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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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Why You Dread Mondays: Signs You’re Burning Out

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, The psychology counselling services available, tagged , , , , , on May 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“It happens to me every Monday morning, and believe me, doctor, I have come to dread my Sunday evenings too because I look at them as harbingers of the next week’s grueling work again,” averred Rajan*.

“At the beginning of every day, I usually open my work desk disinterestedly, with an apprehensive mindset that I may not be able to survive another week in this job,” says Lily*.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

When you feel that you aren’t keeping pace with your job and procrastination becomes a habit rather than an exception, it’s time to take stock of your mental and physical health. As more and more tasks pile up, you begin with a disinterested mind. Your motivation vanishes. You start playing with the idea of going on a vacation or looking for another job. But even that doesn’t happen, as your body, mind, and brain all seem locked up in ennui.

This is exactly the time to seek help from a professional to understand whether it is simple stress or the beginning of depression. But more important is to analyse if it is a burnout situation, which can often be misunderstood as depression.

When Your Efficiency Curve Declines

The efficiency curve of humans is like any other performance curve with various stages of physical, emotional, and mental output. The curve has a rising phase, where work performance can be quite mood-elevating, bringing with it expected rewards and revenues. But soon, stagnant work performance and declining strength and output catch up with you. Your body and mind feel exhausted, and a regular sitting job in front of a laptop or computer seems very taxing. Whenever that happens, you feel quirky, irritated, or disinterested. A short break does help with rejuvenation, but repeated situations like this need to be analysed and understood.

This is where the journey of prolonged stress begins, and exhaustion or burnout creeps in without you realising why or what is happening.

How Do You Know If It’s Stress or Burnout?

There’s a difference between being stressed and being burned out. Stress happens when you’re engaged in work and sometimes get overly involved. Burnout, on the other hand, means being disengaged.

Burnout feels like you’ve checked out of your life emotionally and have nothing left to give. This severe and chronic condition goes beyond feeling overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, or fatigued. You might even experience physical effects like muscle tension, headaches, or digestive problems.

You can tell burnout from stress by noticing whether you’re avoiding work, frequently tired, and easily distracted. You also feel like a heavy load has been placed on your body and mind. People who are stressed believe things will improve once the source of stress is resolved. In burnout, nothing seems to work, and you feel like you can’t handle anything.

Signs You May Be Dealing with Burnout

Burnout occurs gradually over time. It creeps into your mental, physical, and emotional being and drains your energy completely. You sleep erratically and wake up wishing daylight had been delayed. You know you’re stuck in a vicious cycle—either of sleeplessness or oversleeping and avoidance.

Work piles up, phone calls remain unanswered, deadlines are missed. Headaches, body aches, and a general sense of listlessness and disinterest take their toll on your psyche.

When you browse the internet or seek advice, it can often be misunderstood or misdiagnosed as depression.

We advise you to get in touch with us if you need a professional assessment of your situation. Self-assessment or assumptions won’t give you an accurate diagnosis.

Our psychologist can assess, diagnose, and help you manage your burnout more effectively.

*Names and details have been changed to protect privacy. 

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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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Understanding the Impact of Distance on Aging Parents

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , on August 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »

As families become more distant and dispersed due to career opportunities, the issue of elderly isolation is becoming increasingly important. Aging parents are often left alone as their children move to different cities or countries. This situation raises significant concerns about the mental and physical health of the elderly, who lack the daily support and companionship of their loved ones.

Photo by Tristan Le on Pexels.com

Real Stories of Elderly Isolation

Mr. Subhash, an 80-year-old, and his wife Sita, aged 76, have been living alone for the past twenty years. Their two sons moved abroad for career opportunities and visit only once every three years. This limited contact leaves the elderly couple feeling isolated and disconnected from their family. Mr. Subhash suffers from sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety, while Sita, despite her own health issues, bravely supports him in his visits to the psychologist.

Similarly, Mr. Naweja, a businessman in his mid-seventies, faces a similar struggle. After losing his wife five years ago, he found it hard to adjust when his children moved to metro cities to build their careers. Despite multiple physical and mental health issues, he chose to return to his hometown to continue his business rather than remain alone in an unfamiliar city.

Mrs. Khedekar offers another poignant example. She lost her husband in her early forties and was left to raise her two sons alone. Today, her elder son lives abroad, while the younger one resides in a different city. Years of loneliness have led to severe mental health problems, including psychosis and schizophrenia. Even with a trained nurse, her isolation exacerbates her condition, causing frequent setbacks in her treatment.

The Rising Issue of Elderly Care and Loneliness

These cases are not isolated incidents; they reflect a growing trend where elderly individuals are left alone without the emotional and physical support of their families. As children move away to pursue their careers, their parents are left to fend for themselves, resulting in not just emotional stress but also severe impacts on their physical and mental health.

Young couples often choose to live separately from their parents to build their relationship, which can be beneficial but should include regular communication and visits to avoid the unintended consequence of elderly loneliness.

Key Facts on Elderly Isolation and Mental Health

The world’s population is aging rapidly. By 2050, the proportion of people over 60 years old will nearly double, from 12% to 22%. In India, there are currently 138 million elderly people, with approximately 15% suffering from mental health disorders. Many seniors face challenges such as reduced mobility, chronic pain, and a decline in cognitive functions, making them vulnerable to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Risk Factors for Elderly Mental Health

There are several risk factors for mental health problems among older adults:

  • Physical Health Decline: Older adults often suffer from reduced mobility, chronic illnesses, and frailty, which can limit their activities and social engagement.
  • Emotional Stressors: Events such as bereavement, retirement, and a decline in socioeconomic status can increase feelings of isolation and loneliness.
  • Lack of Social Interaction: Living alone without regular contact with family and friends can lead to psychological distress and mental health disorders.

Mental health issues, like depression, are closely linked to physical health problems. For example, elderly people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression, and untreated depression can worsen their overall health.

Elder Abuse and Its Impact on Mental Health

Elderly people are also at risk of abuse, including physical, emotional, financial, and social abuse. Current evidence suggests that 1 in 6 older adults experiences some form of elder abuse. This abuse can lead to serious, long-lasting psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and a deep sense of isolation.

How Families Can Support Their Aging Parents

The big question remains: How can families support their aging parents when they live far away? Here are some actionable steps to help improve the situation:

  1. Regular Communication: Regularly check in on your elderly loved ones through phone calls, video chats, and social media to maintain emotional connections.
  2. Encourage Social Engagement: Encourage participation in community activities, clubs, or groups to help them stay socially active and reduce loneliness.
  3. Professional Support: Hire trained caregivers or psychologists to provide professional help and companionship, ensuring that the elderly receive both medical and emotional support.
  4. Create Senior-Friendly Environments: Encourage local communities and urban planners to create safe, accessible spaces where the elderly can socialize and feel secure.
  5. Comprehensive Elder Care Programs: Advocate for better elder care programs that offer medical, psychological, and social support to help seniors live independently and with dignity.

Practical Solutions for Combating Elderly Isolation

Addressing the issue of elderly isolation requires a collective effort from families, communities, and policymakers. Here are a few practical steps:

  • Technology Integration: Teach the elderly to use technology like smartphones and social media platforms to stay in touch with family and friends. Virtual interaction can help bridge the gap created by physical distance.
  • Regular Health Checkups: Encourage regular health checkups and mental health screenings to detect and manage conditions early.
  • Elder Care Agencies: Use reliable elder care services that offer companionship, daily assistance, and medical support.
  • Community Support Programs: Join local community support groups that focus on elderly well-being, providing opportunities for social interaction and companionship.

Conclusion: Building a Supportive Environment for the Elderly

As families grow distant in this globalized world, it is crucial to ensure that elderly people do not feel abandoned or isolated. Families must find a balance between pursuing their dreams and maintaining meaningful connections with their aging parents. By fostering a culture of respect, care, and support, we can help our elderly live their golden years with dignity, love, and fulfillment.

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How Empathy Can Diffuse Anger

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged on August 14, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Kalpana*, a company general manager, had a close call on the highway while driving home from work. Another driver abruptly overtook her, almost causing her to collide with the road divider. Startled and frustrated, Kalpana instinctively rolled down her window to express her anger. But as she noticed the other driver—a woman seemingly in a rush—Kalpana paused. In that brief moment, she considered the potential consequences of the encounter. She realized that her own rush to get home before her husband’s return had amplified her emotions, leading her to empathize with the other driver’s possible reasons for haste.

Such incidents are increasingly common as the frantic pace of daily life pushes individuals towards road rage. However, Kalpana’s ability to empathize allowed her to diffuse her anger—a crucial skill in managing intense emotions.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Anger is often misunderstood as a singular, isolated reaction, but it is actually a complex interplay of emotions and experiences. Recognizing this complexity is essential in addressing its underlying causes and preventing it from escalating.

Controlling anger is notoriously challenging, as it can lead to irrational behavior and negative consequences. Kalpana’s restraint on the road prevented a situation from spiraling out of control, a stark contrast to the unfortunate incident involving the Maharishi family.

Deepak Maharishi, a young man of 24, was driving his car with his mother beside him. As they neared their destination, an autorickshaw driver suddenly applied the brakes. Despite Deepak’s efforts to stop, his car bumped into the rear of the autorickshaw. Instead of assessing the situation calmly, Mrs. Maharishi immediately yelled at the autorickshaw driver, escalating tensions on the road. The confrontation soon spiraled into a chaotic scene, requiring police intervention to restore order.

Mrs. Maharishi’s reaction to the minor accident illustrates how unchecked anger can quickly escalate into larger conflicts. In moments like these, taking a moment to pause and assess the situation can prevent anger from overwhelming rational thought.

In contrast, finding ways to redirect attention—like Kalpana’s empathy, or even Manoj’s retreat to a serene location—can effectively diffuse anger. These strategies, though seemingly unconventional, offer powerful tools for emotional regulation.

In conclusion, managing anger requires a deep understanding of its origins and the implementation of effective coping mechanisms. By cultivating empathy, practicing self-awareness, and embracing moments of tranquility, individuals can navigate conflicts with composure and resilience, turning potential crises into opportunities for growth.

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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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Healing Dysfunctional Family Relationships

Posted in The psychology counselling services available, tagged , , , , , on May 15, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Families are often envisioned as the cornerstone of love, support, and growth. However, the reality is far more nuanced, with many families grappling with the complexities of dysfunction, unresolved conflicts, and intergenerational trauma. In this blog post, we will deep-dive into the profound impacts of dysfunctional family dynamics, exploring real-life examples and therapeutic insights to understand the journey towards healing and restoring familial harmony.

Healing Dysfunctional Family Relationships

The Ripple Effects of Dysfunction:

Meet Kritika and Vijay (names changed), whose experiences epitomize the enduring repercussions of dysfunctional family environments. Their stories resonate deeply with countless individuals who have experienced familial dysfunction. Kritika and Vijay, having weathered tumultuous family dynamics in their formative years, continue to grapple with the emotional scars, even a decade into their marriage. Their unresolved traumas have cast a long shadow over their parenting journey, as their children inherit the legacy of unresolved conflict and emotional turmoil.

Dr. Kritika, a pseudonym for a real individual, provides a poignant example of the intergenerational transmission of dysfunction. Raised amidst the daily tumult of her parents’ disputes, she and her siblings bore witness to a triangular drama that played out with agonizing regularity. Lines were drawn, allegiances shifted, and familial bonds strained under the weight of unresolved grievances. 

The ripple effects of dysfunctional family dynamics extend far beyond the immediate participants, permeating the lives of subsequent generations. Individuals like Sejal, Sonia, Kamolika, Anand, and Sumit, though fictional in name, embody the collective struggles of those who have endured traumatic family events. From PTSD and anxiety to deep-seated mistrust and unresolved phobias, the psychological toll of dysfunctional family dynamics reverberates through every facet of their lives. Moreover, their own children and spouses find themselves unwitting participants in a cycle of dysfunction, perpetuating the cycle unless intervention occurs.

Understanding Triangulation:

Central to our understanding of dysfunctional family dynamics is the concept of triangulation. What begins as innocuous interactions can quickly devolve into accusations, misunderstandings, and unresolved emotions, with family members unwittingly assuming roles as perpetrators, victims, or mediators. Left unchecked, these patterns of dysfunction can become entrenched, eroding familial bonds and hindering individual growth.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, there is hope. Through innovative therapeutic approaches, families can take on healing and reconciliation, managing past trauma to embrace a future defined by mutual understanding and support.

The Path to Healing:

At our organization, we offer a framework for addressing the underlying issues that contribute to familial dysfunction, empowering you to break free from the shackles of intergenerational trauma. Central to this process is the cultivation of empathy and understanding, both within the family unit and in the broader community.

By creating a safe space for open dialogue and honest communication, we begin the healing process, allowing individuals to confront their past traumas and head towards a brighter future. Through individual and group therapy sessions, families learn to navigate conflict constructively.

For individuals like Kritika and Vijay, the journey towards healing is challenging, but ultimately important. By confronting their past traumas and embracing a future defined by mutual respect and understanding, they lay the foundation for a closer bond.

Conclusion:

Through therapeutic support, families heal and reconcile, overcoming past trauma for mutual understanding. Together, we can break the cycle of dysfunction.

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