Depression

Do Guys Get Depressed?

Depression counseling form men male teens in vancouver wa

Short answer, yes. 6 million a year.* There is a societal stigma around depression for both men and women. Depression is becoming more accepted and normalized but has a long way to go. Untreated depression accounts for more than 43.7 Billion dollars a year in lost time, reduced production and treatment costs.*  Men experience even more stigma about being depressed because it goes against the narrative of being a strong, independent, emotionally balanced provider.  

Women tend to have an easier time identifying depression when compared to men.  Women experience more of the common emotions associated with depression, sadness and hopelessness. Men may experience irritable moods, anger and hostility and confuse depression with stress or life discomfort.  

Guys, I can't encourage you enough to stop thinking about depression as a moral failure or weakness and see it as a medical issue that needs to be treated. I doubt you'd guilt a friend for getting his diabetes or cholesterol treated, why guilt yourself? Counseling is an effective means of treating depression. I offer skills and tools that you'll use the rest of your life, most guys weren't taught these skills and are struggling as a result. Contact me to see how counseling can change the trajectory of your life.   

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About Me: I'm a Christian counselor in Vancouver, WA. I specialize in treating male teens and men's counseling. Please contact me with any questions about my blog, counseling or to set up an appointment.

All information and opinions shared on this blog are for educational purposes only. Please contact me or another mental health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. 

Depression Counselor | Men and Male Teens 

References  

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-in-special-situations#1 

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/untreated-depression-effects#1     

Back to School: A Crisis in Identity Part 2

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God's word makes a clear distinction about His value of people and the way the world values people. Movies, TV, social media and society are very vocal about who has value. You won't go far without hearing you need to be more, better, popular and good looking. 1st John 2:16 describes it perfectly, "For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." (NLT)

The world (culture, society, friends, family, media) screams that someone can be better than someone else. God also has a megaphone, look at nature. Is Mt. St. Helens better than Mt. Hood? Is the Pacific better than the Atlantic? Is the North Pole better than the South Pole? These are ridiculous questions! Who can answer them?

Let's use the world's logic to answer one of these questions. Let's say I own a resort on Mt. Hood. As a businessman I want to make a ton of money and have the best resort around. I'd find all of the most attractive and famous people, get the Winter Olympics, go on a social media blitz, invite movies and TV shows to film at Mt. Hood. I'd share why Mt. Hood is better than Mt. St. Helens with anyone who'd listen. Soon people would believe my message and share it with others. As more people believe that Mt. Hood is better than Mt. St. Helens the statement becomes true.

Is it true? The fact is I've got a vested interest in Mt Hood being better. I've put time, power, money, energy and shared a clever narrative. The more people I get to believe my narrative the more I have to gain. What did I gain? I gained exactly what 1st John 2:16 describes, money, power, achievement and being better than someone/something else. I can only keep what I've gained while people believe Mt. Hood is better. And Guess what? Someone just built a better resort on Mt. Saint Helens.

The following verse, 1st John 2:17 says, "The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God remains forever." Translation, the world's way may feel true and a lot of people may believe it, but it won't stand the test of time.

Throughout history there has been some absurd standards of beauty, most notably are those that have been used with (against) women. In the 16th Century women plucked their hairlines a few inches back, creating a receding hairline to show off their foreheads. Being blond was also considered beautiful, urine was often used for that golden shine.

The Japanese had a practice called Ohaguro. The women, and sometimes the men, would dye their teeth black for that fresh look of clean. For accent Greeks the uni-brow was a sexy look. The Middle Ages was the time to finally get rid of those pesky eyelashes. And In the 18th Century women glued fabric to their faces.

In the end, it's your choice to believe where your identity and value comes from.

Like what you see? Want to see more? Subscribe by going to the bottom of this website, enter your email and name.  Or like my Facebook page.

About Me: I'm a Christian counselor in Vancouver, WA. I specialize in treating male teens and men's counseling. Please contact me with any questions about my blog, counseling or to set up an appointment.

All information and opinions shared on this blog are for educational purposes only. Please contact me or another mental health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Teen Counseling | Vancouver, WA

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Are You Happy?

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Christian Counseling Vancouver WA

Think back to the times when you were most happy. A common element in happiness is contentment, but how often are we content?

We are taught very young in life to want more and not be satisfied with the status quo. We put a lot of energy into looking at what's wrong, broken and needs improvement. I call this the "better" attitude. Having this kind of attitude pushes us to grow, accomplish more and have more. Commercials jump on this concept by pushing us to want the newest model, technology, gadget and the most up-to-date information available. This concept drives our economy, advancements and self-image.

For all of the positives in the "better" attitude there are consequences. If we are always striving to be better we overlook the present. We hyper-focus on the negative and our mood and relationships suffer as a result. We miss all of the great things that are happening in this moment. Even if the present is filled with pain and strife, there are things to be grateful for. Small things can include the sun rise, another breath in my lungs and the smell of a flower.

It takes intentionality to create an attitude of gratitude. We are accustomed to look for the broken, wrong, and out of date. An attitude of gratitude will force you to slow down and accept what is. It will

feel foreign at first but overtime it will become natural. Your mood, relationships and life outlook will change. Gratitude is contagious, watch it grow.

30 Day challenge

Over the next 30 days ask yourself these questions:

What inspired me today?

What surprised me today?

What am I thankful for today?

Write your responses down each day.

Read Psalms 50:8-14. What's God's attitude towards more? Is being thankful an act of worship to God? How could you incorporate an attitude of gratitude into your spiritual life?

Like what you see? Want to see more? Subscribe by going to the bottom of this website, enter your email and name.  Or like my Facebook page.

About Me: I'm a Christian counselor in Vancouver, WA. I specialize in treating male teens and men's counseling. Please contact me with any questions about my blog, counseling or to set up an appointment.

All information and opinions shared on this blog are for educational purposes only. Please contact me or another mental health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.

Christian Teen Counseling | Vancouver, WA