A psychologist can help you to deal with many common problems.

Depression

The word ‘depression’ is used to describe many feelings: feeling sad, ‘blue’, miserable or upset. However, a person can feel all these emotions without suffering from depression. The difference lies in how long they go for and how strong the feelings are.

Clinical depression is a mental, emotional and physical state that is intense, long-lasting and seriously affects daily life. Psychologists have the training to counsel you through depression until you find your way clear once more.

Relationship counselling

Relationships give us comfort and support. But they are also a source of distress, frustration and despair at times. There will be peaks and dips in attraction, energy and enthusiasm for your partner and these can lead to stress and fighting. We have little control over these things, but many problems do arise from work and financial pressures, or goals and expectations being different. These are some of the areas where a psychologist or couples psychotherapist can make changes to help a relationship blossom and find new directions.

Traumatic incidents

Traumatic events such as being assaulted or losing someone close to you, or being involved in a sever accident can cause you to retreat into a negative mental state. Although some of these symptoms can be distressing, they are part of the healing process and quite normal. These reactions can be thought of as the mind and body ‘digesting’ what has occurred. But when the distress is severe and won’t disappear, in some serious cases, people can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Ongoing trauma reactions require professional counselling and treatment.

Eating disorders

Eating disorders are a range of problems related to food and body image that affect a person’s life and well-being. The most serious eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Many people feel unhappy about their bodies, and diet or worry about food. Eating disorders develop when these worries lead to, for example, an intense fear of fat, an obsession with food and weight, and the belief that a slim body shape is crucial for self-worth. Young men and women especially can develop eating disorders as they try to fit in with they believe to be the ideal body shape among their peers. Problems associated with eating disorders then pour over into school work and home life. Anorexia nervosa is where a person becomes emaciated through poor nutrition because they believe they are ‘overweight’ and will only drink and eat a minute amount of food. Bulimia is where a person becomes trapped in a cycle of binge eating and purging through vomiting or using laxatives.

Things that may indicate you have depression

• Always feeling sad or ’empty’
• Chronic sleeping problems
• Constant worrying, negative thinking
• Feeling helpless and hopeless

Other areas where a psychologist can help

• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorders and phobias
• Children’s behavioural or emotional problems
• Difficulties with to alcohol or drugs
• Sexual difficulties

Because psychologists are experts in human behaviour, they can use scientifically based strategies to help people overcome common mental and behavioural challenges to improve their mental health and performance.

Need to talk? Find a psychologist in your neighbourhood and make an appointment today.