Depression

When Motherhood Awakens Old Feelings: Postnatal Depression and the Mothers We Carry Within

Leave a Comment / Anxiety, Baby, Depression, Motherhood, Postpartum Depression, Pregnancy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Trauma / COPE

Becoming a mother is often imagined as a time of immediate love, fulfilment and connection. For many women, however, the postnatal period can also bring exhaustion, anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt or a frightening sense of disconnection.
Postnatal depression affects approximately one in seven women following the birth of a baby. It may involve persistent low mood, loss of pleasure, irritability, hopelessness, difficulty sleeping even when the baby is asleep, feelings of worthlessness, or feeling disconnected from the baby and other people. From a psychodynamic perspective, becoming a mother can also awaken powerful feelings connected to a woman’s own experience of having been cared for.

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When “Pushing Through” Stops Working: Men, Emotions and Therapy

Leave a Comment / Depression, Emotions, Expression, Masculinity / COPE

Many men learn from an early age that strength means remaining in control, solving problems independently and continuing to function regardless of how they feel. Being dependable, capable and self-reliant can be genuine strengths. Difficulties arise when these qualities become rigid expectations: I should handle this myself. I should not need anyone. I just have to push through. Over time, the effort required to maintain this position can leave men feeling emotionally disconnected, exhausted or alone.

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Understanding the Self-Sacrifice Schema and Its Impact on Mental Health

Leave a Comment / Anxiety, Depression, Developmental, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Psychological Science, Therapy, Wellbeing / COPE

The self-sacrifice schema can lead people to consistently put others’ needs before their own. Learn how childhood experiences, attachment and low self-worth can contribute to self-sacrifice, burnout, resentment and difficulties with boundaries.

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When Anger Hides Sadness: Adolescence, Depression and School Refusal

Leave a Comment / Anger, Depression, Developmental, Healing, Mental Health Wellbeing, Personality, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, School, School refusal, Teenager, Young Adolescent / COPE

Depression does not always look like sadness. Adults often imagine depression as visible sadness or tearfulness. In adolescents, it may instead appear as:
• Irritability, anger or frequent conflict
• School refusal or declining attendance
• Withdrawal from family, friends or activities
• Alcohol or other drug use
• Fighting, impulsivity or risk-taking
• Sleep disruption and difficulty getting up
• Falling grades or reduced motivation
• Hopelessness, self-harm or suicidal thinking

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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): What It Is & How To Find A Great Teacher

Addiction, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Depression, Emotions, Healing, Mental Health Recovery, Mental Health Wellbeing, Mental Health Wellbeing, Psychosocial Disability, PTSD, Stress & Burnout, Therapy, Trauma, Uncategorized, Wellbeing / COPE

What is interesting about teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is that, as teachers, we don’t really do anything for our participants. If we tried, we would fail miserably.

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