The Everyday Effects of Depression

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Depression, like a relentless storm cloud, blankets the minds and days of countless people across the country. But far from being something that people deal with when they get the chance. It has effects on nearly every aspect of everyday life. The everyday effects of depression are the insidious ones. They never leave, and they make you feel that depression is how life is supposed to be.

In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through the practical effects of depression on six everyday landscapes. We’ll also highlight how seeking help, especially through talk therapy, can help.

1. Relationships

Picture a bridge over troubled waters. Depression, however, is a bridge that crumbles beneath your feet, making it hard to connect with loved ones. It’s like being trapped in an emotional fortress, making you distant, prickly, and uninterested in the warmth of social interactions. Research in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships tells us that depression often leaves relationships strained, a lonely island in a sea of isolation.

2. Work

Imagine trying to paint a masterpiece with hands heavy as anchors. Depression takes your focus, energy, and creativity hostage, affecting your ability to handle the workday or school. Depression brings a lack of concentration and increased irritability. Generally, being in a “bad mood” will add to the workplace difficulties.

3. Productivity

Depression transforms everyday tasks into mountains. The dishes will sit in the sink for weeks; the bed sheets stay the same, never mind the bed getting made in the morning. Basic chores turn into unwinnable battles, leaving you helpless and disheartened. This productivity slump isn’t just a drop in the bucket; it’s a flood that swamps your entire quality of life.

4. Health

Depression isn’t confined to the mind; it takes root in the body, too. Depression often leads to unhealthy habits like junk food, laziness, or self-medicating with alcohol or substances. These actions create a storm surge of physical health issues, making everyday life even more turbulent. Along similar lines, one of the best remedies for depression is exercise; however, depression makes the idea of even putting your running shoes on nearly impossible.

5. Finances

Depression often disrupts your financial compass—unpaid bills begin to stack, crippling debt, and sinking financial stability. The added weight of financial stress makes the depression storm feel even more relentless, creating a never-ending cycle.

6. Family

For parents, the effects of depression can cast a long shadow over family life. Depressed parents find it tough to offer emotional support, engage in family adventures, or fulfill their parenting roles. While general tasks might get done, there is a lifelessness to the requirements. It’s a storm that disrupts the family ship’s course, endangering both the captain and the crew.

But it’s not just the kids; your significant other, your friends, and your community will be affected when you stop showing up and reaching out. The emotional distance will act like a wall between you and others. Eventually, those in your life may stop trying.

Counseling for the Effects of Depression

Counseling, in the form of CBT or DBT, is a lifeline for those facing depression. It’s a sanctuary to unravel thoughts, feelings, and actions. To inspect what your thoughts are saying and understand how your perception is influencing your behaviors and habits.

 Ways that counseling can help the effects of depression:

Battling Negative Thoughts

The effects of depression are like that old, broken compass that misleads more than it guides. But counseling? It hands you a brand-new one that works. It points out those false norths you have been living by and teaches you to adjust your sails and find clearer waters.

The Toolbox for Coping

Imagine having a kit with the finest instruments—stress diffusers, problem-solving skills, and relaxation mechanisms. Counseling offers you this set of tools to tackle life when it comes at you and tries to bring you back to the depths.

Clear Communication

Depression loves to tangle up our words and add insult to injury with our friends and family. Counseling? In counseling, you learn how to help people understand what you are dealing with. It enables you to understand it yourself. It gives you words to describe and gives you the understanding of what words are going to help you and what will make matters worse.

Family Help

Navigating normal family terrains with depression can feel like there are traps around every corner. Counseling lends you the expertise and experience of a professional who has seen this before many times. Family dynamics are unique, but the general patterns are also predictable. There are tools you will discover that can help you find peace again.

Depression Help at Lido Wellness Center

Remember, even on the darkest nights, stars peek through. With an experienced mental health facility, the dawns could be closer than you think.

Here at Lido, we specialize in understanding and empathy. Our Intensive Outpatient Program is like a seasoned guide that stands by you as you rediscover the rhythms of life.

You don’t have to brave depression alone. Call us at 949-541-8466. We are ready to answer your questions and offer a direction that will work for you.

High Functioning Autism and Mental Health Seeking Counsel and Support

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The term “high-functioning Autism” is not a clinical one in use anymore. It once was more common, and some people still use it as a way to help themselves have a deeper understanding of the broad spectrum of autism. All that said, we will use it in this article to refer to someone who seems to have fewer apparent communication and behavioral difficulties than someone with severe autism symptoms.

For those with high functioning autism, the colors and patterns of their processing approach to the world may differ from the typical, but the beauty of their story remains undeniable. Here we will explore the world of high functioning autism and mental health, with a look at the importance (or effectiveness) of counseling for autism and the support that can truly make a difference.

Understanding the Intersection of Autism and Mental Health

Autism and Mental Health: These two facets of human existence often intertwine in intricate and unexpected ways. To truly comprehend the significance of mental health help for individuals with high-functioning autism, we have to unlock a some of the unique challenges they may face.

The Silent Struggle

It is difficult to keep from generalizing in looking at this topic. So there will be a bit of that. However, individuals with high functioning autism often grapple with heightened sensitivity to their environment, social challenges, and a profound desire for routine and predictability.

This combination might not even be apparent to those on the outside. Many people with less severe symptoms of autism have learned their needs and may even have an understanding where it may clash with social situations. But that doesn’t mean they don’t feel it. Sometimes this disparity between how they process the world and the unpredictability of situations can lead to heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

Many individuals with high functioning autism employ a practice known as “masking” to navigate social situations. This involves concealing how they might feel about certain situations to fit into social norms. While masking can be a valuable coping mechanism, it can come at a cost, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and a degree of stress.

Statistics of Interest:

  • According to research, autistic individuals who frequently engage in masking behaviors are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues.
  • The prolonged use of masking techniques can lead to a phenomenon known as “autistic burnout.”

Counseling for Autism: A Beacon of Hope

In the journey toward mental well-being, counseling for autism emerges as a powerful option. Like a lighthouse guiding ships through the fog, counseling provides a steady and reliable source of support for individuals with high functioning autism. Here are some of the ways counseling for people with autism can be helpful.

1. Understanding the Individual

Counseling for autism is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a nuanced process that takes into account the unique needs and challenges of each individual. A skilled therapist can delve into the depths of a person with ASD helping them unravel their thoughts and emotions.

2. Navigating Social and Emotional Challenges

One of the primary focuses of counseling for autism is helping individuals navigate social interactions and emotional regulation. Therapists work with their clients to develop strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and the sensory sensitivities that often accompany autism.

3. Embracing Neurodiversity

In the realm of counseling for autism, the emphasis is not on “fixing” or “changing” individuals. Crucially, it is on celebrating neurodiversity and helping every person thrive in a world that may not always understand their unique perspective.

4. Building Coping Skills

Counseling equips individuals with high functioning autism with valuable coping skills. These skills empower them to manage stress, communicate effectively, and cultivate healthy relationships.

There Is Hope and Joy

People on the autism spectrum and those who love them know that their story is expansive. There are highs and lows. But the full story of high functioning autism and mental health can be one of hope, resilience, and the triumph of the human spirit. Through counseling for autism, individuals with high functioning autism can find the support they need to navigate the complexities of their world and embrace their unique place in it.

In the words of John Steinbeck, “We are lonesome animals. We spend all our life trying to be less lonesome.” Counseling for a person with autism offers a path to bridge the gap between the world and the individual, a path toward connection, understanding, and healing. And with help and connection each of us may come to realize, again in the words of Steinbeck, that “You’re not as alone as you thought.”

Embrace the Journey to Wellness at Lido Wellness Center

At Lido Wellness Center, we understand the intricate interplay between high functioning autism and mental health. Our commitment is to be your steadfast companion on this unique journey, offering compassionate and tailored support to help you thrive.

If you or a loved one is seeking counseling or mental health help in Newport Beach, we invite you to take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling future. Reach out to us today at 949-541-8466 and let us be your beacon of hope.

A Deeper Dive Into PTSD Causes

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Though it is one of our most fundamental aspects of humanity, the mind can be so complex it feels better to compare it to the sea and another body part. It is diverse, undulating, and, at times, turbulent. The stories and experiences that craft our mental complexity can be both beautiful and harrowing. Among the most challenging, yet enlightening, elements of is our understanding of PTSD Causes.

A Deeper Dive Into PTSD Causes

Before diving in, it’s essential to realize that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) doesn’t only happen to someone who has been in a war, as many believe. In our experience here at Lido Wellness, people can even be surprised that they are struggling with PTSD. The range of trauma is wide and there are no rules for what is significant in each individual’s life. It permeates beyond the battlefields (both metaphorical and real) and touches even the most seemingly benign facets of daily life. So, what exactly are the causes of PTSD?

The List: Unearthing the Causes of PTSD

  1. Combat Exposure: Though not the only cause of PTSD, the horrors of war are a well-acknowledged cause. Soldiers are subjected to scenes and situations most of us cannot fathom, leading to intense trauma.
  2. Childhood Physical Abuse & Neglect: Childhood traumas, often leave lasting scars that manifest as PTSD in later life. This goes beyond physical abuse—neglect and emotional abuse also will weave their way into a person’s life in tragic ways.
  3. Sexual Violence: Regardless of gender, being a victim of sexual assault can be a significant trigger for PTSD.
  4. Physical Assault: Violent personal attacks, such as muggings, can provoke severe mental distress.
  5. Accidents: Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and other accidents can be unexpected sources of intense trauma.
  6. Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods – the raw power of nature, can be a potent PTSD cause.
  7. Witnessing Death or Serious Injury: The sudden and violent loss of a loved one, even if not directly involved, can be traumatic.

Who Is Prone to PTSD?

Anyone can develop PTSD. It doesn’t matter who you are or how “tough” you believe you are. But there may be life experiences and personal physiologies that play a part. Here are a few things to be aware of if you believe you or someone you know are at risk of PTSD.

  • Previous Traumas: PTSD isn’t always a result of a single event. For some, it’s an accumulation of multiple smaller traumas over time.
  • Brain Structure: There’s ongoing research suggesting that the structure of certain parts of the brain, particularly the hippocampus, might contribute to susceptibility.
  • Family History: Genetics and upbringing play a part. A family history of anxiety and depression can increase risk.
  • Personality: It’s not about “strength” or “weakness” but rather how an individual’s personality processes traumatic events.
  • Chemistry of the Brain: An imbalance in neurotransmitters might amplify the risk.

Whatever the case, at Lido Wellness, we reject the idea that PTSD is a sign of mental weakness. It isn’t. It’s a natural reaction to intense trauma, and its development depends on myriad factors, many of which are beyond the control of the affected individual.

Jobs with a Higher Propensity for PTSD

When considering PTSD Causes, some jobs are worse than others. There are professions that expose individuals to traumatic experiences more than others.

  • Military Personnel: On the frontline, they face the brutal realities of war.
  • First Responders: Police, firefighters, and paramedics often arrive at scenes that can be disturbing.
  • Healthcare Professionals: Doctors and nurses, especially those in emergency and intensive care units, are regularly exposed to severe injuries and death.
  • Journalists: War correspondents and those covering natural disasters witness trauma firsthand.
  • Social Workers: Engaging with victims of abuse or those in crisis can be distressing.

Again, there is no specific rule. If you have experienced trauma or been in a traumatic situation that caused stress and difficulty, PTSD is potentially part of the equation. There is no shame in the cause; there is only courage in finding the strength to identify it. And then getting help.

IOP Treatment for PTSD

Unlike inpatient programs where patients live at the facility, at an IOP, people get intensive mental health treatment while living at home. This structure helpful for people who need more thorough treatment but also need to maintain some semblance of their daily routines.

At Lido Wellness Center’s IOP program, we focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a primary treatment for PTSD. CBT helps individuals recognize and reshape their negative thought patterns, empowering them with tools to face their trauma head-on.

Another effective approach is Exposure Therapy. It walks individuals through a controlled re-experience of their traumatic events, diluting the event’s overwhelming power over time. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a powerful tool in this process. Through guided eye movements, EMDR allows patients to process and reframe traumatic memories in a way that minimizes the immediate stress of interacting with their memory.

Group Therapy for PTSD

Therapy isn’t just about individual introspection. The power of community can’t be overlooked. Group therapy sessions within an IOP setting foster connections—people feel less alone. The shared stories, the collective sighs of relief, and the intertwining journeys of recovery often become an anchor in the turbulent sea.

Ready to Seek Help for PTSD? Contact Lido Wellness Center Today

If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of PTSD, remember that you’re not alone, and there is help available. Lido Wellness Center, located in beautiful Newport Beach in Orange County, specializes in providing intensive outpatient mental health treatment.

Our compassionate team is dedicated to helping individuals regain control of their lives and find healing. We offer evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), tailored to address the unique needs of those dealing with PTSD.

Don’t let PTSD control your life any longer. Take the first step towards recovery by reaching out to Lido Wellness Center today.

Contact us at 949-541-8466 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our programs.

DBT Therapy Newport Beach

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LIDO Wellness Center offers unsurpassed DBT therapy in Newport Beach with a dedicated and experienced team of therapists. Our DBT program equips patients with mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and other essential skills, necessary for a satisfying and fulfilling life.

What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a modified form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). It aims to teach recovering addicts and mental health disorder patients learn essential techniques and methods to live in the moment and healthy ways to cope with stress. It also helps regulate emotions and improve interpersonal relationships.

DBT is a highly effective therapy in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it can also help treat other mental health conditions. Dialectical behavioral therapy helps individuals achieve emotional regulation, overcome self-destructive behaviors, and heal from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As one of the top-rated trauma treatment facilities, we offer DBT in group and 1-on-1 settings. Group setting helps teach behavioral skills, while individual therapy with a trained professional allows you to learn skills best suited for your challenges and mental health situation. DBT is an essential part of our PTSD treatment in Orange County.

Benefits of DBT

During a DBT session, your therapist will work with you to resolve the contradiction between self-acceptance and change and help you adopt positive changes. A part of this process involves offering validation, which can help you become more cooperative and experience less distress at the idea of change. Each DBT setting will have its structure and goals. Here are some of the benefits you may derive from dialectical behavioral therapy:

1. Acceptance and change – DBT can help you learn strategies to accept and tolerate your emotions, your experiences, and life’s circumstances. You will also develop specific skills that may help you make positive behavioral changes and improve your interactions with others.

2. Behavioral – Dialectical behavioral therapy can help you to analyze problems, overcome destructive behavior patterns, and adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

3. Cognitive – You will be more ready to accept positive thoughts and beliefs and overcome ineffective and disturbing ones.

DBT can also help you learn effective communication and how to be a team player. Our PTSD treatment program also helps patients learn new skills, enhance their capabilities, recognize their strengths and attributes, and develop them to lead successful lives.

What Conditions Improve With DBT?

While psychologists developed dialectical behavioral therapy to address bipolar disorder in patients, it is highly effective in treating several other mental health issues alongside BPD. As one of the top trauma and PTSD treatment centers, we use BPD to treat the following psychological disorders:

  1. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  2. Bipolar disorder
  3. Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
  4. Eating disorders (such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and bulimia nervosa)
  5. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  6. Major depressive disorder (including treatment-resistant major depression and chronic depression)
  7. Non-suicidal self-injury
  8. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  9. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  10. Substance use disorder
  11. Suicidal behavior

Call 949-541-8466 to learn more about our DBT therapy in Newport Beach. LIDO Wellness Center uses innovative and proven therapies to address and treat mental disorders. Our PTSD and trauma treatment can equip you with essential skills for lasting mental wellness. Get in touch with us today to learn how DBT may help you heal from your mental disorder.