The world can be a scary place, but why are so many people saying they’re anxious or depressed? And is it OK to be really sad but not clinically depressed?
Those are questions being asked by Frome-based counselling training organisation, Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy, which has been operating in the town for over 40 years. They are encouraging people to reflect more carefully on the difference between everyday emotional struggles and clinical mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Robert Kelso, chair of trustees at Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy, says there’s a growing concern that clinical language is being used too freely in day-to-day life, which may be doing more harm than good.
“It’s okay to feel deeply sad, stressed, or out of sorts – that doesn’t always mean someone is clinically depressed or anxious,” says Robert. “We’re urging people to be curious about their feelings rather than rushing to label them.
“Anxiety is literally caused by a rush of adrenaline/cortisol and the resulting traumatic response can be terrifying. I’m suggesting instead of reacting in the usual way, you try to be curious about what’s triggering it. While the fight/flight/freeze response can be alarming – rapid breathing, accelerated pulse – you might instead try taking long, deep breaths and tune into your body, in order to ascertain whether the danger is actually real or triggered by a smell/sound/sight from an earlier experience out of your conscious awareness.
“So next time you feel low, try to reframe it by saying “yes I’m sad and unhappy, but am I clinically depressed?” Maybe when you think you’re anxious, rather than panic, try to take a few deep breaths, in order to become aware of your five senses and your surroundings and begin to wonder what might have triggered your stress response.
“If you’re interested to find out more about your own psychology and others, Wessex Counselling & Psychotherapy right here in Frome, offers a variety of brief and longer counselling training programmes, a significant part of which is understanding more about yourself. You could then explore some of those early unconscious experiences, which cause you difficulties, in order to improve your mental health and wellbeing and at the same time enable others to do the same.
“Understanding yourself better can not only improve your own mental health but also enable you to support others more effectively,” added Robert.
To find out more about training courses and the counselling service, visit www.wessexcp.co.uk or call 01373 452109.
pictured: Robert Kelso from Wessex Counselling
