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Understanding depression and finding a solution .

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 7, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Depression

Do you  feel sad stressed and down  sometimes,  it could be natural to have a low state of mind  for  day or two but if it  persists and  low mood lingers on for more than a week   or two it could be  depression. Major depression is an episode of sadness or apathy along with other symptoms that  stay with you  at least two weeks and  interrupt   your daily activities. Depression does not indicate weakness or   that you are a negative personality. all kinds of depression indicate some a major   health problem and needs to be treated medically .
Depression Symptoms: Emotional
The primary symptoms of depression are a  low and sad   and/or loss of interest in  day to day activities   of your  life. daily routine tasks  that were once pleasurable appear  much burdensome now .  a sense of guilt or worthlessness  prevails on the mind causing a  lack of hope, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide   can often trouble .
Depression Symptoms: Physical
Depression is sometimes linked to physical symptoms. These include:
•   tiredness, low  energy and fatigue .
•   sleeping very late in the night, early-morning waking and Insomnia.
• Excessive sleep  for long hours
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
Depression can make other health problems feel worse, particularly chronic pain. Key brain chemicals influence both mood and pain. Treating depression has been shown to improve co-existing illnesses.
Depression Symptom:  
Changes in appetite , sudden changes in the body  weight are symptoms  of depression. Increased appetite, or loss of appetite .sudden and  serious   unexplained weight loss or weight gain.

Serious effects on daily routine of life.
Depression can cause loss of  careers, and strain relationships . Nothing seems good.    there is a complete loss of interest in pleasure  activities, including sex. In severe cases, depression can become life-threatening.
Suicide ideation can be sign of warning
Suicide  ideation is common amongst the depressed.  they often indulge in   talking about death or suicide.  they can get aggressive and  threaten to hurt people. This can be serious . You can immediately call 09179383554 to speak to us If   you ever think of or idealise suicide . We will help you overcome  such negativity.
Doctors   link the cause  of depression  to  altered brain structure and chemical function.   they are of the opinion that ,”Brain circuits that regulate mood may work less efficiently during depression.although it has not been conclusively proven in any validated research.   yet the Medicines  that treat depression are  prescribed  with the belief  to improve communication between neurons , making them function  normally. Experts also think that while   traumas caused by the stress of life  can trigger depression if and when  one is biologically prone and vulnerable  to develop the disorder. depression can also be caused by long term chronic disease , lack of vitamins  ,some of the  medications, alcohol or substance abuse,   thyroid, PCOS, hormonal changes, or even the season.
Diagnosing Depression:There is no   established  lab test for depression. There are a few tests developed by psychologists , make an accurate diagnosis, where the psychologists/  doctors analyse  a patient’s description of the symptoms  over a period of past two to six months . These tests will refer to your medical history, your mood history,  and  discuss   behaviors, and daily activities  which will help reveal the severity and type of depression . The test can also reveal anxiety and stress to find out the most effective treatment for depression.
Therapy for Depression
It has been observed  that various kind of  talk therapy can fight mild to moderate depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps analyse and change   thoughts and behaviors that contribute to depression. Interpersonal therapy identifies how your relationships impact your mood. Psychodynamic psychotherapy helps people understand how their behavior and mood are affected by unresolved issues and unconscious feelings. Some patients find a few months of therapy are all they need, while others continue long term.
Medications for Depression
Good follow-up with your doctor is importance. If the first medication tried doesn’t help, there’s a good chance another will. The combination of talk therapy and medication appears particularly effective.

The Role of Social Support
Because loneliness goes hand-in-hand with depression, developing a social support network can be an important part of treatment. This may include joining a support group, finding an online support community, or making a genuine effort to see friends and family more often. Even joining a book club or taking classes at your gym can help you connect with people on a regular basis.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Another option for patients with treatment-resistant or severe melancholic depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment uses electric charges to create a controlled seizure. Patients are not conscious for the procedure. ECT helps 80% to 90% of patients who receive it, giving new hope to those who don’t improve with medication.

Preksha meditation :The Perceptive Breathing Technique Helps Fight Major Depression

preksha-meditation

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing technique can   bring down  the stress hormones in the central nervous system.

Preksha meditation -The Perceptive  breathing  exercises help alleviate severe depression, as has been proved by the treatment of many patients by  us who have long been under the treatment  of  medication  administering  medicines .

Most of our  patients  , had depression that had not responded to medication  even after a long treatment .The beneficial treatment   under Preksha meditation -shwas preksha -The Perceptive Breathing Technique conducted on a large group of patients , by us in our clinic reveal that :“a large number of patients not responding to the treatment of antidepressants and SSRIs , find the new technique of controlled breathing – under Preksha Meditation  shwas preksha  much more helpful  -The Perceptive Breathing technique   had in reality worked  best for each person to treat their  severe and chronic depression. Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   comes out as the short term but long lasting promising, lower-cost therapy and a , non-drug approach for patients suffering from severe depression. .”

Preksha meditation  -The Perceptive Breathing Technique   can be learnt over a series of sitting sessions of Preksha meditation -The Perceptive Breathing Technique  in our clinic over a period of two to three months and the disease can be eliminated  completely.

The technique involves a series of   perceptive rhythmic breathing exercises designed to put the mind and body of the affected  in a tranquil, calm , peaceful , purposeful  and meditative state.

How can we help you:  our regular daily  sessions of preksha meditation , Kayotsarga ,counseling sessions/mental exercises   at Mansik Pramarsh is a specialist conducted  program for managing to overcome depression   . Hundreds have benefited, it is your  turn now.   come and join .Call 09179383554 or email : mansikpramarsh@gmail.com.

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Accept Yourself-to get rid of depression and anxiety-2

Posted in The psychology counselling services available, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 26, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Continuing from my last post  about self acceptance ……  I have observed that many a times”WE All” surrender to the negativity in weaker moments of life and then allow the nihilistic attitude to overtake our body, mind and all faculties . The shadow of doubt arises from the fact that we do not want to face our own self in these weaker moments thus losing control and surrendering  with humble submission . We do not try to resurrect the position by reviving the natural powers that the nature has bestowed us with . These powers are the :

  • power of mind
  • power of brain
  • power of determination ( resolution )
  • power of  karma
  • power of positivity.

  In my article Accept Yourself…….. all we are doing is to enhance the self image and self esteem and  convert the negativity of life to living our life in positive emotions through daily  self acceptance  practices . By way of writing and stating   the obvious power we all possess  we shall be increasing our own acceptance from the inner strengths before we move to the external world.

Just remember that we are weakling physically as  compared  to  even a small ant that can carry a load of  12 times its own weight  while moving . obviously we cannot do that . Same way we can not bear and tolerate the   stringent weather and vagaries of nature like a small plant or a tree can do . The small plant  outside our window or a tree in the courtyard cam  stand through the storm,  heat, sunshine, rain,  or the cold and still give its best back to the nature. We can however win in all situation because we have the power of the mind ( the desire ) that made us look for the ways to control the nature . This strong mind enables us to find our way in the mountainous region by making tunnels, ropeways, circular roads and by even destroying the  mountain if it stood in the way. We by our power of mind have controlled all elements  of nature eg.   the sun,  the wind, the  sea and  below the surface element by making them useful to the mankind. our mind desired and the brain got busy  working full time to meet  and fulfill the desires   of the mind. Hence in the previous post I had asked you to begin accepting yourself by recognising and recalling the power of your own mind.

Let us once again do the same exercise once again in the manner we had done last week :  take a pen and paper  and start writing the following powerful positive statement  about yourself :

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

Continue writing a full page .  Having completed writing  please place aside the pen and the paper.

We will now  meditate on this .

  • please sit in a comfortable  position wherever you are , keeping your   back straight but comfortable.
  • Place your right hand on your heart and the left hand four fingers below your navel in the middle of the stomach.
  • be at your ease.
  • close your eyes softly
  • and   start breathing.
  • let your mind  travel from the  lower left hand    to the top of your forehead  while  inhaling  and let the mind travel back to the bottom of the left hand on the stomach while exhaling . continue the process for five minutes.
  •   after five minutes are over just  relax  for a while.
  • open your eyes.
  • pick up the page on which we had done the  writing today.
  • Start reading loudly the  words and sentences written by you on the page like you are memorising every word written there. Do not let your eyes and mind wander from the written words even for a wink of a second . let the words  be imprinted on your mind   completely .
  • having finished , close the eyes again and reflect on the words spoken by you.

Get up after a while………, you will gradually start feeling good , about yourself  after a few days exercise  ?

We regularly conduct Preksha Meditation classes at Alka Mansik Pramarsh Foundation and our experiences reveals that  the meditation of  self-acceptance makes  people gain positivity and happy state of mind which can  not  be  compared to others because in this there is no , “other”. The learning    of the self can definitely be compared to the learning of the  new things and being part of something bigger, some sacred   and celestial    happiness and satisfaction.Come and learn with us the  daily  self acceptance practices that result into  psychological  and emotional healing.

Ramneek kapoor,Clinical Psychologist and family Therapist,Science of living ,Preksha Meditation expert.

 

 

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Accept Yourself-to get rid of depression and anxiety

Posted in The psychology counselling services available, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 20, 2018| 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 day light, with the curtains drawn and the lights off all the times?The day   to you 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 a real queer  place with all of the folks giving you advise to go and do something about it ?

Do you :

  • beat Yourselves up over  silly mistakes,
  • feel always sick and tired on account of not  sleeping well,
  •   constantly grapple  with unwanted thoughts running  through your minds all the time
  • feel tormented  with traumas  and pains  of life’s  doings and undoings  .

The shrink might say you have a depression and a mood disorder . The others would simply be calling  it an inability to face the stresses of the world and may associate to anxiety attack. some could have compassion for you or some could just call you a lazy buff. But do you really feel all that advise is necessary when all you are   doing is being comfortable in the discomfort of the inertia and the negation of the self.

But is that not  a  fact  that    you Do want to feel truly good, only if some one could help you overcome this inertia of depression ?  The visits to the psychiatrists do not seem to have helped much, as he does nothing but prescribes a different medicine every time you go to him.

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

You 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 would often look at others and not only compare ourselves with others but also be always  be 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 recognised. 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 reveals that  the meditation of  self-acceptance makes  people gain positivity and happy state of mind which can  not  be  compared to others because in this there is no , “other”. The learning    of the self can definitely be compared to the learning of the  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 you 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, you will gradually start feeling good ?

YOU MUST   Accept Yourself  in the positive fashion and that will help you overcome barriers to self-acceptance .Come and learn with us the  daily  self acceptance practices that result into  psychological  and emotional healing.

Ramneek kapoor,Clinical Psychologist and family Therapist,Science of living ,Preksha Meditation expert.

 

 

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Matters of Mind and Heart -reaching Emotional Stability and Life Balance

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 18, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Matters of Mind and Heart -reaching Emotional Stability and Life Balance

Much has been written by thinkers, philosophers, scientists, sages and preachers on the subject of mind and heart. There has been  endless research on the issue of restless mind and spirit of human beings, yet the peace still eludes many of us. The world still suffers from many diseases of the mind and heart. Words like depression, anxiety, stress and phobic disorder, mental disorder, behavioral disorder are being used like the common place flu and colds happening to ordinary people. The medical world abounds by all kinds of medicines and treatments, offering little respite to those who suffer. People  continue to suffer .Their restless minds and souls are constantly being tormented. Through the columns of these pages we will try to understand how do we establish  better understanding  of these matters of mind and heart to reach emotional stability in our lives and keep our lives balanced.

We humans are connected with the organic world with the most developed brain and thinking powers. In the organic world three kinds of living beings exist i.e., those that have the instinctual survival bereft of any emotions, those that survive only on the basis of their physical strength and display only momentary emotional awareness .Humans have been bestowed with the powers that can generate emotions in our system involuntarily and activate our thinking system whether we like it or not.  We also have a fully developed mental perception, which can take cognizance of the matter and connect it to the events and consequences. We have a fully developed memory. We think, we imagine, we connect and we activate. Much as man would like to become thoughtless at times, sleep without any connection to the real world, the brain continues working either voluntarily but mostly involuntarily.

The involuntary emotional system activates our mind all the time. It forces the mind to imagine, to create and to dream. The dreams motivate us to plan which are executed by us to realize all those that we dreamt of. But in the law of our land where we have the thought, the power to dream and the power to reflect, we do have the situations that cause conflict and pain. For wherever there is a mind, the thought, the power to reflect, the analytical skill, there we have the conflict, the contradiction. No mental activity can ever be without the contradictory and opposite situation. Wherever we have the mind, we have the pain and we have the misery. Man however does not want to suffer. He wants to always be in comfort, in happiness and in the enjoyment of a happy life. This is a natural phenomenon .All living beings look for a life full of comforts. The inanimate only do not know the difference between   the comfort and discomfort. The living beings who do not have a mind suffer only for a short while. Their sense of discomfort is only short lived,  is unexpressed on account of lack of emotions . They do not consign their discomfort to their   memory bank. Nor do they draw upon their memory bank to reflect and compare their current and past discomfort. But man being a thinking organic sensitive emotional mind feels, expresses, analyses ,compares  and consigns  all comforts and discomforts to his   memory bank, thus in a way being always under the load of misery .

Can the mind be free from worries and miseries? 

We are all part of the larger organic world in which we are all living beings like millions of other kinds of living being inhabiting the solar system. Our world in fact as compared to the world of other living beings of the universe is too small. We are very miniscule in numbers, barely a few trillions all over the globe. The other planets must be peopled with many more living beings which the science is continuously researching into. Whether those living beings too have similar emotions, thoughts, mind and heart developed like us, only the research will find out.

But humans of our dear earth are endowed with a developed mental faculty. we all think .Thinking ,reflecting is an activity of the mind. We remember, we consign our thoughts to memory bank. We imagine. We create thoughts. Creation of thoughts and imagination is a mental exercise. We plan larger things for our life by the strength of our imagination .We dream of things that are larger than our life. We aspire for making these dreams come true. we do realize some of these dreams, imagination, and aspirations yet many other remain out of reach  . 

In order to understand the malady that has befallen the modern mind we will have to know the functioning of the mind in the modern age .the modern times are the reflectors of the cerebral psychological problems. Every individual is    involved fully into the mental day to day stresses of life. The involvement of the human mind into the cerebral problems becomes the major detriment to the peace and happiness of the human intellect.  Every human being wants to become free of the mental stress that he is suffering from.  We need to understand as to what mind is, in order to get liberated from the stresses and problems of the mind. Without really looking into the functioning of the mind it is simply irrelevant to solve the problems that exist in our psyche today.

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Bipolar Disorder: What Is It?

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depression, is a disorienting condition that causes extreme shifts in mood. Like riding a slow-motion roller coaster, patients may spend weeks feeling like they’re on top of the world before plunging into a relentless depression. The length of each high and low varies greatly from person to person. In any given year, bipolar disorder affects more than 2% of American adults.

Depressive Phase Symptoms: Without treatment, a person with bipolar disorder may experience intense episodes of depression. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, and loss of energy, hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating. Patients may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable. They may gain or lose weight, sleep too much or too little, and contemplate suicide.

Manic Phase Symptoms: During a manic phase, patients tend to feel euphoric and may believe they can accomplish anything. This can result in inflated self-esteem, agitation, and reduced need for sleep, being more talkative, being easily distracted, and a sense of racing thoughts. Reckless behaviors, including spending sprees, sexual indiscretions, fast driving, and substance abuse, are common. Having three or more of these symptoms nearly having three or more of these symptoms nearly every day for a week may indicate a manic episode.

Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: People with bipolar I disorder have manic episodes or mixed episodes and often have one or more depressive episodes. People with bipolar II have major depressive episodes with less severe mania; they experience hypomania, a condition that is less intense than mania or lasting less than a week. Patients may seem like the “life of the party” — full of charm and humor. They may feel and function fine, even if family and friends can see the mood swing. However, hypomania can lead to mania or depression.

Mixed Episode: People with mixed episode experience depression and mania at the same time. This leads to unpredictable behavior, such as sadness while doing a favorite activity or feeling very energetic. It’s more common in people who develop bipolar disorder at a young age, particularly during adolescence. But some estimates suggest up to 70% of bipolar patients experience mixed episodes.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder: Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes bipolar disorder. A leading theory is that brain chemicals fluctuate abnormally. When levels of certain chemicals become too high, the patient develops mania. When levels drop too low, depression may result.

Bipolar Disorder: Who’s at Risk? Bipolar disorder affects males and females equally. In most cases, the onset of symptoms is between 15 and 30 years old. People are at higher risk if a family member has been diagnosed, especially if it’s a first degree relative, but doctors don’t think the disorder kicks in based on genetics alone. A stressful event, drug abuse, or other unknown factor may trigger the cycle of ups and downs.

Bipolar Disorder and Daily Life: Bipolar disorder can disrupt your goals at work and at home. In one survey 88% of patients said the illness took a toll on their careers. The unpredictable mood swings can drive a wedge between patients and their co-workers or loved ones. In particular, the manic phase may scare off friends and family. People with bipolar disorder also have a higher risk of developing anxiety disorder

Bipolar Disorder and Substance Abuse: About 60% of people with bipolar disorder have trouble with drugs or alcohol. Patients may drink or abuse drugs to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of their mood swings. This is especially common during the reckless manic phase.

Bipolar Disorder and Suicide

People with bipolar disorder are 10 to 20 times more likely to commit suicide than people without the illness. Warning signs include talking about suicide, putting affairs in order, and inviting death with risky behavior. Anyone who appears suicidal should be taken very seriously. Do not hesitate to call us at 09179383554 or the government helplines available free of charge in emergency situations.

Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder: A crucial step in diagnosing bipolar disorder is to rule out other possible causes of extreme mood swings. These may include brain infection or other neurological disorders, substance abuse, thyroid problem, HIV, ADHD, side effects of certain medications, or other psychiatric disorders. There is no lab test for bipolar disorder. A psychiatrist usually makes the diagnosis based on a careful history and evaluation of the patient’s mood and other symptoms.

Medications for Bipolar Disorder: Medications are key in helping people with bipolar disorder live stable, productive lives. Mood stabilizers can smooth out the cycle of ups and downs. Patients may also be prescribed antipsychotic drugs and anticonvulsant drugs. Between acute states of mania or depression, patients typically stay on maintenance medication to avoid a relapse.

Talk Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: Talk therapy can help patients stay on medication and cope with their disorder’s impact on work and family life. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors that accompany mood swings. Interpersonal therapy aims to ease the strain bipolar disorder may place on personal relationships. Social rhythm therapy helps patients develop and maintain daily routines.

Lifestyle Tips for Bipolar Disorder: Establishing firm routines can help manage bipolar disorder. Routines should include sufficient sleep, regular meals, and exercise. Because alcohol and recreational drugs can worsen the symptoms, these should be avoided. Patients should also learn to identify their personal early warning signs of mania and depression. This will allow them to get help before an episode spins out of control.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Electroconvulsive therapy can help some people with bipolar disorder. ECT uses an electric current to cause a seizure in the brain. It is one of the fastest ways to ease severe symptoms. ECT is usually a last resort when a patient does not improve with medication or psychotherapy.

Educating Friends and Family:Friends and family may not understand bipolar disorder at first. They may become frustrated with the depressive episodes and frightened by the manic states. If patients make the effort to explain the illness and how it affects them, loved ones may become more compassionate. Having a solid support system can help people with bipolar disorder feel less isolated and more motivated to manage their condition.

When Someone Needs Help: Many people with bipolar disorder don’t realize they have a problem or avoid getting help. If you’re concerned about a friend or family member, here are a few tips for broaching the subject. Point out that millions have bipolar disorder, and that it is a treatable illness — not a personality flaw. There is a medical explanation for the extreme mood swings, and effective treatments are available.

Courtesy : http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/ss/slideshow-bipolar-disorder-overview

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Developing concentration and focus

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , on March 27, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The concentration skills  are important in life . Whatever the station or the station , concentration  and focus   will be needed to understand, comprehend and take a decision. Parents of young children and often  working  adults themselves have been seeking our guidance on  developing the concentration and focus in their efforts.  We give  some  of the tips  that can  help  develop better concentration to people ion all stations in life.

1. Prioritize  your work :It helps when the priorities of the work can be done based on its urgency and priority in life. the ABC analysis of the jobs to be done by oyu in a day’s time will help you set your priorities.

2. Pick up all those works that you have assigned  category A works as they will need your immediate and full attention.  Next in the priority will be category B works that will need full concentration and will have to be handled with not so much urgency.
3. Handle  one thing at a time:the concentration  builds up  by handling   one thing at a time . Thus giving  complete undivided attention  to the job in hand . Multitasking (doing many things simultaneously) causes distraction .

4.  Doing  the same thing  as if everything depends on it   :Call for and look at all details in totality so that no repetitions of the exercise are  called for later. Do not miss any thing.Observe   all details as if you   are gaining new insights  during the first time itself .

5. A few   minutes more  rule :Whenever   you feel like quitting in the   middle of a task – just say a few more minutes and work a couple of minutes more. This strategy will ,help  expand  and stretch the working   mind and build up mental  endurance. remember how sports persons   build up  their  stamina  and   mental endurance  when their muscles and body wants them to quit due to  tiredness.

6.  Writing down :use pen and paper to note down any deviations that come to mind promising yourself to take up these deviations later during your free times.

7. Reward yourself:   small rewards matter. promise your self  a good treat after you finish  the task in hand. The reward can be anything that makes you happy and relaxed – like having your favorite food,going out for a walk, meeting your best friend etc.

8. Be project specific :Before you start any work, be clear in your mind about the objective to be achieved by you. Be as precise as possible .the next assignment should be handled after the one in hand  has been   completed satisfactorily .

9.Use a concentration score sheet:Each time you find your mind wandering, make a check mark on the  score  sheet. doing this on consistent basis, will help reduce s distraction and increase   concentration.

10.  Break task into smaller parts:Breaking a  greater  task into smaller parts will make it seem less overbearing and help you look at  it with more positive mindset .

11. Concentration exercises:Concentration exercises help in training your mind to concentrate more and for longer periods of time.

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Understanding obsessions and compulsions

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , on September 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 Obsessions take place involuntary. These are apparently uncontrollable thoughts, images, or impulses that take place over and over again in the mind of the person having such obsessions. The individual does not want to have such thoughts but he or she can’t stop them. Unfortunately, these obsessive thoughts cause disturbance and distraction from the normal routine works and the daily living of the individual.

Compulsions are such repeatedly performed behaviors or rituals that he or she feels compelled to act out.  Such compulsions are performed in an attempt to take care of the obsessive thoughts and the performer will take to such tasks because he or she wants such obsessions to  go away. For example, if someone is afraid of contamination and infection, he or she might develop obsession for cleaning everything and or not touching anything with bare hands and or may act out repeatedly washing and cleaning hands.  The counseling and the guidance may provide temporary relief but it never lasts. The obsessive thoughts may come back stronger. Such compulsive behaviors end up causing anxiety themselves as the compulsive acts become more compulsive, demanding and time-consuming.

People afflicted with   obsessive-compulsive disorder may  fall into one of the following categories:

  •   Washers : they are afraid of contamination. They usually have cleaning or  hand-washing compulsions.
  • Checkers : they repeatedly check things (oven turned off, door locked, etc.) that they associate mentally  with  some kind of harm or danger to them or to their dearones .
  • Doubters and sinners : their sense of perfection  make them  scared of many things. They believe and are afraid   that if everything isn’t perfect ,something terrible will happen or they will be punished.
  • Counters and arrangers. They  are obsessed with, arrangement, perfect  order and symmetry. They become  superstitious about  numbers, colors,  arrangements, objects etc. .
  • Hoarders   : they fear that something bad will happen if they throw or waste  anything away. They feel compelled to  hoard things that they don’t need or  do not use.

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What is the right time for a Couple to Seek Pre-Marital Counseling?

Posted in daily writings and musings of the psychologist, tagged , , , , , , on June 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

 Counseling should obviously be sought when the individual have selected a companion and the decisions to get married by both the individuals have been finalized, so that the benefits can be accrued by both the partners in their future married life.   The psychologists recommend seeking counseling:

  • When both the partners are very young and have never been married. ( of course both have   to take decision to get  married only at the legal marriage age allowed by the law of the land )
  • When the commitment for marriage cannot be taken with an open mind and the decision leads to fears and phobia in the individual’s mind.
  •  When the decision involves many issues related to   religion, culture, family ,  economic, social background, income, , parenting, household responsibility, work, job, career ambitions,  physical intimacy, sex, companionship, privacy, loss of independence etc.
  • When any of the near relatives, parents, siblings, have been through a bad marriage in the family.
  • When either or both partners have had a failed marriage before and have been through a trauma of legal divorce.
  • When the family pressures conflict with personal reasons and attitude.
  •   When the individual have been a victim of childhood abuse or domestic violence.
  • When individual has other reasons that could create conflicting situations with either of the spouse or other near and dear ones.

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