Archive for July, 2009

Tips to Recover From Your Mental Health

Monday, July 13th, 2009

Most of us suffer from mental health problems, though in varying degrees. Although mental ill-health affects so many people, there is still no proper definition as to what mental health problems are and what methods are needed to recover. It is reported that at least 1 in 10 young people and around 1 in 4 adults experience mental health problem at some time in their lives. Mental health can mean a wide range of symptoms and disorders – like depression, anxiety, self-harm, violent tendencies, schizophrenia and various types of mania. The mental health problems can develop at any time in one’s life and each person’s experience can be unique and can last from several weeks to even a lifetime.

People suffering from mental ill-health will think, feel or behave abnormally. This can be confusing not only for them but can affect their relationships, their work or education, and their social life. Having a mental health problem can create difficulties for all family members, friends, and the people they interact with. Mental health problems are usually caused by a variety of factors including breakdown in a relationship, death of a family member or a close friend, bullying, abuse, divorce, separation from parents or loved ones, stress born of a person’s current situation. Mental health can happen suddenly without prior indications or get built up over time.

When people first begin to experience mental health difficulties they may not be able to fathom what is happening. In several instances, people tend to deny that anything is wrong with them or even suppress information. Their reasons for doing this could be embarrassment, a sense of shame or fear of other people’s reactions. There is no denying the fact that mental health results in social stigma. Please remember that there is a lot of support available to help people recover from mental health problems – in terms of counseling, therapy, medication and treatment in hospital. Different treatments are recommended for different types of mental illnesses. With the right support, the majority of people with mental health problems will surely recover.

Mental health saps your energy, hope, ambition and drive, sometimes making it difficult to do even the normal day-to-day activities. Although overcoming depression may not be quick or easy, it certainly is not impossible. Feeling completely better may take time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of your loved ones. Recovering from depression calls for positive action but taking action when you’re depressed is hard. Some simple things you need to do are physical exercise, eating right food and rating regularly, sleeping at least for six hours, going out for walks in open areas, interacting with loved ones, avoiding loneliness, refusing to think negatively etc. . You probably already know that these things will help you overcome depression but following these rules are not easy when you are depressed. This is the Catch-22 situation of depression recovery. The symptoms of depression such as fatigue, despondency, incoherent thinking, and low self-esteem make it difficult to take the necessary steps to recovery. A realistic recovery plan therefore involves taking responsibility for the choices and changes you do have control over and avoiding the things you cannot control.

All forms of mental illnesses are treatable if the patient receives competent professional care. Psychologists are among the licensed and highly trained mental health providers with years of experience studying depression and helping patients recover from it. Unfortunately, there is some social stigma associated with seeking help for emotional and mental health problems as feelings of depression often are viewed as a sign of weakness rather than as a signal that something is out of balance. Persons suffering from mental health who do not seek help suffer needlessly. Unexpressed feelings and concerns accompanied by a sense of isolation can worsen mental health. The importance of obtaining timely professional health care is the need of the only answer for mental maladies.

The Psychology of a Confident Child

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Raising a confident child is key to ensuring a successful transition into adulthood. Enhancing a child’s self confidence is undoubtedly tantamount to creating healthy, stable adults. The experiences and lessons of childhood stay with us into adulthood. A confident child who is valued will feel valued throughout life. A child who feels bad and incompetent will continue to live with those feelings as an adult.

To boost a child’s confidence, it is important that they receive constant positive feedback. A few simple words such as, “That’s a lovely drawing” go far in raising self esteem. A child hearing positive reinforcement will keep trying harder. A confident child who doesn’t receive positive feedback will soon wonder if it can do anything right and if any effort is really worth it.

Children thrive on encouragement. The world is filled with so many things that to a child seem impossible to accomplish or understand. Encouraging a youngster leads to the realization that he or she can do things and solve problems. Such a realization is a tremendous confidence-enhancer.

Confident children are permitted to stretch their limits. If a parent rigidly chooses what a child wears every day, the child will reach the conclusion that it is incapable of making such a decision. A child that is allowed to make some of its own choices learns that it can be in control of its life. With a growing sense of control the child learns to rely on itself rather than an adult world.

Mistakes are a part of life. Children who are taught to be ashamed of their mistakes will stop trying. Everyone makes mistakes. What’s important to a child’s psychology is to never give up. Such a child will soon be driven by the need to “keep doing” rather than the need to “not fail.” A desire not to fail leads to not trying. A child who is afraid to try will never know its true potential.

The world can sometimes be an unpleasant place, and parents rightfully want to protect their children. Yet over-zealous parents sometimes believe that shielding an offspring from anything disagreeable will result in a happy, contented child. That is not the case. As a fact of life, adults must face unpleasantness in many forms, from a nasty boss to a rude neighbor. Learning to deal with such frustrations is an important builder of self-confidence. Children who get everything they demand never learn to handle normal levels of frustrations.

They learn that a temper tantrum will bring about the desired results. When those children grow up, they continue to act as if nothing should thwart their every desire. These adults function with a child-like coping mechanism. It is important for children to experience a certain amount of frustration in order to learn how to deal with it. Not everyone will like them. They will not succeed at everything.

Sometimes life is unfair. A child who understands these facts and uses them as an opportunity to learn and grow faces life with an abundance of self-esteem. Such children develop confidence in their ability to cope with life’s adversities instead of becoming one of life’s victims.

Learn More About Each Other Through Pre Marriage Counseling

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

In a survey of over 3,000 homes across 4 states, published by Scott Stanley for the Journal of Family Psychology (March, 2006), suggest that pre marriage counseling really does help couples deal with money issues. This survey showed that couples seeking marriage family counselors were 31% less likely to divorce than those who did not. They also reported lower marital dissatisfaction and conflict and greater levels of commitment.

Pre marriage counseling can be seen as a prenuptial, which may offend some people. However, as counseling for couples becomes more common, this is less of an issue. The California Association for Marriage Family Therapists developed several criterion to help guide you. Pre marriage counseling can be beneficial for those with a history of abuse, failed marriage, or commitment issues. Minor obstacles can easily progress to full-blown catastrophes, so addressing them early and professionally is important.

On your first pre marriage counseling session you will receive a Pre Marital Inventory (PMI) test. The quiz examines areas like interests, expectations of your marital roles, religious beliefs, finances, children and parenting, and sexuality. This test identifies your strengths and weaknesses and arms you with the tools to have a successful marriage.

Financial problems are the leading cause for divorce, so money is often a primary reason couples seek pre-marriage counseling. Mental health counselors profess that control is at the root of the argument. One person often assumes control of the finances, causing stress in the marriage. Though difficult, couples should deal with finances as a team and marriage counselors can help make this a smooth transition.

Pre marriage counseling is also important because those entering a marriage often have false conceptions. A popular but mistaken belief is that the main factors contributing to a long marriage are luck and love; instead, commitment and companionship actually play a more important role. Christian marriage counseling before the wedding ensures that your marriage begins without a hitch.