Posts Tagged ‘grief’

The Hard Season…

February 6th, 2017

therapythe hard season
will
split you through,
you will bleed water.

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Booker T. Washington & Chocolate Cake: Real World Advice on Coping with Depression & Loneliness, Part IV

March 12th, 2014

Coping with depression, loneliness, and feelings of hopelessness can feel like a solitary activity. When we feel these ways, we often have the impression that we’re on our own. I recently asked my Facebook friends how they get through difficult times – an effort of mine to get more ideas as a therapist and to also help people feel more connected at a time when it’s hard to feel love from others. I received many replies and have published portions of each one.  Following are the final comments I received from my friends. I hope you find these as meaningful as I have.

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The Movie “Like Crazy” – A lesson in tolerating your emotions

November 30th, 2011

Couples TherapyHave you seen the movie “Like Crazy” – a film about two young lovers who keep attempting to have a relationship with each other, even when it seems in vain?  It’s not an unusual story.  In fact, the couple’s experience is very human.  As a therapist, I found some very useful lessons in it.  But first:  Spoiler alter!  Don’t read on if you don’t want to know the storyline…

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Overwhelming Grief

November 7th, 2011

images-2Have you ever experienced overwhelming grief?  If you’ve gone through an extremely difficult loss, you know what I’m talking about.  Feeling on the verge of tears – more often than you’ve ever experienced.  Feeling sad and depressed much of the day.  Or experiencing a surge of sadness unexpectedly.  You find yourself angry and bitter and don’t quite understand this change in your perspective.  Perhaps you react strongly to things that would have gotten a much weaker response from you at a different time.

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Grief & Depression – What’s the Difference?

April 13th, 2010

depressionGrief is depression in proportion to circumstance; depression is grief out of proportion to circumstance.  So saysAndrew Solomon, the author “The Noonday Demon” (Scribner, 2001).  Mr. Solomon then proceeds to detail his often devastating experiences with major depression.

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When The Going Gets Tough…

November 21st, 2009

dealing with tough timesWhat 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.

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Your Invincible Summer

October 19th, 2009

hope“In the depths of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”~ Albert Camus

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How Therapy Helps

May 21st, 2009

how therapy helpsIf 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

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Where Do You Find Hope?

February 23rd, 2009

Life has some huge obstacles that it puts in our way.  Sometimes, the sheer weight of the challenge can be overwhelming.  You might feel like this moment will never pass and that life will always be this way.  You may feel desperate, depressed, and fed-up.  You may want to give up, feeling spent from all of your efforts.  When this happens, where can you find hope to carry you through? 

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Don’t Forget the Caregivers

November 8th, 2008

Dealing with cancer, Alzheimer’s and other potentially debilitating diseases can be hard for everyone.  Although we first think about the person living with the disease, it’s important not to forget the friends and family – also known as caregivers.

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