The Stigma of Depression

When it comes to obtaining treatment for medical ailments as benign as the common cold, people don’t think twice about running to the doctor, or the acupuncturist, and spending the money on treatments to feel better. So, why do so many who suffer from depression continue to hesitate, despite all of the treatment options available?

Depression continues to be one of the most stigmatized mental health issues out there. This is ironic, given that by the year 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depression is estimated to be the second most common health problem in the world. The externalized stigma toward those with mental health issues that exists in society, there comes internalized stigma, or self-shame. This makes the experience of mental health issues all the more devastating. Many times, it is the internalized shame that stops people from acknowledging psychological problems and receiving treatment, since many see it as akin to admitting that they are weak or damaged in some way.

What can you do? If you suffer from depression, tell somebody. Ask for help. Change the stigma, call or text Affordable Counseling Center, Brandon at (813) 244-1521. We are also on the web at:

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

Are you Grieving?

How Do You Deal With It?

Losing someone or something you love can be very painful and overwhelming. Extreme sadness mixed with other surprising emotions such as shock, anger and guilt are normal and necessary reactions to loss. Everyone grieves differently, but allowing yourself to experience grief is an important and healthy part of the healing process.

Many find that additional support from licensed psychologists or psychiatrists helps to promote a healthy healing process. Grief is a process in which the more you understand and actively work through, the more effective the healing is. If you or a loved one is experiencing a significant loss, call Affordable Counseling Brandon. (813) 244-1251.

What is Grief Counseling?

Grief is an emotional response to a loss. Often the most intense grief is in response to the loss of a loved one or a divorce, but grief can also be experienced from the loss of: a job, a pet, a friendship, safety after a trauma, financial stability, etc. Typically, more significant losses involve more intense grief. Also, significant changes in your life such as a move, a job change or retirement can lead to feelings of grief and mourning for your old life.

Grief is multi-faceted with emotional, physical, social, behavioral and spiritual aspects. Depending on the person’s personality, family values, culture and religious beliefs, grief can manifest itself differently. Researchers have moved away from the conventional view that grief moves through orderly and predictable stages. There is not a typical response to a loss, nor a normal timeline for grieving. However, there are some common symptoms of grief. Affordable Counseling Brandon can help you work through your grief, call us today for an appointment. (813) 244-1251

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointecounselingtampa.com

 

 

Talking to a therapist

Talking therapies work just as well whether you’re old or young, male or female, black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor. Your educational background makes no difference either.

Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

For many adults, they may be the same or more effective than medication.

Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger than to relatives or friends. During talking therapy, a trained counselor or therapist listens to you and helps you find your own answers to problems, without judging you.

The therapist will give you time to talk, cry, shout or just think. It’s an opportunity to look at your problems in a different way with someone who will respect you and your opinions.

Usually, you’ll talk one-to-one with the therapist. Sometimes talking treatments are held in groups or couples, such as relationship counselling.

Although there are lots of different types of talking therapy, they all have a similar aim: to help you feel better. Some people say that talking therapies don’t make their problems go away, but they find it easier to cope with them and feel happier.

Call or text us today, to schedule your appointment to start talking. (813) 244-1251

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

 

Marriage Counseling

Every relationship is bound to experience highs and lows, and that’s normal when you’re in a relationship as close as a marriage. Determining whether your marriage is experiencing a small bump in the road or if it’s something more serious that requires professional counseling may be easier than you think.

Even the best marriage can suffer normal wear and tear over the years. If it shows signs of breaking down and you and your spouse growing apart, professional marriage counseling is often the best next step. A good counselor can guide you toward getting the relationship back on the right track by identifying what the real issues are and then helping you to implement solutions.

Marriages tend to change over time, especially when faced with a major transition, such as one partner going back to school, when you’re expecting your first child, or you’re suffering the loss of a family member. A good marriage counselor can help you to get through these changes so that you can find your relationship’s new normal and regain focus on each other.

Even if you feel that your marriage is in good shape, counseling may be able to make it great. Getting the perspective of an objective professional can help you to keep your relationship with your spouse running smoothly.

We can help. Call us to schedule your marriage counseling session and begin making your relationship great again.

Email us at: starpointcenter@aol.com or call us anytime at (813) 244-1251

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com

People go to therapy for a variety of reasons—quite often they have a vague sense “that something isn’t right,” or feelings of sadness or depression. They might be worried that they or someone they care about might have a mental illness, or they’re having problems with significant others.

However,  sometimes even relatively minor stressors, such as doing your taxes, can trigger significant symptoms. Anxiety, fear, panic, insomnia, mental confusion, hysteria, depression that doesn’t seem to lift, and more can be triggered by major (and in some cases, minor) stressful events.

If you find that during stressful times you seem to struggle with persistent symptoms more than you feel is acceptable, therapy might help.  Sure, your belief system, personality, mental and physical health, and other factors determine how you respond to life stressors, but sometimes the sheer magnitude of stressful conditions or times where these situations seem to pile on top of each other, can be overwhelming.

Whether or not you might benefit from therapy is a personal decision that no one can make for you. Brief therapy or, if necessary, longer-term therapy with a highly focused treatment plan, can help you deal with stressful events and the emotions they trigger.

http://www.affordablecounselingbrandon.com

http://www.starpointcounselingtampa.com

http://www.starpointcounselingbrandon.com