Depression

 Losing a loved one, getting fired from a job, going through a divorce, and other difficult situations can lead a person to feel sad, lonely and scared. These feelings are normal reactions to life's stressors. Most people feel low and sad at times.  For some, these feelings linger longer than most.  

Experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. These feelings of anxiety and panic interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. 

Following a traumatic event such as an accident, military service, or assault, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. When your sense of safety and trust are shattered, it’s normal to feel unbalanced, disconnected, or numb. It’s very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful, and find it difficult to stop thinking about what happened. It is important to seek help when it affects your daily functioning.

 Children and adolescents of today are faced with more stressors than previous generations. School pressure, peer relationships and conflicts, social media, family dynamics.  violence, self esteem, inclusion, gender identity, sexuality just to name a few. I often tell the children visiting my office that "just being a kid in today's society is enough to bring any one into my office".  

Many people struggle to develop and maintain relationships.  Some have unresolved issues that influence their decision making and selection, while others are unable to keep healthy boundaries.   

Let's face it...life is challenging.  Balancing responsibilities and expectations can be overwhelming, and sometimes you just need an outside support to hear you and help navigate the waters.