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"You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop."
- Rumi
Anxiety
Anxiety is a real b*tch
Are you finding it hard to shake off constant worries about work, relationships, or health? Do you often feel on edge or irritable? Maybe you’ve noticed muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, or a racing heart even in non-threatening situations.
If these symptoms sound familiar, you could be experiencing anxiety. Ask yourself if fatigue, trouble concentrating, or avoiding certain situations due to anxiety rings true for you. If your worries feel overwhelming and impact your day-to-day, reaching out to address these symptoms could be a step towards getting to the root and findings better coping skills.
ADHD
ADHD is thrown around everywhere these days.
If you’re curious about yourself or someone you know, consider these questions inspired by the DSM-5 criteria:
Do you find it challenging to sustain attention in tasks or play activities? Are you often forgetful in daily activities, even when they’re routine?
Do you struggle to organise tasks and activities? Is there a tendency to avoid or be reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort?
Do you frequently lose things necessary for tasks and activities? Are you easily distracted by extraneous stimuli? Does it seem like you’re always on the go or act as if “driven by a motor”?
If you lost track of this post and had to read it twice, we should talk. Inattention and Emotional regulation go hand in hand. Find out more by starting your therapy journey.
Depression
Depression isn’t just feeling sad
Ever wondered if you or someone you know might be experiencing symptoms of depression? Take a moment for self-reflection with these questions based on the DSM-5 criteria.
Do you find yourself persistently sad or irritable, with a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in once-enjoyed activities? Are changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or energy levels affecting your daily life?
Do you struggle with concentration, decision-making, or feelings of worthlessness? Have you noticed physical symptoms like aches or pains that seemingly have no explanation?
Lastly, have thoughts of death or suicide crossed your mind?
If you find resonance with these questions, it could be valuable to seek professional support for a more in-depth evaluation and guidance. Remember, you don’t have to face it alone, and help is available.
OCD
OCD is like a broken fire alarm that only you can hear
This is another big one that is thrown around. People with OCD symptoms find themselves trapped in a cycle of repetitive thoughts or compelled to perform certain actions, even when they seem irrational. Here are some questions to reflect on potential symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) based on the DSM-5 criteria:
Do persistent, intrusive thoughts occupy your mind, causing significant distress? Are specific rituals or behaviours, performed in an attempt to alleviate anxiety, dominating your daily routine?
Consider whether you spend an excessive amount of time engaging in these rituals, realising they may not align with your true desires. Are these patterns disrupting your relationships or daily functioning?
If you find resonance with these questions, it could be a pivotal step to seek professional guidance and explore the possibility of OCD.
Trauma
“Trauma is not what happens to you but what happens inside you.” – Gabor Maté
Maté continues, that the meaning of the word “trauma,” in its Greek origin is “wound.” Whether we realise it or not, it is our woundedness, or how we cope with it, that dictates much of our behaviour, shapes our social habits, and informs our ways of thinking about the world. It can even determine whether or not we are capable of rational thought at all in matters of the greatest importance to our lives.
It often presents with a sudden, overwhelming sense of fear or helplessness, flashbacks of distressing memories, and sometimes even nightmares and intrusive thoughts.
For others, it might come up in unexplainable aches and pains in the body, as Dr van der Kolk would say.
Maybe you notice changes in your mood and cognitive patterns – are you more irritable, hypervigilant, or experiencing difficulties concentrating?
You might even avoid some places or people that remind you of an experience. Some might even get scared more easily or have more heightened emotions.
If you resonate with these reflections, it may be crucial to explore the impact of trauma on your well-being and seek the support needed for healing
Loss & Grief
“Grief is like the ocean; it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” – Vicki Harrison
I often hear, “What’s the point of speaking to someone about something you can’t change?”
The word grief comes from the Latin word gravare, which means to make heavy. Talking about where you are with your grief can help you share this load, honour your experiences, and find new meaning.
Grief doesn’t only happen when someone dies. A relationship that did not work out, dreams that never came to fruition, friendships that end, or setting boundaries with loved ones who prove toxic might also result in enormous loss and grief.
Other times it might come if someone we love moves away, or even the way that our body changes as we grow older.
If you are experiencing any of this, let’s talk.
PTSD & C-PTSD
“My past is an armor I cannot take off, no matter how many times you tell me the war is over.” – Jessica Katoff
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can result from deep trauma. Consider whether you frequently experience nightmares or flashbacks related to a traumatic event.
For some, you might have sudden intrusive thoughts that are overwhelming. You might even make sure to know where the exit is in every room you walk into, just to be sure.
Maybe you are easily startled, on edge, or struggling to connect with others. Perhaps you notice avoidance patterns, actively avoiding reminders of the trauma or finding yourself emotionally numb.
In the case of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), the persistence of these symptoms alongside challenges in forming and maintaining relationships, a fluctuating sense of self-worth, and difficulties in regulating emotions are quite common.
If this is you, our door is open to talk.
