Scribblings of a Psychotherapist

  Reaching out for help and support isn't always easy, is it? Maybe you worry that your problems aren't big enough to go to therapy for. Maybe you think that whatever's on your mind will just go away one day, even though it's been there for a while. Perhaps you think no-one will understand or that your problems are too big enough for the therapist/counsellor. Whether your recognise any of the scenarios above or have other worries or concerns about reaching out for support, I just want to say that my team and I understand and acknowledge how tricky it is asking for support. We are here to guide you through this and go at your pace. As far as we are concerned, if you are experiencing some difficulty or uncomfortable situation in your past, present or future and need some support with this, we are here to assist you, at your pace, with understanding, patience, encouragement and support. How can we help you? * Want to reduce and manage stress, anxiety, panic, tension or pre...

FOCUS ON.... EATING DISORDERS NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED: EDNOS/OSFED     Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (or EDNOS) is now increasingly known as OSFED (Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder) accounts for the highest percentage of eating disorders.    EDNOS/OSFED is just as serious and debilitating as any other form of eating disorder and needs to be taken more seriously.    Unfortunately, however, in our experience, this is often not the case and many are not given appropriate treatment or support (whether from family, friends, professionals and others) and the condition can deteriorte and even change into another form of eating disorder.     WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EDNOS/OSFED? Then read on.....     EDNOS/OSFED is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder in clinical settings. It has often been described as ‘partial syndrome’; however, in our opinion, referring to an eating disorder as 'partial' presents, in our opinion, s...

  ABOUT FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS Feelings and emotions can be really tricky at times, can't they? . Sometimes we feel one 'big' emotion, and at other times it can seem like we feel lots of different, often conflicting emotions all at the one time. Does that ring a bell with you? Similarly, some feelings and emotions can be a bit easier to cope with than others. Sometimes we try to avoid 'feeling' feelings and do other things to help us cope with emotions. Often the things we do to help us cope with emotions we find difficult, distressful or hard to cope with are unhelpful or unhealthy (e.g. eating, smoking, drinking, self-harm, aggression etc.) and can end up causing us more problems over the long-term. The picture below illustrates that there are loads of different emotions too, some of which you may or may not be aware of. Emotions are tricky aren't they? If you are finding coping with emotions difficult or you would like to talk over how you are feeling with a...

BODY IMAGE AND BODY ESTEEM   The messages we get and absorb as children, teenagers and as adults about our bodies and appearance can really shape how we feel and think and about our bodies. These messages can come from school, parents, family, wider society, peers, friends, health professionals and things we read and see. These messages work to shape our perception of our body and can lead to negative body image and BDD (body dysmorphic disorder). This perception, however, is often not how we 'actually' look and so a discrepancy exists between 'perceived' or 'interpreted' body image, based on the messages we have absorbed over the years and our 'actual', 'real', or 'factual' appearance. Psychotherapy and counselling, amongst other things, would seek to reduce this gap or discrepancy and help you see the 'real' body, not the negative body image that has been shaped and coloured by unhelpful and even harmful messages from elsewhere...

HEY, GUYS! YOUR VOICE COUNTS TOO!: Male Mental Health MEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2021   This is Men's Health Week and health includes mental health. It's really important that those identifying as male have just as much opportunity as anyone else to access support, talking therapies and a listening ear (and be understood and validated too). We often forget about this and many men experience unhelpful and exasperating comments such as 'Boys don't cry', 'Man up', Come on, be the big man' and 'why would you feel like that...don't be a girl!' Argggh! Why is is OK for females to talk about how they feel, but not men? Well, actually IT IS OK for boys and men to talk about how they feel. Actually, it's not just OK, we want to hear what things are like for you. You ARE IMPORTANT and what you are experiencing IS IMPORTANT! Talking and sharing your thoughts and feelings can not only help you, it can help other guys start taking and having conversations...

MEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2021 This is Men's Health Week and health includes mental health. Men have mental health too and it's really important that those identifying as male have just as much opportunity as anyone else to access support, talking therapies and a listening ear (and be understood and validated too). This is a very powerful picture. We never really know what's going on for someone, even when they appear happy, content, calm or 'sorted'. I would suggest being gentle with yourself too - you are doing the best you can with what you have and where you are at this time. Take care, Alexandra    Talking EDs (Glasgow and West Eating Disorders Support Service) Glasgow Anxiety and Depression Counselling Service (GADS) Glasgow Therapy Rooms Citizen17 Therapy, CBT and Counselling Services   www.eatingdisorderscotland.co.uk www.glasgowanxietydepression.co.uk www.glasgowtherapyrooms.co.uk www.citizen17therapy.co.uk