People may experience a variety of reactions, many of which are understandable in the context of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Experiencing physical or emotional symptoms in response to a traumatic event is normal and is called a traumatic stress reaction.
Thanksgiving as a Single Person
Imagine a large dining room table full of food, family, and maybe an animal or two trying to locate the best time to attack the turkey that is sitting way too close to the edge. One would think that this scenario is what most people will experience this Thanksgiving. However, what about the single people?
HALT Part 4 of 5 – Am I feeling lonely?
The first time I heard that HALT method explained to me, I didn’t quite understand why loneliness made it on to the list. Most of us are aware of the fact that, on some level, being hungry or tired can make us irritable. And it makes sense that if I’m angry about one thing, I might take it out on someone else. But why loneliness? The answer has to do with two concepts: attachment and secondary emotions.
Highly Sensitive People
Were you told that you were too sensitive as a child? Do you get easily overwhelmed or over stimulated by experiences, sounds, smells, bright lights or crowds that others navigate with ease? Have your friends encouraged you to grow a thicker skin? If so, you may be among the 15-20% … Read More
Solving the Mystery of Sleep
There’s no question that every day feels busier during the fall. The days are shorter, and the sun sets earlier. This is the time of year of deadlines, yearly reviews, final exams, holiday parties, and numerous other life to-dos. Many people try to accomplish their daily to-do list by sacrificing their full night sleep. I myself have been guilty of thinking a late or all-nighter is the best way to accomplish everything I need to get done. Other people find that as their schedules get busier, their ability to have a full, restful night’s sleep gets smaller and smaller.
HALT Part 3 of 5 – Am I angry?
The HALT method is one of the most useful tools I have ever come across as a therapist. Whenever you find yourself heading towards a fight with your spouse/coworker/etc., ask yourself: Am I feeling hungry, angry, lonely or tired? This simple question has the power to radically transform those conversations. … Read More
Best of Gwinnett 2015
Each year, people cast their votes to acknowledge their favorites in different categories in the Best of Gwinnett issue of Gwinnett Magazine. This year, GROW Counseling has been nominated in the category of Best Counseling Service under the Community & Social services category. We are honored to join other businesses and organizations in competing for this special title!
Seasonal Affective Disorder
For some, the changing of the leaves and cooler temperature spark joy, for others it means shorter days, less sunlight and the onset of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Unlike holiday blues, which many people experience during this time of year due to added stress of the season, SAD is a recurrent clinical depression linked to person’s predisposed biology. The exact cause has not been determined, but many studies suggest a correlation with reduced sunlight exposure. This is found to interfere with the body’s biological clock, which regulates mood, sleep, and hormones. Recent research, is also associating low vitamin D levels as a factor in those diagnosed.
Why Are Teens So Stressed Out? Part 2
In the first part of this blog, we looked at how chronic stress is beginning to impact teens in high school. Earlier this month, The Atlantic Magazine addressed this issue in their article “High Stress High School”. Teens are under increasing pressure/stress related to academic performance, intense focus on college applications/decisions, standardized test score performance and balancing their daily activities. In our previous post, we identified signs of chronic stress in teens and here are a few ways teens can cope with stress in a healthy manner. Developing healthy coping skills can be a lifelong goal, but parents can encourage and model good coping skills for their teens, right when they need it most!
Thriving During the Holiday Season with a Mood Disorder
Stress has become synonymous with the holiday season. For those with a diagnosed mood disorder, the holiday season can be a time of increased mood shifts. Stress whether good or bad can cause a change. Being prepared is the best way to control the shifts so that you are not spending the New Year trying to come back from mania or depression.