Archive for the ‘Depression, Anxiety & Stress’ Category
April 13th, 2010
Grief is depression in proportion to circumstance; depression is grief out of proportion to circumstance. So says Andrew Solomon, the author ”The Noonday Demon” (Scribner, 2001). Mr. Solomon then proceeds to detail his often devastating experiences with major depression.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, grief, loss
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss | 2 Comments »
February 2nd, 2010
I spent the weekend at a workshop exploring insights from mindfulness practices and psychotherapy. Mindfulness practices include meditation, yoga, contemplative prayer, and a host of other activities. One of the things that stuck with me was how both mindfulness practices and psychotherapy can help a person cultivate a mind like a sky. But what exactly does that mean?
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: hope, therapy
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
November 23rd, 2009
Have you seen the movie “Precious”? I found it to be very moving, upsetting and enlightening. I thought that the main character, Precious, gave us some excellent examples of the negative effects of trauma and abuse - be it physical, sexual, or emotional.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: abuse, assault, hope, sexual abuse, trauma
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma | No Comments »
November 21st, 2009
What do you do when things get tough? When you’re going through a difficult illness, experiencing a loss, or feeling depressed or anxious? Many people follow the adage - “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” While there is some value to this, I offer a different path.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, cancer, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, grief, hope
Posted Under | Cancer, HIV and Other Illnesses, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss | No Comments »
November 2nd, 2009
Earlier in the week, I learned a valuable lesson from someone* who’s been through some major difficulties in life, including alcoholism in the family, financial difficulties, relationship issues, and mental illness. This woman - let’s call her Shauna - has been troubled for a long time. However, she’s found an excellent coping mechanism, firmly grounded in awareness and mindfulness. Even when times are hard, and perhaps especially when times are hard, Shauna reminds herself to “Look at my feet.”
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, hope
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma | No Comments »
September 22nd, 2009
When you’re in the middle of a crisis or just feeling down, do you ever get pessimistic, thinking that this is your fate? That you’ll never find relief? That it will never get any better? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to respond this way to difficulties in life, as well as to their current emotional states.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: Anxiety & Stress, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, hope
Posted Under | Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
August 24th, 2009
Have you ever felt lonely, confused, angry or sad? Of course you have. These are all normal, human emotions and experiences. Are you comfortable feeling this way? Perhaps not. So, what do you do when faced with them? Do you stuff them, avoiding them through negative self-talk, eating, drinking or some other behavior? If so, there is another way.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: counseling, hope, therapy
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Sexual Compulsions, Cancer, HIV and Other Illnesses, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
June 10th, 2009
When parting with folk, I often say something like “Be good to yourself.” I thought the meaning of this statement was self-evident. But when someone asked me what I meant, I realized that I needed to be clear.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: hope, self-love, therapy
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Sexual Compulsions, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Concerns, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
May 21st, 2009
If you bring forth that which is within you,
Then that which is within you
Will be your salvation.
If you do not bring forth that
Which is within you,
Then that which is within you
Will destroy you.
~The Gnostic Gospels
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: addiction, grief, hope, Therapy & Counseling, trauma
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Sexual Compulsions, Cancer, HIV and Other Illnesses, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Grief & Loss, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma, Therapy & Counseling | No Comments »
April 19th, 2009
So many things can happen in life that trap us is shame. Being raped or in a violent relationship, childhood sexual exploitation, having an addiction or sexual compulsion, or even a mental illness are just a few of the things of which folks feel ashamed. There are many more. Most of them are not our fault. But ”The Shame Trap” catches you.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: addictions, hope, sexual abuse
Posted Under | Alcohol, Drugs, & Sexual Compulsions, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Sexual/Physical Abuse & Trauma | No Comments »