Post-traumatic disorder, as with many mental illnesses, affects more than just the individual – it affects the entire family system. Of course we are aware of how it affects the spouse when one partner is struggling with depression, or anxiety. We are aware of how children struggling when their caregivers are unavailable to them due […]
The loss of a pregnancy is different from any other loss in that you have not really even met the person that you are grieving over. Yet this loss can also be devastating no matter when it happens or what the circumstances were. Loss of a pregnancy means disappointment and loss of a set of […]
It doesn’t matter who you are, losing your spouse is one of the most stressful and difficult events to deal with. Losing a spouse means that your whole life has been turned upside down. Not to mention financial changes, there is also the loss of companionship – coming home to an empty house filled now […]
Having a loving, supportive and on-going relationship with their parents is just as important to adults as it was for them as babies and very young children. Parents have a hugely influential role in the overall development of their children and many adults still seek the approval of their parents in much of their decision […]
Many of us struggle with low self-esteem and lack of confidence and most of us believe that our self-esteem is based on how we look or act. But self-esteem, is in fact, based in emotion – it is how we feel about ourselves that depicts whether we have good or poor self-esteem. The same goes […]
We have been bombarded with a social climate of ‘positive thinking’ to reach ‘happiness’ and ‘success’. There are a variety of self-help books that are aimed at teaching you how to think positively, find happiness and achieve success. While many of these books are tremendously helpful and certainly do have their merits, one has to […]
Social anxiety is far more common than you think and, while it is a term that we often use quite loosely, it is also a diagnosable mental illness. In fact the Diagnostic Manual (DSM 5) describes social anxiety as being characterised by a strong and persistent fear in social and / or performance situations. Generally, […]
Fear of flying is one of the most common phobias experienced. While simple anxiety about flying can be overcome, a phobia about flying can result in the person avoiding getting on an air plane altogether. This can become quite problematic if you are required to fly for work reasons or you have friends and family […]
Even the most idyllic looking relationships sometimes become abusive. When things start off well and the relationship is all sunshine and roses, it is hard to believe that your partner could land up being an abusive person. Even the most charming of people can become physically, verbally and emotionally abusive. Abusive relationships often result in […]
No one enjoys ending a relationship – there is always loss and disappointment involved. But sometimes it is better to acknowledge that you are in a relationship that is going nowhere fast and put an end to it sooner rather than later. All relationships have their good days and their bad days. There will be […]