Hey, I'm a Certified Counselor, ask me anything you'd like to
I had already posted this message in other places on this thread. But since I'm seeing new messages and questions coming in- I'm posting the same message below again.
Dear all, its been a wonderful experience interacting with a lot of people across the world in our 7cups community through this thread which has now been running over two years. I regret to inform that I won't be able to respond to the posts here, going forward. I'm unable to dedicate adequate time to be able to do this and hence I request everyone's understanding. Warmth and strength to one and all !!
For all those who are seeking support- 7cups have multiple group support forums and one to one listening services.Also there are self help articles and resources available free on the website. Please do check them out if you'd like to. Big hugs to all!
Hi I feel like my soul is tired and I couldnt relax at all, and I feel restless eveh after a long sleep for months. Im introverted and I usually used all my nervous energy in social interactions, after that I just turn into a sad lump and depressed and couldnt do anything include eating. I meditate regularly but the depression is too strong and I couldnt help it. Any tips for a positive change?
@jasminekansuet Social anxiety -if that's what you are struggling with -can leave you really exhausted, to top the depression. It is good that you are doing some self-care but from whatever little you shared with me, it doesn't seem enough for your state of mind. Both of the root causes need work to be done systemically to heal them rather than only fighting from the surface level. Insecurities will need to be addressed for a positive change to happen. Wishing you the best , and hoping you will consider alternatives and will do that in the way that's best for you.
@SarahGeorgeDCS
Hi,
I am not quite sure as to if I have PTSD or bipolar...I was wondering if it is possible that I may explain my situation to you in a PM...?
@carefulKite8433
Oh wait nvm not possible at the moment.
Anyways, I had a pretty stressful envrionment that I was living in, sometimes the stress lasted for years with some months alright and sometimes the problems and stress lasted for few months. As well as, when my ex and I broke up it wasn't as I had expected for it to end and when it did, I couldnt stop shaking and having panic attack, it really did feel like a huge hole inside of me physically and mentally...in other words, the breakup became an emotional abuse with the person ignoring my existence and me trying to unsucessfully fix things. Now I have summer vacations and all that stress right now is gone, yet, I can't enjoy myself at all. I am emotionally unstable with highs and lows of intense feelings with most of my day being spent in the low area... I am never fine being alone by myself like I used to be. This hasnt been just a phase and has now been happening for a long while. I need to know if what I am going through is PTSD or bipolar or something because all these labels that people are throwing at me are making me dizzy and fuzzy.
@carefulKite8433 I can imagine you being disturbed and frustrating with these feelings and labels. f you are looking for a diagnosis, I would suggest you see a medical practitioner. That said, to understand and work on what's causing all this emotional turmoil , counseling can definitely help. This brief interaction would not allow us to do that. Yes you can message me or any therapist in PM from your member account but I have to tell you it will be charged. If you are looking for some free one-to-one support, pls feel free to talk to the listeners available. Hope you feel better soon, take care of yourself. Hugs!!
@SarahGeorgeDCS
I was laid off and I am currently working part time and I don't have money for therapy. How do I find low cost therapy? I've tried asking my primary care physicians for suggestions but they don't know anything.
@zenob3433 Cam understand it must be a really tough time for you. I am not familiar in the place you live , what would be the options available to be able to give suggestions. Online therapy -there are many providers which you can google and compare rates .There is online therapy available on 7cups itself, you could try and see if that works for you. If not-till you figure out something, you could speak to our volunteer listeners, that is free cost completely. It is not a subsititute to therapy, but would be of some support till you find one.
@SarahGeorgeDCS
Thank you for your reply.
Hi, Ive had a lot of problems with anxiety and depression, but I tend to ignore my feelings and focused on my studies. When my father passed away last year, I just felt like all the emotions Ive been trying to ignore have just collapsed. My stress and depression worsened when I went to school. Now Im on break and my stress went down and I also go to group therapy. But now I always have thoughts of anxiety and hopelessness. I keep on worrying about my health because my dad died young from a heart attack. In addition, my best friends mom passed away from cancer at a young age. I just keep thinking What if Im next ? What if I get this disease and never be able to achieve my dreams? These thoughts keep on occurring and they always worry me, sometimes they go away, but they make it hard for me to enjoy my life. Sometimes, if I have a headache or if I feel pain, Im tempted to go to my doctor, even though she says just to take pain relievers and that nothing is wrong. I cant help but feel that somethings wrong with my health when I feel pain, but it just turns out to be something minor. How can I stop these thoughts from taking away my happiness? I feel so lost.
@gracefulVision48 Can imagine what you are going through. Circumstances seem to have gotten to you and your peace of mind is shakened up. I am unable to give specific therapy help through the forum . Would suggest you take some one-on-one support . If you can't work that out, pls atleast talk it out with someone you trust on a regular basis to vent and take help when you can manage to do that.
Is it...permissible (I'm going to go ahead and assume it's odd), to ask your therapist if you can turn your back to them during therapy?
I find myself overwhelmed with processing body language and responding to it when I'm looking at the therapist
@readingeatingtea - Hi dear. I know you probably don't want an answer from me, but ... my previous counselor told me that yes actually turning around so I can't see the therapist is fine. She said if it makes it easier for you to talk to (or with?) me that way (or another way - like in writing maybe) then go for it. I hope this helps a bit :) Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 Thank you! I always feel like it's kind of a rude start, but if I don't do it, I spend the whole session reacting more than engaging
@readingeatingtea - (nodding) I hear you there. I think if you talk about it with your therapist, then he/she will understand totally fine and he/she will let you know what they think or feel about it. Might help if you tell them your 'why' for doing that action. ~ Platy
btw, I am also a trained listener here at 7cups and two of the three words in your member name are in my listener name! 
:)
@cyanPlatypus6370 it's a small world!
@readingeatingtea I think you have already got wonderful answers from our dedicated listeners. I agree too, it helps when you are completely honest with the therapist about things that you are not comfortable with. Both of you can work together to figure out the process forward.
@SarahGeorgeDCS @readingeatingtea
@Sarah - YES! I forget sometimes that the therapist may have other ideas or ways to help me solve or work through the problem I'm having - like *with* my therapist. It is so hard to say "I'm scared about ... " or "When you tell me you're going on vacation, I feel ..." or any other hard to communicate thing that is more directly related to how I am reacting to my therapist (counselor and client relationship) than really "my stuff" or 'actual therapy' - according to me, that is! Because sometimes how I am relating to my counselor is (or can be) directly related to something I'm struggling with - and I don't see it. (Yet, anyway.)
@reading - I just thought of another idea of how you could speak what you need to and not be 'disturbed' by the therapist's body language and analyzing that. You could bring and wear a blindfold! 
Really, though, I am only about half kidding. I think that what @Sarah said about talking about the situation with your therapist, is (or at least might be) a really good place to start.
Hmm... well I don't know if that was helpful or more of me just reacting to what you, SarahGeorge, said. Hmm... have yourselves a good weekend! 
Platy
@cyanPlatypus6370 The blindfold might be interesting, but...PTSD 
Hearing people moving, not seeing them, and being actively IMPAIRED from seeing them is a huge trigger for me. (I also have this problem with wearing headphones or earplugs in public places, as I found out through therapy)
@readingeatingtea - Yes, I hear you there. I was mostly kidding, but thought perhaps it may be a helpful idea - or get you or your therapist or someone to think of a related helpful idea :) you know, brainstorming.
Is this therapist very new to you? Or perhaps this is a question you've had for a long (very long?) time? 
Platy
@SarahGeorgeDCS Hello there . So, my que is this :
I have been taking meds for depression for 3 years now . However , at times I feel that meds don't help me in resolving root cause of my problems. Hence I am pondering over to opt for therapy . Do you think that may be a therapist or a confidence coach could come in handy ?? .
@calmsoulmeet Of course therapy can be supplemental to medical support and both can go hand in hand.
@SarahGeorgeDCS Thanks a lot ♥.
Hi I am battling with anxiety and depression and it's really bad... It made me a awful mean person that I don't want to be... I need help, I want to get better and I don't want to be the person I am now, I want to be the old me who was always positive and kind and friendly and caring... Please help me...
@dynamicSummer6927 Your awareness of what you are going through is your strength , and it is good that you have the willingness to seek help and work on yourself, to reclaiming back your usual self as you were sharing. Since you seem to be really in distress, I would suggest you taking one to one support. Also do check out our anxiety/ depression support groups if you already have not. Wishing you well and sending you lots of warmth.
Ive been emotional all my life and I cry over the littlest things and mistakes. How do I control my emotions
@GuyZ "Controlling" emotions isn't the best idea. Suppressed feelings mostly come back and in much more uglier ways. Definitely, you can learn to "manage" your emotions better. The key is building emotional awareness and developing coping tools to deal with your thoughts and feelings. And on a side note, sensitivity is a good quality that can be nurtured in the right direction. So it need not be considered a weakness. In fact, I'd say it can be a wonderful strength in one's personality.
Q1 : is it ok to pray for 2 married men & their families ?
Q2 : is it normal to feel scared to lose friendship of 2 married men ? as 2 of them i like them , i started to accept the fact they're married i can't feel ❤ for them i can treat them as friends only & i understand they won't feel the same way for what i feel for them BUT i'm 😨 to lose this friendship.
@jazmine1986 Seems like you are questioning yourself about a certain way you are feeling towards two committed indviduals. Well, developing attraction or feelings of love for someone can be natural and it can be confusing and scary too. Whether you act on it or not is a choice you make. Any choice will have its consequences. Ask yourself - what's making you question yourself- that can probably get you the clarity you're seeking. If you need one to one support, that is available on the platform as well.
I've recently found out that my high school sweetheart cheated on me last year. We're had only ever been with each other(since we were 13 years old). I've struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since early childhood. I became depressed the past couple years and he's hurt because he felt shut out and alone for years. Now I'm struggling with trust and self eestem issues. I told him I wanted to set boundaries so I couldn't be hurt again and trust could be rebuilt. Is it crazy that I don't even want him to communicate with any other women even in an innocent, non sexual way? This excludes the women I know in OUR close group of friends.
@HaleyKay13 I can imagine how hurt you would be and the insecurities that are probably hitting you hard post the setback in your relationship. You mentioned having anxiety issues prior to this as well. You mentioned trust and setting boundaries, both of which are key factors. However, since it's a relationship and there are two people involved, communication is key. And it's important you are doing what's mutually agreeable and working on the issues together. Help is available, if you think you need support in that process.
