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Posts Tagged ‘depression’

High-functioning depression: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

What is high-functioning depression?

Sudhir (name changed ) has been managing his large company for years together and didn’t believe it could happen to him when he was told by this psychologist ,” you have been suffering from high functioning depression”. “ But how is this possible ,I have been managing all my affairs well and attending to all my routine .However the family could notice him being bored quite quickly and Sudhir has of late been getting tired often ,showing signs of irritation and impatience .

Often it is believed that a high functioning individual can never be depressed or even tired because he seems to always be active ,agile and his metabolism could be working at its best .But that may not be the case always .

High-functioning people always seem to be on the drive manning not only their work but also of others work too. High functioning depression is a term used to describe people who experience symptoms of depression  while largely maintaining their daily responsibilities and outward appearance. Such high functioning individuals often are able to maintain high flying careers, professional relationships, and social lives, making it difficult even for themselves to recognize their own depressed state of mind .It could generally be taken as tiredness and distraction and they shrug it away ,when told that they could have a depression.

Is high -functioning depression a mental illness or an emotional disorder ?

The term high-functioning depression has not been officially recognised anywhere till now neither in ICD 10 or even in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It is thus obviously not diagnosed by your psychiatrist or a psychologist.

It’s possible for a person to meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) while hiding many of the signs and symptoms by their being busy active and over the situation.When this is the case, they may be informally described as having high-functioning depression.

Persistent Depressive disorder is a recognised mental health condition characterized by long-term, chronic bouts of depression.

High-functioning depression and PDD share similarities, but they’re not the same. The term “high-functioning depression” describes someone who mostly keeps up appearances ,despite depressive symptoms.

If you think you or a loved one may be experiencing any form of depression and feel that because of your high functioning you are not able to decide what it is , it’s important to seek professional help. A professional psychologist or a psychiatrist can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Symptoms of high functioning depression

Because it’s not an official diagnosis, high-functioning depression doesn’t have distinct symptoms. Warning signs of high-functioning depression, and of depressive disorders generally, can include:

  • Persistent feelings of aloofness ,sadness  or emptiness
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions with clarity
  • Periodic low self esteem and self-doubts
  • Persistent fatigue or regular low energy
  • Erratic or altered sleep patterns (not able to sleep or oversleeping)
  • Change in eating habits .Appetite changes (increased or decreased)
  • Irritation or restlessness
  • Loss of interest in normally previous enjoyed activities
  • Feelings of giving up ,hopelessness or pessimism
  • Physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues
  • Thoughts of self harm ,death or suicide .

The situation can be different for different people.Depression can look different for everyone, and you don’t need to hit a bout of actual sickness or depression. Now is the good time for you to seek help.

People with high-functioning depression may try to hide their symptoms from others, often out of fear of being judged or a feeling of embarrassment.Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness. Even if coping with high-functioning depression seems possible on your own, you don’t need to manage without help. Treatment can help alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prevent the condition from worsening over time.A person attempting to hide symptoms of depression may aggravate the problem hence let’s not delay further but talk now .

You can reach out to us

Call 7224896739 or email

mansikpramarsh@gmail.com

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com.

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Panic Attack :How to identify one and calm down during a panic attack

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

When Rashi had her first panic attack she was appearing for school board exams .She didn’t know she was having one till her throat felt dry ,her hands started trembling and all of a sudden she felt she was going to faint .That made her cry out loud for help .She wanted to immediately get out of the examination hall.

However a timely intervention by the people around helped her recover faster as she was given the first aid support in time.

Panic attacks do not come with a warning and they become too scary to those who suffer one all of sudden and if a timely help is not available the same can turn a little damaging too .

Rashi did have some stress of her ensuing examination but she had also been suffering from fever for a few days and had not yet fully recovered . She had been feeling weak, a bit tired and sleepy . In this kind of stressful situation she had suddenly developed an anxiety   and lost control of mind .Her breathing seemed to have become very shallow,rapid and she had hyperventilated .

The feeling passed after little first aid support and within a few minutes she felt better although still dazed .No one knew that she had experienced her first panic attack that day, until it happened again when she was in a crowded shopping mall .

How to know if it is a panic attack

It can happen to anyone and can take place in any situation.We discuss hereunder the early signs and symptoms indicating about panic attack :

Usually it begins with a dizziness of the head and the person feels a little disoriented to the environment around .The other symptoms not necessary all of them together can be :

  • Mild pounding of heart in the middle of chest and feeling of fast heart beats
  • Shortness of breathing and feeling of suffocation
  • Breathless and major discomfort breathing even though the environment is not claustrophobic
  • Feeling a sense of numbness in the arms or legs or both
  • Chest pain
  • Hot flashes or cold sweat
  • Nausea
  • Trembling and shaking of body parts

Anxiety attack vs. panic attack

An anxiety doesn’t come all of a sudden but it builds up over time ruminating or apprehending some of the anticipated events and it remains there even when the event may not take place .Thus anxiety is triggering of the apprehension but it stays as a constant feeling disrupting the normal functioning .

A panic attack on the other hand has more debilitating effect , comes out all of a sudden and much more intense episode of fear ,anxiety and a feeling of oncoming loss of consciousness and breathing difficulty takes over .

Anxiety and panic attacks even though have similar symptoms, but panic can make one feel like one is losing control of one’s awareness,orientation .The person feels that brain and body are not coordinating . This can happen repeatedly leaving one helpless and worrying of being vulnerable all the time .Resultantly one may stop stepping out of home alone .

Some of the ways to calm down during a panic attack

Rashi was lucky when her first panic attack lasted only a few minutes and went away after help from the people around but the second time she wasn’t because it occurred in a shopping mall and help took a little longer .

Panic attacks tend to peak within a few minutes and go away also sooner but for some occasions these attacks can last longer and the person becomes restless with fear of something happening to him or her and gets panicky .

How do we control when a panic attack seems to be occurring or seems imminent:

Perceptive and Meditative Breathing;

Deep breathing has often been recommended as the compulsory activity to do when stressed .

In anxiety and panic perceptive breathing can really do magic on your mood.Lets understand how :

  1. Close your eyes softly
  2. Keep your body and spine supple and stress free
  3. Now focus on the lower end (tail end ) of your spine and breathe from the nose very slowly .The mind must be completely involved in the breathing .
  4. Inhale slowly from the nose feeling it’s impact on the lower end of the spine .
  5. Exhale slowly from the nose taking as much time as you took inhaling
  6. Continue for five to seven minutes
  7. Soon you would realise your mind and body relaxing and the anxiety level coming to almost nil .
  8. Repeat this exercise as often as you want to .

Relax your muscles and body by kayotsarga (progressive muscle relaxation exercise )

Anxiety and panic can cause your whole body to tense up making you feel uncomfortable. You can help reduce the stiffness of muscles of the body relaxing them one muscle at a time .Focus on each muscle beginning from the toes of the feet one by one and going upwards covering all parts of body one by one .An auto suggestion like ( my toes are relaxing ,my calf muscles are relaxing cover till the top of your forehead .

Move your body:yes that’s true:

Rather than sitting or lying down in panic going out for a walk or doing brisk walk in the room itself can help you bring your stress anxiety and the impending fear to a much reduced level .

Preferably you can, go for a walk outside or do some light stretching. Take yourself out of the environment that’s causing your anxiety .It will help ease your symptoms.

If you feel a panic attack coming on in a closed environment like bus ,train or an aircraft while travelling and you can’t get up and move , try these basic breathing exercises to help ground yourself and reduce the intensity of the attack.

  • Do some deep breathes and focus on the tip of your nostrils to feel the air getting in and exhaled air coming out . Soon you will feel better with diverted focus .
  • Breathe in deeply and exhale every breathe from the fingers of your feet one by one and later through each finger and toes of your hands .You will feel an ease coming to your mind and body soon.
  • Rub the palms of your hands slowly and putting the palms on your eyes later will help .

Doing this activity with your hands can help take your mind off anxiety a calmness sets in .

Repeat positive affirmations to yourself

A positive affirmation is a phrase or a sentence you repeat to yourself over and over but if you can write it and read it aloud ,the impact is many times more and empowering .

The statement can be

“ I am a calm person I am a powerful person “

or “I am a powerful person I can handle this situation “

Or “ I am a powerful person I have the power of mind “ .

Reading and saying these affirmations out loud can help, but if you’re in a public place and don’t feel comfortable with that, just say it silently to yourself. Make sure to read or speak the words slowly in your mind.

Get help of psychologist /Counselor

In order to prevent repeated occurrences ,you must seek the help of a psychologist .You can reach out to us at

Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com

Family Therapy India

http://www.familytherapyindia.com

Or email

mansikpramarsh@gmail.com

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The Psychological and Physical Effects of Chronic Worry

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , on January 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Please note: All names and identifying details in the following article are fictional and used for illustrative purposes only.

Worry is a natural human emotion. It serves a purpose when it prompts us to constructively analyze a situation and plan a course of action. However, when worry spirals into constant fear and apprehension, it can become a debilitating emotional disturbance, hijacking the mind with perceived dangers that may never materialize. This chronic state can lead to anxiety, phobias, irrational thoughts, and obsessive behaviors.

Photo by energepic.com on Pexels.com

Case Studies: Two Sides of Worry

The impact of excessive worry can manifest in various ways. Consider Mrs. Sharma, whose daughter, Julie, attends a local kindergarten. Initially, Julie was excited about school. However, she suddenly began complaining of stomach aches and refused to go. A pediatrician found no physical cause, leading to counseling sessions with Julie, her parents, and her teacher. These sessions revealed that Julie was constantly worried about her mother being alone at home.

This anxiety mirrored Mrs. Sharma’s own behavior. Concerned about her daughter’s safety on the school bus, Mrs. Sharma’s concern evolved into obsessive behavior. She would repeatedly ask the bus driver to drive slowly, and even follow the bus on her scooter until it reached the school gates. This “melodrama,” as the article calls it, continued for over a month, eventually prompting the bus attendant to request Mr. Sharma’s intervention.

Another example is Mrs. Narwhal, whose fear of germs led to elaborate rituals. She kept a separate set of clothes in her bathroom to change into immediately upon returning home. She would then bathe and wash the clothes she had worn outside, believing this would cleanse her of any contamination. While this ritual provided her with temporary relief, it disrupted the peace of her family. Any attempts to dissuade her from these practices were met with resistance, further isolating her.

The Psychology of Excessive Worry

Just as young Julie’s mind created a narrative of her mother’s potential vulnerability at home, excessive worry can distort reality for adults. It can trigger a cascade of fears, apprehensions, and dark imaginings about the safety of oneself and loved ones. This can manifest as:

  • Chronic anxiety: A persistent feeling of unease and apprehension.
  • Phobic thoughts: Irrational fears of specific objects or situations.
  • Obsessive compulsions: Repetitive behaviors performed to alleviate anxiety.
  • Generalized anxiety: Worrying about a wide range of everyday matters.
  • Panic attacks: Sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sweating.

In severe cases, individuals may even begin to worry about their own worrying, creating a vicious cycle.

The Physical and Emotional Toll

Chronic worry can also have significant physical effects, including:

  • Breathlessness
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Excessive sweating
  • Choking sensations
  • Mental suppression and distress
  • Difficulty focusing and concentrating
  • Sleep disturbances

Seeking Help

When worry becomes chronic and debilitating, professional help is crucial. Effective treatments include:

  • Psychotherapy: To address the underlying causes of anxiety and develop coping mechanisms.
  • Cognitive therapy: To identify and challenge negative thought patterns.
  • Holistic therapy: To address the mind-body connection and promote overall well-being.
  • Mindfulness and meditation: To cultivate present moment awareness and reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

While occasional worry is a normal part of life, excessive worry can have a profound impact on mental and physical health. Recognizing the signs and seeking appropriate treatment are essential steps in reclaiming control and living a more fulfilling life.

-Ramneek Kapoor – Family Therapist, Psychologist Counselor and Science of Living Expert

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Getting Control of your OCD in 4 Comprehensive (medication-free) Steps

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on December 10, 2024| 2 Comments »

First, let’s hear from those who have bravely faced their obsessions and compulsions and, with the help of our four-step strategic therapy, have managed to reclaim control of their lives. Doesn’t it sound surprising that individuals who suffered from OCD for years, despite being on long-term medication, have finally found relief? It may seem unbelievable to many who have struggled with OCD for years. However, this is often due to a lack of proper guidance and corrective approaches.

Let’s listen to the inspiring stories of individuals who have successfully taken control of their OCD and are now leading normal lives:

Aarti’s Journey
Aarti, 22 (name changed), doesn’t even remember when she first developed the habit of compulsively washing every piece of clothing she wore outside. Each time she returned home, whether from college or the market, she would immediately head to the washroom, change her clothes, and wash them. Initially, her parents saw this as an attempt to maintain cleanliness. However, their concern grew when they noticed her repeating this behavior throughout the day, from morning until evening.

By the time Aarti came to us, she had been on strong psychiatric medications for over six years. Despite relying on anti-anxiety and SSRI pills, her OCD persisted. It wasn’t until she began our treatment program that she experienced significant relief.

Ahmad’s Story
Ahmad, a businessman in Dubai, had achieved considerable success in his career. However, he couldn’t fully enjoy his accomplishments due to intrusive, obsessive thoughts. “An unknown anxiety grips my mind over trivial matters,” Ahmad explains. This overwhelming anxiety would only subside after he performed certain repetitive acts, which frightened his family.

Prakash’s Experience
Prakash, an architect, had built a flourishing career and enjoyed a high social status. Yet, he struggled with obsessive thoughts that began in high school. Although medications temporarily alleviated his symptoms, the obsessive thoughts returned with greater intensity whenever he stopped the medications for more than a week.

Understanding OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental and behavioral health condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These compulsions are performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessions, perpetuating a vicious cycle.

The cycle of OCD typically includes:

  1. Obsession: Unwanted, intrusive thoughts or impulses.
  2. Mental distress: Anxiety or fear triggered by these thoughts.
  3. Compulsion: Repetitive actions performed to alleviate the distress.
  4. Temporary relief: A short-lived sense of relief before the cycle restarts.

Common Symptoms of OCD

Obsessions

Obsessions are repetitive, intrusive thoughts that are often illogical but feel uncontrollable. These may include:

  • Concerns about safety or cleanliness.
  • Worries about relationships or social interactions.
  • Irrational fears about natural or unnatural phenomena.

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or rituals performed to relieve the distress caused by obsessions. Common compulsions include:

  • Excessive cleaning or handwashing.
  • Repeatedly checking locks, appliances, or emails.
  • Counting or arranging objects.
  • Hoarding or obsessive texting.

Our Treatment Approach

We have developed an effective program to help clients overcome OCD and regain control of their lives:

  1. Trans-Cranial Cerebral Spinal Stimulation
    Using self-projected inner sound therapy (Mahapran Dhwani), this technique targets affected brain areas. Patients undergo daily or alternate-day sessions of 45 minutes for 8–12 weeks, resulting in significant OCD remission.
  2. Gut and Mind Correction Therapy
    By focusing on the gut-brain axis and ventral vagus nerve stimulation, we address the emotional and mental imbalances that trigger obsessive thoughts.
  3. Kayotsarga and Chakra Meditation
    Kayotsarga exercises and chakra-focused meditation (Swas Preksha) help patients achieve emotional balance and self-regulation.
  4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Affirmations
    Guided CBT sessions and positive affirmations empower patients to replace compulsive behaviors with healthier coping strategies.

Transforming Lives

Through a combination of advanced therapies, holistic practices, and expert guidance, our patients have achieved remarkable results. Many, including Aarti, Ahmad, and Prakash, are now living peaceful, medication-free lives, enjoying a sense of freedom they thought was unattainable.

Please let us know if we can help you with your OCD .

Write to us

mansikPramarsh@gmail.com

http://www.mansikpramarsh.com

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When Job Stress Strikes: Caring for Emotional, Mental, and Family Health

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , on July 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Rita, 32, has been negative and irritated for over a month. Her husband’s job is uncertain, and her bosses discuss similar issues at work.

David, 49, hasn’t dealt well with being denied a promotion. He feels his education, skills, and years of performance have been wasted. He fears premature retirement despite having more to offer.

Ashvani, 45, works globally but hasn’t had a project in a while, causing anxiety about his job. His family notices his stress, boredom, and anxiety.

Names are changed, but their situations are real. Careers seem to be falling apart suddenly. Why is their life in parentheses now?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

The dreaded pink slip is making a comeback in IT and other industries after a decade of growth. Layoffs at companies like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are causing anxiety and stress among employees. A job isn’t just a source of income; it’s a career, personal identity, and self-fulfillment. When threatened, it leads to negativity, self-criticism, and alienation.

From adolescence, we’re pushed to pursue careers that may not exist yet. We spend the first quarter of our lives getting educated and skilled for a job, and then our entire lives working. This affects our overall well-being. Realizing your job and career, the essence of your life, is being taken away can cause sleeplessness, stress, and unhappiness.

The threatening environment in the current job can negatively impact all aspects of life. It’s a wake-up call to reflect, evaluate, and plan—whether updating skills, upgrading, or finding a new career path.

How does this impact me and my family?

In today’s competitive era, any stage of life can bring the realization of a job’s psychological impact. Clients from early starters to top executives, exhausted and burnt out, question their career path. Well-intentioned parents push children into careers for financial security, often overlooking personal and professional needs.

Unfulfilling jobs negatively impact mental health. This needs addressing.

Signs of being in an unfulfilling career:

  1. Feeling Wasted Time: Not living up to potential.
  2. Low Self-Esteem: Unworthy, insecure, and fearful.
  3. Job Threats: Worry about job security and financial well-being.
  4. Negativity: Contagious pessimism affecting relationships.
  5. Relationship Stress: Long hours, dissatisfaction, and unappreciation.

What can I do to help myself?

  • Identify Emotions: Recognize how your career impacts your mental health.
  • Seek Professional Support: A psychologist can provide objective help.
  • Communicate: Discuss job stress with your spouse to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Journal: Reflect on your situations calmly.
  • Self-Care: Physical health is essential. Implement a self-care routine.
  • Change Perspective: Notice positive aspects of your job.
  • Make Changes: Evaluate options within your current position or environment.
  • Career Shift: If necessary, explore new career paths for fulfillment.

If your current career is negatively impacting your mental health, and you want to make changes, talking with a mentor, close friend, or family member can help. If you’re experiencing anxiety, anger, feelings of depression, or other negative emotions, and they are impacting your life, working with a therapist can help. You can get in touch with us at:

Email: mansikpramarsh@gmail.com
Phone: +91-731-4263087

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Embracing Self-Acceptance: A Path to Overcoming Depression and Inertia

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , on June 25, 2024| 2 Comments »

Have you of late been feeling deep in the woods? Do you feel the world is out to get you? Do you really feel the next Johnny is better than you? Do you want to just lie down and not look at the world in the daylight, with the curtains drawn and the lights off all the time? The day just seems to drag on, the night becomes all the more difficult, and sleep seems to have eluded you for many days. Do you look at the world as a real queer place with all the folks giving you advice to go and do something about it?

Do you:

  • Beat yourself up over silly mistakes,
  • Feel always sick and tired on account of not sleeping well,
  • Constantly grapple with unwanted thoughts running through your mind all the time,
  • Feel tormented with traumas and pains of life’s doings and undoings.
“Depressed man sketch clipart“/ CC0 1.0

The doctor might say you have depression and a mood disorder. Others would simply call it an inability to face the stresses of the world and may associate it with anxiety attacks. Some could have compassion for you, or some could just call you a lazy buff. But do you really feel all that advice is necessary when all you are doing is being comfortable in the discomfort of inertia and the negation of the self?

But is it not a fact that you do want to feel truly good, only if someone could help you overcome this inertia of depression? The visits to the psychiatrists do not seem to have helped much, as they do nothing but prescribe a different medicine every time you go to them.

Here is a simple remedy that can help you overcome the negativity that seems to have entered your mind and life.

Make an attempt to accept yourself and feel a profound sense of warmth and self-importance. No, I am not advising you to become a megalomaniac, but asking you to feel the powers that be within you to resurrect your life. You have some magnetic power that makes you unique, that makes you “ME.” Identify this “ME” and make all efforts to become “ME.”

We often look at others and not only compare ourselves with others but also be always busy in the process of becoming others. But would becoming others make us happy or satisfied? No, not at all. The more we look outward towards others, the more we get dissociated with the self, the real “ME,” that always wants to excel and be recognized. But the rat race of becoming others, the eagerness of doing like the others do, pushes this “ME” to the unknown depths of ignominy.

We regularly conduct Preksha Meditation classes at Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation, and our experiences reveal that the meditation of self-acceptance makes people gain positivity and a happy state of mind which cannot be compared to others because, in this, there is no “other.” The learning of the self can definitely be compared to the learning of new things and being part of something bigger, some sacred and celestial happiness and satisfaction.

If you want to feel this, self-acceptance is the habit you need to inculcate gradually in your mind.

Start by writing all the positive things about you on a paper, even if you feel there is nothing positive that you can write about yourself, just write the following statement:

“I am a powerful person. I have the power of mind.”

Continue writing a full page, then meditate on this, and you will gradually start feeling good.

You must accept yourself in a positive fashion, and that will help you overcome barriers to self-acceptance. Come and learn with us the daily self-acceptance practices that result in psychological and emotional healing.

Ramneek Kapoor, Clinical Psychologist and Family Therapist, Science of Living, Preksha Meditation Expert

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Understanding Depression Symptoms and Mental Health Support

Posted in The psychology counselling services available, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Feeling sad, stressed, or down occasionally is normal, but prolonged periods of low mood may indicate depression. Depression symptoms include persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, changes in appetite or weight, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and physical pain. If these symptoms persist for more than a week or two, it’s essential to seek mental health support.

Depression isn’t a sign of weakness or negativity; it’s a serious mental health issue that requires medical attention. It can affect various aspects of life, including careers, relationships, and daily functioning. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, immediate intervention is crucial.

While the exact cause of depression isn’t fully understood, factors such as altered brain chemistry, trauma, chronic illness, and hormonal changes may contribute to its development. Diagnosing depression typically involves a psychological evaluation to assess symptoms and their severity.

Treatment options for depression include therapy, medication, and social support networks. Preksha meditation, specifically the Perceptive Breathing Technique has shown promise in alleviating severe depression. This non-drug approach can complement traditional treatments and help individuals manage their symptoms effectively.

At our clinic, we offer comprehensive mental health support programs tailored to individuals struggling with depression. Our services include regular cognitive behaviour sessions, perceptive meditation sessions, counseling, and mental exercises aimed at promoting emotional well-being and recovery. If you’re ready to take the first step towards healing, contact us to learn more about our programs and how we can support you on your journey to better mental health.

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EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING TO TREAT MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »

WHAT IS EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING (EDMR)?

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences.

Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in 1987, she based EMDR on the notion that emotional distress can be processed when asleep during the rapid eye movement (REM). Phase.

She utilised this natural process in order to successfully treat Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since then, EMDR has been used to effectively treat a wide range of mental health problems.

Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference.

It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.

WHAT IS AN EMDR SESSION LIKE?

After a thorough assessment, you will be asked specific questions about a particular disturbing memory.

Eye movements, similar to those during REM sleep, will be recreated simply by asking you to watch the therapist’s finger moving backwards and forwards across your visual field.

Sometimes, a bar of moving lights or headphones is used instead.

The eye movements will last for a short while and then stop.

You will then be asked to report back on the experiences you have had during each of these sets of eye movements.

Experiences during a session may include changes in thoughts, images and feelings.

With repeated sets of eye movements, the memory tends to change in such a way that it loses its painful intensity and simply becomes a neutral memory of an event in the past.

Other associated memories may also heal at the same time.

This linking of related memories can lead to a dramatic and rapid improvement in many aspects of your life.

WHAT CAN EMDR BE USED FOR?

In addition to its use for the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, EMDR has been successfully used to treat:

  • anxiety and panic attacks
  • depression
  • stress
  • phobias
  • sleep problems
  • complicated grief
  • addictions

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The Woes of a Dysfunctional Family -We Help You Resolve Them

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 26, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Members of families in their ignorance or sometimes deliberately hurt each other to cause an unending mental emotional pain. Although a good family is meant to help individual members develop themselves to their full potential but chains of miscommunications, uncalled for egos, familial fights, discords and long-drawn-out misunderstandings result into a dysfunctional family hampering not only relationships but also a complete non achievement of personal career goals by individuals.

Kritika and Vijay (names changed) have been victims of two such grossly dysfunctional families themselves in their young age prior to their marriage and have till date (even after a decade of their having been married) not been able to overcome traumas of their young days in their parental homes. Resultantly now their children suffer from traumas of dis -functioning of their own families.

Little girl doesn't want to hear arguing of parents

Dr Kritika (name changed) and her two siblings have been witnessing painful fights of their parents all through their life where a triangular drama would take place every day and night with sibling shifting allegiances and taking sides sometimes with their father, another time with mother or being at war with each other. These fights still continue even though all siblings have chosen their own paths in life, they continue abhorring each other. Kritika’ s all efforts to bring her parents and siblings together again is not being accepted by others of family resultantly their deadlock remains.

Such painful family events and interactions leave intense hurts, personality issues, traumas and social adjustment issues all through life. Sejal, Sonia, Kamolika, Anand, Sumit (fictitious names ) and many others such people have been suffering PTSD, Anxieties ,Mistrusts ,phobias ,adjustment issues after they lived through such most painful family dramas and now they suffer alongside their children and spouses too because of the torments of the past .

The indelible scars of family fights destabilise the psyches of family members, have impacted their relationships, job performance and emotional stability all through the life. We have been helping many of such families deal with such dis functioning, Traumatic experiences childhood scars, depression anxiety and stresses to enable them understand what emotions prevailed when the dis functioning occurred, and how these family members could not deal with their as well as their parents’ partners, children and their siblings’ similar experiences —in which their entire family had suffered and many of them still suffer.

Understanding Triangulation of the dis functioning.

The functioning of any family gets disturbed when the normal day to day interaction with each other turns into accusations of not fulfilling expectations. Or when communication is not understood in the right perceptive or when the words used for emotions do not convey the spirit behind but the use of those words and dialogues or when patience is short lived and angers flare up.

In any such situation, the battle field turns into the members un knowingly playing the roles of perpetrators, victims or the negotiators who often act as mediators or pacifiers. But sometimes they also end up taking sides with either one. We believe every household or a family can get into such a situation one time or the other. However, if such a situation continues or comes up recurrently is the cause for alarm. Because if not resolved at the appropriate time it can turn onto a chronic dis functioning of the family.

A new understanding and perception of dealing with those situations have helped these families deal with and each individual member transformed into a stable, loving, mature, and dependable person, attaining their best personal success after they have come over to Family Therapy India.

If your family is one such family suffering from misfunctioning and traumas of the past . It is time now to help your family overcome such disputes, ego bruises, mistrusts and angers of the past. Take control of your life and feelings, and help others understand the need for curing their feelings. Know that we can help you bring about a positive change in your filial relationships. With commitment and time and our expert counseling sessions of family therapy, healing begins steadily and gradually until the family adopts the new normal relationships.

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How Do I Know that my Child suffers from poor mental health or a mental disorders and how can I help ?

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , on February 11, 2023| Leave a Comment »

A desperate father wanting the child compete for competitive exam ,a helpless mother not able to help her child understand anything being taught in the class room or at the tutorials ,a frustrated teacher regularly complaining to the parents to displine their child or take him /her away from the class are instances that we come across every day. Instances of tantrums throwing , of anger bursts ,laziness regular fights with siblings , not listening to parents ,indulging into internet browsing ,surfing of unwanted sites,staying away from home till late hours or not listening to parents are often seen as bad behaviour ,bad habits and bad attitude by many parents.It is rather sad that parents do not understand all such things mentioned above could be on account of child’s poor mental health or mental disorders. Resultantly youngsters are not understood correctly and they suffer frustration and uncalled for irritation.A good mental health free from any kind of disease or disorder is what a child must possess . But what if and for those who are not so blessed ,do parents really understand how can they know if there is anything lacking in their child’s mental health and if so how to help their child cope up.

Differentiating Mental health and mental illnesses is very important for any parent ,teacher and all those who are involved in mentoring youngsters. A healthy mental health would mean that we are of sound mind and are capable of deciding what is good or bad for us and behaving well socially economically and emotionally. A mental illness may not necessarily mean that you can not be any of the above .It could mean that in some areas of your life you may be finding it difficult to behave and decide appropriately psychologically . A mental disorder or a psychological distress are two different concepts and parents need to understand how it may apply to their child if he /she exhibits a behaviour inappropriate to the situation.

Thus, it is essential to understand that psychological distress in a given situation does not indicate absence of mental health .A psychological disorder or distress can be short term ,or of a long lasting nature depending on how the person has been affected and hence affecting the child’s overall state of well-being. Mental illnesses, on the other hand, are health conditions involving changes in thinking, emotion or behaviour (or a combination of these). Mental illnesses are associated with distress and/or problems functioning in social, professional or family activities.

Mental health is a subjective phenomenon and an individualized experience, different for every person. A state of mental well-being for one individual may not be the same for another individual.  Factors that may induce mental well-being for individuals will also differ. The state of being sound at a mental level can vary within a day and from day to day. There can be an incident that may boost or degrade a person’s mental health on a daily basis.

Thus, mental well-being is a daily affair.

Mental health is often seen to be on a continuum, where the scale starts from mental well-being on one end to emotional problems and concerns in the middle to mental illnesses at the other extreme.

It is often seen that mental health and mental illnesses are not understood correctly. There are a lot of myths that surround mental health and thus lead to the widely seen stigmatised approach. Let’s take a while to debunk the myths and understand the actual facts about mental health:

Myth #1: Mental illnesses are not real illnesses.

Fact: Mental illnesses are not the regular ups and downs of life. Mental illnesses create distress, don’t go away on their own and are real health problems. When someone is physically injured, they see a doctor. Similarly, mental health problems also require seeing a mental health professional- psychologist/counsellor/psychiatrist.

Myth #2: “Mental illnesses will never affect my child or me”

Fact: All of us can be affected by mental illnesses. Researchers estimate that as many as one in four Indians will experience a mental illness at some point in their life. You may not experience a mental illness yourself, but it’s very likely that a family member, friend or co-worker will experience challenges.

Myth #3: Mental illnesses are just an excuse for poor behaviour.

Fact: It’s true that some people who experience mental illnesses may act in ways that are unexpected or seem strange to others. We need to remember that the illness, not the person, is behind this behaviour. People who experience a change in their behaviour due to a mental illness may feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed around others. It is important to understand that people with a mental illness are one of us.

Myth #4: Stress causes mental illnesses.

Fact: No one factor can cause mental illnesses as these are complicated conditions that arise from a combination of genetics, biology, environment, and psycho-social factors. Stress may aggravate the mental or physical state of the problem for an individual but it is never the sole problem of an illness.

Myth #5: People with mental illnesses are violent and dangerous.

Fact: People who experience a mental illness are no more violent than people without a mental illness. It’s also important to note that people who experience mental illnesses are much more likely to be victims of violence than to be violent. Excluding them from society because they are violent is because of a misunderstanding and stigmatic approach to mental health.

Myth #6 : People who experience mental illnesses are weak and they have a character flaw.

Fact:  Stress impacts well-being, but this is true for everyone. Many people who experience mental illnesses learn skills like stress management and problem-solving so that they can remain optimally functional. Taking care of yourself and asking for help when you need it are signs of strength, not weakness. Mental illnesses don’t determine the character of a person. Mental illnesses are like other ailments and can be managed.

Myth #8: People who experience mental illnesses cannot go to work or follow a regular lifestyle.

Fact: Mental illnesses do not certify that someone is no longer capable of working. Most people who experience serious mental illnesses want to work but face systemic barriers to finding and keeping meaningful employment. Medical or therapeutic help can allow them to resume work and a manageable lifestyle.

Myth #9: Children cannot have mental illnesses. Those are adult problems.

Fact: Even children can experience mental illnesses. In fact, many mental illnesses first appear when a person is young. Mental illnesses may look different in children than in adults, but they are a real concern at a younger age as well. Unfortunately, many children don’t receive the help they need. It is important to remember that illnesses can occur and be diagnosed as early as 6-8 months of age.

Being mentally healthy is not about being perfect. Nor is it about being extraordinarily intelligent or successful or rich. Mental health is irrespective of these factors. These factors may influence the mental health of an individual but they are not a cause nor do they determine the state of an individual’s mental health. We all can suffer from mental health problems and we all can attain better mental s health and healthy state of mind if we recognise the deviation in time

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