Learning about symptoms

Anxiety is a necessary evil that everyone experiences at some point throughout their life. When anxiety begins to negatively affect your daily life, this is when treatment is helpful. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms typically include a constant worry that can last for 6 months or more. Many people experiencing GAD have difficulties controlling that worry and exhibit symptoms of restlessness, fatigue, irritability, avoidance, difficulties concentrating and sleep disturbance. Therapy can assist clients with learning skills to help them cope with their worries, retrain their thinking, and identify cognitive distortions that plague them. Working with a therapist can provide a comfortable space for the client to process the root of the anxiety. Clients can learn to adapt to it and live life without debilitating worry. 

Depression can feel like you are living in darkness with no way out. It can be difficult to get out of bed each day or maintain any semblance of a productive life. Negative thoughts can consume our mind each day, making it seem as if life is meaningless and hopeless. Depression can create a burden on the family unit and affect everyone in the home. Depression symptoms often last longer than 2 weeks and can include fatigue, low motivation, trouble sleeping, tearful mood, thoughts of suicide, hopelessness and diminished interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Therapeutic interventions can include: adjusting your daily routine, changing sleep patterns and eating habits, examining negative schemas and activating the body through movement or exercise. 

Posttraumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after an individual is exposed or has been a witness to violence, serious injury and threatened death. Potential symptoms of PTSD include hypervigilance, distressing memories or dreams about the event, flashbacks, lack of awareness of present surroundings or dissociation. It is common for individuals experiencing PTSD to avoid memories from the traumatic event. PTSD also can affect mood, concentration, sleep and relationships. Individuals who experience exposure to threatened death, violence or injury do not always develop a  PTSD diagnosis. Through ongoing support and healthy coping skills, individuals can recover without any diagnosis. If you are experiencing some or many of these symptoms, therapy can help provide you with support. Therapeutic interventions may include processing the traumatic event, coping skills, and support to assist you with moving toward the healing journey. 

Adjusting to life after having a child can feel overwhelming. It can feel as if you are no longer who you used to be. Many woman struggle with creating a new routine without losing their identity. Postpartum depression makes these everyday struggles even more challenging. Many woman with symptoms of postpartum depression feel shame, guilt, embarrassment, and avoid getting help out of fear or judgement. After childbirth, the hormones in our body are recalibrating and will often evoke feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Because of this biological adjustment, woman may need a source of support to help fill in the gaps during this difficult time. Therapy can assist new mothers with this support system. It's a place where topics can be explored without judgement or criticism and new routines and positive change can finally begin! 

Relationships are an important part of our lives, but they can also be challenging. When relationships are suffering, it can wreak havoc in all areas of our life. It can feel isolating, lonely and begin to affect our mood. Therapy can be beneficial in assisting individuals with processing arguments and conflicts that ensue within a relationship. It can be helpful in building insight and awareness into our communication deficits. Therapeutic interventions may include: understanding attachment styles, learning various types of communication, identifying cognitive distortions and practicing new skills like active listening or validation.

Near death experiences can feel overwhelming and frightening, especially when an individual feels uncertain about sharing them. The experience can feel isolating, burdensome, and confusing. Positive Mind Counseling wants to encourage any client who has experienced a near death experience to reach out! We are a safe place to openly share and process this unique experience so it does not lead to symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD. Part of the healing journey is processing feelings about your death experience with a trusted person who believes you, Positive Mind Counseling can be that trusted source for you.