Holiday blues: Counseling can help with life's troubles

If you're feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, you're not alone. "Stress and anxiety are common reactions when trying to balance the many tasks and demands of college, work, and home, especially during the holiday season," says Northeastern's Counseling Office.

Psychological counseling is available, free of charge, to currently registered Northeastern students.

A professional counselor can provide counseling and therapy to help one better understand and deal with the problems and difficulties we all face in our lives. Counselors help people to work through a variety of issues, says the Counseling Office, including: depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or feelings, grief and loss, problems in relationships, incest or sexual abuse, eating disorders, alcoholism or other addictions.

One obstacle people often face when in need of help is the perceived stigma that is sometimes associated with seeking professional counseling.

Dr. Elizabeth Pullen, Psy.D., Clinical Coordinator of the Counseling Office explains, "One of the things that we're concerned about is the stigma ... many, many people still consider seeking mental health services as something that shows weakness, or something like that ... We think of our counseling services as an opportunity to grow and to learn and that actually seeking services is as a sign of strength. ..."

The services offered at the Counseling Office are confidential.

The holiday season can be particularly troubling for some, due in part to social and cultural norms to provide gifts, entertainment, and spend money, coupled with our own expectation and desire to please family and friends. This often results in feelings of anxiety and depression, "The entire season is stretched over a six week period and often our expectations of all we can get done during this time can be an unrealistic prospect," according to Lana E. Bailey M.S., a therapist at Freedom From Fear.

Moreover, as Dr. Pullen notes, the holiday season can be a time, "where the reality of people's lives can cause them to be kind of disappointed ... or difficult situations can seem even more painful ... it can be helpful to understand that those high expectations can be sort of a setup for a letdown." Dr. Pullen stresses the significance of knowing that help is available in the form of counseling and therapy.

So what are some the signs of anxiety and depression?

People with an anxiety disorder may have a number of physical symptoms, including shakiness, muscle aches, sweating, cold and clammy hands, dizziness, fatigue, racing heart, and dry mouth. Emotionally they may feel irritable and apprehensive, fearing that bad things are about to happen to themselves or to their loved ones. But possibly the most noticeable consequence of anxiety is the way it so often leaves its sufferers practically disabled, according to www.mentalhealth.com.

Signs to look for with depression are continuing feelings of sadness, of helplessness, hopelessness and irritability, and the inability to keep up with the basic parts of life such as personal care, household chores, friendships and social activities. Other symptoms include a noticeable change of appetite that brings about a significant gain or loss of weight, problems sleeping or waking, sudden loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, an inability to concentrate and make decisions, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, headache and stomachache, says www.mentalhealth.com.

So what should we do if someone we know, say a family member, friend, or classmate, (or ourselves) starts to show signs of anxiety or depression?

In the case of a family member, friend, or classmate you might try talking to the person, "It's often, I think, helpful to talk to the person directly ... just say I'm kind of worried about you, I've noticed you haven't been yourself lately." Be straight forward and positive, Says Dr. Pullen.

If you're showing signs, don't be afraid to use strategies that have been helpful before, such as working out, or talking to friends or family.

If the above strategies don't seem to work, then it might be time to come-or refer someone-to the Counseling Office to talk to a counselor about what help is available, says Dr. Pullen.

Health insurance is not required for student counseling. The student activity fee (which all students pay) covers the services provided by the Counseling Office. One need only call, or come in to make an appointment, and "We try to see people as quickly as possible," says Dr Pullen.

Counseling is an effective resource to freely discuss personal issues and concerns. The Counseling Office can help to develop positive solutions to the difficult situations that arise in our lives. Psychological counseling is available to individuals, couples, or small groups. For more information, or to make an appointment to see a counselor, contact the Counseling Office in Room D-024 or call (773) 442-4650. Additional information can be found at www.neiu.edu/~CounOff.