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…)

What is Postnatal Depression? How does this differ from the “Baby Blues”?

The arrival of a new baby is one of life’s happiest moments, yet it can also be associated with anxiety, exhaustion and stress.  Almost half of new mothers can go through a period of feeling very emotional and tearful after the arrival of a child (the ‘baby blues’) and an estimated one in ten can go on to develop more intense and long term symptoms, known as Postnatal depression (PND). These symptoms usually develop in the first four to six weeks after giving birth and can result in overwhelming feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness. 

Postnatal depression is caused by a variety of factors, including and not isolated to hormonal changes, a lack of support and previous mental health issues. It is also important to remember that although postnatal depression is more common in women, men can also be affected. The birth of a new baby can be stressful for both parents and some fathers may feel unable to cope, and may find it difficult to adjust to the big changes made by a new baby.

For both parents it is important to understand that having postnatal depression does not mean you do not love and care for your baby or that you are a ‘bad parent’. While it is very distressing, there are many treatments available and as long as postnatal depression is recognised and treated it can be a temporary condition that you can recover from. (more…)

Some individuals suffer in silence from an emotionally painful disorder called Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). This psychological condition is characterised by an obsession with an imaginary or minor flaw in his or her physical appearance.

Definition of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Individuals with BDD have a distorted body image in which they focus on (real or imagined) inadequacies with their size, shape, and form of their body. This distortion is often accompanied by intense dissatisfaction with their physical appearance. It can also lead to the dysfunctional development of behaviours and rituals to “treat” the problem including using excessive clothing to cover troublesome areas of the body. Some sufferers will wear heavy makeup, undergo frequent cosmetic procedures, engage in excessive grooming, hair plucking, and skin picking, in an attempt to reduce their suffering. Other common behaviours include the refusal  to be in pictures, obsessive comparison of themselves to others, and the need to frequently examine oneself in a mirror. The perceived problem may include any part of the body, and can change over time. However, the most commonly problematic Body Dysmorphic Disorder areas include:

• Nose
• Hair
• Skin
• Complexion
• Wrinkles
• Acne and blemishes
• Breast size
• Muscle size
• Genitalia (more…)

Too Busy to Grieve?

Today, many of us have schedules that do not allow enough time for the bereavement process to take its course.  Life is just “too busy” to stop and reflect on the devastating array of emotions associated with loss. Of course, there are those of us who choose to distance ourselves from our grief by finding some sort of distraction, often, our work, while others simply choose to keep their chins up and move on. Yet, while there is no right or wrong way to grieve and  no telling how long it may take – is simply avoiding bereavement a viable option?

Losing someone can be one of the most emotionally intense experiences that occurs in our lifetime, so it is no wonder that we may try to avoid the pain associated with such events. Feelings of anxiety, yearning, guilt and anger are not easy to deal with. However, when we avoid the natural emotions that arise when we lose someone or something we care about, we could face long term consequences, such as prolonged feelings of emotional distress. This can impact severely upon are relationships, health and employment. So what should we do when experiencing loss?

Whether it is before or after a loss, embarking on a series of counselling sessions can help you adjust to this stressful life experience.  Each individual is unique and because of this there is no official date when one “should” enter into bereavement counselling. The benefits of talking through these intensely painful emotions can help both those preparing for and those who have already experienced loss.

Providing yourself with the time and space to freely speak about your personal experiences and relationship with your loved one is an effective time tested method in handling grief.  You and your therapist of choice will be able to discuss your thoughts and feelings that arise as you experience the natural stages of loss.  Entering into bereavement counselling can provide invaluable emotional support needed to ensure that this difficult life experience happens as smoothly as possible.  If you or someone you know is anticipating or has recently experienced the loss of a loved one you might consider contacting or referring them to Harley Therapy to consider beginning bereavement counselling.