Will your counselor keep your secrets?
If you’re considering counseling, it’s important to understand what things you tell your counselor will be kept secret and what things they may be required to report. This video explains the concept of confidentiality, exceptions to confidentiality, and how to tell if the counselor will keep your secret.
By David Joel Miller, MS, Licensed Therapist & Licensed Counselor.
Stress.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
Stress, depression, and anxiety can result in damage to your physical health. If you are having physical health symptoms, you should always get those symptoms checked out by a medical doctor. But if your doctor has run all the tests and not found a physical cause for your problem, you may need an emotional checkup with a mental health professional. Therapy can improve your mental health and result in a reduction in physical health symptoms. Below are some of the physical symptoms which could be caused by a mental or emotional problem.
Emotional problems such as depression or job burnout can make you feel both physically and emotionally exhausted. If you find yourself being just flat worn out all the time, and there isn’t a good physical reason for it, the cause may be an emotional or mental disorder.
Being emotionally tired can carry over into being physically tired. Depression can wear you out. In one type of depression, people become so tired they find it challenging to walk may describe their bodies as being made of lead. It’s hard to be motivated when you feel like your best efforts won’t accomplish anything. Feeling helpless and hopeless will take all the energy out of your body.
Changes in sleep is a characteristic symptom of either depression or anxiety. There are two types of depression, melancholy and atypical. In melancholy depression, people can’t sleep. In atypical depression, people have an increased need for sleep. The connection between sleep and mental health works in both directions. Mental illness interferes with your ability to sleep. Pushing yourself too hard and not allowing enough time for sleep can cause depression, irritability, or an increase in anxiety.
Some physical ailments will affect your appetite. But it’s equally true that emotional upset can affect your appetite. When you’re anxious or depressed, you may not feel like eating. People with atypical depression will have sudden cravings for sugar or carbohydrates. Many people experience emotional eating. When upset you find yourself eating mindlessly? If your emotional eating has gotten out of control, you may be suffering from a condition called Binge Eating Disorder.
Losing interest in sex can be a symptom of depression. In couples going through marital conflict, loss of interest in sex is a common symptom. It’s hard to feel interested in being intimate with someone when you’re angry with them.
Being concerned about your health is reasonable. Everyone should try to eat a healthy diet and get adequate exercise. If your worries about your health have started to take over your life, you need to get professional help. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can result in people who feel they must eat certain foods or absolutely can’t eat others. If your relationship with food makes you anxious, you likely have a diagnosable mental health problem.
Emotional problems can cause constipation or diarrhea, increase or worsen pain, make you feel lightheaded, trembling, or experience numbness. If you have seen a recent change in your physical health, get it checked out by a medical doctor. But you should also be alert to the possibility that these physical symptoms of the results of stress, depression, anxiety, or another mental illness.
If you or someone you know starts having unusual thoughts or suddenly has episodes of high irritability and impulsive behavior, these could be early symptoms of psychosis or mania. Don’t ignore these kinds of issues as they can get worse very rapidly.
Staying connected with David Joel Miller
Seven David Joel Miller Books are available now!
My newest book is now available. It was my opportunity to try on a new genre. I’ve been working on this book for several years, but now seem like the right time to publish it.
Story Bureau is a thrilling Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic adventure in the Surviving the Apocalypse series.
Baldwin struggles to survive life in a post-apocalyptic world where the government controls everything.
As society collapses and his family gets plunged into poverty, Baldwin takes a job in the capital city, working for a government agency called the Story Bureau. He discovers the Story Bureau is not a benign news outlet but a sinister government plot to manipulate society.
Bumps on the Road of Life. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low motivation, or addiction, you can recover. Bumps on the Road of Life is the story of how people get off track and how to get your life out of the ditch.
Dark Family Secrets: Doris wants to get her life back, but small-town prejudice could shatter her dreams.
Casino Robbery Arthur Mitchell escapes the trauma of watching his girlfriend die. But the killers know he’s a witness and want him dead.
Planned Accidents The second Arthur Mitchell and Plutus mystery.
Letters from the Dead: The third in the Arthur Mitchell mystery series.
What would you do if you found a letter to a detective describing a crime and you knew the writer and detective were dead, and you could be next?
Sasquatch. Three things about us, you should know. One, we have seen the past. Two, we’re trapped there. Three, I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to our own time.
For these and my upcoming books; please visit my Author Page – David Joel Miller
Want the latest blog posts as they publish? Subscribe to this blog.
For videos, see: Counselorssoapbox YouTube Video Channel
Sunday Inspiration. Post by David Joel Miller.
Fairness.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
“Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not.”
― Oscar Wilde
“A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies. …
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Wanted to share some inspirational quotes with you. Today seemed like a good time to do this. There are an estimated 100,000 words in the English language that are feelings related. Some emotions are pleasant, and some are unpleasant, but all feelings can provide useful information. If any of these quotes strike a chord with you, please share them.
Look at these related posts for more on this topic and other feelings.
By David Joel Miller, MS, Licensed Therapist & Licensed Counselor.
Going crazy?
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
When people are going through difficult times and are emotionally overwhelmed, it’s not surprising that they feel like they’re going crazy. If you’ve had that thought, there are several reasons why you probably are not going “crazy.” However, if you feel like you’re losing your mind, there may well be something else seriously amiss.
Many people have come to believe that crazy is a destination, and going there is like being sent to Siberia. They fear that once they cross that boundary, there’s no coming back. So, they fight not to have a problem for fear of getting caught on the other side of that boundary which they think of as crazy.
Professionals don’t like to use the word crazy anymore, at least as it applies to mental health, because it’s very misleading. The truth is that most mental illnesses fall on a continuum from very mild to more severe. With treatment, sometimes even without treatment, people can move from being well to being unwell, or back to well again.
People who are under a great deal of stress may temporarily find their coping abilities overwhelmed. Stress can interfere with thinking and behaving and make you prone to problems with a lot of unhelpful thoughts and unpleasant feelings.
The other reason that people may feel they’re going crazy is that they’re experiencing an excess of anxiety. High anxiety can overload your cognitive or thinking system. People who are experiencing high anxiety find themselves having difficulty thinking and concentrating. I think of this as a computer that has too much information to process. Maybe you’ve watched one of those little wheels spin around on your computer while it tries to catch up? Most of the time, the computer does eventually finish processing that information. Though sometimes, you need to upgrade the memory. I think of what counselors and therapists do as somewhat like the memory upgrade on your computer. Sometimes when you have too much to think about, you can’t concentrate on anything.
Not at all. Top-performing athletes and businesspeople frequently have coaches. Much of what counselors do is similar to coaching. The counselor will listen to you talk through things. They may make some suggestions to help you clarify things. Or they can help you determine if what you’re going through is normal, given the experiences you’ve had.
The four guides professionals use to decide if someone’s problems have become excessive, and their condition has moved into the area of a mental illness. Remember, mental illnesses do not mean you’re crazy, but they may come in mild, moderate, or severe forms.
You should seek professional help if what you’re going through has resulted in any one of the following four problems.
If your problems are interfering with your ability to work, get or keep a job, or your schoolwork, you should seek help. Professionals using the DSM – 5 would call this impaired occupational functioning.
If what you’re going through is preventing you from having satisfying relationships with family and friends, you may have impaired social functioning. Close relationships often have their ups and downs. Treatment for relationship problems may fall into the category of marriage counseling, parent-child relational problems, and so on. All these kinds of relationship problems may benefit from counseling, but they usually don’t meet the criteria for mental illness. Now, if your problems in relationships prevent you from having satisfactory relationships with family or friends, that would be a reason to consider it a mental illness.
If your anxiety, depression, or other thinking, feeling, and behaving issues are upsetting you, then your issue may meet the criteria for being a mental illness.
If what you’re experiencing has caused you to give up activities that you use to enjoy, or if because of your anxiety or depression you can no longer engage in your hobby, you may be developing a mental illness.
Many mental health challenges can be helped by medication. It’s important, however, to remember that while medications can control symptoms, no medication will cure you of a mental illness.
Good treatment for most mental illnesses includes much more than just medication. Counseling or therapy can be helpful and may result in a reduction or elimination of your mental health symptoms. Some mental illnesses can be treated by behavioral modification or exercise. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, increased activity, and improving social relationships can all help manage, reduce, or even eliminating mental health issues.
If you been feeling like you may be going crazy, I would encourage you to seek out professional assistance.
Staying connected with David Joel Miller
Seven David Joel Miller Books are available now!
My newest book is now available. It was my opportunity to try on a new genre. I’ve been working on this book for several years, but now seem like the right time to publish it.
Story Bureau is a thrilling Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic adventure in the Surviving the Apocalypse series.
Baldwin struggles to survive life in a post-apocalyptic world where the government controls everything.
As society collapses and his family gets plunged into poverty, Baldwin takes a job in the capital city, working for a government agency called the Story Bureau. He discovers the Story Bureau is not a benign news outlet but a sinister government plot to manipulate society.
Bumps on the Road of Life. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low motivation, or addiction, you can recover. Bumps on the Road of Life is the story of how people get off track and how to get your life out of the ditch.
Dark Family Secrets: Doris wants to get her life back, but small-town prejudice could shatter her dreams.
Casino Robbery Arthur Mitchell escapes the trauma of watching his girlfriend die. But the killers know he’s a witness and want him dead.
Planned Accidents The second Arthur Mitchell and Plutus mystery.
Letters from the Dead: The third in the Arthur Mitchell mystery series.
What would you do if you found a letter to a detective describing a crime and you knew the writer and detective were dead, and you could be next?
Sasquatch. Three things about us, you should know. One, we have seen the past. Two, we’re trapped there. Three, I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to our own time.
For these and my upcoming books; please visit my Author Page – David Joel Miller
Want the latest blog posts as they publish? Subscribe to this blog.
For videos, see: Counselorssoapbox YouTube Video Channel
Sunday Inspiration. Post by David Joel Miller.
Friends.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
― Elbert Hubbard
“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
― Mark Twain
“What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies.”
― Aristotle
Wanted to share some inspirational quotes with you. Today seemed like a good time to do this. There are an estimated 100,000 words in the English language that are feelings related. Some emotions are pleasant, and some are unpleasant, but all feelings can provide useful information. If any of these quotes strike a chord with you, please share them.
Look at these related posts for more on this topic and other feelings.
By David Joel Miller.
1st foot.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
The first-foot through the door each year sets the tone for the rest of the year.
There’s an old tradition; they say it comes from Scotland, that the first person through the door each new year sets the tone for the rest of that year. Because of that, I wanted this to be my first post for the new year.
If this is your first time reading counselorssoapbox.com, I hope this post will start off your year in a good direction. Longtime readers will know that this blog’s premise is having a happy life.
Life can have its struggles. At some point in their life, everyone is likely to experience a mental, emotional, or behavioral issue. Because of this, I write a lot about mental health, mental illness, substance use disorders, and overcoming the bumps on the road of life. Here is hoping that this new year will bring happiness to you and yours.
Throughout this year on counselorssoapbox.com I plan to bring you tips about having a happy life, coping with emotional and mental issues, and the impact that using and abusing substances might have on your mental and emotional health.
We will also present posts to help you with being a success. However, you define that success. With over 1600 posts on counselorssoapbox.com so far, you’ll find plenty of tips in the past posts with more to come this year. You might even want to consider subscribing to counselorssoapbox.com.
Thanks for being my lucky first-foot this year.
P.S. If it takes you a while to get around to reading this post I will understand. Whenever you get to it, please drop me a line.
Staying connected with David Joel Miller
Seven David Joel Miller Books are available now!
My newest book is now available. It was my opportunity to try on a new genre. I’ve been working on this book for several years, but now seem like the right time to publish it.
Story Bureau is a thrilling Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic adventure in the Surviving the Apocalypse series.
Baldwin struggles to survive life in a post-apocalyptic world where the government controls everything.
As society collapses and his family gets plunged into poverty, Baldwin takes a job in the capital city, working for a government agency called the Story Bureau. He discovers the Story Bureau is not a benign news outlet but a sinister government plot to manipulate society.
Bumps on the Road of Life. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low motivation, or addiction, you can recover. Bumps on the Road of Life is the story of how people get off track and how to get your life out of the ditch.
Dark Family Secrets: Doris wants to get her life back, but small-town prejudice could shatter her dreams.
Casino Robbery Arthur Mitchell escapes the trauma of watching his girlfriend die. But the killers know he’s a witness and want him dead.
Planned Accidents The second Arthur Mitchell and Plutus mystery.
Letters from the Dead: The third in the Arthur Mitchell mystery series.
What would you do if you found a letter to a detective describing a crime and you knew the writer and detective were dead, and you could be next?
Sasquatch. Three things about us, you should know. One, we have seen the past. Two, we’re trapped there. Three, I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to our own time.
For these and my upcoming books; please visit my Author Page – David Joel Miller
Want the latest blog posts as they publish? Subscribe to this blog.
For videos, see: Counselorssoapbox YouTube Video Channel
Another year has come and gone. Thanks for stopping by the counselorssoapbox.com blog. Over the next year, we will continue our exploration of how to have a happy life. Take care, and I hope to see all of you in the new year.
By David Joel Miller, MS, Licensed Therapist & Licensed Counselor.
Blog post.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
Which’s counselorssoapbox.com blog posts were read the most in 2019?
As the year 2019 comes to an end, I thought it would be worthwhile to look back at the most-read blog posts here on counselorssoapbox.com over the last year. As you can see, these posts cover a wide variety of topics.
Over the next year, counselorssoapbox will continue to bring you information about mental health, substance abuse, having a happy life, and generally coping with the ups and downs of modern life. If you have any questions, please send them on to me. I am hoping to see you all again in 2020.
In addition to the counselorssoapbox.com blog, we plan to publish additional books both in paperback and e-book formats, as well as expand the videos available on the counselorssoapbox YouTube channel.
Reasons Counselors and Therapists Lose Licenses
6 ways to recover from Complex Trauma or Complex PTSD
Is nicotine a stimulant or a depressant?
How much should you tell a therapist?
Levels or types of Borderline Personality Disorder
What if you go to the hospital drunk or high?
Do therapists have to report a crime?
What do therapists tell the police?
Do therapists tell parents what kids say?
Can you force a teenager to go for therapy?
Do people really forget what happened when drinking? – Blackouts
Staying connected with David Joel Miller
Seven David Joel Miller Books are available now!
My newest book is now available. It was my opportunity to try on a new genre. I’ve been working on this book for several years, but now seem like the right time to publish it.
Story Bureau is a thrilling Dystopian Post-Apocalyptic adventure in the Surviving the Apocalypse series.
Baldwin struggles to survive life in a post-apocalyptic world where the government controls everything.
As society collapses and his family gets plunged into poverty, Baldwin takes a job in the capital city, working for a government agency called the Story Bureau. He discovers the Story Bureau is not a benign news outlet but a sinister government plot to manipulate society.
Bumps on the Road of Life. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, low motivation, or addiction, you can recover. Bumps on the Road of Life is the story of how people get off track and how to get your life out of the ditch.
Dark Family Secrets: Doris wants to get her life back, but small-town prejudice could shatter her dreams.
Casino Robbery Arthur Mitchell escapes the trauma of watching his girlfriend die. But the killers know he’s a witness and want him dead.
Planned Accidents The second Arthur Mitchell and Plutus mystery.
Letters from the Dead: The third in the Arthur Mitchell mystery series.
What would you do if you found a letter to a detective describing a crime and you knew the writer and detective were dead, and you could be next?
Sasquatch. Three things about us, you should know. One, we have seen the past. Two, we’re trapped there. Three, I don’t know if we’ll ever get back to our own time.
For these and my upcoming books; please visit my Author Page – David Joel Miller
Want the latest blog posts as they publish? Subscribe to this blog.
For videos, see: Counselorssoapbox YouTube Video Channel
Tired.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com
Sunday Inspiration. Post by David Joel Miller.
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity”
― John Muir, Our National Parks
“Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
― Emma Lazarus
Wanted to share some inspirational quotes with you. Today seemed like a good time to do this. There are an estimated 100,000 words in the English language that are feelings related. Some emotions are pleasant, and some are unpleasant, but all feelings can provide useful information. If any of these quotes strike a chord with you, please share them.
Look at these related posts for more on this topic and other feelings.
Today December 25th – Dark Family Secrets – Kindle edition will be free on Amazon.
What if your family’s secrets put you in danger?
Some family secrets can be deadly.
Doris Jones formally Doris Barnes desperate for a job moves back to her father’s hometown to take a teaching job at the high school. Doris discovers her family has dark secrets. Some people hate her because of her family and others want to harm her.
counselorssoapbox 