Suicide is a scary word. Mental health professionals don’t like to use that word, either. So we often use the phrase “self-harm.” Whatever you call it, the meaning is the same: doing something to bring about the end to your own life. It’s been my experience that people consider suicide because they feel helpless and […]
Have you felt that need for closure eating away at you lately? Can’t quite let it go until it has all been sliced, diced, and lined up in a neat row? You’re in good company. However… while wanting closure is only human, it can also be detrimental to your emotional wellness. Digging in your heels […]
You have probably heard phrases like “listen to your gut” or “listen to your inner voice.” Therapists say that a lot, or at least I do. But I am not alone. Your intuition is always operating below the surface. And turning into it can help you in making decisions, in judging situations, in understanding people, […]
A lot of us are feeling anxious about COVID-19 reentry. We were anxious about the pandemic, now we’re anxious about getting back to the next chapter of our lives. The uncertainty continues. Take a look at an article I published about how to cope with COVID-19 reentry. Here’s a link: https://justgotdiagnosed.com/resources/feeling-anxious-covid-reentry/
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. So it is only appropriate, I think, to talk about the importance of paying attention to your mental health. And reaching out for help if you need it. But I am often asked the question “How do I know if I need help?” So I have posted an […]
We often talk about identity these days, from a variety of perspectives. But the focus of my work is chronic and catastrophic conditions, so I think more about identity from that perspective. Living with a medical diagnosis can affect how others view us, as well as how we view ourselves. That includes labeling ourselves as […]
We all need validation. On some days more than others. When you hit one of those days, here’s what you can do: Remember that validation starts from within. Therapists spend a lot of time talking with their clients about validation. My approach is always to start with helping my client to understand the ways in […]
It seems like the word fear has popped up a lot lately. The political situation. The pandemic. Just two name a couple of the latest reasons to experience fearful thoughts lately. My clients often talk about another reason for fear. Their medical diagnosis. I most often hear this from newly-diagnosed clients, who are still processing […]
I am not a big fan of winter. As I get older, I think I get less fond of winter every year. January and February are, to me, the worst months. However, where I live, in New York, it’s pretty cold from November into April. Still, March will offer a glimmer, just a glimmer, of […]
Be aware that mental health diagnoses like depression and anxiety may occur concurrently with chronic conditions and chronic pain. The word co-morbidity would apply here. And I can say from my own personal experience as a psychotherapist that many of my clients living with chronic conditions and chronic pain do indeed have a dual diagnosis […]