, and we all have our ways of dealing with our fears. But, what if the fear overcomes us to a point you can’t move or think straight? Playing a worst-case scenario in your head does not make you crazy or paranoid, but is a part of identifying a fear and then figuring out how to avoid it. Better yet, get rid of the fear. When you have spent enough time dwelling, and then unable to find a solution on your own, it may be time to seek professional help. There is no need to continue feeling agonized by your fears and learning to live with them. Acknowledging that you have a fear is very brave and an important part of healing. This may seem obvious, however, at times we do not really know what we are afraid of. Hence, a fear can mask something we feel deeper. After identification, the goal is to understand the fear. Our psychologists use the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to tackle your anxieties and then combating your physical response. Yes, a part of getting over your fear may include exposing you to it. This is a case by…
Ending a relationship can be simple or it can be problematic, and for every one person, there is a point where enough is enough. Regardless of the kind relationship, it sometimes helps to seek counseling to find therapeutic ways to overcome emotional hurdles. So, when is it time? For starters, when you start coming second to everything else. Feeling desired and wanted are necessary in every romantic relationship because that is the foundation of why two people come together. It may be difficult to articulate, but voicing to your partner that you need quality time with them is imperative. Human nature sometimes allows us the ignorance of knowing when we are in the wrong and at that time it is the duty of another person to point it out. Secondly, people talk about long distance relationships being difficult and unrealistic, but what about the person who is sitting next to you but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually somewhere else? Some couples describe their relationship being in a rut, and that can be a clue to ending it or working on the issues. Delicately and sensitively deciding on that issue can be tough. Another difficult situation is when a partner is pulling…
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be developed because of numerous reasons, including when you have witnessed or lived through a traumatic event. Counseling can be very helpful to overcome certain triggers of PTSD and get to the root of the problem. The truth is that the symptoms of PTSD only increase with time and do not decrease on their own. Though people experience PTSD differently, the symptoms fall into three main categories, and if you are experiencing these symptoms, you should contact Lifeworks to schedule a consultation: Are you re-experiencing symptoms or reliving the traumatic event in any of these forms? Intrusive, upsetting thoughts, memories Flashbacks – of an event particularly Nightmares – either of the event or anything negative Intense distress brought about by reminders of the event Strong physical reactions to reminders of the trauma – nausea, -rapid heartbeat, -shortness of breath, -muscle tension, or -sweating Are you avoiding events or activities that trigger memories of the trauma? Specific places, activities, feelings or thoughts (large crowds, frightening movies Selective memory loss – forgetting certain aspects of the traumatic event Anhedonia – loss of enjoyment in activities and loss of interest Feelings of emotional numbness or disinterest Hopelessness Anxiety…
There are moments in everyone’s life when they experience extreme sadness or happiness. At times we also experience stress, grief, and conflict. But, when is it time to seek help? Well, the truth is more often than not, Americans who need a professional do not either have one or are unaware that they need one. There are some identifying psychological factors that promote suffering needlessly, and those in distress may actually make the problem worse by avoiding professional help. In our fast-paced culture, many people find it difficult to juggle idealistic work and home life demands. Dealing with high levels of daily stress can negatively affect our physical and mental health. Some common physical ailments, such as headaches, digestive problems, high blood pressure, insomnia, and an impaired immune system, can be due to stress. This same idea applies to psychological issues, such as anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety. On a daily basis, we find ways to lower our stress levels is consequently extremely important for our overall health. Anything from eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep, and meditating on a systematic basis are all factors that can contribute to a well-adjusted lifestyle. However, when these self-care techniques fail to help us feel better, seeking help from a third party may be…
Our counseling center, Lifeworks, employs excellent grief therapists to help cope with loss. Dealing with grief can be very difficult because it forces one to confront very painful emotions. Loss and grief can happen simultaneously or independent of one another. Grief is an inner sense of loss, sadness, and emptiness; mourning is a way to express those feelings. For many people acknowledging their feelings may be a difficult step to complete. If you don’t face your grief, your wounds might never quite go away. Accept that the pain you’re feeling is part of dealing with grief and moving toward a state of healing and acceptance. Grief begins as a natural response to loss. Generally, more significant the loss, the more intense grief can be. Some examples of loss include: Relationship breakeup Health related problems Being fired, quitting, or retiring from your job Financial loss Death of a pet Grieving is an individual experience; there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. How you grieve depends on many factors, including your temperament and coping style, your life experience, your faith, and how momentous the loss was to you. For some people, the healing process starts within weeks or months, for others, it…
