I'm back

I can't believe it has been three years since I have written. A lot of things have happened since then. Life has happened. I am finally to that point where I have time to write again. This blog is one of my favorites. Since the last time I posted on this site, I have started back at school. I am working on my Masters of arts in counseling. I am taking a class right now called Theories 1. It is not how it sounds. This class does not talk about the theories of psychology like it states. This class talks about how to interview your clients. How to talk to a client during session. For the assignments in this class we have to write a 15 page paper every week on our own thoughts about the class discussion, the book chapters that we read and some articles that we read. I will be posting my papers of my own thoughts. Have fun reading and I will try to stay more up to date this time.

A Life Gone Too Soon

I found out earlier this week that a girl, who lives in my town, who some of my youth from church know and who some of my family know committed suicide because of depression. I do not personally know this girl. I'm not going to use her name, pictures or anything about her life story because I do not know her and because I do not have permission from the family to use these things! 

Instead, I will talk about the impact that depression does have on people and how important it is that it gets recognized as a disease! As a daughter, a depression survivor, mom of two little girls of my own, a psychology major, counselor and therapist I would like to take the time talk about depression. 

Family and friends can say, 'she was depressed.' 'She was sad.' She was angry.' But NOBODY, I mean nobody but her can know what she was going through. It doesn't matter how many people she talked to about it or how much medication she was on, nothing is going to help unless she wants/makes it change.

I'm not going to sit here and say that I know exactly how she feels or I know exactly what she went through because even though I did go through the same feelings, actions & medication that she did, everyone's depression is different.

You might think, 'only if I would have talked to someone or took the medication properly or seen a psychologist things would be different.' It doesn't work that way. It doesn't matter how many people you talk to or how much medication you take for your depression or anxiety, it had to be you that changes. 

Nine out of ten times it is your friends, family or something that's going on in YOUR life that's making you depressed, angry, sad, mad or hurt. YOU have to be the one that changes. You have to be the one to turn your back on all the negative that's going on in your life and you will feel 10x better! That doesn't mean it's going to be a quick fix. It just means that maybe you need to take a step back and realize you could be happier without all this pain. It's not going to take hours or days, it will take months or years. 

People with depression and suicidal thoughts tend to bottle it up until it's too late. Learn to recognize the signs of depression.

-Feelings of worthlessness

-feeling that you don't belong

-Tired

-Loss of interest in activities that you used to love

-being sad all the time 

These are just a few. These are the ones you will notice the quickest. Surround yourself with loved ones. Surround this person with love and desire and show them that they are not alone. 

You know, we all say "Oh, I'm so depressed today. Just got so much going on." Or "It's such a depressing day. I couldn't get to the Y today." It doesn't matter what context the word 'depression' is in, it's still a serious disease and we need to take it seriously. 

My prayers go out to this girl's family and friends. If you need anyone to talk to you can email me at arweyer@gmail.com or leave a comment. 

Adolescent Psychology

I was recently thinking about getting my Masters in Child Psychology and working with kids that have mental disabilities, ADHD, Autism. But recently I have been thinking about teens more and everything they have to go through to fit in. I am thinking of getting my masters in adolescent Psychology. 

Adolescent psychology is the study of teens. Becoming an adolescent psychologist means that I will be working with teens between the ages of 13 & 19. I will be helping them with their feelings. Depression, PTSD, anorexia, bulimia, bipolar, etc. 

While there is always a need for child psychologists, I think I would benefit from adolescents a little better.