Category: Caretaker Burnout

Are you even allowed to have a mental illness?

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, Boundaries, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Grief, Life Transition, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Relationships, Self-Esteem, South Asian Culture, Stress Management, Therapy, Triggers

You have a great life. You love your career. Your relationship with your parents has improved tremendously. You are in a good place romantically. But you still struggle with anxiety. You repeat the mantra you grew up with: “there are so many others who have it much worse than you; be thankful for what you … Continue reading Are you even allowed to have a mental illness?

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Abuse, Boundaries, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Coping Skills, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Relationships, Therapy, Triggers

In the list of unknown reasons for someone experiencing mental health disorders, Munchausen Syndrome or Factitious Disorder listed in DSM 5 peaks curiosity.  What is Factitious Disorder?  In simple terms, it is presenting self or someone else (by proxy) as sick or impaired in some way. It includes signs and symptoms that may not have … Continue reading Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

Generational Trauma

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Anxiety, Boundaries, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Grief, Incest and Childhood Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self-Esteem, South Asian Culture, Stress Management, Therapy, Triggers

How do you tie your shoelace? Who taught you? Do you know who taught them? Chances are that it was a parent or a family member who taught you just like they were taught by the generation before them. When we talk about family “inheritance,” we mostly assume money, traditions, or even genes but it … Continue reading Generational Trauma

What is Mental Health?

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, Boundaries, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Emotional Intelligence, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Goal Setting, Grief and Loss, Habits, Incest and Childhood Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, Life Transition, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self-Esteem, Sexual Abuse/Assault, Social Work, South Asian Culture, Stress Management, Therapy, Triggers, Women's Issues

Let’s start today with a pop quiz. What is Mental Health? a)    Understanding what mental issues we struggle with. b)    Understanding our overall well-being. c)     A diagnosis so we can get help from insurance. d)    Everyone is just crazy! If you answered B, you are correct! Mental health is so much more than just understanding … Continue reading What is Mental Health?

Managing Stress Creatively

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Anxiety, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Communication, Coping Skills, Depression, Mental Health, Stress Management, Therapy, Triggers

April is National Stress Awareness Month and in honor of the stressors we experience in our daily lives, today’s blog post discusses one specific method to help manage this stress while also expressing one’s self. Our lives are increasingly fast-paced and full of stress and anxiety. Often, we do not make time for ourselves during … Continue reading Managing Stress Creatively

The issue of Transference

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Anxiety, Boundaries, Caretaker Burnout, Depression, Mental Health, Therapy, Triggers

It started with Sigmund Freud. He initially conceptualized the idea of transference - that people can place their feelings regarding a person or situation on to another due to unresolved issues. Solve the issue . . . POOF! -transference issues are gone! But . . . Is it really though? I do believe that there … Continue reading The issue of Transference

Does my therapist really need to know that?

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Coping Skills, Depression, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Grief, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Self-Esteem, Stress Management, Therapy, Triggers

Humans are social creatures. I am not talking about introverts vs extroverts; instead, I’m talking about our need for support from each other. We have a need to connect to others- to understand where we belong. Because we are multifaceted, our treatment needs to be a holistic approach. In order to fully understand the developmental … Continue reading Does my therapist really need to know that?

Caregiver Burnout: The Balancing Act

by zenergycounselingblog, posted in Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety, Caretaker Burnout, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Coping Skills, Goal Setting, Habits, Life Transition, Mental Health, South Asian Culture, Stress Management

The month of celebrating love is not complete without recognizing the hard work of caregivers. It truly requires someone special to take on the physical and emotional challenge of caring for a loved one unconditionally. A caregiver can be a paid helper or a family member who looks after someone who is unable to care … Continue reading Caregiver Burnout: The Balancing Act