Category: Depression

Shame As It Relates To Caregivers of the Chronically Ill

8/11/2023

As a psychotherapist and in my personal life, I have seen firsthand the impact that shame can have on caregivers for the chronically ill. Shame can be a powerful emotion that can lead to feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and worthlessness. It can also make it difficult to ask for help or support.
There are a number of reasons why caregivers may feel shame. They may feel ashamed of the illness itself, or of the way it has changed their lives. They may feel ashamed of their own limitations, or of the things they have to do to care for their loved one. They may also feel ashamed of the financial or emotional burden that the illness has placed on their family.
Shame can have a significant impact on a caregiver's mental and physical health. It can lead to anxiety, depression, stress, and burnout. It can also make it difficult to cope with the demands of caregiving.
If you are a caregiver for a chronically ill loved one, it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many other caregivers who are going through the same thing. You are not to blame for the illness, and you are not inadequate. You are doing the best you can in a difficult situation.
If you are struggling with feelings of shame, there are things you can do to cope. First, it is important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. A therapist can help you to understand your shame and develop coping mechanisms. You can also find support groups for caregivers, where you can connect with others who understand what you are going through.
It is also important to remember to take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. You should also make time for activities that you enjoy. Taking care of yourself will help you to be better able to cope with the demands of caregiving.
If you are struggling with feelings of shame, please know that you are not alone. There is help available. Please reach out for support.
Here are some additional resources for caregivers who are struggling with shame:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a caregiver support group program called "Family-to-Family." This program provides education, support, and resources to family members and friends of people with mental illness.
The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including a website, a helpline, and a bimonthly magazine.
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including a website, a helpline, and a toolkit for managing stress.

Please remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you cope with the challenges of caregiving.
If you are struggling as a caregiver and need help, contact Scott at (303) 817-8369 or scott@springsnewhope.com.

The Emotional and Psychological Toll Due to Chronic Illness

8/4/2023

As a psychotherapist, I have seen firsthand the emotional and psychological toll that chronic illness can take on individuals and their families. The physical symptoms of chronic illness can be debilitating, but the emotional and psychological effects can be just as challenging.

Some of the common emotional and psychological challenges that people with chronic illness face include:

Fear and anxiety: People with chronic illness often live with a constant fear of the unknown. They may worry about the future course of their illness, the possibility of complications, or even death. This fear can lead to anxiety, which can manifest in a variety of ways, such as difficulty sleeping, difficulty concentrating, and increased irritability.
Depression: Depression is a common mental health disorder that can be triggered by chronic illness. People with depression may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and fatigue. They may also lose interest in activities they used to enjoy and have difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Anger: Anger is another common emotion that people with chronic illness experience. They may be angry at their illness, at their doctors, at their family and friends, or even at themselves. Anger can be a destructive emotion, but it can also be a motivating force.
Grief: People with chronic illness often experience grief, both for the life they used to have and for the life they may never have. They may grieve the loss of their health, their independence, their relationships, or even their dreams.
Isolation: People with chronic illness can often feel isolated from their friends and family. They may feel like they are no longer able to participate in the activities they used to enjoy, and they may feel like a burden to their loved ones. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, sadness, and despair.

The emotional and psychological toll of chronic illness can be significant, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you cope with the challenges of chronic illness, including therapy, support groups, and online resources.

If you are struggling to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of chronic illness, please reach out for help. There is no shame in seeking help, and it can make a big difference in your quality of life.

Tips for Coping with the Emotional and Psychological Toll of Chronic Illness

Talk to someone you trust: Talking about your feelings can help you to process them and to feel less alone. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or support group member.
Find healthy ways to cope with stress: This could include exercise, relaxation techniques, or spending time in nature.
Take care of yourself: Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
Set realistic goals: Don't try to do too much too soon. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and celebrate your successes.
Don't be afraid to ask for help: There are many people who are willing to help you, so don't be afraid to reach out.

Coping with the emotional and psychological toll of chronic illness can be challenging, but it is possible. By taking care of yourself and seeking support, you can live a full and meaningful life.

To find out more, schedule an appointment with Scott Olds at (303) 817-8369 or email me at scott@springsnewhope.com.

10 Things Highly Sensitive People Do To Feel Better And Stay Well

6/6/2022

Highly sensitive people can feel stressed, anxious, or depressed when overwhelmed with sensory overload, with too much happening around them too quickly. While no single activity is a silver bullet to well-being for the highly sensitive, research shows that a combination of these low-intensity positive activities contributes to harmony and well-being.

Positive emotion - Make time each day for yourself to do something that makes you feel good.
Self-awareness - Practice self-awareness to identify the activities that increase your well-being or detract from it. Practicing mindfulness can help.
Self-acceptance - Find peace with yourself by accepting who you are. Perfect is not the goal, progress is.
Positive social relationships balanced by times of solitude - Spend time with those that contribute to your sense of well-being and less with those that undermine it. Make time for yourself to recharge in either event.
Connecting with nature - Nature has a positive effect on us, reducing stress and anxiety. Go for a nature walk with your bestie!
Contemplative practices - Mindfulness calms the mind and turns down the volume of the external stimuli that make us crazy. Deep breathing also reduces your blood pressure.
Emotional self-regulation - When you become aware that your emotions are being triggered, take a moment to rebalance yourself with a few deep breaths. Find a moment of peace.
Practicing self-compassion - Be kind to yourself. We are imperfect and it is ok! Striving to do our best is sufficient. Intent matters.
Having a sense of meaning - Have a goal, a purpose for your life. Without a purpose, we drift or let others decide for us. With a purpose, we can move beyond the stress of the moment.
Hope/optimism - Hope and optimism help us overcome sensory overload, replacing feelings of overwhelm and stress.

Be gentle with yourself. Embrace sensitivity for the positive benefits and learn to manage the challenges. These 10 practices can help you regain a sense of balance and calm when you feel overstimulated and overwhelmed.

If you think you may be highly sensitive and need additional help overcoming anger, stress, or depression, call Scott Olds, Psychotherapist at (303) 817-8369 or Scott@springsnewhope.com for a free consultation. Scott is located in Arvada, Colorado.

Anxiety and Depression? Insomnia May Be A Factor

5/27/2022

If you are experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, or depression, chronic insomnia frequently contributes to the problem. Highly sensitive individuals frequently experience sleep disturbances due to how they process stress. Here are some suggestions to help improve your sleep which will help your anxiety.
Therapy can reduce the overwhelm and stress causing anxiety which will improve your sleep.

Insomnia Puts You At Risk For Medical Conditions

Insomnia is shown to put you at risk for a host of medical conditions, including: stroke, asthma, seizures, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Insomnia also puts you at risk for mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, confusion, frustration, and emotional regulation in general.

What causes insomnia?

The causes of insomnia are many, including:

Stress
Improper sleeping habits
Mental health issues
Medications
Chronic health conditions, such as cancer, heart disease
Sleep apnea

What can I do to manage insomnia?

Establish a regular sleep schedule
Relax before bed by reading a book or meditating
Create a comfortable sleep environment
Avoid alcohol or caffeine in the evening
Avoid heavy meals or strenuous physical activity before bedtime
Avoid taking naps
Speak to a therapist to address the stress and anxiety issues disturbing restful sleep

When Should I Contact A Therapist?

If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, panic attacks, or depression, a psychotherapist can help. Your therapist can help you uncover the root cause of your anxiety/depression and teach skills to better manage these issues.

Counseling Services In Arvada, CO
The Hope Blog

Shame As It Relates To Caregivers of the Chronically Ill

The Emotional and Psychological Toll Due to Chronic Illness

10 Things Highly Sensitive People Do To Feel Better And Stay Well

Anxiety and Depression? Insomnia May Be A Factor

Insomnia Puts You At Risk For Medical Conditions

What causes insomnia?

What can I do to manage insomnia?

When Should I Contact A Therapist?

Author

Categories

Archives

Call Scott at
(303) 817-8369 or email at Scott@springsnewhope.com
for a free phone or video evaluation.

Counseling Services In Arvada, CO​The Hope Blog

Shame As It Relates To Caregivers of the Chronically Ill

The Emotional and Psychological Toll Due to Chronic Illness

10 Things Highly Sensitive People Do To Feel Better And Stay Well

Anxiety and Depression? Insomnia May Be A Factor

Insomnia Puts You At Risk For Medical Conditions ​

What causes insomnia?

What can I do to manage insomnia?

When Should I Contact A Therapist?

Author

Categories

Archives

​Call Scott at​(303) 817-8369 or email at Scott@springsnewhope.com ​for a free phone or video evaluation.

Counseling Services In Arvada, CO
The Hope Blog

Insomnia Puts You At Risk For Medical Conditions

Call Scott at
(303) 817-8369 or email at Scott@springsnewhope.com
for a free phone or video evaluation.