Relationships are an intricate dance of emotions, vulnerability, and trust. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience doubts and uncertainties about their relationships from time to time. However, when these doubts become persistent, intrusive, and overwhelming, they may be indicative of a psychological condition known as Relationship Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (ROCD). In this blog, we will delve into the differences between normal doubt in relationships and ROCD, shedding light on the nature of each and exploring ways to navigate through them.

Emotions are rough. We very much are emotional beings first before anything else. We feel and then we think. The most obvious example of this is seen in young children who are trying to master their feelings. The classic “tantrum” is what I’m thinking of here. When we see a toddler expressing their emotions it’s up to us to help them navigate those big feelings. Describing them as “out of control”, or “naughty” is not going to be helpful. If we don’t have good enough examples of how to handle big feelings when we are young, we can grow to be adults who aren’t all that emotionally mature. 

Aggghh, how awkward is silent treatment?  I’m sure we have all been on the receiving end of silent treatment at some point in our lives, or have even been the one to “give” silent treatment. Either way it feels awkward and uncomfortable. So why do we do it? and what are some other ways we can communicate instead? 

Compassion fatigue is a term used to describe the emotional and physical exhaustion that can occur when a person experiences prolonged exposure to stressful situations and the suffering of others. This can affect individuals in many different professions, including healthcare workers, social workers, therapists, first responders, and even family members who are providing care for a loved one.

The winter season can be a challenging time for many people, as the shorter days, colder temperatures, and lack of sunlight can lead to a condition commonly known as the "winter blues." Symptoms of the winter blues include fatigue, moodiness, difficulty concentrating, and increased appetite. While these symptoms are usually temporary and mild, they can still impact your quality of life. Here are some tips to help manage the winter blues:

There’s no doubt that we are emotional beings first. Whether we are aware of this or not is not always the case, but when we experience situations in the world around us, or when we are exposed to something in our internal world, we experience emotional reactions first before we think about them logically. Some emotions can be harder to deal with than others. This is certainly the case for guilt and shame when it comes to emotions. How can we tell the difference?