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Houston and Fixing The Blues

by Gary Graye

 

Everyone has felt sad at one point or another. Whether suffering from a relationship breakdown, a deathin the family or stressors like losing a job, feeling blue is a natural basic human emotion.

Most of the time, it’s easy to weather the storm, knowing that the upset will pass with time. Sometimes, however, managing the blues is not as simple and may not pass with time.

Many people who can’t shake that gloomy feeling might be dealing with the much larger problem of depression. Depression is caused by a chemical shift in the brain, where the neurotransmitters do not function as they should. This can lead to feelings of sadness, lethargy and general malaise that can be difficult to fight through without professional help.

If you are concerned that you or someone you love is suffering from clinical depression, there are a few signs you can watch for. According to the Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance, a Houston therapy group designed to offer support for those suffering from mental illness, if you or someone you love experiences any of the following symptoms for more than two weeks, it is possible depression has taken its hold.

·         Extended sadness or bouts of crying

·         Loss of energy

·         Pessimism or indifference

·         Feelings of worthlessness

·         Recurring thoughts of suicide

If these symptoms are taking over you or a loved one’s life, seeking the assistance of one of the many Houston counselors available to help is critical. Depression should not be left untreated. As you can see, the threat of suicide is a very real option for those suffering from this form of mental illness and can result in deadly consequences.

If you believe you or someone you know need help, meeting with a Houston psychiatrist can quickly help identify the type of depression and the best form of treatment.  A psychiatrist can diagnose and monitor your symptoms. Two major depressive disorders are Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymia.

Major Depressive Disorder is also known as clinical depression. It is a very serious condition, as it affects the functionality of the victim and has a risk of suicide. To identify and treat this form of depression, Houston therapists will listen to accounts of recent behavior, perhaps speak with those in the family and perform a Mental Status Exam. This test will give the Houston therapist a professional gauge to monitor the behavior and better declare whether depression is being experienced.

The second form of depression is not as debilitating as clinical depression, but equally frustrating as it can affect a person for years if not treated. Dysthymia is more common in women and can begin as early as youth. Unfortunately, if not identified, Dysthymia can simply be considered a personality trait, exposing the victim to a constant roller coaster of negative emotions and make him more susceptible to major depression. If you feel you are suffering for this form of depression, speaking with a Houston counselor to help identify the problem and get treatment.

Houston counseling centers offer a wide variety of mental health treatments that can help. Although many people feel depression is something they should try to handle on their own, trying to heal their way out with typical fixes such as a change in diet or exercise, depression typically requires the assistance of professional help as it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are many Houston psychologists trained to identify and treat the symptoms of depression that can guide you to the appropriate form of treatment.

Getting support for depression is critical to encouraging a full and healthy lifestyle. Although counselors are readily available within the city, if you live in the outskirts of Houston, in smaller areas such as Aldine, Channelview, Humble, Pasadena, Pear Land or Missouri City, there are still many treatment options available. Visit the American Psychiatric Association online at Psych.org to find the best professional help convenient to your location.

Houston psychology may be covered under your insurance and if not, check in with the offices you are considering – many offer treatment on an income based sliding scale. If you cannot afford to receive private treatment, check in with many of the social services available in your area. There are many organizations that offer free or affordable treatment for depression, as well as local support groups that can help.

Do not let depression cloud up your life. With the many treatment centers available locally and in surrounding areas like Sugar Land, Bellaire and Mission Bend, recovery is right around the corner.

Depression can affect anyone and ignoring the problem should not be an option, as everyone deserves to live a full and happy life, unclouded by depression. Speak with a Houston therapist and get on to the road of recovery today.

 

 

 

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Domestic Violence Weakens The Community

by Gary Graye

 

For the past several years, Houston has been noticed for being a successful metropolis gaining economically. With reports of new jobs in the past five years totaling 380,000, the oil and energy industry in Houston has helped it to foster growth within communities outside the city limits as well as in the town. Aldine, Bellaire, Humble, Mission Bend and Jersey Village are all areas that are growing and look ahead to a bright future. However, the struggles within the national economy are making even cities with strong economies like Houston feel a bit more on edge.

The mayor of Houston has big plans for the city, but in a January 2009 address, noted concern that Houston could most likely be hit by the national economy as well. Economic reports are predicting a decline in employment not seen since right after World War II and it would be foolish to expect Houston to be the one economy immune. Therefore, families already struggling to put food on the table, pay off high interest debt or simply keep their home are tightening the belt and getting ready for the struggles to come. Unfortunately, all of this worry has added a level of stress to interpersonal relationships in the home.

Many people are bringing home their stress about work, money and debt. Not only that, they are taking more time away from their family to try and make money while they still can, perhaps taking on a second job or working longer hours at the office. For many, nurturing a healthy relationship has been put on the back burner and bad behaviors have started to emerge. Many are beginning to take out their financial problems and stressors on one another, through emotional, verbal or physical abuse.

This is becoming a national problem. In February, 2009, the National Domestic Violence hotline reported a major increase of reported violence since the economy has taken a tumble, an increase of 20% in the fall of 2008 compared to the fall of 2007. Plus, they acknowledged that 54% of calls came from folks suffering through financial strife within the past year.

Although this is a national problem, it is offered as an example as to how it can ultimately affect the Houston community. If you feel you are experiencing these similar struggles, you are not alone. However, it’s critical to stop the problem before it gets out of hand by reaching out to one of the many Houston therapists ready to help.

Houston counselors are trained to help identify domestic violence. Abuse takes place any time a partner or an ex-partner attempts to physically or mentally dominate their partner. Although it’s simple to spot a physical attack, recognizing emotional abuse is more of a challenge. If you are concerned about your family, meet with a Houston counselor or Houston psychologist to talk over your concerns. They can confirm whether or not you or someone you know is suffering from abuse and the steps you can take to stop it.

Confronting abuse is not easy. It’s much simpler to ignore the problem, but physical and sexual violence is illegal, dangerous and should never be tolerated. Emotional abuse can cause long term psychological effects and although not classified as illegal, it can be a warning sign of worse things to come. For those who do not know where to turn, do your research. There are many Houston therapists and Houston psychologists trained to help as well as many programs available. Locations can be found both downtown and in surrounding areas such as Channelview, Missouri City, Pasadena and Sugar Land.

Determining the cost of treatment is important and there are a few things to know ahead of time. For example, meeting individually with a Houston psychologist might seem expensive at first glance, but there are many offices that will work within your budget on what is called a sliding scale. Several psychologists work on a sliding payment scale, offer social programs or are even covered by insurance. Plus, many Houston therapy centers are free or need based.

The National Domestic Hotline 1.800.799.SAFE is also a free phone call and may be able to point you towards Houston counseling that is affordable for you as there are many professionals counseling Houston at a reduced rate.

Overall, do not rule out investigating personal Houston psychology until you dig deeper to find all the options available to you. Domestic violence needs to stop before it starts, so if you are concerned about the future of your relationship, talk to one of the many Houston therapy resources today. They can offer support you need to get you, your family and ultimately, the community back where it needs to be.

 

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