Personality disorders affect communication with people you love

Personality disorders are hard to diagnose. Just because someone has some of the traits doesn’t not mean they have a certain personality disorder. Having the disorder means that it causes you much distress and problems functioning, not just a once in a while habit or attitude. It also has to fit the circumstances. An example would be a moody, successful movie star who is demanding and self-centred with their behaviour. They would not perhaps qualify as having a narcissistic personality disorder as long as they can get away with this behaviour as people could just think the behaviour is due to egotistical fame causing them to become what is usually referred to as a diva. Similarly a person living alone with no neighbour for miles would not possibly have a diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder if they can function well in social situations, even though they may dislike having social interaction with others.

Are they showing characteristics of a disorder?

People can often show signs and traits of multiple disorders at once. For example you may have heard rumours about someone that has narcissistic borderline traits who slept their way into an executive position or high-profile job only to remove and fire those who got them there. They then make life extremely difficult and miserable for the people who replace them. People with personality disorders tend to blame others for their troubles, which is also why they don’t tend to seek professional help as they don’t believe they are the problem. Often they only seek help when they are forced to do so. This usually comes after domestic violence in some form or a suicide attempt when a family member insists they go see someone. Once they are there seeking the help they need, someone with a personality disorder only tends to stay for as long as they are forced to, not necessarily as long as they should to resolve the issue. 

Who seeks help most?

The most common people seeking help are those that have suffered due to someone in their lives that has a personality disorder. These people are usually family members, partners, or employees that have developed anxiety or depression from their interaction with the person with the disorder.

What about the diagnosis?

Diagnoses of personality disorders need to be made by properly trained mental health professionals. It can cause someone great pain to tell them that you suspect them of having a personality disorder, so it is better left unsaid. However, it is important to know how to recognise the major symptoms as it will help you deal with these people on a daily basis. What you also need to remember is that if you need to you can seek professional help to teach you how to cope with this person in your life if you choose to have them in it. If you suspect someone you care about has a disorder and you are not being treated properly why not give us a call to see how we can help?

(Pic thanks to Brodie Vissers - Burst)

Healing Depression with music

Music is a part of our everyday life. Many people listen to music while working, cleaning, exercising, and driving. Listening to music often changes your mood. If your feel down, listening to music can help lift your mood. There have been studies done that show that music can be used in combination with psychological therapies to help lower stress levels, blood pressure, anxiety and depression. It can also help with pain and fatigue.

Helping with coronary heart disease

Studies have shown that listening to music can ease anxiety in a person who has coronary heart disease especially if they have a myocardial infarction. The anxiety reducing effects of the music increase when you are listening to music you chose yourself rather than someone else’s choice. Music can also have a positive effect when it comes to systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, quality of sleep and the levels of pain a person with coronary heart disease feels.

Music and Therapy

Studies have shown that studies done by trained music therapists offered by medical staff to clients purposely pre-recorded may be beneficial when it comes to helping you with anxiety, pain relief, fatigue, and perhaps even to increase the quality of life of cancer sufferers. However, the studies showed that this kind of music therapy only providing short-term effects for people with depression, but if it was combined with traditional treatment it actually enhanced the effects of that treatment. Music was able to decrease anxiety and improve the functioning of people who were feeling depressed. In children and adolescents, music may be effective in reducing the severity of internalising symptoms.

Impacting brain connectivity

In a study using MRI's music was found to have an impact on brain connectivity, particularly in the part of the brain that is involved in internally focused thought, empathy and self-awareness. When you are listening to music you dislike the brain circuit known as the default mode connects poorly however the more you like the music the greater the connectivity. Music will help you to reduce your stress levels, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Relaxing music can enhance your meditation and relaxation techniques and assist with your anti-anxiety supplements or medication as well as assist your body with inflammation as the positive psychological affect reflects physically into the body.

If you find that you are feeling down and need a mood booster try listening to some of your favourites which will lift your spirits. If however this does not help have a word to your health care practitioner who will give you some tips to relax more and overcome those negative feelings. A good natural practitioner can teach you to meditate, relax and alter your perspective. There are many techniques to do this. Call our clinic to see how we can help you today.

Image thanks to Samantha Hurley - Burst