Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a common but serious mood disorder. It affects how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. Individuals with depression experience persistent feelings of sadness that last for weeks or months. They may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, impacting their overall quality of life. Emotional and physical symptoms, such as changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, are common.
Symptoms of Depression include:
Feeling consistently sad, anxious, or having an “empty” mood.
A sense of hopelessness or pessimism about the future
Experiencing increased irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness
Anxiety
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes such as increased blood pressure. It is not the same as fear, although the terms are often used interchangeably. Anxiety tends to be future-oriented, involving a diffuse sense of threat, while fear is a more present-oriented response to a specific danger.
Adaptive anxiety can motivate preparation and caution, but when anxiety becomes dysfunctional and causes significant distress, it is considered an anxiety disorder. These disorders include conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
Symptoms of Anxiety include:
Feeling nervous, restless, or tense: Anxiety often manifests as an overwhelming sense of unease or apprehension.
Sense of impending danger, panic, or doom: Individuals with anxiety may constantly anticipate negative outcomes or catastrophic events.
Increased heart rate: Anxiety can lead to a rapid heartbeat, contributing to physical discomfort.
Hyperventilation (rapid breathing): Shallow, fast breathing is a common response during anxious moments.
Excessive sweating and trembling: Anxiety may cause profuse sweating and involuntary shaking.
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, typically first diagnosed in childhood and often persisting into adulthood. Children with ADHD exhibit difficulties in paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, and may be overly active. The symptoms can significantly impact daily life, affecting school performance, relationships, and overall functioning.
Main presentations of ADHD:
Inattentive Presentation: Individuals struggle with organization, attention to details, and following instructions. They may forget things frequently and have difficulty maintaining routines.
Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: Restlessness, impulsivity, and difficulty sitting still characterize this type. Impulsive behaviors, such as interrupting others or taking unnecessary risks, are common
Combined Presentation: A mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event, either experienced directly or witnessed. It may result from exposure to war, physical assault, sexual violence, violent crime, accidents, or natural disasters. Individuals with PTSD may experience emotional or physical harm, affecting their mental, physical, social, and spiritual well-being.
Symptoms of PTSD include:
Flashbacks: Individuals with PTSD may experience vivid and distressing memories of the traumatic event, as if they are reliving it.
Nightmares: Recurrent nightmares related to the trauma can disrupt sleep and cause emotional distress.
Avoidance: People with PTSD often avoid situations, places, or people that remind them of the traumatic experience.
Hyperarousal: This symptom includes heightened anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and an exaggerated startle response.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious health conditions that significantly impact both physical and mental well-being. These disorders involve distorted thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to food, eating, weight, and body shape.
Types of Eating Disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa: Individuals with anorexia nervosa exhibit extreme fear of gaining weight or becoming fat.
They intentionally restrict their food intake, leading to severe weight loss.
Distorted body image plays a central role, and they perceive themselves as overweight even when dangerously thin.
Bulimia Nervosa: involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or fasting.
The cycle of binging and purging can have serious health consequences.
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED): BED is characterized by frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period.
Unlike bulimia, individuals with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors afterward.
Emotional distress often accompanies these episodes.
Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED) OSFED encompasses various disordered eating patterns that do not fit neatly into the other categories.
Examples include atypical anorexia nervosa (similar to anorexia but without low weight), night eating syndrome, and purging disorder.
Signs & Symptoms:
Physical
Rapid weight loss or fluctuations
Fatigue, weakness, and dizziness
Abnormal heart rhythms
Dry skin and brittle hair
Dental problems (from purging behaviors)
Emotional & Behavioral
Preoccupation with food, calories, and body shape
Intense fear of gaining weight
Social withdrawal
Mood swings and irritability
Ritualistic eating patterns
Family Conflict
Family Conflict Resolution: Navigating Tensions and Strengthening Bonds
Families are intricate ecosystems, shaped by shared assumptions, narratives, and unique dynamics. Within these structures, conflicts can emerge in various forms. While occasional disagreements are a natural part of family life, persistent patterns of conflict can harm family members, especially children. As a therapist, I believe in the power of authentic repair. Acknowledging offenses, understanding hurt, and fostering vulnerability are essential steps toward healing. Through therapy, families can learn to navigate disconnections, attune to one another, and build healthier relationships. Whether it’s exploring relationships within the family unit or bringing couples together for interpersonal conflict resolution, therapy offers pathways to resilience and growth. A bid for repair is a precious form of communication—one that can transform family dynamics and promote lasting connection
