Depression Archives | Grapevine Christian Counseling

Coping Mechanisms for Stress: How to Help Your Body and Mind

Coping Mechanisms for Stress: How to Help Your Body and Mind

By Grapevine Christian Counseling|September 30th, 2024|Anger Issues, Anxiety, Depression, Featured, Grief Counseling, Psychological Testing|

What stress is looking back at you today from the mirror? The signs of stress are visible in the faces and behaviors of many people, and you and I are likely no different. The difference, however, is in how we face these challenges. We face many hurdles that are simply too high and too wide to get around and navigate sensibly, and too tough to get through on our own. These challenges are interpreted by our minds and bodies as stressful situations. After we experience a traumatic event, the human psyche is prone to have a strong and lingering reaction. It is important to be proactive and learn healthy coping mechanisms for stress, including getting the appropriate care and support we need to dial down our symptoms and stressful feelings. Frequently, reactions to a stressful event are physical and emotional and can include the following factors: An inclination to use more tobacco, alcohol, or other substances that we feel will help us cope. We may experience physical reactions like body pains, headaches, rashes on our skin, and tummy problems. Worsening chronic health problems. Being able to make decisions, fall and stay asleep, and concentrate. Denial and withdrawal. Feelings of anger, fear, frustration, numbness, sadness, shock, and worry. A decline in mental health. Changes in our appetite, levels of energy, desires, and even interests. Being affected by others’ anger and abuse of power, or even the consequences of our own mistakes can lead us to feel grief, anxiety, stress, and worry. It may be a mass shooting or natural disaster, a layoff, or a car accident with crippling financial consequences. Here we discuss some of the ways that you can help not only yourself but also others in your community, to know more about coping [...]

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Tips for Men Facing Depression

Tips for Men Facing Depression

By Kate Motaung|June 26th, 2024|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues|

Men often have particular ways of dealing with depression that are different from how women, teens, and children deal with depression. Men tend to bottle up their feelings, withdraw from friends and family, and seek out escapist coping behaviors, like playing video games, binge drinking, or watching excessive amounts of sports. These coping methods may feel helpful in the short term, but they might be damaging to a man’s relationships, profession, and long-term mental health. There are different types of depression and varied reasons for experiencing it, but all types are treatable through a combination of therapy and medication. Here are some tips for men to identify depression, and then to know how to cope with it. Keep in mind that all the personal effort you put into coping with depression could be supplemented with professional help from a counselor or therapist. Stop and self-evaluate Research shows that most men become depressed through over-extending themselves. Most of us want to just keep going, but you can’t run on fumes forever. No matter the pressure that is on you at this current moment, it is always a good idea to take some time to check in with yourself, even if it is only a few hours at the end of the day. You might be depressed if you are experiencing uncharacteristic emotional outbursts, have trouble sleeping, have constant thoughts of wishing you were away from your current situation, or are experiencing constant physical exhaustion. When the things that used to bring you joy or a sense of fulfillment no longer have the same effect, that’s often a clear sign that you are dealing with depression. You might not even know it until you stop and consider how you are doing below the surface. Get balance Men tend to use escapism [...]

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Chronic Illness and Depression: How to Find Hope and Support

Chronic Illness and Depression: How to Find Hope and Support

By Kate Motaung|January 18th, 2023|Depression, Featured, Individual Counseling|

It is more common for people who suffer from chronic illnesses to also struggle with depression. Unfortunately, people who suffer from depression also have an increased risk of developing a chronic illness. However, depression can still be treated even if you have a chronic illness. What is a chronic illness? A condition that usually lasts three months or longer. Is not preventable by vaccination. Has no existing cure, even if it is treatable. Heart disease, stroke, and ongoing pain are examples of some of the most prevalent types of chronic conditions (diseases). It is estimated that more than one hundred million people in the United States are coping with at least one chronic illness, and the majority of them are managing at least two illnesses simultaneously. There is a high rate of inaccuracy and delay in the diagnosis of chronic diseases. When you are aware that something is wrong with your body but you are unable to get a diagnosis or treatment for it, it can be an extremely taxing experience on your emotional well-being. After receiving a diagnosis, additional issues might appear. In general, the treatment focuses on the physical aspects of the disease the vast majority of the time; in the meantime, the mental and emotional aspects may not receive the appropriate attention. It may be difficult for you to articulate how you are feeling in the beginning stages of a chronic illness as well as throughout the illness itself. In general, the treatment focuses on the physical aspects of the disease the vast majority of the time; in the meantime, the mental and emotional aspects may not receive the appropriate attention. Working through a chronic illness diagnosis A diagnosis of chronic illness can cause a person to experience a sense of having lost touch with who [...]

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