4 Signs That You Are Depressed

Anyone experiencing a significant loss faces a number of psychological or mood-based feelings.  Most feel confused, disoriented, unmotivated, apathetic towards their lives, and very, very sad.  The unifying psychological condition here is depression.  It's a very tough situation to be in, but much can be done if proper help is received.  So, we have put together a quick tutorial to help you decide if you are likely to be suffering from depression.  Please, read on.

According to the Center for Disease Control, almost 19 million Americans suffer from depression. Nearly 10 to 25 percent women and 5 to 20 percent men become clinically depressed at some point in their lives.

Another study points out that out of 121 million cases worldwide, 80 percent of people affected by depression do not receive any sort of treatment.

Depression is a serious personal and social issue that not only impairs your own life, but also affects the lives of the people around you. And, if it is not treated appropriately, it can lead to permanent emotional, psychological, and physical health problems.

Below are some depression signs that may occur at once or gradually. These signs may differ in severity; however, they may be treated with appropriate medical care.

1.     Intense Sadness That Stays for Days

Sadness is a temporary feeling which should go away in a few days. However, if your sadness does not fade away, it might be an indication of a mental disorder rather than a simple emotion. In such a case, you may experience feelings of intense grief, hopelessness, or unhappiness, affecting your everyday life.

2.     Easily Angered and Quick To Fight

The person who is depressed may become irritable over time. As Katherine Krefft, a Massachusetts based psychologist says, “Sadness can be a cause of depression, but anger is a much more common cause, especially unrecognized anger that is not dealt with.” If you find yourself involved in more conflicts that quickly escalate into fights, there is a possibility that you are struggling with unresolved anger which led to depression.

3.     You Feel Nothing

Most of us have certain motivations that keep us on the go. But, for people who are depressed, no reason is big enough to get them out of bed in the morning, meet with people or feel happy. Not only does it develop into full-blown anxiety, coldness, or aloofness, but also pushes away the people who are willing to give them love and support.

4.     Neglecting or Struggling to Perform Everyday Tasks

A depressed person is constantly struggling with scattered thoughts or negative feelings which make them feel exhausted or lethargic. This may affect their capabilities to complete their everyday tasks such as cleaning their house or maintaining their physical appearance. Sometimes, they may completely ignore their daily tasks because of lack of motivation.

If you or your loved one is suffering from depression, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms and lift your mood back to a healthier level.  The best approach to combating depression is to seek professional assistance, probably from your family doctor or from a qualified mental health professional such as a psychologist or counselor.  A good grief counselor might be an excellent source of help.  You can also browse through the blogs of Timeless Loving Care Foundation and seek guidance for a healthy and happy life.  We wish you good health and a strong path to happiness.  You are worth any effort required.

Copyright 2015 by Timeless Loving Care Foundation

Helping You Deal with Grief

What to Look for in a Grief Counselor

Grief counselors are specialists who work with people coping with the loss of a loved one. Since they are entrusted with bringing a grieving person back to life, they need to be trained in understanding others’ emotional and psychological state in order to help them get through the situation in a healthy manner.

In addition to a formal professional education, a grief counselor must also possess certain personal traits to become a successful professional. Here are few characteristics that you should look for when choosing a competent grief counselor for yourself or your loved one.

Good Interpersonal Skills

A grief counselor must possess good interpersonal skills. They must have patience, empathy, and genuine concern for their clients to understand and resolve their problems effectively. Additionally, they must be good at listening to their clients’ problems and remembering what they have said in previous sessions.

Besides this, they must be able to establish a level of trust and offer a safe space to their clients to let them express their inner feelings and thoughts.

Counselors working with grieving family members may also need to describe the stages of grief and reinforce that the feelings of anger, denial, and bargaining are normal after the loss. This task may be challenging for counselors, however, they can make it simple if they possess strong communication skills.

Must Take a Broader View

Although the grief counselor particularly focuses on a specific crisis, he/she must also consider related practical issues like health care, safety, family-related problems etc, to address personal problems that need attention to prevent posttraumatic depression.

Must Be Flexible

Rather than applying a rigid formula, the counselor must assess symptoms and needs of the person individually and offer the best techniques and approaches to develop a balanced guidance plan.

Encourages Wellness

A good grief counselor ends each session with genuine encouragement and hope. They give their clients realistic assurance to motivate them to strive for a healthy and happy life.

Qualified and Experienced

The best grief counselors are professionally educated and trained. With their specific knowledge on the subject and the experience of handling similar cases, they can help clients recover from their loss more effectively.

If you are experiencing grief due to the dealing with loss and grief, visit Timeless Loving Care Foundation to find inspiration for a healthy and happy life.

Art Therapy: How It Works

Art can have a surprising impact on your mental health. Being an expressive medium, art can help people communicate their ideas, thoughts, and feelings, explore their own personalities, and overcome negative thoughts and stress. However, the use of art is an effective therapeutic technique to treat psychological disorders.

What is Art Therapy?

Art therapy combines psychotherapeutic process with creative techniques to enhance an individual’s physical, emotional, and mental well being.

The art therapy is based on the concept that the creative process in the artistic expressions helps people draw out their unresolved conflicts and problems, increase self awareness and self esteem, enhance their interpersonal skills, reduce stress, and control behavior, achieving better insight of their inner thoughts and feelings.

When It Can Be Effective

Art therapy can be effective in treating a wide range of psychological and emotional disorders. When used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy or group therapy, it can produce more enhanced results. Art therapy can be particularly effective for:

·         Adults experiencing severe stress

·         Children experiencing learning disabilities

·         People suffering from brain injury

·         Individuals coping with post traumatic stress disorder

·         People experiencing behavioral or social problems

·         Adult and children suffering from bereavement

·         People recovering from physical or sexual abuse

·         Children suffering from chronic diseases

How Art Therapy Works

An art therapist may use multiple forms of art including drawing, sculpture, painting, and collage for clients of all age group. People experiencing emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, domestic abuse, physical violence, and other related issues can express themselves using any of the creative forms of expression.

The art therapy sessions can be arranged in hospitals, schools, mental health offices, and community organizations. The art therapy differs from the average art class; these sessions the art therapist encourages people to bring out their innermost feelings about their experiences, perceptions, and imagination. While art therapy may involve art techniques and creativity, its primary focus remains on encouraging ideas that come from within.

The art therapy allows the therapist get an idea of what the client feels or thinks which helps them create a more comprehensive treatment plan for their physical and mental wellbeing.

Whether someone has serious mental or physical health issues or is experiencing minor health problems, art therapy is an excellent way to achieve long term health and contentment.

Want to learn more about art therapy? Browse through our collection of articles at Timeless Loving Care Foundation now!