Anger is a strong emotion that tells us we are under a threat or under a perceived threat. As such it is very helpful and important for our self-protection.
A problem arises however when anger is responded to automatically rather than taking a moment to make sense of the threat, or to check how real the threat is. In this case anger may be 'acted out' in the form of an angry response that risks being abusive or violent, and the risk of creating more problems and damaging relationships.
When conflicts arise that are difficult to contain or that become destructive, beginning counseling in a safe and neutral environment can be a way to make sense of the many layers of what is happening.
The aim is to develop communication that is non-threatening and not blaming or manipulative.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Christchurch Earthquakes
Little did we know when the Talking Therapy website was developed in 2009, and we published an article on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that Christchurch would soon become a natural disaster zone, with events occurring that would cause prolonged and repetitive fear and helplessness, making us all susceptible to post traumatic stress.
We are hearing the word 'resilient' a lot at the moment, as Cantabrians are being praised for their strength and resilience.
It does feel like the media and speechwriters are trying to make us feel good, but being repeatedly told that we are strong, and stoic can make us hesitant to acknowledge that we may not feel that way, and that it is not ok to have the feelings that we are experiencing and that worse, it is something to be ashamed of.
Christchurch has experienced four serious earthquakes since September 4th 2010, with one being on Boxing Day that year, and the devastating one on February 22nd 2011 where over 180 people lost their lives, and where the central city has been devastated as well as many suburbs.
A State of Emergency lasted for weeks. I had started an article after returning to work after the Boxing Day earthquake. The most recent events on June 13th 2011 led to the premises of Talking Therapy having to relocate due to concerns about the safety of our building.
In the article I had begun to write about the experience of working with clients on the trauma of the earthquake, and in particular therapeutic difficulty (or wondering perhaps the more positive importance for the client) of shared experience of that trauma. After the third more devastating earthquake this experience of some shared aspect of the trauma seemed to be more present in the therapy room.
An affair is a damaging crisis for many relationships.
Understanding the often unvoiced problems the relationship was facing in the months or years prior can be important in rebuilding, or moving on from, a damaged relationship.
"it feels totally wrong, unnatural, against the proper order of things, that I should stand at the coffin of my child; it is meant to be the other way around – that our children bury us."
Whether it is the death of their baby, or of a young child, or even of an adult child, this is what every parent says. The death of a child is the most devastating loss a parent can experience.
This year figures from the New Zealand Mental Health Survey show that one in four New Zealanders will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Anxiety disorders are more common than depression yet there has not been the publicity to encourage people to recognise that their levels of anxiety are impacting on their lives. “Anxiety” is not a word that many people are willing to attribute to themselves and will often cover up how they are feeling.
Post traumatic stress often goes undetected. Why is this when the symptoms are wide ranging and long lasting, affecting how you experience yourself, how you relate to others and how you interact with the outside world?
Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events such as sexual, physical and psychological abuse, natural disasters, accidents and war can cause highly distressing psychological reactions. The fear and helplessness that is felt at the time of the trauma can continue to be felt long after the trauma has ended. When trauma is prolonged and repeated many will develop post traumatic stress disorder.
What is the importance of recognising different value systems in the maintenance of a healthy relationship?
In longer term relationships some of the reasons for early attraction can become a significant cause of disharmony and relationship conflict if not properly acknowledged and addressed.
Anger is a strong emotion that tells us we are under a threat or under a perceived threat. As such it is very helpful and important for our self-protection.
A problem arises however when anger is responded...
When conflicts arise that are difficult to contain or that become destructive, beginning counseling in a safe and neutral environment can be a way to make sense of the many layers of what is happening.
The...
Little did we know when the Talking Therapy website was developed in 2009, and we published an article on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, that Christchurch would soon become a natural disaster zone, with...
We are hearing the word 'resilient' a lot at the moment, as Cantabrians are being praised for their strength and resilience.
It does feel like the media and speechwriters are trying to make us feel good,...
Christchurch has experienced four serious earthquakes since September 4th 2010, with one being on Boxing Day that year, and the devastating one on February 22nd 2011 where over 180 people lost their lives,...
An affair is a damaging crisis for many relationships.
Understanding the often unvoiced problems the relationship was facing in the months or years prior can be important in rebuilding, or moving on from,...
"it feels totally wrong, unnatural, against the proper order of things, that I should stand at the coffin of my child; it is meant to be the other way around – that our children bury us."
Whether...
This year figures from the New Zealand Mental Health Survey show that one in four New Zealanders will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Anxiety disorders are more common than...
Post traumatic stress often goes undetected. Why is this when the symptoms are wide ranging and long lasting, affecting how you experience yourself, how you relate to others and...
What is the importance of recognising different value systems in the maintenance of a healthy relationship?
In longer term relationships some of the reasons for early attraction can become a significant...
Articles on Mental Health
