A Simple Strategy to Increase Life Satisfaction

Recently with a client, we were discussing how pessimists typically view optimists as unrealistic in their focus on the positive. Pessimism, as you may know is often exhibited as a tendency to see the worst in a situation and pessimists habitually gloss over or downplay any positives they may recognize. And even though pessimists might actually take pride in their ability to be “realists” (like my client did) they are often unaware of the cost.

Several years ago Martin Seligman from the University of Pennsylvania found that even when optimists were not being realistic, their ability to accentuate the positive resulted in more satisfying and fulfilling lives. And Barbara Frederickson from the University of North Carolina has coined the “Broaden and Build” theory of savoring positive emotions. She has proven that people who cultivate their positive emotions by savoring them build long lasting resources that 1) enhance life satisfaction, 2) increase the likelihood of experiencing positive emotions in the future, and 3) foster resilience for negative events that are experienced.

Whether or not you would consider yourself a pessimist, we could all benefit from cultivating positivity. Here are some tips on practicing savouring in your life:

Savour positive events that have occurred in the past. One of my daughters’ favorite activities around the dinner table is to play “remember when”. It typically begins with a sentence stem of: “Remember when”, invariably different people will add their take on the event and it isn’t long before we are laughing and reliving a wonderful moment we shared. You can implement this with a similar kind of story telling or by looking at scrapbooks or photo albums.
Anticipate positive events. Actively plan for and imagine good events to come. Talk about the things you might do and then research them by reading or watching films related to the event you are anticipating.
Be present in the moment. Try and notice the positive aspects about a current experience you are having. Appreciate and savor the small things such as observing a kindness shared between others, a great cup of coffee or the nature sounds you might catch a glimpse of in spite of a busy day. See if you can make time to actively notice things and appreciate them. The trick with anticipatory and present moment savouring is to not get your hopes up about it being perfect or that it will have a notable or lasting effect on you. Just take them as they come and see if they might eventually culminate into more positivity. These changes tend to happen gradually as opposed to suddenly.

We wish you well in your endeavor to increase positivity and we hope that your application of this helps you to build resilience in your life. If you or anyone you know is struggling with a pessimistic view of life, one of our clinicians at Westmount Psychological Services would be happy to help. We are so fortunate and proud that we get to help people increase their overall sense of wellness every day.

Written by: Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ.

Video Games: Healthy Coping or Unhealthy Addiction?

As you have likely guessed the answer is that playing video games can be both healthy and unhealthy. The real questions are around how and why one “games”. Simply partaking in the activity does not necessarily lend itself to one category or the other. So how does one decipher where they fall on the continuum?

Factors to Consider

Time: How much time are you spending playing videos a day/week/month? How much time do you spend in one sitting? Do you spend a lot of your free time thinking about video games even when you’re not engaged in gaming? Do you spend time gaming that should be spent doing other important activities like eating, sleeping, or going to school/work? Do you feel anxious or depressed when you are away from your game?
Money: Do you find yourself spending excessive amounts of money on video games, in-game purchases, or on cosmetic items for your character? Does your credit card bill keep growing based on these kinds of purchases?
Social: Are video games your primary means of socializing? Have you found yourself ignoring or cancelling other social engagements to game? Has someone ever commented in a negative way about your gaming habits? This last question can be a tricky one since people can have varying personal perceptions of playing video games that can shape their opinions regarding gamers. For example, someone may not see any positives to playing video games as they have an overall view that “it is a waste of time”. Therefore, ANY gaming would be a negative to that person.

As you consider these factors, please note that there is no concrete, objective measure for these factors. They are all relative to you and your life. There is most definitely a line but it is different for everyone.

Unhealthy Use

Gaming can be a way to escape the troubles of real life and avoid problems that may be going on. However, escaping isn’t always the right answer. Video games also have an addictive quality to them. It can be easy to lose track of time or forget how much real world money you’ve spent. Daily tasks can be avoided or neglected, like hygiene or proper eating. Wanting to play more can lead to skipping class or calling in sick to work.

Healthy Use

Playing video games simply for enjoyment or pleasure can be a positive way of increasing happiness and also a good way to decrease stress accrued from other areas of life. It can also be a safe and healthy way to release frustrations. Studies have also shown improvements in various cognitive functions such as problem solving, concentration, and reaction time. Finally, it can serve as a means of socializing and connecting with people who may not necessarily be within proximity.

As mentioned earlier, gaming in and of itself is not a problem. It really comes down to the how and why.

If you or someone you care about it is struggling with video game use of any kind, please consult with one of our professionals at (514) 223 5327.

Written by: Robin Jolivet M.A.

Playing for your Health

When is the last time you let loose and just played? As adults, we too often get bogged down by our responsibilities and forget how much fun it can be to play. There is growing research evidence from the field of positive psychology that awakens us to how important play can be for our physiological and psychological well-being. Adults who play tend to have better immune systems, reduced anxiety, more creativity and productivity, more optimism, more empathy and improved interpersonal relationships.

We encourage you to consider how you might incorporate more playtime into your life and here are a few ideas to get you going:

Board games: There are so many to choose from! Try suggesting game nights with family and friends. We have friends with whom the tradition is to give each other games as gifts at holiday time. You can also try rotating who brings the game to try out different ones with each other. Go for games that involve a lot of laughter to get even more of a stress reduction effect.

Follow the Children: Children are the experts on being in the moment and they can make even the most mundane things fun. Follow their lead and join in with them in the play. Adopt an attitude of willingness, curiosity and adventure and try and let go of any concerns you might have in looking silly and let the silliness be the fun.

Dance: In addition to being fun and playful, dance provides an opportunity to experience synchrony and literally “shake off” built up tension.

Coloring: Adult coloring books are all the rage. These are a great way to express yourself creatively and reduce your stress.

Sports: Look into what leagues might be available in your neighborhood. These give you an opportunity to be surrounded by people with similar interests. Try and find a league with more emphasis on fun than competition.

Think back to when you were a child to remember what activities you found fun – many of these can be reintegrated into your life now. You can also search out the people you already know in your family or at work who are naturally playful at heart. They will likely support you in your efforts to incorporate more play in your life and serve as a gateway to playful opportunities.

We wish you great fun in this endeavor. If you need help to increase your sense of wellness overall, we would be more than happy to sit down with you and help you make this happen.

Written by Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ.

Preparing for Challenging Situations

We all face challenges in our lives. Situations that challenge our resources and skills naturally instigate self doubt and fear. The intensity of these feelings can vary depending on our baseline of anxiety and on the level of difficulty inherent to the situation we are facing. When the anxiety is high, it can hijack us and interfere with our ability to cope and succeed. The following is a strategy from performance psychology that has proven effective.

1. Take some time to describe the situation you are facing and be sure to specify what will be so challenging for you. Specify the emotions and behaviors that you predict will arise as problematic to your performance. For example, I might notice how I tend to fidget when I am feeling anxious, my voice might waiver and I may begin to say too much.

2. Decide ahead of time how you would like to try to contain these problematic emotions and behaviors. You might decide to use your breath to calm your fear and intentionally hold your hands in a certain posture that will inhibit the tendency to fidget. You can refer to some of our mindfulness exercises to help you with this.

3. Then decide how you would ideally wish to carry yourself in this situation. Imagine the facial expression you would like to have, the posture, the tone of voice, the behaviors and the content of what you would like to say. Be specific about as many of these areas as you can and then write them into a script for yourself much like a screenwriter would write the part for an actor in a play or a movie.

4. Now imagine the scene of this script playing over repeatedly in your mind. Be sure to image yourself in the situation (not you watching the situation). Rehearse this in your mind as often as you can.

We now have many studies that substantiate how imaginal practice fires the same neurons as real time practice. Neurons that fire together will wire together creating neural pathways in the brain that support skill development. Imaginal practice has proven as effective or almost as effective at skill building as real time practice. A caveat to those of you who suffer from perfectionism: be mindful of your expectations for this exercise. The situation you are rehearsing in your imagination may not go exactly as scripted. Your tone might waiver from what you planned, you might not get to say everything you wanted to and you might forget some bits altogether. Keep trying this anyway. Imaginal practice will increasingly enhance your ability to approximate your objectives.

If you or someone you know would like more support to reach your potential, give us a call at Westmount Psychological Services 514 223 5327.

Written by: Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ.

Reconnecting with your Partner

Most couples find themselves feeling disconnected from each other at different times in their relationship. Considering all the things we juggle with work, children, activities, socializing, family commitments, etc. – we might only see our partner at the end of the day when we are too exhausted to do anything but lay our heads on the pillow and sleep. Oftentimes our relationship falls to the bottom of the priority list and we find ourselves feeling resentful, arguing, and probably lacking in physical/sexual intimacy. If you recognize yourself in this description, there is hope. There are several ways to reconnect and rebuild intimacy in spite of hectic schedules.

1. Make your relationship a priority.
Time to connect with your partner may not always be easy to find but it is worth it. Your relationship is as important (if not more) as going to the gym, getting the children to soccer practice or meeting that work deadline. Add a date night to your calendar. Putting couple time in your calendar demonstrates that the relationship is important and makes couple time more likely to happen. Carving out this time does not mean jetting off to Paris for a night – it can be as simple as lighting candles and putting on some romantic music in the living room. Be creative, it can actually be fun to find ways to reconnect!

2. Institute weekly check-ins.
Think of this as a team meeting. You might try a format similar to the following: share something you appreciate about each other, something about your week, something that is bothering you, make a nonjudgmental/complaint-free request (e.g., “Please replace the toilet paper roll, there was none when I went to the bathroom this morning”), and end with a hope, big or small (e.g., “I hope we watch our favorite show together next week” or “I would love to travel Europe with you this summer!”). Another approach to check-in time might be more practical like planning for the week ahead (e.g., work, family, childcare, couple time). These plans can also be more long-term such as financial goals, vacation planning and/or even sharing dreams. Sharing ambitions can be an exciting way to reconnect and feel excited about the future.

3. Find shared interests.
Having common interests can really help couples stay connected. Doing something enjoyable together can add something special to your week/month and allows you to build new happy memories together. You will begin to have something to talk about other than the children, work and chores. A shared interest can be something like cooking classes, hiking or a dance class. It can also be something simple like having coffee together before work or saving one night a week to go to bed together. The more you can do as a couple, the more opportunities you have to reconnect and feel bonded on a consistent basis.

4. Show your support for each other.
It sounds simple but it is so important to be there for each other. Encourage each other. Look for the positive in your partner, give praise and show appreciation. Your partner might have a special interest or have just reached a goal – show them that you are proud of them, cheer them on, celebrate. It is a great opportunity to help each other feel loved and supported and these small moments strengthen your bond.

5. Touch each other.
Simple acts of physical intimacy like a hug or holding hands can go a long way especially if sexual intimacy is not quite where you would like it to be. Touch can help you to feel physically connected. Along with showing physical affection at random times, you might try incorporating cuddling into your bedtime ritual. Using bedtime to reconnect physically can increase feelings of caring and closeness and ends the day on a positive, connected note.

6. Reduce commitments if necessary.
For those who have children, remember to consider the impact of their schedules on the couple. If you have two children and each takes part in three after school activities, chances are you cannot implement most, if any, of the suggestions above. It is difficult to feel connected when you do not have any time together! You might consider cutting back on the children’s activities.

If you can relate to having lost a sense of connection with your partner you are not alone. Most couples feel this way at some point due to the demands of everyday life. Reconnection requires re-evaluating your priorities and making some key changes. By working on some of the points outlined in this article you can preserve and improve your relationship.

If you need more support to improve the connection in your couple call us to consult with one of our therapists at (514) 223-5327.

Written by: Andrea Guschlbauer, Ph.D., OPQ.

Technology Addiction

Technology addiction. You may be wondering what exactly we are referring to when we use this phrase. Essentially technology addiction refers to something that a great portion of the population deal with on a daily basis. Some may feel it weighing them down, others may think it’s nothing or even make light of it. Technology surrounds us and frankly there is no escaping it. Whether it is cell phones, computers, gaming consoles, television, the internet, etc. it is next to unavoidable. We are almost always connected in some form. However there is a difference between using technology (even using technology on a daily basis) and being addicted to it. Nonetheless given technology’s pervasiveness the line can often be a little more blurred than we think.

General Description
For the most part technology addiction is viewed as a process addiction (like gambling, sex, and shopping) rather than a substance addiction (drugs, alcohol, etc.). An individual becomes addicted to the act and not necessarily the item. For example, a person who constantly texts on their phone is “addicted” to the texting and not specifically to the phone. However there is a fair amount of overlapping now because of the fact that many of our devices have multiple functions; this virtually increases the addictive qualities of any item.

What to look for
Have you ever forgotten your phone at home? How was that experience? Did you feel anxious? Nervous? Any physical symptoms like sweating or a racing heart? Some signs to be mindful of are:
• A need for increased amounts (time spent using, increase amount of items, etc.) and/or obsessive thinking about using
• Withdrawal symptoms when decreasing usage (irritability, anxiety, etc.)
• Difficulty or lack of success when trying to cut down or control usage
• Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of use (skipping class, quitting your job, losing friends, etc.)
• Use is continued despite knowledge of having persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems that are likely due to or exacerbated by usage
• Lying to family members or friends to conceal activity
• Spending excessive money (new items, online fees, etc.)
• Using in order to escape life problems or to relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression.
• A general decrease in physical activity and a disregard for one’s health including sleep, eating, and/or personal hygiene.

Suggestions
Consciously make efforts to reduce usage. Write down and monitor (on a piece of paper not on a device) your usage. Set limits in terms of time spent using such as where you can use and set specific goals for usage (e.g. respond to five emails as opposed to simply “checking emails”). Anticipate that you will feel some anxiety as you try to reduce usage. Plan to integrate anxiety reduction strategies or try some of the mindfulness exercises available on this website to help you cope with this. Integrate activities from your usage into the real world. Meet with friends rather than texting. Play cards at someone’s house rather than in a virtual environment. The same applies for children. Set limits and monitor their usage. More importantly, practice what you preach. Children learn so much from observing. No devices at the dinner table? The same applies to you.

If you need further support in coping with a technology addiction of any kind, please consult with one of our professionals at (514) 223 5327.

Written by: Robin Jolivet M.A.

Surviving the holidays with difficult family members

The holidays can be a very difficult time of the year for people who will be spending more time with those relatives who have been a source of heartache for them rather than joy. While the media anticipates a season of peace and joy, many people actually dread the holidays. Whether your father says mean things, your mother drinks too much or your brother-in-law constantly complains, it is much safer to accept that these family members are likely to do what they always do – and it is best to prepare for that.

Here are some suggestions to get through the holidays with less angst:

Keep it simple
Try and spend more time with people that are easy to be with and less time with those who are difficult. With difficult family members keep the conversation simple. Refrain from starting a debate and resist getting drawn into their drama. If you are having a hard time keeping your cool, just excuse yourself from the conversation and do not come back.

Create structure
Dysfunction has the space to arise only if we allow for that space. See if you can structure the time with difficult family members by planning an activity such as a game or a family movie. This way the interactions will have a focus and it may even be positive or fun.

Identify your triggers
Think about what typically sets you off when you spend time with difficult family members. If you can identify these triggers ahead of time, you will less likely be caught off guard and react impulsively to them. You can also prepare yourself to breathe deeply at these moments to remain as grounded as possible.

Cope ahead
Take some time to plan how you would like to be with your dysfunctional family members. You might decide that you would like to carry yourself with grace and dignity for example. Think about the body postures, facial expressions and even the words that exude the qualities you would like to have. Then rehearse these in your mind as though you are the hero or heroine in a movie. Imaginal practice will make it easier for you to access these attributes in the moment of challenge

Create boundaries
Remind yourself that how people act and behave is a reflection of who they are and has nothing to do with you. Even though it can be tough, try not to personalize hurtful comments or behaviors. You can also set limits about how long you will stay or arrange to “leave yourself an out” by having access to a car or going for a walk when needed.

Create joy
See if you can create your own special moments of peace and joy. Decide what make might make the holidays special for you and experiment with these different ideas to develop your own holiday traditions that you might look forward to for years to come

From all of us at Westmount Psychological Services, we wish you peace this holiday season.

Written by: Shawna Atkins, Ph.D., OPQ.

Help for Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile difficulties are more prevalent than we might think and affect men of all ages. There is a commonly held belief that medication will solve the problem – and it might. However for many men erectile dysfunction (ED) is not a physical problem but a psychological one.

The “little blue pill” (a.k.a., Viagra) will likely help you get an erection but it does not address why your penis was not getting erect in the first place. Taking a pill involves planning and sometimes secrecy while getting to the root of the problem can help men to regain a sense of mastery in their sex lives. Few people are aware of how beneficial counselling/sex therapy can be for ED by addressing the psychological side of the problem.

The most predominant cause of ED is anxiety. We all know that a man needs to be aroused to get an erection but we overlook a second crucial ingredient – he also needs to be relaxed. When we are anxious we are in “fight or flight” mode – our body is tense, we have tunnel vision focused on imminent danger, we are sweating, our digestion slows and we are basically bracing ourselves to face a tiger attack. Fight-or-flight mode is adaptive in some situations but not for sex. Feeling anxious in sexual situations does not lead to satisfying sexual encounters. For men, your mind is not primed for an erection, to say the least. Counselling/sex therapy can help you learn how to bring tension down and bring relaxation up, boost arousal and connect with your sexual partner.

Here are some of the ways that counselling/sex therapy can help with ED:

1. Learn to identify stressors and develop healthy coping strategies to decrease their impact.
2. Discover and challenge some of the negative thoughts you have come to associate with sex and your erection.
3. Learn ways to boost your self-esteem and regain confidence in yourself as a sexual being.
4. Learn relaxation techniques that can create a state of mind conducive for good sex.
5. Learn how to decrease stress in your relationship(s).
6. Practice effective communication so that you are able to openly discuss the problem with your partner and feel less alone.
7. Find out how certain unhealthy habits may be affecting your erection such as smoking and lack of exercise.
8. Discover how you can increase your libido.

Men who experience ED often feel ashamed, alone and hopeless. It is important to know that help is out there; you can overcome ED by seeking out a mental health professional trained in treating sexual problems.

To learn more about how to overcome erectile dysfunction call to consult with Andrea Guschlbauer at (514) 223-5327.

Written by: Andrea Guschlbauer, Ph.D.

Love in a Dangerous Time: Stress and Intimacy in Same-sex Couples

Relationships come in all forms – heterosexual, lesbian, gay and bisexual to name a few. No matter whom we love we tend to want the same things in our relationships. For example, research has shown that we want to experience psychological well-being, good communication, similar values, and support. On the other hand power imbalance, lack of intimacy and arguing can leave us feeling unsatisfied with our relationships.

Although we’ are more similar than different those in same-sex relationships experience a major difference from peers in heterosexual relationships; the stress that comes along with being a sexual minority. Heterosexual people live in a world where their love is accepted more or less unconditionally. Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people often don’t have the privilege of experiencing a simple act like holding hands with their same-sex partner(s) without first assessing the risk and potentially experiencing negative consequences. Same-sex couples face a reality that often includes experiences of discrimination, anticipating rejection, hiding and concealing their sexual orientation and internalizing society’s negatives views (this is known as sexual minority stress).

Research shows that stress has extensive negative effects on both mental and physical health as well as relationship functioning. We can imagine for example that chronic stress might leave us feeling irritated and lead to arguing with our partner(s). Over time we might feel less and less satisfied with our relationship(s). All couples experience stress but same-sex couples experience the unique stress of living as a sexual minority. This stress is added to the everyday stress that heterosexual couples face. Imagine the same scenario of having a stressful day, feeling irritated and fighting with your partner but add to it that on your way home from work a passerby yelled a homophobic slur at you.

Given that LGB people face a double dose of potential stress (or potentially more if they have other marginalized and intersecting identities) their relationships can be particularly vulnerable. How can one deal with living in a world that discriminates against one’s love? A major source of coping with stress in same-sex couples is emotional intimacy.

What is emotional intimacy? It’s a sense of closeness to our partner(s); being able to share our feelings and feeling cared for and understood. Emotional intimacy boosts our psychological and physical well-being and reduces the impact of stress. So coping strategies focused on emotional intimacy are of particular importance for same-sex couples. The idea is to increase connection and emotional engagement between partners.

Here are some ways to enhance closeness in relationships:
1. Schedule uninterrupted time for conversation. Take the time to check in with each other and on the relationship; share and listen.
2. Find time to be alone together. Too often we go long stretches without alone time; make quality couple time happen.
3. Make time for physical and sexual intimacy. Cuddle, hug, hold hands, kiss, have sex.
4. Have fun together. Let loose together; laugh, play, be silly.
5. Get involved in each other’s interests. Share in each other’s passions and activities.

Living in a world that oftentimes discriminates can be very difficult. One way to combat the negative effects of sexual minority stress is to focus on closeness in your relationship(s); turn toward each other and strengthen your emotional connection(s).

To learn more about how to cope with stress and boost emotional intimacy in your relationship(s) call us to consult with one of our therapists at (514) 223-5327.

*Please note: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples may wish to see a therapist who is well informed of sexual minority issues. Here at Westmount Psychological Services we are pleased to offer counseling by therapists who are competent to work with the special needs of LGBT populations.

Disclaimer: We recognize the importance of language-use in LGBT2SQIA communities. We acknowledge that the terms same-sex, lesbian, gay, bisexual are not inclusive of all gender identities, sexual orientations or types of relationships. The outlined ways to enhance closeness in relationships can apply to a wider range of human experience. Members of our team would be pleased to discuss further and explore the unique ways that stress and intimacy fit into your relationship.

Written by: Dr. Andrea Guschlbauer, Ph.D., OPQ

I Think I Am Getting Depressed: What Should I Do?

Depression is a word that is used today to describe many moods so sometimes it is difficult to know whether or not someone is really suffering from a clinical depression. Sadness is not depression; but it can be a component of depression. If you have just ended a relationship and are sad this is normal – even if you were the one to end the relationship and know it is the right decision. But sadness can turn into depression if it is not dealt with properly. It is important to note that not all depression is caused because of genetics or brain activity. When depression gets unmanageable we do look to anti-depressants for help but a great deal of depression could be dealt with before it gets to that stage and without the use of medication. Symptoms of depression often start very insidiously with feeling down, having no energy for the regular activities of life and taking no joy in what used to bring one pleasure. These early symptoms are often viewed as “I’m really tired and down these days” or “I really need a vacation”. One of the earliest symptoms of depression that should be a red flag is when one stops the activities that once brought them joy and serenity. So how do I know if I am sad or depressed?

One important aspect is the length of time. If you broke off your relationship or lost a loved one a year ago and you are still experiencing this as if it happened yesterday then this is no longer sadness. This has now moved into a depressive state and you probably need help to deal with those feelings and emotions. Another important point is the degree and number of symptoms that you are experiencing. If you are having trouble concentrating, feeling sad and crying every day for most of the day or feeling highly irritable, having sleep disturbances whether too much or not enough and cannot get out of bed in the morning and you find that you do not take pleasure in anything – even the things that used to bring you joy – then you are probably suffering from depression and need to get some help. You should make an appointment with your physician and follow that up with a therapist. It is important to talk about your feelings with someone and have them help you to get back your life. Anti-depressants will help jump-start the process but they are only one element in a healthy therapeutic treatment plan.
But what if you are just starting to experience some of these symptoms and are still at the prevention stage rather than the treatment phase.

• Sleep habits – go to bed at a reasonable time so that in the morning you know you have had enough sleep. Get out of bed even if you would prefer not to and begin your day at a regular time.
• Exercise: Any exercise that will help you to secrete endorphins (our happy hormones) will help elevate your mood. This is not bodybuilding but rather running, biking, aerobics, etc.
• Diet: Eat a balanced meal and limit high carbohydrate or fatty foods which will make your body feel sluggish and that will affect how you feel mentally. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day.
• Meditation: It is so important to exercise our minds and by meditating 10 minutes a day we can make important changes to our brain, which will help us to feel more content and serene. You can find examples on our website to help you get started.
• Talk to someone – even a friend who will listen can be a source of comfort and help lead to recovery. Talking is important because depression can often be exacerbated by people not talking. A lot of people feel shame because of something that is happening in their life – even if it is not their fault – and so they do not talk about it. Holding in painful experiences and thoughts only gives depression the environment to grow. So talk and if you do not want to talk to a friend then talk to your doctor of find a therapist.
• Other activities: Yoga, accepting invitations to connect to people rather than quickly refusing, reaching out to friends, get a massage, taking a course in something you are interested in, doing something different even if it means taking a different route to work, watch funny TV programs and stay away from violence and/or sad movies, etc.

The reasons for depression are often environmental and mean that something needs to change. If you feel that this might be happening to you and you would like help in making some positive changes in your life contact us, we can help you get back your life.

Written by: Dr. Judith Norton, Ph.D., OPQ.