Signs of Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore

February 24, 2016 By Pax Family Counseling 1 Comment

Most people have encountered times when they feel depressed. In fact, it is very common to hear, “I am depressed” from our friends and family. But what does this really mean? What are the signs of depression?

What we know is that there is a scale to depression.

In some respects, there are ‘normal depressive experiences’ and then there are ‘severe depressive experiences.’

According to the DSM 5, if you are experiencing 5 or more of these symptoms, nearly everyday for 2 weeks or longer, it is likely that you are outside the normal limits and you are experiencing the signs of depression.

Below are some of the signs of depression:

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or irritable most of the day, beyond normal experiences.
A loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.
Significant changes in weight, whether gain or loss.
Significant changes in sleep, inability to sleep or oversleeping.
Fatigue or loss of energy.
Psychomotor agitation.
Feelings of worthlessness, or excessive inappropriate guilt.
Indecisiveness, or inability to think or concentrate.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation.
These symptoms are causing significant impairment and distress in one’s occupation, social life, and/or other important areas of functioning.
Symptoms are not related to substances, or medical conditions.
Symptoms are not better explained by other diagnoses.

_{*It is also important to note that experiences may vary from culture to culture.}

Maybe you or someone you know has been exhibiting the signs of depression.

There is no shame in seeking help. Suffering silently is one of the biggest pains to bear.

If you or someone you know is showing the signs of depression, take initiative and connect with a mental health professional today.

_{*This post was noted for general educational purposes only. It is not exhaustive and it is not intended to replace a formal assessment or diagnosis from a mental health professional.}

The #1 Root Cause for Divorce

October 9, 2015 By Pax Family Counseling 1 Comment

We have all heard the statistics stating over 50% of todays marriages end in divorce. With such high numbers, people often hypothesis the largest cause for divorce and argue the reasons behind the high divorce rate.

For those who have been divorced, these ideas can lead to shame and guilt when trying to make sense of such an emotional experience. For this reason, it is important not to lump everyone into one category, but to take things on a case by case basis.

What is the root cause for divorce?

As of now, studies are showing there is one root cause for divorce that accounts for the largest percent of seperations. As of 2013, the studies show that Communication problems are the leading cause of divorce, sitting at 65 percent (Billow). For some, communication can look like the sole issue. But for many, it is a derivative of larger core issues that surface through communication.

Luckily for couples looking to steer themselves away from divorce, there are a plethora of wonderful books that focus specifically on communication within a relationship. Some of these include, A Couples Guide to Communication, Nonviolent Communication, Say This, Not That, and my personal favorite, Hold Me Tight. However, sometimes a book is not enough and struggling couples still find themselves looking for new answers, different perspectives and individualized help. According to research done by AAMFT, 93 percent of clients reported having more effective tools for dealing with their difficulties after they worked with a marriage and family therapist (Tasker).

Resources to assist the root cause for divorce:

If you and your partner are struggling with communication, couples counseling may be an excellent choice that can assist in creating healthier communication patterns. To learn more, visit the Contact page and set your appointment today.

_{Billow, Rochelle. “Want Your Marriage to Last?”}

_{Tasker, Racheal. “Does Marriage Counseling Work? 8 Surprising Statistics & Facts.”}

5 Simple Ways to Practice Self Care

August 13, 2015 By Pax Family Counseling Leave a Comment

ways to practice self care Do you ever feel like you are running on empty when taking care of others? How often do you really practice self care? It seems as though there is always a project to complete, a child to transport to an event, another meal to cook, an additional friend who needs your support, and that burdensome to-do list that continues to grow. Regardless of the daily tasks, we often forget about ourselves in the process of assisting others. Though in order to continue the art of giving, we too, need to feel sustained.

Below are 5 simple ways to practice self care:

Write a gratitude list.

It is one thing to know what we are grateful for, but it is another thing to see what we are grateful for through visual lists. Writing a list of things we are grateful for is an act of self care that can shift our busy minds to a place of satisfaction and comfort.

Schedule “me” time in your calendar.

As strange as it may sound, planning “me” time is often the only way we can truly have some space and practice self care. Practice scheduling “me” time each week. Whether it is 15 minutes or an hour, you will be glad you scheduled time during the week to care for yourself.

Accept a little chaos.

Wouldn’t the days be a little less stressful if we allowed for some chaos, without feeling like we need to fix it? Allow yourself the freedom to let go of the dishes that need to be done right this second, or the bit of dust that should be polished away. Focus on the big things, the small things will always add to the stress, unless we can allow ourselves some leniency. This is one of the best ways to practice self care.

Go for a walk.

A simple walk can cure so many ailments. Spend some time with a friend, your partner, or alone and go for a morning or evening stroll. You may be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards.

Get creative.

When was the last time you built a birdhouse, baked a cake, sewed a project, or planted some vegetables? Creative projects are a great way to focus on things that are merely for pleasure rather than to reach a timeline.

More on self care:

“To experience peace does not mean that your life is always blissful. It means that you are capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst the normal chaos of a hectic life.” – Jill Bolte Taylor

“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer

“Lighten up on yourself. No one is perfect. Gently accept your humanness.” – Deborah Day

“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum

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