What We Can Help You With
Depression
Depression develops over time but it feels like it has descended upon us without warning. We become lethargic, lose our ability for enjoyment and human connection. Everything, including an evening out with friends or brushing our teeth, becomes a chore. Things flatline. Nothing seem to matter.
Anxiety
Anxiety comes in many guises. Some people experience sudden panic and might need to leave the situation in which they start feeling uncomfortable. Others experience panic, get preoccupied with body symptoms and feel as if they are about to die, no matter where they are. They stay put but remain vigilant about workings of their own bodies. It is easy to interpret even a small change as indicative of a heart attack or a stroke in waiting. Yet others are subjected to constant worry about what the future might bring.
Worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Worry is a core symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. Worry is overthinking, a spiral of what-if questions. We worry about problems but cannot face them. We imagine problems that we do not have and that might never happen. Our energy drains. Then we worry about worrying
Panic Disorder
Panic attacks are very physical. Suddenly, the world spins, there is an uncomfortable awareness of beating of one's own heart or rapid breathing combined with feelings of suffocation. Time between panic attacks is often spent worrying about and trying to prevent the next panic from happening.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) is characterized by presence of obsessions (intrusive unwanted thoughts that get stuck in our mind) and compulsions (repetitive, often ritualized behaviours that we engage in in order to make ourselves feel better). OCD can present in a variety of forms. In pure “O” the affected individual is plagued with unwanted, often morally repulsive thoughts that make them doubt their ability to control their own actions. Others spend hours their lives adjusting minute details in order to reach an elusive sense of “just right feeling”.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma leaves us disoriented and in a state of chronic vigilance. Unwanted memories return leading to painful reliving of what would rather be forgotten. Emotions are erratic, from anger to anxiety to sense of being overwhelmed, no longer willing to fight and dissociating from reality.
Anger and Irritability
Anger can be reactive, a short but powerful response to being treated unjustly, but it can also be experienced as a ruminative seething state that builds when we get preoccupied with past wrongs. Anger might be justified but it is not useful. Imagine that you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by a drunk driver. No amount of anger that you feel – or the punishment you insist that the drunk driver receives – will take away your injury.
Grief and Bereavement
Unfortunately loss is unavoidable. We all respond to loss differently. Some of us get stuck in cycles of reminiscing and resentment for years and end up by losing much more than they have to. Others can appreciate the bitter-sweet feeling of a hug at funeral, knowing that despite having lost a loved one, they are not alone.
Stress and Burnout
When problems compound, it feels like everything is happening all once and needs to be responded to right at this moment. Letting go feels irresponsible because the problems are real. So we worry. We get exhausted. We feel the sense of urgency and start panicking. Nothing gets done.
Thoughts of Suicide
One in twenty people might have thoughts of suicide of varying intensity. Unfortunately presence of such thoughts means that you have reached a point of significant emotional distress, might feel trapped, helpless, perceive yourself as an undesired burden on others or feel a profound sense of disappointment in relationships that were meant to be mutually nurturing.
