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Depression can significantly impact all aspects of life, be it work, social, or close relationships. In the case of close relationships, depression can come in way of intimacy between you and your partner.

Now, couple therapy for depression is designed to help people with relationship distress and one depressed partner. Relationship distress very frequently influences the course of depression or could also be a reason of onset for depression, hence it is crucial to address any conflict and dissatisfaction within the couple.

Couples therapy for depression provides a confidential and safe space where you and your partner can explore issues that are affecting your relationship. The sessions in couple therapy for depression emphasize on emotional acceptance between partners and lessen their emotional reactivity to each other.

How does it work?

In order make the most out of the therapy sessions, you as a couple need to be committed to the process and attend all your session. Typically, the therapist will see both out you together for the first session. Then you will be asked to attend one session individually to get a clearer picture of how you are in the relationship. The proceeding session, you both have to attend together.

The therapist will discuss the number of sessions you can expect and when the therapy will end. A session lasts anywhere between 50 minutes to an hour. You may also be asked to do homework task between session to build on the work you are doing.

How is it going to help you and your partner?

Couples therapy for depression does not only focus on diminishing depression but also on improving the relationship quality. The therapist applies intervention that focuses on the exchange between the partners, healthy communication and problem-solving. Besides, the therapist also focuses on growing caring behaviour and reducing conflict between partners.

You will also learn how to manage your feelings of anxiety and stress, be more aware of your partner’s needs and feelings. These sessions will also help you better understand yourself and create self-awareness and communicate more openly and clearly to your partner. This will lead to increased confidence and trust in one another, reduced jealousy and an improved sexual relationship.

Attend couples therapy for depression if either you or your partner are going through depression causing distress in your relationship. It will help you achieve an overall stable family life.

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Not surprisingly half of all the cigarettes consumed are by those who are suffering from some type of mental health issue. This could be Stress, Anxiety, Depression or an Addiction.

Any attempt to stop smoking would require resolving the root cause of this problem. Before we understand how the Psychologist will help you resolve these mental health problems lets understand what they are:

Stress:

Demystifying one point is that Stress is not completely bad, without stress some of the most brilliant ideas would never have happened, but stress is the body’s way of reacting to a situation over which you perceive not to have control. Stress in life is inevitable, what is of importance is how you react to that stress.

Anxiety:

Is a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or nervousness about an event in the future. Anxiety would about the result of an exam or the outcome of a job interview etc. Again in life there will be anxiousness about many facets, the key is how you react to these feelings of things not being in your control.

Depression:

Depression is a feeling of complete despondency and dejection. However, every human being will suffer from various levels of depression during their life. No one person will live life without depression. Depression can be diagnosed to be mild or severe or some degree in between these extremes. How an individual reacts to depression is within their control, or with the help of counseling or even anti-depressant medication. Drugs, alcohol or nicotine is never an answer to depression.

Addiction:

Addiction is a complex condition of the mind, where a person is unable to control their need for a particular substance or activity. Moreover, one may be addicted to food, exercise, sex, alcohol, drugs or nicotine. This chronic dysfunction of the brain where it needs “rewards” and is indicated by a lack of self-control is resolved with counseling and other techniques that an experienced Psychologist is equipped with.

In conclusion, if you or someone you love needs to stop smoking cigarettes, it is best advised to consult with an experienced Psychologist who will treat the problem at the root cause instead of treating it superficially.

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About the Author: Dr. Prerna Kohli – Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist for over 25 years. She is a four-time gold medal winner for her academic excellence. She has been awarded by the President of India for her contributions to Mental Health. Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli.

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay.

What happens when you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer?

Worldwide, every year over 20 million (two crore) people are diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, the disease is such that some of them will die in a short span of time. Those who are lucky enough to have the disease diagnosed early enough, will after treatment be able to live long and fulfilling lives.

When you or someone close to you, such as family member or friend is diagonised with cancer. It is essential to provide the patient the support to deal with this disease.

In many parts of the world, counseling is an integral element of cancer treatment. When an individual discovers that they are suffering from Cancer it is devastating. Patients, as well as loved ones, are unpleasantly surprised by learning about cancer.

An experienced psychologist is trained to counsel the patient and help them accept all the issues that they may be feeling which can be physical, mental, emotional or even spiritual.

Cancer Patients most often suffer from Depression and Anxiety. Additionally, aggressive cancer treatments can cause medication-induced depression.

Counseling can help the cancer patient resolve the various types of dilemmas that the patient most likely is thinking of.

Counseling will assist with:

Coping with your reactions to cancer, as a cancer patient there are may questions in the patient’s mind. The primary question is “why me”. Counseling will help you accept this

Family and relationship issues, many times the family members go into shock or some pull away. Counseling will help the cancer patient understand which family members they can be emotionally, physically and financially dependent upon.

Exploring personal issues, cancer brings most patients face-to-face with death, it is a time to accept your disease and adapt your future life plans

Dealing with practical issues, depending upon your family circumstances and support systems, the patient has to deal with practical issues regarding employment, treatment, reduced energy, change in lifestyle etc.

Move over, it is our strong recommendation that once a patient learns that they are suffering from cancer they should immediately seek mental health counseling. Counseling will help accept the medical diagnosis. A cancer patient who has a feeling of peace of mind will react more positively to the medication.

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People continue to smoke knowingly. Knowing that smoking is damaging their health and wallet. The consequence of smoking to your wallet is inconsequential as it is money that can be earned again. But the consequence of smoking to your health is irreparable.

Once your health is harmed by the side effects of smoking cigarettes, it is neither repairable or reversible. Smoking leads to a slow and painful death.

Just in case you weren’t aware some of the key diseases that are a result of smoking are listed below:

Lung Cancer:

Smoking is the number cause of lung cancer worldwide.

Heart Diseases:

One of four patients who suffer from heart trouble are smokers.

Diabetes:

Smoking is a top contributor to diabetes in adults.

Liver Cancer:

Smoking even a few cigarettes a day increases your risk of liver cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction:

Smoking cigarettes will result in a weaker erection of the penis in men.

Ectopic Pregnancy:

Women who smoke have a much higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, i.e. where the fetus grows outside the uterus.

Vision loss:

Smoking leads to cataract and glaucoma.

Tuberculosis:

Patient who have suffered tuberculosis substantially increase their risk of the reoccurrence of the diseases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Smoking even one cigarette a day substantially increase your risk of this disease.

Colorectal Cancer:

Smokers increase their probability of dying due to colorectal cancer.

Stroke:

Smoking thickens the blood which can result in a stroke

In conclusion, there are so many other diseases that are a direct result of smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, once you are hooked to smoking it is very difficult to quit. Fortunately today there are many therapies which are available to help smokers stop smoking. One of the most effective therapy is counseling.

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About the Author: Dr. Prerna Kohli – Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist for over 25 years. She is a four-time gold medal winner for her academic excellence. She has been awarded by the President of India for her contributions to Mental Health. Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli.

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay.

We all know that smoking is not good for one’s health, but then why do people continue to smoke?

Why do people pay tobacco companies to help them die a slow and painful death? In one word it can be termed as an addiction.

First of all, why do people smoke or get addicted to smoking? Here are a few most popular reasons.

Expression of freedom: At one time it was considered that women who smoke were amoral. To counter this opinion, the tobacco companies ingrained it into the psychic of women that smoking made them liberated and independent.

Sophistication: Movies along with tobacco companies made smoking a statement of style and sophistication. Media portrayed it such that only elite smoked.

Celebrity endorsement: Top movie stars, athletes and extremely good looking models would smoke. People wanted to emulate their role models and followed them into smoking.

Weight loss: There is a belief, which might partially be true that smoking leads to weight loss. Smoking a cigarette gives you a feeling of being satiated. Fortunately, there are many other healthier options to feel satiated.

Military influence: In the past and even today in certain countries soldiers are provided cigarettes free or highly subsidized. Soldiers smoked to alleviate boredom.

Peer Pressure: Particularly, in teenage boys and girls consider it to be hip and cool to be smoking cigarettes. What starts as a style statement quickly evolves into an addiction.

Coping Mechanism: Some people believe that smoking a cigarette helps them in dealing with stress and anxiety. This may be a fact. However, there are far better alternatives for dealing with stress and anxiety such as exercise and meditation.

In conclusion, smoking cigarettes is an addiction that will definitely lead to an unpleasant death. Today there are many remedies available to smokers to quit smoking.

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About the Author: Dr. Prerna Kohli – Ph.D. is a practicing psychologist for over 25 years. She is a four-time gold medal winner for her academic excellence. She has been awarded by the President of India for her contributions to Mental Health. Learn more about Dr. Prerna Kohli.

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay.

A hot water bottle, craving for chocolate and coffee and that unending stomach cramps! Most of the girls can relate to the situation. But have you ever observed erratic moodiness few days before you experience that time of the month, every time? If yes, then you might be suffering from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

What is PMDD?

PMDD  is a condition where the woman exhibits excruciating depressive symptoms, irritability and disruptive mood swings before menstruation.

What Causes PMDD?

There is no specific cause for the PMDD. The hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle are often regarded as the cause. The other causes that may induce the condition:

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family History
• Thyroid Disorder
• Other mental issues like anxiety, depression, etc.

What is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?

PMS is a condition which prevails around the 5 to 10 days before the menstrual cycle commences. The usual symptoms are bloating, clumsiness, digestion issues, food cravings, etc., which subside 1 or 2 days after the menstruation begins.

PMDD and PMS are not the same. The former is more severe than the latter.

What are the symptoms of PMDD?

PMDD and PMS share similar symptoms but the former’s are more enfeebling. They surface approximately a week before the periods and at least one mood-related symptom would prevail. Following is a list of symptoms-

• Hopelessness, suicidal
• Lack of interest in daily life activities
• Anxiety
• Mood swings, usually feeling low
• Extreme food cravings
• Fleeting attention
• Bloating
• Unexplained body aches
• Low on energy
• Annoyed and angry with people around
• Panic Attacks

There is no specified test for diagnosis this, but a thorough physical examination including thyroid, pelvis and a psychiatric evaluation is preferred.

Tips to deal with the issue

Healthy Lifestyle

This includes healthy eating habits, regular exercise regime and getting an adequate amount of sleep. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, avoid artificial food and junk and make minimum consumption of salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, etc. Regular exercise can help reduce the PMDD symptoms up to a great extent. And taking proper sleep will help you avoid the mood-related symptoms.

Keep a track

There are a lot of applications available lately that help you keep a track of your monthly cycle. You can also note down your symptoms and their intensity as well. Or you can always maintain a diary for the same.

Medication

Birth Control Pills help to keep the symptoms under control. Their regular intake proves to be helpful. Other prescribed painkillers can also help with the physical symptoms. Antidepressants are also often prescribed based on the symptoms and their intensity.

Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy can help you find the triggers that affect your mood and also help you to handle the same.

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Read more about Post-Partum Depression

At the end of an emotionally abusive relationship, you might feel burdened with inconclusive thoughts and overwhelming emotions. And this is absolutely acceptable. While your friends and family feel thankful for your break-up, they may not be able to understand the emotional turmoil going inside your heart and brain. But you should not carry on with toxic relationship

Let’s look at the end of an abusive relationship from the following aspects:

Mental and Emotional Health

Post being dumped by the person whom you considered to be your one and only soul mate, you might go through a roller coaster of emotions. The symptoms are often similar to that of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
There might not be any visible scars to make it obvious that you are hurt, but the pain is similar to that of a physical injury.
You might even show obsessive behaviour, where you constantly think about your ex, your break up.
The more the covert these symptoms are, the more damage it can do to your emotional stability and the ability to overcome the trauma.

Attachment or Addiction?

When two people part their ways in a healthy way, they may feel hurt, but it does not take a psychological toll on the two persons involved. They eventually move on as a practical approach was followed to end the relationship. But in an emotionally abusive relationship, the break up isn’t as clean, rather the abuser is manipulative.
The victim might not recognize signs and develop an emotional attachment towards them.
You might re-run the events from your relationship in your mind several times throughout the day or read the old conversations.
Being with a person becomes addictive over a period of time, like an unhealthy attachment. It might seem normal and justified to the victim, but this really hampers their emotional well-being.

Moving on!

The first step to moving on is to accept your situation. A few things that you could do to overcome such a relationship are:

Take care of your emotions

Repairing your emotions requires great efforts. When you get abandoned by someone you are so addicted to, it affects your self-esteem negatively. You can feel used and discarded, angry and isolated. Instead of suppressing and being a home to them, it is very important that you accept and acknowledge your emotions. Recognize how you feel. You can make a journal about the same. If you feel like crying or screaming, do that.

Pen it down

At times it might be difficult for you to talk about your broken relationship and what all you went through in that. But it is important to express in order to heal. To start with, you can keep a journal of your thoughts and emotions, gradually opening up about it verbally.

Confide in Close ones

You can always count on your close friends and families when you feel the need to. Surround yourself with people. Avoid isolating yourself with your thoughts all the time.

Cut-off contact with the abuser

You need to cut off the contact with your ex. Being vulnerable might drag you to his doors, but this would be unhealthy. It is important to maintain a distance when you part ways with your abuser. You may feel a pull towards him, but remember it is unhealthy for your mental health if you remain connected to him.

Do not stalk

It may seem like a nice idea to keep a tab on your ex by stalking him on social media or keeping in touch with his friends. But this is not ideal. You must focus investing your time and energy on yourself rather than knowing about his whereabouts.

Postpone important decisions

In the times, when you are emotionally unstable it is better to not make any important life decisions, which may affect your future. Let yourself feel and heal for some time first.

Practice patience

For a physical injury to heal there is always a defined set of medicines and treatment method that one follows and gets okay. But for an emotional setback, you need to give yourself time. Every person takes their own time to get out of an emotional difficulty. Focus on your progress.

Seek Help

If your emotions are way out of control and are hindering with your daily life, you should seek for some professional help. In the times, when we are vulnerable, we might not be in the right state of mind to be emotionally efficient. A bit of advice about situation and lifestyle changes by a professional can prove to be of great help.

Are you in a healthy relationship? Have you been a victim of emotional abuse?

Call us for 15 minutes of free counselling at +91=9069069069.

A marriage is made up of dreams and aspirations of two people. But, it is not always necessary that two people will always have their “happily ever after”. Sometimes, the marriage becomes a prison for both of the partners involved. Hence, divorce becomes the only solution. But, even after divorce, many times people go through a tough time. They go through grief, pain, sadness along with other negative feelings.

Thus, because of all this pain and grief, it becomes very difficult to move on. But, it is important to remind yourself that sooner or later you will get through this situation.

Hence, below are 7 tips on how to cope up after the divorce:

Face the Feelings:

Going through a divorce evokes a lot of feelings, including grief, relief, pain, anger etc. It is important to face these feelings instead of running away from them. Identifying and acknowledging these feelings is often painful, but it is necessary as well. If you ignore these feelings then it will only prolong the grieving process.

Don’t go through this alone:

As it is a harsh time, the tendency is always towards isolating yourself. Isolation will not help you in coping with your feelings. Thus, it is necessary to talk to someone. If you feel the need, then you can also talk to a therapist or a marriage counsellor.

Talk about the Feelings:

Talking about your feelings is difficult but it is necessary also. Talking about your feelings to people who are close to you, will help you in coping up with the feelings. Thus, people around you who know about your feelings will make you feel less alone. Alternatively, you can also start writing a journal where you can write about your feelings.

Give Yourself a Break:

After the divorce, it is very difficult to resume your daily activities or job at a normal pace. Thus, it is important to give yourself the break and time you need to heal. It is not possible that everyone can function at their 100% every time. Hence, don’t be too harsh on yourself if you are not able to work like you used to work before.

Moving on should be the desired end:

Talking about your feelings and sharing them is a big step forward. But, it is also important to not dwell on these feelings for too long. Thus, it is important to remember that the final goal is to move on rather than getting tangled within these feelings.

There is still a Future:

As mentioned earlier, a marriage is a bond of not just two people but, of their dreams, aspirations and hope for the future. Hence, after a divorce, these dreams of the future crumble down, which increases the sadness. But, it is important to remember that going through a divorce is not the end of the future. There will be new dreams and hopes which will take over soon.

Understand the difference between a normal reaction and Depression:

It’s very important to understand the difference between a normal reaction to a divorce and entering into a depressive phase. In the normal reaction, these feelings will slowly fade away, and you will move on. But, if you find nothing is changing, and these feelings aren’t going away, then it might be that you are entering into a depressive phase.

Going through a divorce is a very difficult period. Most of the times, it does lead to depression for either of the partners. Hence, if you or someone you know is going through a divorce, or suffering from depression because of the same, then please visit a mental health professional immediately.

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Telepathy is a phenomenon under the broad Umbrella term of Extrasensory Perception(ESP) as defined in Parapsychology.

Clairvoyance, clairaudience,  are similar to the phenomenon of Telepathy.

Telepathy is communication of a message from one mind to another without any medium. For example, you get a call from a friend the moment you think of him; Though you were out of touch with him since long. This is beyond your learned knowledge and intellect.

Research cannot establish the occurrence of  Telepathy; but science has confirmed that you are made up of frequencies, vibrations, and molecules. Your frequency can be transmitted to another person provided you have shared a physical space at some point in your life.

It is not possible to measure, control or observe an event like Telepathy and hence the limitation in Research.

These could be some of the possible explanations of Telepathy:

• You have Neurons in your brain, called Mirror neurons which act as mirrors;  hence you would have noticed some people can read other people’s mind better. Research has shown that you can even understand the emotions and intentions of the other person automatically. If you have higher levels of oxytocin, the chances are that you would be better at understanding and reading these social cues.

• Research in this area has also demonstrated that you might be more Telepathic than your friend. A brain-imaging study done on a Telepathic person’s brain showed more activation in the right parahippocampal gyrus(Area of the brain).
• The more dopamine you have in your brain, the greater are the chances of unfounded beliefs ( this is not an indicator of any pathology). Studies have indicated a genetic difference in dopamine transmission of Telepathic people.

Although, we do not have any substantial research in this area, It is interesting enough to explore and know more about Telepathy.

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Like all mental illnesses, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) contains myths and disbelief. But, it is more common for people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to be under these myths. The justification and glorification of these myths are done through movies and TV series. Hence, the myths around Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are much more prevalent.

Thus, below are few of the myths and the realities around PTSD:

Myth:

It is a very common myth that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder only happens after a dangerous event. People believe that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can only happen after someone has faced an event directly.

Reality:

In reality, it is not necessary that the person should face direct trauma. Anyone can have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder even if they see someone else going through a traumatic experience. Thus, if a family member or a loved one is going through an event, just by looking at it, a person can acquire Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Also, it can happen right after the death of a loved one.

Myth:

People tend to say that time will heal the wounds. They will constantly say to the person suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that just give it time.

Reality:

It takes years to overcome Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, with professional help. An adult can still be affected by childhood trauma years after the event has passed. Giving it time will not heal the wound. Thus, to cure Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder it is important to seek professional help.

Myth:

One of the most prevalent and glorified myth is, that only soldiers get Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Even in movies and TV shows it is shown that soldiers are the only one suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Thus, it has become a common belief among people.

Reality:

It is true that soldiers and war veterans are statistically the most numbers of people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But, it is not necessary that only they can have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It can affect anyone who has experienced or seen a traumatic event.

Myth:

People always assume that a person suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is very weak and doesn’t have the ability to get over it. This assumption is not only prevalent for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but all the mental health illnesses. Thus, people start judging the person for their illness.

Reality:

The hard-hitting reality is, that the person who is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not weak but, is actually suffering from a mental illness. It is not in their hand to come out of it just like that. It takes proper treatment for a person to actually come out of it. This particular judgemental behaviour makes it difficult for the person to overcome any illness.

It’s important that we should avoid these myths, and actually listen to the person empathetically. It takes a lot of courage to accept about this illness. Judging them doesn’t actually help the person. Hence, it is important to make the first step and give out a helping hand.

Thus, if you or someone you know is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, then please seek professional help immediately.

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