Remember, you don't have to live like this forever. There is help...
Anxiety
Anxiety (Quick) Test
Are you always worried about something or other? Concerned about what people think of you?
The feeling of impending doom around you?
Feel the need to constantly prove yourself and be liked by all? Do you sometimes get yourself all worked up and
feel panicky? Do you experience physical symptoms like hot and cold flushes, nausea, heart racing and excessive sweating? Feeling dizzy
and light headed? Do you think there is something wrong with you? Going crazy?
The central feature of anxiety and its disorders include fear, emotional distress, self-defeating behaviours and
experiencing difficulty coping. Anxiety disorders usually refer to the following disorders: Generalised Anxiety,
Panic, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Phobias. Anxiety can also be a prominent feature of other psychiatric disorders.
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Depression
Depression (Quick) Test
Are you always feeling down, sad, teary and unhappy? Have you lost interest in things you once enjoyed? Do you feel as
if you are quite pessimistic and not really a positive person anymore? Do you sometimes feel like disappearing, withdrawing
and/or hiding from the world? Do you hate your life and feel that nobody understands you?
Feelings of guilt? Moodiness? Obsessed with the past? Miserableness? What about sleeping too much or broken sleep? Do you feel that life
is just not worth living?
Depression comes under the heading of Mood Disorders. These disorders are usually divided into Depressive and Bipolar Disorders.
The most common form of depression involves a loss of some kind or some significant illness. Prolonged stress can also bring on symptoms
of depression and other disorders. The core symptoms of depression are depressed mood for most of the day, feeling down and tearful.
The loss of interest or pleasure is also reported, along with feeling sad and empty.
Stress
Stress (Quick) Test
Are you finding that little things are upsetting you? Are you getting frustrated and angry
at people doing stupid things? Do you feel like screaming, exploding or punching something/someone? Are you impatient, restless
and on edge? Have other people notice these changes in you?
What about forgetting things and becoming confused? Feeling overwhelmed and irritable? Do you always seem to clench your teeth,
bite your nails or twirl your hair? Lost your sense of humour? Lost your energy - always tired? Feeling tense and upset?
What about physical ailments such as upset stomach, diarrhoea, muscle tension, headaches, sore eyes, nausea, fatigue,
skin breakouts?
Stress can have a positive or negative influence depending on our interpretation of particular situations and events in our lives.
As a negative influence, it can result in feelings of rejection, suspicion, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems
such as headaches, sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, digestive problems, heart disease, stroke, etc.
Grief and Loss
One of the most life-changing situations any of us will ever experience when we lose a loved one. The intensity and duration
of your emotions or how swiftly your moods may change will depend on your relationship with the deceased or separation.
Symptoms may vary but usually include denial, yearning, disbelief, anger, confusion, humiliation, shock, despair, sadness,
guilt, bargaining and more.
Feelings of abandonment, regret, hopelessness, depression, may be so overwhelming that you may not be able to cope alone. These
feelings are normal and are common reactions to loss. You may also be preoccupied by the event that caused your grief. You may
find yourself doing things that you would not consider your normal behaviour.
Physical symptoms may also develop such as hair loss, loss of appetite, changes in sleeping patterns and breathlessness.
Depressive symptoms are usually associated with grief and bereavement. Feelings of sorrow, affliction, helplessness and shock
are some of the many symptoms of grief. This is a time for healing and sharing emotional pain. Normal grieving usually begins within 2 to 3
weeks of the loss and may lessen or be resolved over 8 to 12 weeks.
Addictions
Are you addicted to something? Do you feel as if your addiction is getting the better of you? Would you like to
quit or stop being addicted? Have you tried to stop in the past? Finding that you need help?
Many describe addiction as a coping mechanism, meaning, the more stress you experience the more you need your coping mechanism (smoking, drinking, etc)
and when you achieve some milestone or are rewarded in some way, you feel that you need to celebrate, hence reaching for you know what.
Giving up and or going cold turkey is hard. Those nasty withdrawal symptoms (sweating, shaking, depression, irritability, even seeing things) may hamper your ability to quit.
What you need to do is first accept your addiction and then you need to break through your denial, restructure your
thinking and work towards breaking the habit. Support and accountability is important during this time. Counselling can help.
Addiction is often used to describe substance abuse (smoking, other drugs/hallucinogens, etc), obsession with gambling, pornography or other stimuli or activity, and can refer to
many other areas where there seems to be an ‘over involvement’ or ‘indulgent’ towards the activity that is not considered normal or acceptable.
Substance abuse usually refers to drug and alcohol and caffeine addiction. There are too many symptoms of problem drinking and drug use to explain here. Contact Thinkright for more information.
Anger Management
Many describe anger as a symptom of stress which may be a symptom of something else? We have describe anger as a build up of events and emotion that lead to an inappropriate outcome,
usually lashing out, screaming, becoming physically or verbally aggressive or violent. Some may choose to withdraw and retreat so as to avoid the
‘anger’ behaviour while others become aggressive and violent. Many describe a trigger, a feeling, muscle tension, heart racing, and then the attack!
Anger is a normal, healthy emotion when expressed appropriately. When we talk about anger we are talking about anger being expressed inappropriately with blame,
aggression, destruction, bullying, losing control, etc. Lack of communication skills and having no clear boundaries can all contribute to anger build up, along with other
issues such as underlying problems and/or unresolved past concerns.
Assertiveness Training and Self-esteem
Is it time to change? Had enough of the 'old' you. Have people and employers overlooked your abilities, disrespected and treated you unfairly?
Are you shy and awkward? Feel that nobody really cares about you? Are you in two minds and don't really know who you are at times? Can't seem
to make a decision?
Do you neglect your own needs and wants in order to make others happy? Are you a passive and quiet person?
Many have come to us to learn strategies to be more assertive and to find out who they really are. Finding one's purpose and passion is a start.
Confidence and happiness will follow.
Assertiveness means communicating your thoughts and feelings honestly, directly and appropriately. Behaviour is also important when aspiring
to be assertive, as nonverbal mannerisms and expressions can give more information than words alone. Assertive individuals usually encompass the
following: being clear and consistent in all interactions with others, taking responsibility for yourself and respectful to others.
Work Related Issues
Are you feeling that you are overworked? Treated unfairly? Don't really know how to handle the situation? What about rude and discriminatory work colleagues - or managers?
How do you manage them? Are you being overworked and given unrealistic deadlines and goals that are impossible to meet?
Redundancy? Retrenchment? Work and life balance issues? Career change and transition?
These and much more complex work related and personal issues can take its toll on the worker. Now is the time you need expert advice to guide you through these challenges.
Our counsellors have specific knowledge and experience in this area.
Uncertainty in the workplace is on the increase and many have reported that they are having difficulties remaining happy, positive and productive.
Issues such as bullying, intimidation, unrealistic work demands and increased workload, etc, are causing many to have sleepless nights, develop anxiety and stress,
and feeling powerless and depressed, hence leading to poor work performance, low morale and absenteeism. Managing conflict and adjusting to change and dealing with aggressive co-workers,
can all contribute to poor work performance, and at times, render the employee unable to cope or continue working altogether.
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The above is a guide only. Many of the above can also be related to something else.
Our Commitment to our Clients
Professionalism: Being courteous, professional and respectful.
Honesty: Acting in an honest, fair and ethical way.
Accountable: Being accountable for our actions.
Information: Providing useful information and advice.
Communication: Communicating in an open and friendly way.
Referral: We will refer you to an appropriate service if necessary.
Confidentiality: All client information is strictly confidential.
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