Everybody experiences sadness every now and then.  This emotion can arise, for example, after a setback, a conflict between partners, the loss of a loved one, or simply without reason. Sometimes these feelings do not pass and everyday life is dominated by sadness. When these feelings persist for several weeks or months, a depression develops.

Symptoms of depression are:

• Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Irritability, restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were pleasurable before, including sex
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
• Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• Overeating, or appetite loss
• Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
• Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment

A depression is a curable disorder. Most of the times treatment will be started with psychotherapy, usually cognitive behavioral therapy. If necessary, in case of severe symptoms, psychotherapy will be combined with medication, antidepressants.

In Ánimo, center for psychotherapy, we offer both the psychotherapy and the medication. If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment for a first session, please contact us.

Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and:

• you felt so good or so hyper that other people thought you were not your
  normal self or you were so hyper that you got into trouble?
• you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
• you felt much more self-confident than usual?
• you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn’t really miss it?
• you were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual?

When you recognize these symptoms, you possibly have experienced a manic episode. Manic symptoms are common, but if they seriously interfere with daily functioning you may suffer from a manic-depressive disorder, also called a bipolar disorder.

In bipolar disorder one suffers extreme moodswings: During a manic phase someone can be overly cheerful, but very irritable at the same time, causing conflicts with other peoples. One experiences increased physical and mental activity and energy and feels no need to sleep. In a depressive phase, one experiences prolonged sadness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and lack of appetite.

The treatment of bipolar disorder consists of a combination of medication, the so-called mood stabilizers, and psychotherapy. The psychotherapy is aimed at dealing with the effects of the mood swings and to help prevent the occurrence of future manic or depressive episodes. The psychotherapy can be offered individually or as a family therapy, the so-called Family Focused Treatment.

In Ánimo, Center for Psychotherapy, we can offer both the drug treatment and the psychotherapeutic treatment. We offer these treatments for a fixed rate per month irrespective of the number of treatment sessions that is needed. In the first session we will establish the fixed rate per month, depending on the severity of the symptoms and treatments that you've had in the past. Do you want more information or do you want to make an appointment for a first session? Get into contact with us.

Most people feel anxious about something for a short time now and again, but people with anxiety disorders feel this way most of the time and feel extremely fearful and unsure, making it hard for them to do everyday tasks.

There are different types of anxiety disorders:

• panic disorder
• phobias
• generalized anxiety disorder
• post-traumatic stress-disorder.

Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes, or, in some cases, symptoms may last for longer: these are called ’panic attacks‘. Sufferers of panic attacks often report a fear or sense of dying, "going crazy", or experiencing a heart attack or "flashing vision", feeling faint or nauseated, heavy breathing, or losing control of themselves. These feelings may provoke a strong urge to escape or flee the place where the attack began

Panic attacks can occur at any time and many people worry about, and dread, the possibility of having another attack.  In some cases, people who suffer from panic disorder begin avoiding certain situations in order to prevent these attacks from recurring, for example, being in crowded places, the use of public transport or going shopping.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder
People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) go through the day filled with exaggerated worry and tension, even though there is little or nothing to provoke this feeling. They anticipate disaster and are overly concerned about health issues, money, family problems, or difficulties at work.

Anxiety disorders can be cured by psychotheray, in general cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medication. In general one feels better after about 5 sessions of treatment and therapy can be ended in less then 15 sessions.

If you woulld like more information or would like to make an appointment for a first session please contact us.

Migration

Most people drink some alcohol and the recommended safe limits for alcohol consumption are:

• men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week, with no more than four units in any one day.
• women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, with no more than three units in any one day.

One unit of alcohol is about half a pint of beer, two thirds of a small glass of wine, or one small pub measure of spirit.

However, some people drink too much alcohol and drinking above the recommended safe limits poses health problems as it increases the risk of developing diseases such as liver damage, damage to the pancreas, certain cancers, heart problems, depression, anxiety and sexual problems.

Have you ever:

• felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
• felt annoyed by people criticizing you about the amount you drink?
• felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If your answer to two or more of these questions is ‘yes’, it is possible that you have a problem controlling the amount of alcohol you consume.

Problem drinking or alcohol abuse

This is defined as the excessive use of alcohol, causing various problems. This is where you continue to drink heavily even though you have caused harm, or are causing harm or problems to yourself, family, or society.  For example, you may: 

• binge drink and get drunk quite often. This may cause you to take time off work, or behave in an antisocial way when you drink.
• spend more money on alcohol than you can afford.
• have problems with your relationships or at work because of your drinking.

Many problem drinkers are not dependent on alcohol. They can stop drinking without withdrawal symptoms if they want to. But, for one reason or another, they continue to drink heavily.

Alcohol dependence or addiction

If you are alcohol dependent you have a strong desire for alcohol. Sometimes the desire is overwhelming and you have great difficulty in controlling your drinking. In addition, your body becomes used to lots of alcohol.  As a result, you drink alcohol regularly and 'depend' on it to prevent withdrawal symptoms, like shaking and sweating.

You may be developing alcohol dependency if you:

• often have a strong desire to drink alcohol and need a drink every day.
• often drink alone.
• need a drink to stop trembling (the shakes).
• drink early, or first thing in the morning (to avoid withdrawal symptoms).
• spend a lot of time in activities where alcohol is available, for example, if you frequently go to a social club or pub.
• neglect other interests or pleasures because of alcohol drinking.

If you are alcohol dependent you are usually 'tolerant' to the effect of alcohol. This means that you need more alcohol to notice any effects and to become drunk. This can make things worse as it tends to make you drink even more.

How to stop drinking alcohol or reduce its consumption

No-one can make you stop or cut down drinking. You have to be committed and determined to do this yourself. However, it can be difficult, and sometimes you might need professional help.

Psychotherapy

Talking treatments such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing may be helpful.

• CBT helps you to change certain ways that you think, feel and behave, which can help you to reduce or stop drinking.

• Motivational interviewing helps you to achieve a stronger motivation to control the use of alcohol. Some people cannot admit to themselves that they have a drinking problem. The sort of thoughts that some people deceive themselves with include: "I can cope", "I'm only drinking what my mates drink", "I can stop anytime". Accepting that you may have a problem, and seeking help where necessary, are often the biggest steps to cutting back on alcohol consumption, or cutting it out completely.

• Frequently, alcohol problems cause a lot of problems in relationships and family therapy is a helpful treatment.

Medication used for alcohol problems

• Vitamins, particularly vitamin B1 (thiamine), are often prescribed if you are alcohol dependent. This is because many people who are dependent on alcohol do not eat properly and can lack certain vitamins. A lack of vitamin B1 is the most common.
• Acamprosate and Naltrexone are medications, which can help to ease the craving for alcohol.
• Disulfiram is another medicine, which is sometimes used following a successful detox. When you take Disulfiram you get very unpleasant symptoms if you drink any alcohol (such as flushing, vomiting, palpitations and headache). So, in effect, the medicine acts as a deterrent for when you are tempted to drink. It can help some people to stay off alcohol.

At Ánimo, Centre for Psychotherapy, we offer treatment for addictions in English.  If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment for a first session please contact us.

Drugs abuse / dependence 

Lack of desire

Dificulty having an orgasm