What is Counselling Therapy ?
Mental health problems mainly belong to two types namely
• Neurotic symptoms that range from the daily worries we all have from time to time, which can be managed without any serious medication or clinical treatment.
• Psychotic symptoms with serious long term problems that require treatment to manage them effectively.
While the symptoms belonging to both the above types overlap each other in many ways, there is a marked difference in the treatment methods adopted and the profiles of healthcare people who provide psychotherapy services.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are the two different types of professionals trained to help you deal with mental health issues.
Both are there to talk you through your problems. They aim to provide you with the means to manage the issues in your everyday life.
However there are some major differences between the two categories as detailed below:
• Psychiatrists are medical doctors (MDs) with a background in biology and neurochemistry, specialization in psychology and the necessary training and experience in the treatment of serious mental disorders such as chronic anxiety, schizophrenia, hallucinations, eating disorders or bipolar disorders. They can prescribe medicines, clinical investigations or provide inpatient treatment with the assistance from other multidisciplinary specialists.
• Psychologists, on the other hand, normally have a degree or specialized training in any area of psychology, the study of the mind and human behaviour. As they are not medical doctors, they cannot prescribe medicines. However, they are trained in the field of consultation, giving psychological tests such as IQ tests or personality tests and analyzing the behavioural patterns of the patient, as part of treatment.
Factors affecting mental health
A range of factors can impact our emotional well-being such as
• Genetics
• Prolonged stress
• Physical illness
• Traumatic events
• Economic and social issues
Mental health issues with neurotic symptoms include:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Phobias
• Post traumatic disorders (PTSD)
• Panic disorders
Symptoms of mental health problems
Unlike in physical disorders, there are no obvious symptoms for mental and emotional well being, as each individual is different from one another. The symptoms are often hidden or mistaken for other things. Some general signs to look for could include:
• Avoiding social contact
• Brooding or excessive crying
• Feeling tired
• Drop in productivity
• General neglect of personal care
Counselling services in EMC involves a series of formal sessions where our counselors will talk about your issues and feelings. The sessions are held at regular intervals in a highly confidential settings and may involve talking about your life events, feelings, emotions, relationships, ways of thinking and patterns of behaviour.
While counseling is not about a friendly chat or giving advice, our counselors will listen, encourage and empathise with your problems, thereby helping you to understand and find solutions to resolve or cope with your situation.