Depression, Obesity, Suicide Ideation / Survivor Counsellors

Depression is the most common psychological condition, and most people experience it at one point or another in their lives.

Symptoms of depression include lethargy, low self esteem, a feeling of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, dysphoric mood and even suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed usually feel a lack of energy and a lack of pleasure and they may be agitated or irritable.

Since there are so many causes to depression, which boils down to a natural response to life experiences (a defence mechanism), each situation warrants a thorough investigation into the exact catalyst. Depending on what causes a specific incidence of depression, a treatment plan can be developed to help the individual deal with his or her emotions.

Some people are predisposed to depression in that it can run in the family. In many cases, it is learned when someone is constantly exposed to it.

Counselling can help a person to adapt to life changes that are causing grief, particularly with bereavement or marital issues. Systemic therapy is helpful in family therapy, where the efforts of the whole family can help the individual. Psychodynamic therapy helps a person to find the hidden psychological defences that cause problems to manifest. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the problem at hand, providing solutions to day-to-day issues and finding ways to restructure negative thought patterns.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who has training and experience in depression counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Obesity is a silent killer and an epidemic that is growing at alarming rate. Someone who is obese will have more body fat than the average person and is at risk of contracting a range of lifestyle conditions, including heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Many obese people find it nearly impossible to lose weight, no matter what they do. They often end up on the yo-yo dieting cycle, where they would lose some weight on each new fad diet, just to regain double as soon as they stop the diet. Scientists have proven again and again that the only formula for successful weight loss and permanent maintenance of your ideal weight is to burn more calories than you consume.

The main reasons for obesity in healthy individuals is binge eating, and snacking when they are not really hungry. Emotional eating is very common too and many people with obesity issues tend to eat when they are stressed, happy or bored.

If there is no medical reason for your obesity, you should consider speaking to a therapist. Therapy from a psychologist or counsellors  who is experienced in obesity-related issues will help you to explore the emotional blockages that stop you from losing weight. A range of therapy approaches will be used help you to establish the factors that cause you to over-eat and help you to find ways to better manage your emotions. Your therapist will help you set goals for your psychological and physical health to ensure that once you have lost all your weight, you can maintain it and feel good about yourself.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your obesity issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

** Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-SUICIDE  if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide. **

Suicidal ideation includes any thoughts of potentially fatal self-harm, whether they are fleeting or well-formulated, and applies in the absence of actual suicide. While many people have faced suicidal ideation without having committed the act, many have in fact made attempts and some have succeeded.

People who face suicidal ideation often have many other psychological symptoms that lead them to this condition, including panic attacks, insomnia, anxiety, hopelessness and depression. However, not all people with mental or medical issues consider suicide, but all suicidal ideation incidents should receive urgent attention.  Someone who experiences suicidal ideation may threaten to hurt or kill him or herself, make attempts to find ways to commit suicide; write or talk about their own death; seek revenge, feel unhappy or trapped, and engage in risky behaviors.

People with mood disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation, as are people with cancer and AIDS.

It is important for people with suicidal ideation to seek urgent help from an experienced counsellor or therapist. Psychotherapy has been found to be effective in helping people deal with issues of hopelessness. A professional counsellor will explore the circumstances that led to the suicidal ideation and help to restore hope to the client. It will help to resolve underlying causes of suicidal ideation and find coping strategies to curb impulses that lead to self-harm. Therapy will also help the client to reframe his or her perceptions and worldview.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your suicidal ideation issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.