Benefits

People who are experiencing Depression or low mood sometimes feel they can’t sleep or sleeping too much, that they can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult. Many feel hopeless and helpless as they can’t control their negative thoughts, no matter how much they try. Depression can affect your appetite in such a way you can lose your appetite or you begin to over eat (comfort eating). Depression can make people feel much more irritable and short-tempered than usual. And, sadly some people have thoughts that life is not worth living.

Anxiety is a set of symptoms:
Emotional (e.g. fear, worry)
Physical (e.g. shortness of breath, heart pounding, sweating, upset stomach)
Cognitive (e.g. Negative Thoughts, fear of dying, losing control, going crazy)

When someone experiences a cluster of these symptoms, it is often called a Panic Attack.
Although in some instances your anxiety may have no apparent cause, people who are considered most 'at risk' of developing  anxiety disorder include those who have undergone a major life event such as bereavement, a relationship breakup or unemployment; those who misuse drugs and alcohol; or those with a family history of anxiety (HSE 2007).

When someone close to you has died, it can be really hard for you to believe that this person, who was so important to you, is not coming back. The physical and mental pain can be overwhelming. Life can seem pointless. Sometimes complicating factors make the loss even harder to bear. Now there is no opportunity to say what you really wanted to say or do what you really wanted to do.

Sometimes our losses are less obvious. Maybe no-one has died but our life has changed dramatically following separation or divorce or loss of a job. Many losses lie hidden - such as loss of identity, health, position in life and status, friends and work colleagues. We often do not realise that we have suffered such losses and wonder why it is that we feel so sad and confused.

It can be very difficult to pick up the pieces and try to put your life together again following a significant loss. It can be hard to relate to other people who mean well but who have not experienced the loss that you have. It is important to remember that Bereavement and Loss is a process that is very natural and we all go through it. But, if the symptoms persist for more that 10 weeks, it can be a good idea to speak to a professional Therapist.

Like adults teenagers can also experience many emotional changes such as low self-esteem, anger, depression, the effects of parental separation, drug and alcohol misuse and self destructive behaviours and issues with school . Counselling can help young people and their families to explore how better to live their lives in a way that suits the whole family.

They may be a wide range of issues that cause the relationship to get into trouble. Sometimes, indeed couples just drift apart by simply not spending time together and by not being intimate with each other or indeed by not getting involved in each other’s lives. For whatever the reason the relationship which was once a happy one has become dulled or dormant in some way or other.

Many people in Ireland are living with a loved one who is sick, be that caring for a person with a physical issue or a mental health issue. Issues such as living or caring for an individual who abuses alcohol or drugs, living with or caring for someone who has a mental health disorder such as Schizophrenia or Bi-polar disorder. Loving for someone or caring for someone whatever the issue can be stressful. People living with constant stress leave themselves open to depression, anxiety and isolation. Self Care is very important when caring for people. You need to look after yourself before you can take care of others.