Clinical Problems
Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Phobias, Depression, Obsessions and Compulsions.
By identifying some of the issues which might be troubling you, you can begin to build a more secure, comfortable way of life. Among the things I can help you to manage are:
Depression
It is only so natural to have days when you feel down, sad and you would struggle to function as you would have normally done so before. If these feelings persist for weeks or months on end, then it may well be that you are experiencing a Depressive Disorder. This mood is generally accompanied by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, lack of energy and motivation.
Even small, daily routine tasks become very overwhelming, like getting out of bed, keeping focused, and relating to other people becomes an effort. Life in general starts shutting down. Depression is a mental illness that affects individuals' daily functioning, distorting the perception of what is around them. Everything that once was pleasurable suddenly loses its meaning.
Although reaching out for help may also be felt as yet another obstacle, it is highly recommended that you gather your strengths and contact a mental health professional. It may well be the case that what you are experiencing is of a somewhat circumstantial nature and therefore easier to resolve.
In case it is found that the underlying reasons of the depression are deeply rooted, the therapy would be longer, but soon enough you will start feeling stronger as you unearth, and work with, the issues.
Anxiety
Work, relationships and everyday life can sometimes present situations that make you feel stressed and/or worried. This is a natural reaction and, as it usually disappears after a few hours or days depending on the situation and how are you coping with it, it does not necessary call for seeking professional help. However, if symptoms such as (but not limited to) poor concentration, excessive worry, muscle tension, upset stomach, fear and confusion persist and become chronic, then anxiety becomes a disorder.
This state, in general, can create cognitive distortions to which there will be a physical and emotional response, creating a vicious cycle that can become not only very debilitating but also a hindrance to your ability to function well.
Because it can interfere with relationships, sleeping patterns, eating habits, work, school, and routine activities, anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy.
Therapy can significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms associated with anxiety in a relatively short time, allowing you to resume regular activities and regain a sense of control. Although you may not be able to identify the cause of your anxiety, after attending a few therapy sessions, you will be able to pinpoint the source.
Throughout the therapeutic journey you will work on, and overcome, those deeper concerns.
Trauma (in general)
Trauma is a distressing event in which a person feels severely threatened emotionally, psychologically, or physically. Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, such as a car accident, abuse or neglect, the unexpected death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, or exposure to the violence of war. With time people may recover from trauma, especially in those cases where there is a strong and committed support from family and friends. For others, however, the effects of trauma are lasting and cause people to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) long after the event has passed.
The essential psychological effect of trauma is a shattering of innocence. It creates a loss of faith that there is any safety, predictability, or meaning in the world, or any safe place in which to retreat. It involves utter disillusionment.
Because traumatic events are often unable to be processed by the mind and the body as other experiences are, and because of their overwhelming and shocking nature, they are not integrated. The trauma then takes on a life of its own and, through its continued effects, haunts the survivor and prevents normal life from continuing until the person gets help.
Psychotherapy is the most effective form of treatment for healing from the effects of trauma. Therapy or counselling can help you make sense of your experiences and feelings, to develop plans to stay safe, to learn healthy coping skills, and connect with other resources and support.