Psychological specialist Suha Abougoush Best psychologist in Jordan.

Depressive disorder (also known as depression or clinical depression) is a common psychological disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, loss of enjoyment and interest, affects thinking and behaviour, and may lead to a range of emotional and physical problems..

It affects all aspects of life, including relationships with the surrounding environment, and may result in problems. At work or school. Depression is different from transient mood swings, as it is not just an episode of bad mood or emotion that can be easily resolved. It may require long-term treatment. It is worth noting that people who have been exposed to abuse or significant losses are more susceptible to depression, and women are more susceptible to depression than men. What are the symptoms of depression? A depressed patient experiences a bad mood and loss of enjoyment during a depressive episode, which lasts throughout the whole day and occurs almost every day for at least two weeks. Symptoms of depression may include the following: ● Feelings of sadness, despair, or constant crying. ● Anger or irritation over the simplest reasons. ● Loss of pleasure in most or all daily activities. ● Sleep disorders; Including severe insomnia or sleeping too much. ● Extreme fatigue. Even the simplest things require great effort. ● appetite disorder; Including loss of appetite and weight or severe bulimia and weight gain. ● Constant feelings of guilt and low self-esteem. ● Anxiety, poor concentration, and loss of the ability to make decisions. ● Persistent headache and sometimes back pain. ● Constant thoughts of death or attempting suicide. ● Loss of desire for sex. Here are 4 of the most important causes of depression The exact cause that leads to the emergence of depression is not yet known, as is the case with many psychological disorders, but there are some factors that could be causing the disease, including: 1. Biochemical factors Depression results from physical changes in the brains of people with the disease, the causes of which are unknown. It is possible that chemicals in the human brain called neurotransmitters are related to mood and play a role in causing depression, and hormonal imbalance in the body may be a cause of its appearance. 2. Genetic factors Depression is more common in people who have relatives with the disease, and scientists are trying to uncover the genes that are related to depression. 3. Environmental factors The environment surrounding a person is one of the most important reasons for the emergence of depression. Such as being subjected to ill-treatment for a long period, losing a loved one, being exposed to a major shock, huge financial losses, severe stress, or being exposed to circumstances that are difficult to deal with for a long period. 4. Other factors Some diseases may cause depression, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimers, or AIDS. Also, taking some medications for a long time, such as neurological medications, blood pressure medications, sometimes birth control medications, and drug or alcohol abuse, increases the chances of developing depression. Are there ways to prevent depression? Depression has become one of the most common psychological disorders in the recent period with the increasing pressures of life that we live on a daily basis. After knowing the danger of exposure to the disease and its impact on all aspects of life, all measures must be taken to prevent it. Here are the most important tips to help prevent depression: 1. Exercise Sport enhances a persons physical and mental health because it improves blood circulation and metabolism, which increases the amount of oxygen in the entire body and the brain in particular. It also improves the bodys physical fitness and gives a feeling of confidence, self-esteem, and the ability to get rid of negative thoughts. 2. Improve sleep quality Insomnia and staying up late negatively affects the bodys hormones and mood, which increases the chance of depression, so sleep quality must be improved by: ● Sleep early and wake up early ● Sleep in a quiet, dark room. ● Avoid drinking caffeine and eating fatty meals before bed. ● Avoid using the phone or any electronic devices before bed. ● Avoid drinking fluids immediately before bed. 3. Follow a healthy diet There is no doubt that the foods and drinks we consume have a significant impact on our physical and mental health. Some foods and drinks provide a group of antioxidants that improve brain health and prevent depression, such as: ● Fresh fruits and vegetables. ● Green tea and coffee without sugar. ● Healthy oils such as coconut oil, olive oil and butter. ● Whole grains such as oats and whole wheat. ● Fish, especially fatty ones, such as tuna and salmon. On the other hand, eating processed or processed foods leads to disruption of the microbial system in the intestines, which affects brain chemistry, which is one of the causes of depression. These examples include: ● Processed red meat and its products. ● Ready-made baked goods. ● Hydrogenated and manufactured fats. ● Vegetable fats, which are included in many prepared food products. ● Soft drinks. ● Processed sugars. ● Preservatives and food colours. What is the treatment of depression? Treatment of depression includes psychotherapy and medications. The psychiatrist may have to prescribe antidepressants to the patient if the degree of depression is severe and he has suicidal tendencies. The doctor may rely only on psychological treatment if the degree of the illness is mild or the patient is a child or an adolescent due to the side effects of medications. Antidepressants.

Every couple dreams of a stable, peaceful relationship characterized by love, intimacy, understanding, free from problems and troubles. Both partners strive for this type of relationship, but no relationship is free from some problems that affect its tranquility..

Some of these problems are easy to deal with, while others have a significant negative impact on the relationship and may threaten its failure. At such times, one or both partners turn to marriage counseling to solve these problems, overcome them, and restore the stability of the relationship. Here, we will discuss the most important signs in a marital relationship that indicate the need for marriage counseling, with an explanation of the meaning of marriage counseling. What is Marriage Counseling? Marriage counseling, also known as couples therapy, is when couples seek assistance from a specialist known as a family therapist or marriage counselor licensed to understand and resolve marital conflicts to improve the relationship between them. Marriage counseling provides couples with the necessary tools for better communication and dealing with their differences in a healthier way. Usually, counseling is short-term, requiring only a few sessions to overcome the crisis and achieve stability in the relationship. However, sometimes counseling may last for several months if the problems between the couple are severe. Couples planning to marry may also seek counseling to understand the nature of the relationship between them, and the rights and duties of each before getting married. What are the situations in which couples resort to marriage counseling? There are 6 signs that, if present in your relationship with your life partner, indicate that you need marriage counseling: 1. Infidelity Infidelity is one of the most common reasons for needing marriage counseling. When one of the partners discovers the others infidelity or even when confessing it, it undermines the trust that is the foundation of the relationship between the partners. Infidelity is not necessarily physical; one partner may think that communicating with an old friend, for example, does not harm the feelings of their partner, but they are surprised by their partners reaction to knowing about this relationship. Discovering infidelity is not necessarily a reason to end the marriage; a family therapist can provide solutions to try to restore trust between the partners and maintain the relationship. 2. Insults between the parties Mutual respect between partners is the basis of a healthy relationship and the main reason for the continuation of affection and emotion between them. When one of the parties begins to insult the other, whether by uttering hurtful or harsh words during their discussions or by criticizing one of them, this is an indicator of the destruction of the relationship. At that point, the couple needs to consult specialists to find a way to restore respect between them. 3. Decrease in intimacy Intimacy between spouses is one of the most important reasons for happiness between them and the continuation of affection between them. With the increase in problems between spouses and the distractions of life, there may be coldness and distance between them in the relationship. It is worth noting that the deterioration of intimacy is one of the main reasons for the destruction of marriage. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly resort to marriage counseling with a specialist therapist to discover the reasons that led to its deterioration and find solutions to restore affection, intimacy, and closeness between the spouses. 4. Lack of understanding Do you find it difficult to discuss with your life partner? Do you find it difficult to understand his way of thinking? If the answer is yes, then you need marriage counseling to find a way to understand and get closer to each other because good understanding and communication are the basis of a healthy relationship. 5. Distance and coldness The relationship between spouses at the beginning of marriage is full of beautiful feelings, affection, and love. With the increase in responsibilities and life pressures, the spouses drift amid worries and problems and distance themselves from each other. Increased distance and coldness negatively affect the marital relationship and may threaten its end. Therefore, couples should resort to marriage counseling before the situation worsens to find solutions to deal with lifes problems without affecting the relationship and to plan to get closer to each other again. 6. One of the spouses suffers from a mental illness One of the spouses may suffer from a mental illness such as depression, and the responsibility of the other party in this case is to deal with them in a proper way so as not to hurt them or cause the disease to worsen. Therefore, they resort to marriage counseling to develop a plan to deal properly with the disease to accelerate their recovery. How does marriage counseling help maintain the marital relationship? Often, couples turn to marriage counseling while contemplating divorce, believing it is impossible to continue the relationship between them, but they give it one last chance before judging it as a failure. Marriage counseling provides a comprehensive plan to maintain the relationship; it starts by identifying the real reasons for the tension in the relationship through sessions where each of the partners speaks from their point of view, then developing practical solutions for each of the partners to deal properly to restore a healthy and sound relationship between them. However, sometimes, after completing marriage counseling sessions, the couple realizes the impossibility of the relationship between them and decides to separate or divorce. In this case, the role of marriage counseling is to help the couple go through the divorce experience with minimal psychological losses for them.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental disorder characterized by unwanted intrusive thoughts and fears, known as obsessions, which lead the affected person to engage in repetitive behaviors, or compulsions, that interfere with daily activities ..

and cause severe distress. The patient may feel compelled to repeat these behaviors in an attempt to alleviate anxiety. Despite resisting the thoughts and trying to suppress them, they often return, driving the individual into compulsive rituals, creating a cycle characteristic of OCD.OCD typically revolves around specific themes, such as extreme fear of contamination leading to repeated hand washing to the point of skin damage and cracking. OCD usually begins in early childhood around the age of ten and can emerge in adults by the age of 21. Learn about the main causes of OCD Doctors and researchers have not been able to pinpoint the exact causes of OCD, but it usually results from factors such as: ● Genetic factors The likelihood of developing OCD increases if a family member has the disorder, although the responsible genes have not yet been identified. ● Biological factors Imbalance in neurotransmitter levels in the brain, such as low serotonin levels, may lead to OCD. ● Environmental factors Environmental conditions or exposure to crises, such as childhood trauma, abuse, or the loss of a loved one, can contribute to the development of OCD. What are the symptoms of OCD? OCD includes obsessions, compulsive actions, and the patient may or may not be aware that their actions are irrational. However, they negatively impact daily life, disrupting routines and responsibilities. Some prominent symptoms include: ● Extreme fear of contamination or illness, leading to avoidance of handshakes or touching objects touched by others. ● Severe anxiety when encountering untidy or misplaced items. ● Pathological fear of losing something or someone dear, or discarding possessions. ● Intrusive sexual thoughts. ● Checking and rechecking locks, appliances, and gas valves. ● Excessive hand washing, leading to skin damage, as well as repeated bathing, showering, or teeth cleaning. ● Counting or repeating specific patterns or words. ● Arranging and organizing things in a specific way. ● Excessive cleaning of the house, known as cleanliness obsession. ● Hair loss due to compulsive hair pulling. ● Imagining harming ones children. Treatment for OCD There is no definitive cure for OCD, but certain treatments can alleviate symptoms and improve the patients condition, including: ● Medication for OCD Medications targeting neurotransmitters in the brain, such as antidepressants, which increase serotonin levels, may help alleviate symptoms of OCD. ● Psychotherapy for OCD Psychotherapy aims to change the patients thinking patterns, behaviors, and feelings. Therapists work to break the link between distress and the things or situations causing it, which helps break compulsive rituals and reduce distress. This is achieved by preventing the patient from engaging in compulsive rituals. For example, they may be asked to leave the house without checking if the door is locked to break the ritual. Tips for living with OCD OCD, like other mental disorders, requires acceptance and proper management through following guidelines provided by a specialized doctor. These guidelines can help reduce the severity of symptoms and may treat the disorder. Some of these tips include: ● Adhering to prescribed medications without discontinuing or changing doses without consulting the doctor, and informing the doctor of any new symptoms or medication side effects. ● Following a healthy diet to improve the patients mental and physical condition, including consuming foods such as nuts, protein sources, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and healthy oils like olive oil. ● Regular exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques. ● Improving sleep quality, as it enhances overall physical and mental health. How to deal with obsessive thoughts? Patients should understand how to deal with obsessive thoughts, resist them, and not give them importance to maintain their daily routine effectively. Therefore, the following are recommended: ● Understanding that obsessive thoughts are merely passing through the individuals mind and do not pose any real danger. ● Avoiding trying to push these thoughts away, as it may intensify them. Instead, the individual should refrain from analyzing, dwelling on, or feeling distressed about these thoughts. ● Reducing life stressors and stress as much as possible and attempting to relax to minimize the recurrence of intrusive thoughts. For example, the person may try deep breathing, take a warm bath, or engage in reading books or hobbies to distract themselves from these thoughts and reduce tension.