What is an interpersonal relationship?
An interpersonal relationship is an interaction between two or more people whether it is anonymously or face-to-face, for example. Such relationships occur among those who may fill each other’s explicit/implicit physical or emotional needs. It can be with a romantic partner, friend, co-worker, classmate, family, parent, sibling, daughter, or a son.
It is important to take in mind though, that just like many other things, interpersonal relationships have their highs and lows. However, it is also important to distinguish whether a relationship is “healthy” or if it has passed over to being “unhealth” possibly.
What is a “healthy” interpersonal relationship?
It is honest, there is respect, support, equality among you and your loved one, you are your own self, meaning you are independent, you compromise with each other and you communicate. In a healthy relationship it is important for both of you to not be afraid of being yourself or afraid to make decisions because of what the other may say. You simply accept each other for who you are. Also, you are truthful to one another and have no fear for rejection, for example. One is aware that it does not matter where we come from or we are going because our loved ones will accept us the way we are. Additionally, in a “healthy” relationship there is support, and encouragement for one another so that one can be a better person, there is respect for each other’s values, and most importantly, one is willing to give and take.
What is an “unhealthy” interpersonal relationship?
Often, in an unhealthy relationship, the individual may be dependent of the other or one another. For example, they may avoid certain topics for fear of their reactions and may then believe that they may deserve to be hurt by their actions. Occasionally, individuals may even feel helpless and unvalued. There is often disrespect; they humiliate you, yell at you, put you down and criticize you or they may hide things from you because there is no trust, or they have the intention of hurting you. Additionally, one, the other, or both, may be constantly checking up on you because they want to know where you are at all the time and sometimes become jealous of others who surround you. In an unhealthy relationship, one may also find pressure and an individual pushing the other to do things they do not want to do. It is also important to take in mind that there is violence, but not just physical violence. Such violence includes both verbal and emotional violence. An individual may hit you, but if they are verbally attacking you, that is violence as well and is unhealthy for the relationship.
What can I do for myself if I am in an “unhealthy” interpersonal relationship?
Seek help. Don’t be afraid. It is often easier to say something than to get it done however, it is important for you to first recognize that there is a problem in order to continue to the solution. You are not alone. Talk to someone about your current situation. Try to talk to the person you are in conflict with to attempt to reach a solution or agreement.
If you want to learn more about unhealthy and healthy interpersonal relationships and how to manage them, learn more about our upcoming support group at
https://venturacommunitycounseling.com/managing-interpersonal-relationships-support-group/
Posted: March 4, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Persistent Depressive Disorder
What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?
The National Institute of Mental health estimates that such disorder affects 1.5% of the adult population in the United States and about 11.2% of the population between 13 to 18 years of age. Although it is not as severe as major depression, Persistent Depressive Disorder or dysthymia, is a chronic ongoing type of depression. Individuals who have such disorder lose interest in their daily life activities and in most cases, they also have a hard time being “upbeat” even when a happy occasion is presented. It is important to note that such feelings can last for years and that it is believed that girls are more likely to experience any type of depressive disorder than boys.
Other symptoms:
It is also important to note that such symptoms can cause a significant impairment on individuals and that they usually come and go over a period of years. However, systems usually don’t tend to disappear for more than two months.
What causes Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Although there is not one known exact cause, it is believed that biological differences, brain chemistry, inherited traits, and life events may have an influence in the development of the disorder. It is believed that people who suffer from persistent depressive disorder experience physical changes in their brains. Also, an individual is more likely to develop the disorder if someone in their family has previously been diagnosed with it as well as a loss of a loved one, financial problems, or high stress can also play a role in the development. An individuals’ negativity, their low self-esteem and being too dependent of others may also contribute to the risk factors of such disorders.
What effect does it have in an individual’s life?
How can I reduce the chances of developing Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Although for some people there will not be a way to prevent such disorder, for others there may be. It is important for an individual to take control of the stress they experience and learn how to cope with it. Also, reach out to friends and family, start receiving treatment the moment you begin to see signs, and consider keeping such treatment for a while.
How can it be treated and what can I do for myself?
Posted: March 4, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Think You or Someone You Know Is Consuming Too Much Alcohol?
Alcohol Intoxication
What is alcohol intoxication?
It happens when an individual consumes more alcohol than the body can handle causing behavioral or physical abnormalities. It is also known as ethanol poisoning or being drunk.
What causes such intoxication?
Ethanol, a type of alcohol, creates depressive effects in various areas of the brain that then cause the physical and behavioral abnormalities already mentioned.
What are the symptoms of alcohol intoxication?
What are some common behaviors of individuals who are experiencing alcohol intoxication?
How is alcohol intoxication diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will often examine you and ask a variety of questions such as:
Often, healthcare providers will also take a urine sample to test the amount of alcohol in the body, for liver, kidney, and heart damage.
How is such intoxication treated?
What are the consequences of alcohol intoxication?
How do I know if I am experiencing alcohol intoxication? How do I know when to seek help?
How to help someone or yourself if they are experiencing alcohol intoxication?
Posted: March 3, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
What is Panic Disorder?
It is estimated that between 2 and 3% of Americans encounter panic disorder in a given year. Additionally, although it can be present in both women and men, women are twice as likely to encounter such disorder.
What is Panic Disorder?
Panic Disorder can be classified as a type of anxiety disorder. People who suffer from such disorder have sudden panic attacks and often have a strong fear that lasts for several minutes, in some cases even hours. Such attacks may derive from the fear that a disaster may occur or from the fear of losing control on a situation even though there appears to be no danger. It is important to note that such attacks can begin to develop in late adolescence and early adulthood however, children are subject to developing such disorder as well. Additionally, just because you have panic attacks does not mean you have developed panic disorder. It is believed that 1 in 10 people in the United States have a panic attack each year while one third of people have one in their lifetime however, only about 3% of adults have developed such disorder.
Panic Disorder can be affecting your daily life in the sense that it may not allow you to go to work or school for example, because of the fear that a panic attack may happen, and you may then feel embarrassed.
What are the symptoms?
How can it be treated?
It is important to note that if you leave such disorder untreated, it may lead to agoraphobia (an intense fear of being outside).
What causes Panic Disorder?
There has not been true known factor as to what causes such disorder however, some of the research that has been conducted has revealed that it may be run in families. There has not been an establishment in the relationship among the disorder and the environmental factors however, it can also play a role. On the other hand, researchers have found that several parts of the brain along with the biological processes, can often play a role in both fear and anxiety.
What can I do to help myself?
Posted: February 27, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Insomnia
Do you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep? Insomnia is a sleep disorder that has been found to affect millions of individuals worldwide. In fact, about 30 to 40% of Americans every year share that they have experiences insomnia. It is often easy to tell someone who has shared they cannot sleep at night to just take some medication or just fall asleep however, people who have insomnia cannot fall asleep even if given the opportunity or if they are immensely tired. If you experience insomnia a day or two there’s not to much to worry about however, if it is constant and continues to happen for a couple of days, it is strongly recommended to see a doctor.
Now, what causes insomnia?
Often, it is common to find that there is another medical condition that is causing the insomnia however, other factors that influence such disorder can be any disruptions in the circadian rhythm, psychological issues, hormones, or other factors such as sleeping with a snoring partner, genetic conditions or pregnancy, for example. Environmental noise, job shift changes, bipolar disorder, depression, psychotic disorder, anxiety disorder, chronic pain, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, or estrogen have shown to influence such disorder as well.
How long can insomnia last?
Acute Insomnia:
Such insomnia is often brief and is caused by life circumstances. For example, an individual may experience acute insomnia when they are too worried or stressed on a given mind because they have a final the next day or after receiving some bad news. This type of insomnia tends to be short and it tends to resolve without the need of going into treatment.
Chronic Insomnia:
In this case, individuals experience sleep disturbances for at least three nights a week and may often last up to three months. With chronic insomnia, it is recommended for individuals to seek therapy and may be cause by environmental factors or other medical conditions, for example.
What are the symptoms?
Insomnia Facts:
How can insomnia be treated?
There are non-medical treatments such as:
Medical Treatments include:
How can I battle my insomnia?
Posted: February 27, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is typically developed after an individual has experienced a shocking, scary, dangerous, or unexpected event. However, not all people who develop PTSD have experienced such traumatic event. Some people have developed it after an unexpected death of a loved one. In fact, the National Center for PTSD estimated that about 8 out of 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lived.
What are the risk factors that influence the development of PTSD?
What resilience factors can reduce the development of PTSD?
What are the symptoms for adults?
What are the symptoms for children under age 6?
Although the reactions can be similar, teens and children may have other reactions such as:
How is PTSD treated?
How can I help someone with PTSD?
How can I help myself?
Posted: February 26, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Is there something about your appearance that you may not like? Or are you in constant worry about such “flaw” that it causes you a significant distress? Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), formerly known as dysmorphophobia, is a mental disorder in which an individual is preoccupied with an imagined or minor physical defect that is not apparent to others. For example, in most cases individuals are concerned with their skin imperfections, hair, and their facial features such as their nose. However, it is possible that they also express concern with a “flaw” in their teeth, weight stomach, breasts, legs, chin, eyebrows, or genitals for example. All of us, if not the majority of us, have something about our appearance that we do not like however, individuals with BDD cannot control their negative thoughts and often see themselves as “unattractive,” “ugly,” or looking “like a monster,” for example. Their preoccupation for their physical appearance is so extreme that it may begin to interfere with their daily lives and spend hours thinking about such “flaw.” For example, individuals may begin to isolate themselves and begin to miss school, work, social situations, and they may even isolate themselves from their loved ones because they fear that others may notice their flaws.
What are the symptoms of BDD?
How can it be treated?
Who is affected by BDD?
BDD affects both men and women equally. It is believed that in the United States, there is a 2.5% prevalence in females and a 2.2% in males estimating that about 1 in 50 people are affected by such disorder. However, people who suffer BDD may also tend to suffer from other anxiety disorder such as Social Anxiety Disorder as well as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Depression. It is important to take note of this but be cautious for a misdiagnosis.
What causes BDD?
Often, BDD begins to develop in adolescent years however, there is no clear diagnosis of what the causes of such disorder are. Moreover, there are believes that there may exist environmental and biological factors that may influence the development, including genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors, personality traits, and life experiences (i.e. peer-abuse, sexual assault, or child mistreatment).
What can I do to help myself cope with BDD?
Posted: February 24, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Eating Disorders
What is an Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is characterized by irregular eating habits, severe distress or an excessive concern regarding your body weight or shape. An individual can either have an altered consumption or absorption of food and as a result it impairs the individuals’ physical health and psychosocial functioning. While there are a variety of eating disorders, the most common forms of such disorder include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge-Eating Disorder.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Individuals who are suffering from Anorexia Nervosa typically have an extremely low body weight considering their height and body type. Individuals often see themselves as ¨fat,” even though their weight is considered a significant low weight, meaning their weight it less than minimally normal.
What are the symptoms?
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by repeated binge eating when attempting to compensate for the overeating that the individual may have engaged in. For instance, individuals may force their vomit, exercise excessively, or engage in extreme use of laxatives or diuretics in order to get rid of everything that they just consumed. Individuals with bulimia nervosa often have feeling of guilt and shame when they consume excessive amount of food. Unlike anorexia nervosa, individuals with bulimia nervosa are often considered normal weight or slightly overweight.
What are the symptoms?
What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Unlike individuals with Bulimia Nervosa, individuals with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or excursing excessively, but rather consume large amounts of food for example, and as a consequence, they may be obese and may be at a higher risk of developing other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
What are the symptoms?
What causes Eating Disorders?
Although the cause is not really known, it is believed that the combination of biological, psychological, and environmental abnormalities influences the development of such disorders. For example, poor self-esteem, irregular home functions, genetics, professions and careers (i.e. ballet and modeling), cultural pressure, and family traumas to mention a few.
It is important to note that it affects both men and women.
How can it be treated?
What can I do for myself or someone I know?
Last Updated: February 24, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Attachment Styles and Their Influence On Interpersonal Relationships
What is Attachment Theory and how does my attachment style affect my interpersonal relationships?
Have you ever stopped to think how the relationship you may have had with your caregiver for example, may be affecting your relationships now? Do you ever encounter difficulties when forming interpersonal relationships and don’t know why? Attachment theory aims to describe how and why an individual may or may not handle an interpersonal relationship (both short-term and long-term). It is believed that an individuals’ experience with a caregiver for example, can play an influence on how an individual will react when separated from the caregiver or when hurt. Additionally, to describe the interpersonal relationships that an individual may form, four different types of attachment styles have been developed.
The following attachment styles have been identified as the primary styles:
Now, what are some characteristics of each?
Secure Attachment:
Avoidant Attachment
Ambivalent Attachment
Disorganized Attachment
How does such attachment influence the interpersonal relationships I have today or may have in the future?
An individuals’ attachment style develops in early childhood and continues throughout the lifespan as a working model for the relationships that we may be established in the future. Such attachment style influences how we maintain a relationship because often, it is what impacts the way we may perceive or react to a current situation or how we pursue our needs. For example, an individual who may have a secure attachment, as an adult they are more likely to work together with their loved one to meet both of their needs when encountering a conflict. However, someone who may have an avoidant attachment style, they may often want to engage with someone who tends to isolate themselves so that they don’t have to be faced in the need of solving something. The way our attachment style is brought about continues to influence how we engage with our peers, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, and classmate for example, today and in the future.
What can I do to ensure that my interpersonal relationship stays healthy?
Know your attachment style. When an individual knows their attachment style they can easily understand their own strengths and vulnerabilities in a relationship. It is important for you to recognize what is it that has influenced your personality today to begin to understand the reasoning for your actions and type of relationships. Once you understand yourself, you will be able to understand your loved ones and possibly reach to an agreement when encountering a conflict for example.
If you are interested in learning more about attachment styles, how they affect your daily life, or how to manage interpersonal relationships, check out our upcoming support group at https://venturacommunitycounseling.com/managing-interpersonal-relationships-support-group/
Posted: February 22, 2018 by Yesenia Garcia Leave a Comment
Healthy vs Unhealthy Interpersonal Relationships
What is an interpersonal relationship?
An interpersonal relationship is an interaction between two or more people whether it is anonymously or face-to-face, for example. Such relationships occur among those who may fill each other’s explicit/implicit physical or emotional needs. It can be with a romantic partner, friend, co-worker, classmate, family, parent, sibling, daughter, or a son.
It is important to take in mind though, that just like many other things, interpersonal relationships have their highs and lows. However, it is also important to distinguish whether a relationship is “healthy” or if it has passed over to being “unhealth” possibly.
What is a “healthy” interpersonal relationship?
It is honest, there is respect, support, equality among you and your loved one, you are your own self, meaning you are independent, you compromise with each other and you communicate. In a healthy relationship it is important for both of you to not be afraid of being yourself or afraid to make decisions because of what the other may say. You simply accept each other for who you are. Also, you are truthful to one another and have no fear for rejection, for example. One is aware that it does not matter where we come from or we are going because our loved ones will accept us the way we are. Additionally, in a “healthy” relationship there is support, and encouragement for one another so that one can be a better person, there is respect for each other’s values, and most importantly, one is willing to give and take.
What is an “unhealthy” interpersonal relationship?
Often, in an unhealthy relationship, the individual may be dependent of the other or one another. For example, they may avoid certain topics for fear of their reactions and may then believe that they may deserve to be hurt by their actions. Occasionally, individuals may even feel helpless and unvalued. There is often disrespect; they humiliate you, yell at you, put you down and criticize you or they may hide things from you because there is no trust, or they have the intention of hurting you. Additionally, one, the other, or both, may be constantly checking up on you because they want to know where you are at all the time and sometimes become jealous of others who surround you. In an unhealthy relationship, one may also find pressure and an individual pushing the other to do things they do not want to do. It is also important to take in mind that there is violence, but not just physical violence. Such violence includes both verbal and emotional violence. An individual may hit you, but if they are verbally attacking you, that is violence as well and is unhealthy for the relationship.
What can I do for myself if I am in an “unhealthy” interpersonal relationship?
Seek help. Don’t be afraid. It is often easier to say something than to get it done however, it is important for you to first recognize that there is a problem in order to continue to the solution. You are not alone. Talk to someone about your current situation. Try to talk to the person you are in conflict with to attempt to reach a solution or agreement.
If you want to learn more about unhealthy and healthy interpersonal relationships and how to manage them, learn more about our upcoming support group at
https://venturacommunitycounseling.com/managing-interpersonal-relationships-support-group/
Posted: February 14, 2018 by VCCounseling Leave a Comment
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder?
For children under the age of 12, Separation Anxiety Disorder is the most prevalent anxiety disorder while in a 12-month period in the United States, it is estimated that it exists among 0.9 to 1.9 percent in adults, 1.6 percent among teenagers, and 4 percent among children.
Separation Anxiety Disorder is a condition in which an individual, often a child, becomes anxious and fearful when they are away from home or when they are separated from a loved one, often their caregiver. However, it is important to note that such condition may be present at all stages of life, not just children. For a child who is two years or younger, it may be normal for them to express such anxiety or fear when their parent is out of sight because they are not yet able to fully understand that their parent could be out of sight. Such separation becomes a problem when it’s excessive given the individuals developmental level and when it begins to disrupt the person’s daily life. For example, the individual cannot go to work or school because they do not want to be on their own but rather feel the need to be with their loved one.
What causes Separation Anxiety Disorder?
Although there is not a known cause, there are risks factors that are believed to influence such disorder. For example, a major stressor in someone’s life or the loss of a loved one (including a pet) may influence the development of such disorder. Also, a divorce of the parents, changes of school, or even having overprotective parents may play a role. Being separated from your loved one because of a disaster of some sort, for example, has also shown to influence the disorder.
Furthermore, although it has not been scientifically proven, research has shown that Separation Anxiety Disorder may be genetic.
What are the symptoms?
How can it be treated?
In most cases, medical treatment is not necessary, but rather individuals undergo therapy to reduce the anxiety, develop a sense of security in both the loved ones and the individuals, and educating the individual and loved ones about the need of separation.
Some individuals undergo psychotherapy to help the individual tolerate separation while others may undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy to help reshape the individuals thinking. Another option may be behavioral modification therapy where an individual is not punished for their symptoms, but rather rewarded for small victories over symptoms.
What can I do for myself or for someone I know?
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