Category: In the Loop

Holidays are typically known to bring happiness! But many are often overwhelmed by both internal and external stressors that the season brings. These are the added responsibilities that the festivities come with. A 2015 survey once found that 44% of people say that they are ‘somewhat’ stressed while another 18% reported that they are ‘very’ stressed during this time of the year. The main reasons were the pressure of: spending money on parties choosing appropriate gifts for all coordinating and organizing events trying to eat right and healthy. The brain’s prefrontal cortex enters a state of overdrive during the holidays that may decrease memory and cause the present cells to die. Your shoulders could tense up at the mere thought of the upcoming hustle and bustle. For instance, spending the whole day with your extended family can be quite taxing. The good news is that holiday blues are temporary. Yet look at a few ways to cope with this feeling in a structured and result-oriented way. Why Does Holiday Depression Occur? Studies found that 64% of people with an existing mental illness report that holidays worsen their condition. This happens since the ‘busy season’ is high on demands and emotions…. Read more »

The Family Counseling and Crisis Intervention Services industry revenue is $48.1 billion in 2022. The annualized market growth has been 2.9% since 2017. What does family crisis intervention mean? It is a therapy session where a ‘neutral mediator’ boosts communication and resolves conflicts between family members. They try to nurture a change in intimate relations and ease the issues that might otherwise affect your health and functioning. Most families experience disagreements and conflicts. A therapist can be the greatest resource for handling any concern and reducing distress. The idea is to make sure everyone gets heard, understands one another, and learns healthy methods of resolution. This way there are fewer chances of dysfunction, and your family is happy, healthy, and in good spirits. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking help instead of hesitating due to the stigma around therapy. Here’s when you may visit a counselor. When to Book a Session? Domestic violence grew worldwide during COVID shelter-in-place. There was an increase of between 20-68% cases. Globally, 1 in 3 women experienced sexual violence with a partner. If you are still undergoing abuse related, it is the right time to visit a therapist with your spouse and children. Look… Read more »

Chemistry brings intimacy and excitement between a couple. The emotional connection grows along with a lasting commitment. It helps with an active sex life too and is crucial for a happy and healthy marriage. But the dopamine level might fade eventually in a long-term relationship. It is normal to feel out of love with your partner at this point. You can go through stages of rough patches while things start to feed ‘dead’ or ‘boring’. This may cause infidelity or an extra-marital affair. It has been cited as a turning point in a deteriorating relationship and 59.6% of divorces occur for this reason. Separated individuals, when compared to their married counterparts, have higher incidents of depression, distress, and substance abuse. The good news is that you do not have to part ways if there is good compatibility. All you have to do is work consciously on your chemistry to make your bond more beautiful and intense. Here’s what to do. What is Couple Therapy? Issues with a romantic partner or spouse may leave us feeling crazy. This is when you may consider therapy to save the relation- ‘ship’. Couples on average wait for seven years after experiencing problems in their… Read more »

Did you know that as many as 28.8 million Americans are estimated to have an eating disorder once in their lifetime? So, if you feel you have an eating disorder, you’re not alone. The good news is that help is available. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that is suitable for all forms of eating disorders. Eating unusually large amounts of food or excessively restricting food intake are both eating disorders and stem from attempts to deal with a deeper issue, which is why cognitive behavioral therapy is regarded as the most effective way to overcome them. Let’s first understand the signs of the two types of eating disorders. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa Both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are caused by the fear of gaining weight. While Anorexia Nervosa makes a person restrict food, at times to the point of starvation, Bulimia Nervosa makes a person overeat and then purge it to avoid adding calories. Signs of Anorexia Nervosa Intense fear of weight gain Dramatic weight loss Repeatedly weighing oneself Preoccupation with calories and dieting Constipation Cold intolerance Abdominal pain Excessive exercising Difficulty concentrating Anemia Low thyroid levels… Read more »

Not feeling ‘at home’ with your gender is known as gender dysphoria. It is a sense of distress and discomfort with your physical sexual characteristics. The victim is unable to align their orientation with their body which creates internal conflicts and mental agitation. A national survey in 2022 found that 1.4 million individuals (0.6%) in the US are transgender. Another sex health study published in 2017 found that there is a high prevalence ranging from 0.5% to 1.3% for self-reported transgender identity in adults and adolescents. They are people whose gender identity is different from the gender assigned at birth. It means their innate knowledge of who they are do not match what was expected when they were born. This makes it tough to ‘fit it’ and many avoid talking about it out of fear, shame, and confusion. They also risk harassment, discrimination, and strong judgment. While there is no easy fix, here’s what you can do to soothe dysphoria. Gender Issues: Here’s What it Looks Like Gender variant people can believe themselves to be of the opposite sex, neither of the sexes or anything ‘in between’ or fluid. The good news is that Gender Identity Therapy navigates the difficult… Read more »

Mental disorders in teenagers and adolescents are a significantly common issue. Worldwide, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experience depression or anxiety accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. The usual ones are mood, attention and behavior problems. They translate into adulthood when left untreated and unrecognized. This can subsequently restrict the opportunities of living a wholesome and productive life. A few common ones in teens are: Borderline personality disorder Trauma and PTSD Substance use disorder Teen trauma and PTSD Eating disorders They could be a direct result of social harassment like physical and cyber-bullying. It may also be due to verbal/sexual abuse at learning institutes and playgrounds. These tremendously distressing experiences can shatter the confidence of young adults. Other issues are break-ups, death of loved ones, parents’ divorce, exam pressure, financial uncertainty and self-doubts. These events can push them to take drastic steps. A 2019 Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Survey found that 18.8% of students nationwide reported serious suicide attempts. As a parent, here’s what you can do to help your child overcome life stressors. Child Psychotherapy Counseling is an effective way to get inside the mind of teens and children. An expert can help… Read more »

Death is the most common experience of the human race. The COVID pandemic, especially taught us, ‘how little separates life from death.’ It throws everything off gear and takes a significant toll on physical and mental health. Apart from guilt, numbness and regret, grief is the most universal response to loss. There are 5 stages of grief according to the Kubler Ross model – Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You can reach out to a therapist to help you work through these emotions if you are highly overwhelmed. Grief is not classified as a ‘feeling’. It is a ‘journey’ that you have to go through to be able to heal completely. Spending time with a professional is the most effective way to return to a balanced state of mind and recover speedily. No wonder the market size of the behavioral therapist industry in the US is $9 billion in 2022 and is expected to increase by 0.4% in the same year. There are several techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Group Therapy. Read on to know how a session is helpful to overcome mental suffering. What is Grief Counseling? Professional therapy is the… Read more »

Family therapy developed in the second half of the 20th century. It is a type of psychological counselling that builds stronger relationships in a structured way. This creates a loving home with a healthy and well-functional family. There are open communications and collaborations while learning emotional validation, cognitive reframing, and empathy. It is a much-needed therapy since the rules of family life have seen a profound change over the years. In a survey of 354 students, it was found that 43.5% reported an estrangement with disagreements being the most casual factor. Another survey reported that there were 64 families with at least one estranged child within a sample of 566 families. Cutting ties is often initiated by children. It is a common phenomenon that rips apart American households. Divorce, separation, arguments, personality clashes, bad parenting decisions and work-life non-balance are other causes. The good news is that science-based techniques and exercises ensure happy and wholesome families. It makes sure everyone is heard, helps members understand each other and teach healthy conflict resolution. Benefits of Family Therapy Behavioral, psychodynamic, and structural methods assure major changes in families. This is quite crucial since the divorce rate in America in 2020 stood at… Read more »

Living in close quarters with your spouse 24/7 is bewildering. It ends up blurring the fine lines between ‘close’ and ‘too close’ which can be problematic. 1 in 3 women experiences sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner. Domestic violence is further intensified amid the pandemic. It is major human rights violations. Studies found that incidents in the US spiked by 8.1% after the shelter in place orders in 2020. Obvious reasons were income and isolation linked stressors that released as abuse. Social and livelihood tensions created a victim-aggressor environment too. Milder issues like irritation, agitation and being on each other’s nerves are also common. So how to figure out better ways of living, parenting and getting along together? Read on. Professional Help Counselling helps address couple issues in a safe space. You are heard and protected while uncovering hidden relationship problems that create anger and frustration. Working together by analyzing personal insights of what went wrong can be helpful. You can also consider special ‘stress therapy’. This is because responses have become counterproductive in today’s modern world and we get triggered easily due to hormonal imbalances. Set an appointment with a therapist, online or offline, who can offer… Read more »

2022 marks the third year of the pandemic. Besides physical distress, COVID-19 has caused ample neurological conditions. The last couple of years also saw a rise in triggering mental health issues due to job loss, isolation, panic and fear and bereavements. A survey of 1,000 people regarding mental well-being found that 59% of participants were affected by COVID-19 and 32% said they are taking medication for their mental health. Many around the world faced increased levels of alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety and insomnia with risks of severe outcomes. Yet not all of us considered psychological therapy. But it is never too late to start. The best one ensures emotional well-being through consistent mindful mediation, stress reduction and relaxation techniques. The counselling session is an educational experience where you learn about the body’s fight or flight reactions. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) will control the stress response. One can also expect a variety of holistic approaches to wellness to counter the significant crisis. Psychotherapy Benefits The new year is a great time to start incorporating therapy into your daily routine. It can induce a sense of positivity that helps deal with multiple behavioral symptoms. Seeking help… Read more »