WHEN TO APPROACH FOR
COUNSELLING
SIGNS N SYMPTOMS
In
the last blog, I discussed about Myths & the need for Counselling. This
blog is a furtherment towards narrowing the need for Counselling, supporting
you all in recognizing the Signs N
Symptoms. It is a sad fact that even after so much of advancement in
practically all the fields, Counselling still is considered a “taboo”.
An
immediate retaliation is notice.. “Crazy
people go for counselling!!” “Are you suffering from a nervous breakdown?”
There is bemusement. Not to mention the fact, many still operate from the zone,
“Thank God, I have been saved from falling in the hands of a
Counsellor/Therapist”. It is easy to pretend, “I AM OKAY!” One is saved of the embarrassment, ridicule,
questioning, labeling, and categorization.
One
cannot deny that keeping up with a fast-paced environment is physically &
mentally strenuous. However, equally vital is the fact that pretending is
surely not going to help for long!! In an attempt to lead a healthy, meaningful
and spiritual life, many traverse through yoga, meditation, self-help books,
relaxing vacations, long drives, development training programs, etc.
A
thought arises in the midst of all, “Why
not look at Counselling process as just one of the many mediums available to
us?” Let it be bringing clarity of thoughts, identifying issues, managing
life, defining problem, discovering an unconscious block… a
Counsellor/Therapist is going to support you, work… one on one with you. There
is a possibility that psychiatric medicines may be required to be involved,
however, visiting a Counsellor/Therapist does NOT mandatorily include medicine too!
Before
we try to recognize the Signs N Symptoms to avail services of a
Counsellor/Therapist, it is vital to understand that you do not need to be a
Depression patient or a Schizophrenic. A simple action like drowning self in
endless work or with sexuality or with substances (food/alcohol/drugs) to avoid
anything that causes trouble or upset or pain or loneliness, needs to be
addressed through Psychological Counselling. The attempt to avoid an untoward
circumstance only sinks you further in gloomy darkness of despair.
Ø Anxiety
Ø Depression
& Mania
Ø Family
Issues
Ø Health:
Addiction/Disorders/Illness & Somatoform Disorders/Pain Management/Smoking
Cessation/Stress Management/Wellness
Ø Performance
Enhancement
Ø Phobias
Ø Spiritual
Issues
Ø Trauma/PTSD
(Post-traumatic stress disorder)
ANXIETY –
Anxiety
can be considered as the next stage/aggravated stage of FEAR. Fear is a feeling/state observed when you actually face an
untoward situation. For eg:- While walking down a road, a stray dog suddenly
jumps on you trying to bite. It is very natural response to feel fearful/scared
and attempt to save self from getting bitten.
However,
every time getting worried seeing a dog in public, even it is a pet dog, tied
with a leash, fearing that the dog will still jump and will bite… that’s ANXIETY. Anxiety relates to a
threat that is imaginary, not necessary that it will happen.
The
psychological basis for Anxiety can usually be located in childhood experiences
that lack clear explanations and guidance from parents who tend to be
disinterested, critical, or abusive. Hence, the children grow to dread
circumstances that have unknown or unpredictable aspects.
Many
live with a constant, general sense of worry and anxiety. Typical symptoms are
tension, restlessness, fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance and difficulty
concentrating. One can also
experience panic attack, where heart beats faster and faster.
DEPRESSION
& MANIA –
There
are periods in almost everybody’s life, which can be referred to as feeling
“blue” or “down”.
Hormonal
changes in teenagers can sometimes make them moody, disturbed, upset, cranky. Bereavement,
death of someone close can involve feelings, which are similar to depression.
Major
Depression/Major Depressive Disorder/Clinical Depression/Unipolar Depression
involves low mood and/or loss of interest in regular activities.
Sometimes
you may loose touch with reality, experience psychosis, like hallucinations or
delusions. At this point, interaction with the help of medication may be
required. Counsellor/Therapist may advise you medications or refer you to a
Psychiatrist as an adjunct to Counselling/Therapy.
MANIA/MANIC
DEPRESSION/BIPOLAR DISORDER –
Mania
is like the opposite of Depression –
symptoms include feeling great, having lots of energy, having racing thoughts
and little need for sleep, talking quickly, having difficulty focusing on tasks
and feeling frustrated and irritable. There could be hallucinations. It can be
a family history too.
FAMILY
ISSUES –
Family
– a tree of various relationships, involving different age groups, different
ideologies, thought processes, expectations, demands, personal space, intimacy,
communication, societal stress, etc. innumerable factors lead to many
complications.
Family
therapy is best suited for addressing family conflicts. One needs to accept the
fact that many a times the family’s own attempts to solve a problem has
actually caused new problems!!
Intervention
by a Third Party Unbiased Person –
Counsellor/Therapist is the best course of action.
HEALTH
ISSUES –
From
hereditary diseases/disorders to a mere heachache can govern one’s day-to-day
life adding to anxiety, fear, anticipation, frustration.
Counselling
can be uses as a therapeutic adjunct in several fields:
·
Addictions
·
Substance Abuse/Substance
Dependence
·
Withdrawal/Alcoholism
as a Disease
·
Eating Disorders/Obesity
·
Hypertension (High
Blood Pressure)
·
Smoking Cessation
·
Puberty (Male &
Female)
·
Premenstrual Syndrome
·
Menopause
In
cancer patients, for the process of pain management or help cope with chronic
(on-going) pain, Counsellor/Therapist often serve as Pain Teams in hospitals.
SPIRITUAL
ISSUES –
The
thought process governing our very own existence in birth, trying to find or
search the personal meaning in life, a general well-being of life satisfaction,
directions usually tend to confuse one more. Again, issues as coming to terms
with mortality, future creation, ancestral problems, ghosts… questioning their
existence… leads to a varied complexity in our day-to-day life.
Least
to say many a times, we find it difficult to talk about our problems even with
friends or family because they are directly involved in the issues.
There
is also a chance/possibility that before you recognize that you need support, a
colleague or friend or a family member or your partner may suggest it to you.
Do not go into retaliation immediately. Seeking support of a
Counsellor/Therapist could be the next best option that your loved ones/well-wishers
is wishing you to explore. Counselling can help you improve your relationships
with Self and others and also your ability to communicate.
Feel free to connect with me
through:
piyaangel.k@gmail.com
Counselor
Poonam Khairnar on Facebook
Poonam
Khairnar
Counselor
09004874093
