Counselling Articles

Depersonalisation Disorder (DPD) is a mental illness, medically documented for over 100 years, but relatively unknown by the public. Precise statistics about this disorder are not known, in part because those who suffer from the disorder are often misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety. Individuals might fear being viewed as “crazy” if they share their feelings, and some mental health professionals fail to recognize its symptoms. Leading experts on Depersonalisation Disorder estimate that at least 2% of the population may suffer from this disorder, so there may be at least 600,000 people in the UK now suffering from this disorder. Surprisingly Depersonalisation Disorder occurs almost as often as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Schizophrenia.

Definition & Symptoms of Depersonalisation Disorder

Depersonalisation Disorder is a type of disorder that classifies as a Dissociative Disorder in the  DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders). Strict criteria need to be met in order to give a positive diagnosis. Diagnosis is difficult, so it is important that a Clinical Psychologist or Psychiatrist do this. Individuals who suffer from the disorder may have symptoms including:  (more…)

The NHS estimates that there are over 10 million sleeping pills prescribed each year for individuals who are suffering from a sleep disorder. Currently, there are over 80 documented sleep disorders, with insomnia (poor quality or lack of sleep) being the most prevalent. Individuals who suffer from insomnia lack a sufficient amount of uninterrupted sleep necessary to wake feeling refreshed and well rested. However, if left untreated insomnia can increase your chance of developing serious health problems such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, and can even increase the risk of mortality in older individuals. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available for insomnia, and in most cases the treatment does not require medication, but involves addressing the underlying physical and psychological issues that are causing the sleep problem. (more…)

What can I expect during Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Treatment?

Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is increasingly popular, many of us are unclear about what it entails in practice. The format of therapy sessions usually varies according to which therapist you work with, but here is a general structure that many CBT therapists will follow:

STAGE ONE: Assessment.

Cognitive therapists will assess your current situation and ask about your past history. They may try to establish answers to the following questions:

• What are the main issues that are causing you difficulty?
• How do they interfere with your life at present?
• How long have these issues existed?
• What is your motivation level to want to change?
• How might your past experiences, family or peer, have a bearing on the current issue? (more…)

Why is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy becoming so popular with people seeking counselling? What are the limitations of this form of therapy, and is it suitable for everyone?

Factors behind the increasing popularity of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Accessibility

A major factor behind the popularity of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is its accessibility. There has been a big increase in the number of CBT therapists available on the NHS – in 2007, the government earmarked £173m to train an extra 3,600 therapists in the approach by 2010 (figures from The Independent, link at the end of the article) Furthermore, following the trend there has been an increase in health insurance providers who cover talking therapy as part of their healthcare policies.

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