Creative Stress Management

Depression and Anxiety frequently go together. Most people have no clue how painful or disabling these disorders can be.

Depressed mood and loss of interest in life are two symptoms that may lead to sleep problems, appetite and energy problems, loss of self-esteem and feelings of guilt. Sometimes it gets so bad that people think about suicide. Depression is serious and painful, but it is treatable.

Anxiety Disorder can occur with or without depression and can be disabling. People with untreated anxiety disorder may find their world getting smaller and smaller. They may find they don't want to drive on the highway or go to the mall, and over time they find they can't go food shopping,  talk on the phone, or leave their home. Therefore, their world becomes very small and they become prisoners of their fears.

CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -  has been shown to be effective in treating both Depression and Anxiety. Sometimes medications are helpful. Exercise, and many other complementary paths, can be beneficial.

The most important thing to remember is DO NOT GIVE UP. Find a therapist you can trust and stick with it. Like Winston Churchill said, "When you're going through hell, keep going."

Bipolar Disorder is very difficult but I have seen people with this disorder meet the challenges and create wonderful, balanced lives.

A great website to learn more is:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml

PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can happen to people who are exposed to serious life threatening events - either personally or through someone they know. It can become very severe.

Examples include a car crash, house fire, domestic violence, childhood abuse, traumatic death of a loved one, military combat, trauma of first responders (police and fire fighters), bank employees who experience an armed robbery, events of nature, e.g. flooding.

EMDR has been shown to be effective in decreasing the suffering associated with PTSD. Sometimes medications help, while support from family and friends is very important.

(I have found nature to be a great partner in healing.)