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Depression is an extreme disorder sometimes referred to as clinical depression. This is not to be confused with chemical depression that can be treated with pharmaceutical substances. Clinical depression is fairly common, but should be taken seriously. It is a serious mood disorder. It causes intense symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily behavioral activities. This would include but is not limited to sleeping, eating, or working. Clinical depression must exist for a period of not less than two weeks. The individual is then diagnosed with depression.
There are other forms of depression that are definitely different. They develop under unique circumstances, and situations such as:
Persistent Depressive Disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood/feeling that lasts for at least two years. Individuals diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder sometimes have episodes of major depression. They may also have instances of less severe symptoms, but the combined symptoms must last for a minimum of two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.
Postpartum Depression is commonly known as the “baby blues” (these are relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that clear within two weeks of birth). Many women experience this after giving birth and should always be taken seriously. Women with postpartum depression characteristically have experienced one or more full-blown major depressive events during pregnancy. or after delivery. These feelings are characterized by extreme sadness, anxiety, worry, and often exhaustion. These symptoms may make it difficult for some new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.
Psychotic Depression occurs when a person has been diagnosed with severe depression and also with a form of psychosis. The psychosis can alter behaviors. This could include having disturbing false or fixed beliefs (delusions). Another form is hearing or seeing irrational things that only the individual can hear or see (hallucinations). These psychotic symptoms are often characterized by a negative “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, illness or unworthiness.
Seasonal Affective Disorder is characterized by depression during the winter months, November through early March. During the wintertime, there is less natural sunlight, and it gets darker much sooner, in the early evening. This type of depression generally disappears during spring and summer. Seasonal depression is usually accompanied by a withdrawal from social activities, increased periods of sleep, and even weight gain. It returns every year as seasonal affective disorder.
Bipolar Disorder is not the same as depression, but it is included in this list. Someone with bipolar disorder experiences periods of extremely low moods, that clearly meet the criteria for depression (called “bipolar depression”). However a person with bipolar disorder also experiences periods of euphoria. These moods are called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.” These changes in mood can last for days, weeks or even longer.
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Anger is an extreme emotion or violent feeling. Anger also has a physical component as well. Both heart rate and blood pressure increase, as anger increases. It can be observed in verbal arguments, or this may escalate to a physical confrontation. All programs of anger management have as an outcome goal or goal the reduction of these intense feelings. It is necessary to reduce both the emotional feelings and the physiological condition that extreme anger causes. Often it is not possible to avoid the things or the people/situations that stimulate these emotional reactions. If it is not possible to change these, then it is necessary to develop skills to control verbal and/or violent reactions.
Are You Too Angry?
Several psychological tests have been developed to measure the extent and intensity of angry feelings. The outcome of the test will indicate how inclined to anger the person may be, and how well these situations are handled. By late teen years and early adulthood, the individual may sense that their responses to anger are of concern or they may have been told they have issues with anger control. When the person senses that they have lost control of their emotions and this becomes frightening, this individual needs assistance with controlling behavioral responses to anger.
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Trauma can stem from various causes and sources. It can be a personal tragedy, a natural disaster, a violent event, or any other type of unusual event. Trauma can take an emotional toll on the individual regardless of age. While it should be emphasized that there is no right or wrong way to feel after a traumatic event, there are strategies that can help. It is important to recognize and acknowledge feelings of pain, fear, and grief to regain your emotional balance. Whether the traumatic event happened years ago or yesterday, it is possible to find a way to heal and move on with life.
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Domestic violence is increasing and is destructive for all the members of the family unit. There is a noticeable tendency for the violent physical behavior to be passed down from generation to generation. While the majority of abusers are male, there are more and more instances of female involvement. This makes it extremely important that effective methods are developed for combating abusive behaviors. Domestic violence has both a physical or psychological component. There is no stereotype for an abuser. Abusers can be any age, race, or sexual orientation. In many instances, the abusers may want to scare, physically hurt, or blame and control a partner. Domestic violence typically involves an unequal power scenario in which one partner tries to assert control over the other. This can involve a variety of different means. Psychological abuse can include verbal insults and threats, emotional abuse, and even sexual dominance. Some abusers may also threaten the children, pets, or other family members and use this as a means to control the victim, assert dominance and obtain their ends. Often family members as well as victims begin to experience diminished self-worth. Frequently victims also feel intense anxiety, depression, and a lack of self-confidence. The victim feels helpless in the situation and helpless to bring about a change. These emotions must be addressed over time and often professional help is required to overcome these negative feelings and poor self-image.
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Narcissistic personality disorder is just one of many types of personality disorders. Individuals with this mental disorder appear to have an inflated sense of their own importance. They may display a deep-seated need for an abundance of attention
and admiration. They may have troubled relationships with family members or friends. In addition, they may also have a lack of empathy for other other people. This individual may appear to display a very high level of self-confidence. In reality, just the opposite is true. Underneath, their behavior is motivated by a fragile self-esteem. They seldom respond well to any form of criticism no matter how slight or well-intended.
A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as inter-relationships, work settings, school or financial affairs. People with narcissistic personality disorder may become unhappy or disappointed. This stems from feelings that they have not been given the admiration or special attention they feel they truly deserve. They may find their personal relationships unsatisfactory and change frequently. Other people may not enjoy nor want to be around them.
There are various approaches to treatment for narcissistic personality disorder. Most of the therapy is centered around individual talk sessions (psychotherapy).
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Everyone who marries expects their marriage to be successful. However, statistically at least 20 percent of all first marriages fail within five years. Additionally, 48 percent of marriages are dissolved before they reach 20-years. This is based on data collected in 2006-2010, and compiled by the government’s National Survey of Family Growth. Separation and divorce are extremely emotional and difficult events for all parties concerned. However it is possible to have a healthy relationship with the former spouse.
Cooperation, Communication & Mediation
The end of a marriage typically results in surge of negative emotions. These can include anger, grief, anxiety and fear. Sometimes these feelings erupt when least expected. This may stun the individual and catch them at a low moment. Responses such as the ones mentioned above, are normal. In most cases, and over time, the intensity of these feelings will become weaker and weaker.. As the person is moving through this process, it is important to be kind.. Researchers have found that individuals who are compassionate, allow for mistakes, have an easier time with the daily difficulties of divorce.
Divorce is not a battle with winners and losers. It is the legal break-up of a marriage that has not succeeded. Recently, many couples are turning to divorce mediation as an alternative to a courtroom and legal proceedings. Trying to resolve issues with the soon to be ex-spouse can be frustrating and seldom result in a satisfactory arrangement. Often the problems that contributed to divorce re-emerge during mediation and negotiations. Research shows that mediation with a third objective person can be beneficial for emotional needs, relationships with the spouse and address the children’s needs.
Many people feel that speaking with the soon-to-be-ex-spouse is a low priority. Even so, communication can make divorce healthier for all parties involved. The goal of divorce mediation is to reach a mutual agreement and make coordinated decisions with a minimum of conflict.
When Kids Are Involved
Separation and divorce are some of the most traumatic experiences for children at any age. In most circumstances the children have bonded with both parents. However, some research suggests that the majority of children adjust well within a two year period. In contrast, children experience more problems when parents remain in high-conflict marriages. During separation, mediation and divorce, parents can assist the children with the transition. Most important is to keep the children away from any open conflict.
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Here’s 40 coping strategies adults can use to manage stress and anxiety:
Take a walk
Listen to favorite music
Do something for someone else
Play a card game
Take a nap
Sip a coffee/beverage in the park
Do something creative – draw or color in, knit or build something with your hands
Take something apart that needs fixing
Gaze at the stars
Do an activity that you have always wanted to do
Watch some funny animal clips
Take some deep breaths and listen to the sound it makes
Write a letter
Declutter a room
Do things that relax the mind
Listen to an interesting/inspiring podcast
Plan spectacular holiday for friends or family
Phone an aunt or cousin
Get a massage
Play an instrument
Clean out your wardrobe and give what you don’t want to charity
Write a card to a friend
Do a mindless chore
Buy a bunch of flowers
Watch some videos
Start a new hobby
Squeeze a stress ball
Do some physical activity such as gardening
Call a friend
Give someone a hand
Start a puzzle
Do some stretching or join a class
Watch a movie
Write your thoughts in a journal
Do a crossword or word-search
Cook something to share
Light a scented candle and watch the flame dance
Head to the beach, the mountains or a national park
Listen to a mindfulness app
Get a facial or manicure
Visit a museum or gallery
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What Is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is best described as feeling good about yourself.
People with self-esteem:
feel they are liked and accepted by others
they take pride in their work and what they do
They trust and believe in themselves
People with low self-esteem:
feel bad about their abilities and themself
are often hard or rigid on themselves
Generally think they will never be good enough
Where Does Self-Esteem Come From?
Parents, teachers, and others The people the child deems important in their life affects the child’s self-concept. When they focus on the positive and good aspects, the child feels good about himself/herself. When the important people are patient and caring, even if the child makes a mistake, they learn to accept themself as a valuable person. When children have several friends and get along together, they will develop a strong self-concept.
If the adults scold more than they praise, the child will not feel they are worthy. Bullying and mean teasing by siblings or peers will also negatively affect self-esteem. Harsh words can replay in the child’s head, and become part of how they see themself. Fortunately, it doesn't have to stay that way.
The voice in your own head The things the child says to himself that repeat in the child’s head, play a big part in how they see themselves. Thinking, and repeating negative thoughts damages their confidence and self-esteem.
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It Starts with You
As the adult, you and/or your spouse decide on the tone for the family. The children and young adults in the family will observe and learn from the adult behavior. When there is shouting or use of physically aggressive behavior as a means to deal with conflict, the children will adopt this as a way to resolve conflict and disagreements.
When arguments and disagreements occur within the family, it is important to maintain control of the anger and emotion. One strategy is to take time to calm down before discussing the issue again. It’s important to show the children and teens in the family that although conflicts will occur in life, there are different ways to diffuse the situation.
Developing Conflict Management Skills
Cooperation: Teach the children to resolve the conflict together. It’s important to approach conflict in a positive manner. Children need to see that if they can work together, they can resolve problems.
Managing Emotions: It can be very difficult for children (and some adults) to maintain their composure in a conflict situation. This is especially true when there is an accusation or blame involved. In these situations the two most common behaviors are: reacting aggressively or withdrawing completely. The best strategy is to take some time to let everyone calm down. When the emotions are all under control, it is possible to return and discuss the problem.
Empathy: It is important to teach children how to listen,and to understand how others feel. The question they need to ask themselves is what does the other person need or want?. It is always beneficial to imagine what it is like to be in the other person’s place.
Communication: As children grow, they need to Learn to speak clearly so that others can understand them. It is also important to always be respectful and this takes practice. Adults in the home can practice polite ways to ask for what they something need, for example; “I would like you to ask before taking my things.”
When is Enough Too Much: Some issues are too big for children to resolve between themselves, and the argument begins to escalate. There is always a concern that a conflict will become intense or lead to some act of physical aggression. This is the point at which the adult needs to intervene. It is important for the parent/adult to step in prior to any physical violence. Allow feelings a time to cool, and then a mutual solution may be possible. If not, the parent can assist their child to suggest plausible alternatives. Then a discussion can follow and allow the child to decide which is the best one.
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Parents in American culture have tremendous influence over their children’s social/emotional development. Beginning with talking and reading to infants, to later discussing values (often done in conversations around the dinner table), parents shape the child’s belief system. However as the child grows, parents are just one of several influences affecting the child. This is especially true when children enter school. It's extremely important that parents give children a healthy start. However it is equally important that parents recognize the differences in the temperment of their children. It is the parents' job to provide opportunities for the child to relate with the world around them. The long term objective is to eventually prepare a child for complete adulthood and independence. Ours is a rapidly changing world, and parenting seems subject to fads and changing styles. In some instances parenting may feel similar to a competitive sport. Despite the changes in styles, the needs of child development, remain surprisingly stable over time. There are situations when overparenting becomes obvious to others. Adults that aim for perfection in parenting might be disappointed later. Too much parenting has a negative effect on children as they move into adulthood. This causes the children to lack self-confidence and makes them unable to cope with slightest of setbacks. In contrast, there is also the opposite, known as too little parenting. Research affirms that lack of parental involvement often leads to poor behavioral outcomes in children. When there is too little parental involvement, the child will seek out the peer group. This encourages young people to be reliant on peer culture. Surprisingly, rigid and authoritarian parenting styles can have the same effect.
It's no secret, parenting is often seen as one of the toughest jobs around. Putting the right effort into the relationships we build with our children will pay off in all aspects of life.
Focusing efforts and attention on parenting techniques can often help to resolve concerns regarding:
How to raise kids who aren’t spoiled
How to respond to children getting bullied or picked on in school
Dealing with divorce and co-parenting
How to negotiate issues related to the use of drugs and alcohol
How and when to talk with children about sexuality and sex
Fighting over the completion or the efforts of homework
School placement and making the best decisions for the growth of your child
Parenting styles and the difference between each parent
How to handle poor grades and fights over studying
When considering parenting there are many forms of communication that may require help. Sometimes solutions can be found with family therapy, other times it may be for therapy as couple or even individual therapy sessions that provide guidance on the above issues and more.Family Therapy can sometimes be seen as a short proposition. The reason is because as human beings, what it means to be a good parent can’t be separated from the expected growth that life provides over time. Our ability to speak rationally, to build with conflict, to build relationships and to be demanding of those around us are skills that are valuable in all stages of life. These skills grow far beyond just building relationships with our children.
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Anxiety is a normal and natural emotion. At the point, that a person often feels elevated levels of anxiety, this might indicate a medical disorder. Included in the category of anxiety disorders are: overly nervous reactions, irrational fear, apprehension, excessive crying, and constant worry. These form a separate category of mental health diagnoses. Disorders such as these, either separately or in combination, affect how a person perceives a situation and processes emotions. These disorders may also affect how the person behaves, and in addition result in physical symptoms. In some situations, anxiety might be barely noticeable, an uneasy feeling. In contrast, severe anxiety may affect the person’s ability to cope with daily living. Anxiety disorders affect as many as 40 million people in the United States. Anxiety disorders are the most common group of mental illnesses in our country. At the present time, only about a third of people with a diagnosed anxiety disorder receive treatment.
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders that affects children and adults. The symptoms of ADHD include, but are not limited to: inability to focus, hyperactivity (excess movement, including excessive talking), and impulsivity (behavior that occurs in the moment).
An estimated 8.4 percent of children and 2.5 percent of adults have ADHD.1,2 ADHD is often first identified in young school-aged children when disruptions in the classroom occur and/or problems with schoolwork. In some instances, it also affects adults. It is more frequently diagnosed in boys than girls.
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Addiction is a psychological and/or physical inability to stop or disengage from harmful behavior. This includes behaviors such as: consuming a chemical or drug, inappropriate activity, or other abuses, even though this may cause psychological and physical damage. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on illegal substances. A person who continues a particular drug or engaging in detrimental activity is described as having a dependence.
Another form of addiction involves an inability to stop engaging in detrimental activities. This includes gambling, over-eating, or excessive working. In these instances, a person would be described as having a behavioral addiction.
Addiction can also be described as a chronic disease. This sometimes begins with taking a prescribed medication, and then results in a dependence on that same medication. Currently in the United States there is an overuse of prescribed opioid painkillers. This has been found to cause an average of up to 115 deaths daily in the United States.
When a person develops an addiction, they are not able to control the use of a substance, or to stop an activity. They have become dependent on the activity or substance to cope with life.
Every year, addiction to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription opioids costs the United States economy approximately $740 billion in treatment and rehabilitation. This also would include time lost from work, and possible criminal behavior. Most people begin using drugs voluntarily. However, with some people, the drug or behavior takes over, and addiction is the result.
What Is Internet Addiction?
These are some of the questions that need to be asked: Does the adult or child play video games on the Internet constantly? Is someone in the home compulsively shopping online? Is there someone that cannot seem to physically disconnect from Facebook? Is this compulsive behavior interfering with daily life – relationships, work, or school? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this person may be unaware that they have a form of Internet Addiction Disorder. This is, also frequently referred to as Compulsive Internet Use (CIU), or Problematic Internet Use (PIU), or iDisorder.Chronic Relapse
Chronic relapse occurs when a person has been treated for drug, alcohol or eating addiction but returns to the negative behavior. This is frustrating, sometimes painful, and can even be dangerous. Addiction is considered a chronic illness, therefore, relapse is common. Relapse can be treated and/or prevented with long-term, individualized therapy. This is a lengthy procedure that combines treatment, group support, support from family members, and treatment for other conditions. Chronic relapse also requires lifestyle changes, and avoiding situations that result in a return to negative behavior.
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Model healthy relationships with others The first place teens learn about positive relationships is in the family. What they learn and experience within the family (parents and/or siblings) has considerable influence on how they form and relate to friends later
Maintain a positive relationship It is very important that parents have positive relationships with their teenage children. Teens that have healthy parental relationships are more likely to form more positive relationships with their peers. This would also include healthy romantic relationships, as well. A positive parent-teen relationship is characterized by warmth and caring, while also setting behavioral boundaries and maintaining high expectations.
Encourage positive friendships. It is important to welcome your teenager’s friends to your home. Provide support for them to do activities together. Encourage participation in activities with positive peer groups. Examples of these would be: school activities, youth programs, sports programs and religious activities.
Teach friendship skills. Children and teenagers need to learn how to begin a conversation with new person. Equally important is how to show empathy and support to a friend. Peer relationships are likely to be positive when children and teenagers know how to resolve conflicts through discussion and when teens develop trust in each other.
Know your teen’s friends. Parents should always know where their teens spend time, who they are with, and what they are planning to do. Then you have the opportunity to ask questions, or add information. Try to offer support for the friendship depending on the situation.
Express concerns, ask questions, and set limits, when necessary Sometimes parents are uncomfortable with some of the teenager’s friends. Parents may feel that this person is a not positive influence. Parent need to talk about their concerns with their son or daughter, Teach him or her how to think about relationships. Be open and listen to what your son or daughter has to say about the friend. If the relationship makes the parents anxious, also talk about this. It is better not to forbid a friendship, unless there is danger involved.
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which people have
recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas or sensations. These take the form of obsessions.
Often these thoughts/obsessions will be negative, and this experience will cause the
individual to perform an activity over and over. These behaviors are referred to as compulsions. These repetitive behaviors can take the form of: hand-washing, checking on specific things or house cleaning, These compulsions will significantly interfere with daily activities and inhibit social interactions.
Many people have focused thoughts or repeat certain behaviors. However these do not disrupt or interfere with their daily life. In some situations, these behaviors may add structure or make a task easier. For those people with OCD, their thoughts are about persistent and unwanted routines. These behaviors are rigid. Not performing the behavior may cause this individual great emotional distress. Many people with OCD know or might suspect their obsessions are untrue. Others may think their thoughts could be true (this is known as poor insight). Even if they know their obsessions are not true, people with OCD have a hard time keeping their focus off the obsessions. They may be unable to stop the compulsive actions. These compulsions may be triggered by certain situations that are stressful to the individual.
A critical aspect of a diagnosis of OCD is the presence of obsessions and/or
compulsions that are time-consuming (on average, more than one hour a day).
They often cause intense distress. This in turn usually impairs the individual’s work, or other social or important functions. The percentage of Americans diagnosed with OCD is relatively small, only 1.2 percent of the population. Among adults, there are slightly more women than men affected. OCD often begins in childhood, early adolescence or early adulthood. Sometimes these repetitive behaviors are a means of coping with stress. In other instances, the behaviors develop over time. the average age symptoms appear is 19 years old.