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--- self-care_in_times_of_psychological_distress [2015/09/08 15:44] – emily
+++ self-care_in_times_of_psychological_distress [2016/03/02 10:50] – emily
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 ====== Self-care in times of psychological distress ======
-Psychological distress can take many shapes and some states can be more severe than others. While some might not require assistance, others can be emergencies. Some states might benefit from some forms of medication -or even temporary hospitalization- others not necessarily, or better not.
+Psychological distress can translate into a variety of manifestations, from melancholy to outbursts of rage or sadness, to anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and sleep disorders, lack of appetite, apathy, aggression, absence of enthusiasm, sexual dysfunctions, lower immunity / increased vulnerability to infections, digestive disorders, memory loss or other forms of cognitive impairment…
+While some states can be balanced in your day to day life with comparatively little effort, awareness, compassion for yourself, friendships and patience, others can be more severe, or even be emergencies which require that you seek assistance.
-If you feel your physical and mental integrity are at stake from the distress you're experiencing, you should seek help as soon as possible (If you are a friend of someone in this condition, stay with them always and seek assistance). For example, you have been experiencing symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, depersonalization (feeling of being unreal), or you have attempted suicide, or are thinking about it, or you have engaged in other self-harming or dangerous behaviors. Emotional distress can translate into a variety of symptoms, affecting your overall state, from insomnia to lack of appetite, to apathy, agression, lack of enthousiasm, increased vulnerability to infections, memory loss or other forms of cognitive impairement, and more… Your need for help will of course depend on the intensity and chronicity of these manifestations (or the absence of thereof, for that matter). In any case, it's a good idea to start taking (extra) care of yourself.
+That would be the case if, for example, your physical and mental integrity have become critically at stake from the distress you're experiencing. For example, you have been experiencing symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, depersonalization (feeling of being unreal);  you have attempted suicide, or are thinking about it, or you have engaged in other self-harming or dangerous behaviors. In that case, please seek competent help as soon as possible. Reach out to a friend, a caregiver, do not stay alone. (If you are a friend of a person experiencing such acute distress, do not leave them alone, seek information and assistance).
-Following are some advices for self-care (still valid when someone is taking care of you) to help go through such times, based upon my knowledge and experience with myself and others. Know that I am NOT a doctor nor a clinical psychologist. Like I said, if your symptoms are very intense, or long going, or your integrity is at stake, you should seek assistance immediately.
+In any case, and whatever the help you seek, taking a few steps to take extra-care of yourself in these challenging times can make a difference, now, and in the long run.
+The following advices for self-care (still valid when someone is taking care of you) are based upon my knowledge and experience with myself and others. Know that I am NOT a doctor nor a clinical psychologist. If your symptoms are very intense, or long going, or your integrity is at stake, you should seek assistance immediately.
 **SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW TO HELP and CARE FOR YOURSELF IN TIMES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS ?**