Personal counseling provides individuals a safe environment to deal with life experiences that disrupt everyday living. Through the process of self-discovery, the person will develop insight, which increases self-awareness to gain a better understanding of their emotions, which influences their behavior and thinking. The person’s commitment to counseling will significantly impact the therapeutic process’s potential benefits, such as increased self-confidence, improved mental and emotional health, and healthier relationships. Personal Counseling can help you cope with and manage the symptoms of:
DEPRESSION – Depression has been experienced by most on a short-term basis, such as everyday “blues” or sadness; however, when it lasts for at least two weeks or more and negatively impacts an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities and to have satisfying personal relationships, it often requires treatment. Depression can affect emotions, thoughts, behavior and can also cause physical symptoms. The following are some symptoms of depression:
- Emotional: sadness, irritability, anger, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, and mood swings.
- Thoughts: worry, self-criticism, poor concentration, indecisiveness and confusion, and thoughts of death and suicide.
- Behavior: withdrawal from others, loss of interest in activities and personal appearance, crying spells, loss of motivation, and the use of drugs and alcohol.
- Physical: lack of energy, sleeping too little or too much, loss of appetite, constipation, loss of sexual desire, and unexplained aches and pains.
ANXIETY – Most people have experienced anxiety because it helps individuals avoid dangerous situations and can be a source of motivation to complete tasks. When the intensity of anxiety increases and is long-lasting, it can negatively impact a person’s work, activities, and relationships. Anxiety is often associated with depression and substance use disorders. People experience anxiety in a variety of ways, such as physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. The following are some symptoms of anxiety:
- Physical: pounding heart, chest pain, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, sweating, choking, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, muscle aches and pains, and the inability to relax.
- Psychological: unrealistic/excessive fear and worry, impatience, anger, confusion, feeling “on edge,” tiredness, vivid dreams, and mind going blank or racing.
- Behavioral: distress in social situations, avoids situations, obsessive or compulsive behavior, and phobic behavior.
GRIEF AND LOSS – Life can have some unplanned twists and turns, which sometimes result in a loss that can deeply threaten to bury one’s faith and hope. Grief and loss can take on different forms of life’s hardships, such as sudden illness, divorce, betrayal, loss of a dream, and abuse. An individual may even question, “Why is this happening to me?” Part of grieving is allowing oneself to process the thoughts and feelings associated with the loss and working through the heartache to learn new ways to embrace life. Prolonged untreated grief can lead to depression, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, worry, guilt, anger, isolation, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, thoughts of death, and suicide.
431 Ohio Pike, Suite 156
Cincinnati, OH 45255
rosalind@rosalindsmithcounseling.com
513-843-6003
@rosalindsmithcounseling
