Some of us process problems and challenges through our inner resources and the people around us. We may seek counselling if we suffer a major reverse such as bereavement, a health issue, relationship difficulties or redundancy. Our self-esteem is OK, or better than OK.
Others do not wend their way through life so straightforwardly. It feels complicated and puzzling. It feels threatening or abandoning. We know we are not ill because we function, pay the bills and perhaps attend to others’ needs. But we go around in circles, repeating unrewarding patterns of behaviour. Emotions like sadness, anger or fear seem out of kilter, intruding into everyday life. We might want to curb our excesses, stop blaming others, tackle our compulsive need to escape, allow somebody to love us. Perhaps we feel stuck, wish-blocked, unsure of our direction of travel.
Some people find diagnoses like depression, anxiety, stress, PD, OCD and PTSD a relief because they provide parameters for the way they are feeling. Many are wary of the categorisation of human ‘existence pain.’ Whichever approach you take, you may want help to deal with what is troubling you.