Nilmini De Silva - Psychologist providing psychotherapy & coaching in Longueuil, QC

EATING DISORDERS

Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an intense desire to stay thin and to avoid eating food as much as possible. Typically, the individual may initially appear healthier if they were overweight, but quite rapidly their eating disorder becomes apparent and is a huge source of concern among their loved ones.

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by periods of excessive and uncontrollable food consumption within a short period of time. These periods are usually followed by attempts to compensate via vomiting, laxative use, or exercise in order to maintain a relatively stable weight. Depending on the frequency of bingeing and purging, the individual's health may become as fragile as that of an Anorectic.

Binge-eating disorder is characterized by periods of excessive food consumption without attempts to compensate, such as vomiting or laxative use. This results in noticeable weight gain and individuals usually become obese. Binge-eating disorder is the most prevalent eating disorder and is often related to low self-esteem, poor body image and the use of food to cope with stress.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

ANEB: http://www.anebquebec.com

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ANXIETY DISORDERS

Anxiety disorders can generate significant distress and interfere with one's productivity and daily functioning. They consist of a combination of physiological reactions, cognitive interpretations and emotional responses.

Some common anxiety disorders include Panic Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Phobias, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These disorders may be limited to specific situations or they may generalize over time to encompass an increasingly wider range of situations.

Anxiety disorders can be treated quite effectively using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relaxation Training, with an adjunct of Psychodynamic psychotherapy. In certain cases, Pharmacotherapy may be advised for a short duration of time. Depending on the intensity, history and scope of the symptoms, anxiety disorders may be treated in a fairly short time frame.

Early treatment can be extremely beneficial in shortening the period of treatment as well as limiting the scope of disability.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

http://www.paniccenter.net/wbdat

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MOOD-RELATED DISORDERS

Mood-related disorders are among the most common reasons for which people seek psychotherapy. Moods can range from constantly feeling sad or irritated to feeling paralyzingly depressed or uncontrollably manic. Some common mood disorders are Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorders, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Whatever the extent of mood disruption, it becomes troublesome when it has consequences on the individual's self-esteem, daily functioning, personal or work relationships and progress towards life goals.

In many cases, mood disorders can be longstanding as individuals attempt to cope with these symptoms by themselves for a long time, especially if the symptoms are not prominent. However, over time, the individuals may find themselves unhappy with the way they function, with their relationships or their progress at work.

Depending on the duration, intensity and range of emotional symptoms, mood-related disorders can require considerable work to overcome. The combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Approaches, Pharmacotherapy and Motivational Interviewing can be very beneficial with this category of disorders.

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BURNOUT AND TRAUMA

Life is full of stressors and most of the time people are able to cope, but when life is challenging on all fronts and you don't have the inner ressources to handle them, you may experience personal or professional burnout.

If you find yourself wondering how you are going to make it through the day or the week because you don't have the energy, motivation or desire to accomplish what is expected of you, and you wish you could escape or take a vacation, it may be time to consult a professional for an evaluation of your situation and what changes may be necessary.

The longer the situation lasts, the more drained you may feel and the more difficult it can be to change the situation. A severe burnout can be prevented if you act in time and harness all the help you can access.

If you have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event and are experiencing flashbacks, insomnia, anxiety and difficulty performing your daily routines, you may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is best to consult a professional who can help you diagnose and treat the condition so you can sucessfully return to your former activities.

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TRANSGENDER & TRANSITIONING

If you would like assistance or guidance with transitioning and related issues, Dr. Geneviève Paulin-Pitre specializes in evaluations and treatment referrals. You may reach her at (450) 231-4858.