Counselling needs   

Bereavement   

The death of a loved one can be devastating.  Bereavement affects people in different ways.  There is no right or wrong way to feel.  You might feel a lot of emotions simultaneously, or feel you’re having a good day, and then suddenly feel worse again.  Powerful feelings can come unexpectedly, each bereavement is unique, and no one can tell how long it will last. 

Your grief might feel chaotic and out of control, you may feel shocked and numbness (these are usually the first reactions to the death, and people often speak of being in a daze).  You may also feel overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying, tiredness or exhaustion, anger, (perhaps even towards the person who has died or their illness).  You may feel guilty about this anger, or about something you said or didn’t say, or about not being able to stop your loved one dying.  These feelings are all perfectly normal.  You may become forgetful and less able to concentrate.  This is because your mind is distracted by the bereavement and grief, and again this is normal.  

Talking and sharing your feelings with someone can help.  Don’t go through this alone.  I will give you time and space to talk about your feelings, emotions and fears for the future, in a safe and confidential environment.  

Stress 

Everyday life places demands and pressures upon us.  The stress reaction when this happens can be ‘fight’ or ‘flight’.  If we are experiencing a lot of stress it can be difficult to fight so to keep safe we take flight. This can be a difficult time, when all we want to do is hide away and disengage. 

The signs of stress are numerous and vary with each individual.  Someone suffering from stress may experience one or more of these symptoms, though not always at the same time.  

Physical Signs  

·            Backache especially around the shoulders and neck  

·            Craving food when under pressure  

·            Diarrhoea or constipation  

·            Fidgeting or the inability to keep still  

·            Frequent headaches or palpitations  

·            Fridgity or impotence  

·            High blood pressure  

·            Insomnia or constant tiredness   

·            Nausea  

·            Pins and needles in hands or feet  

·            Sweating  

Mental Signs  

·            Aggression  

·            Fear of the future  

·            Feeling guilty  

·            Feeling of isolation  

·            Indecisiveness or poor concentration  

·            Irritability  

·            Loss of confidence  

·            Loss of humour   

·            Loss of interest in people  

·            Low self-esteem  

·            Panic  

·            Tension   

If you believe you are experiencing any of these symptoms and would like to talk about this please contact me.  

Anxiety and Depression  

  Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health concerns in our society today.  Anxiety and depression are not the same, but they often occur together.  It is not uncommon for people with depression to experience anxiety and people with anxiety to become depressed.  There is also overlap in some of the treatments, so it can help to understand both conditions.  

Depression

Depression is a common disorder, it is a debilitating condition that adversely affects a person's family, work, or school life, sleeping and eating habits; and general health.  Depression can show itself by low energy and mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities.  Symptoms include:  

·            Chronic physical symptoms, including pain, headaches etc.  

·            Feelings of persistent sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or loss of self-worth  

·            Irritability or anxiety  

·            Loss of energy and fatigue  

·            Shifts in appetite and weight (too much or too little)  

·            Sleep disorders (too much or too little)  

·            Thinking difficulties, such as memory loss, challenges concentrating or making decisions   

·            Thoughts of death or suicide  

Anxiety

Anxiety may be a normal reaction to stress and it can serve as a prompt to deal with difficult situations.  Anxiety disorder is shown by emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms that create an unpleasant feeling that is typically described as uneasiness, fear, or worry.  The worry is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms these can present as: 

·            Difficulty swallowing  

·            Fatigue  

·            Headaches  

·            Irritability  

·            Muscle aches  

·            Muscle tension  

·            Sweating  

·            Trembling  

·            Twitching  

 Emotional symptoms may include

·            Fear  

·            People suffering from anxiety often withdraw and seek to avoid people or certain places.   

·            Racing thoughts and feelings of impending doom 

Please contact me if you are experiencing any of these symptoms and wish to talk about them. 

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