TVC 021 – Kathleen Mills from Life Tree Counseling Shares Her Own Pivotal Moment That Lead To A Whole New Business Opportunity.

Last week, we spoke to Eric Zimmer from The One You Feed podcast.  We each shared that we had suffered in the past from depression.

I wanted to follow that show up with a discussion with a certified counselor so that we could talk about how ways to recognize and defeat this debilitating affliction.

It’s also very relevant for many people that are feeling trapped in their corporate jobs.  Depression may have a hold on you without you even knowing.

Here’s the top 5 signs that you may be depressed.

• Weight Gain/Loss 
  • Depression can cause you to reach more frequently for comforting foods, or it can cause a lack of appetite.  The key to recognizing this sign is if there’s a change in your eating habits or desire for food.
• Anger or Irritability
  • Frustration is a major contributor to depression.  When coping with copious amounts of frustration, many people will use anger.  If little things begin to set off your fuse, then you may be depressed
  • Turning on your friends and family is a big warning.  The people closest to us are the ones most likely to witness outbursts of anger or they become the target of our anger.  Not good.
• Emotional Distancing From Others
  • Again- You always hurt the ones you love.  Depression will cause us to push our loved ones away because there is a stigma involved with feeling depressed.  We are often ashamed and are afraid to seek help from the people that would be most open to aiding us.
• Problems Sleeping
  • Do you frequently wake up in the middle of the night?  Like the way depression can alter your appetite, it wreaks havoc on your sleeping habits.  Some people will oversleep, and not wish to get out of bed.  Other people will sleep less- depriving themselves of sleep.
• Problems Concentrating At Work
  • If you haven’t had any sleep, how can you expect to get any work done?  Depression will rob you of your ability to concentrate on difficult tasks, and will make you seem less effective in the work place.  Many of us are good at masking this symptom, but you can’t hide it from yourself.
  • If you’re physically at work, but you don’t feel like you’re at work and you can’t get anything done, then you may be suffering from depression.
• Self-Loathing, Lack Of Sex Drive, Drug or Alcohol Abuse, Aches and Pains, and Irritable Bowls
  • There.  That’s 10 signs in total for the price of 5.  I bet you weren’t expecting such a bargain?

Things That Go Bump In The Night:

Click here to read Kathleen Mills’ story about how a counselor turned into a business coach.

How to Beat Depression:

• Become aware of your surroundings  
  • Take inventory of all the things that you appreciate.  If you begin to stop noticing those things, then you will be more prepared to recognize early on that you’re becoming depressed.
• Ask For Help
  • A classic symptom is that you push yourself away from those close to you.  The truth is that they are merely trying to give you “your space.”
  • They actually are ready, willing, and eager to help you- if you ask them.
• Get Moving
  • Depression hates a moving target.  Force yourself to do physical activity even if you don;t want to.  If your successful at being active, then depression will have a tougher time keeping a grip on you.
• Work Toward Your Goals
  • Being deliberate and purposeful with your time will help stave off depression.  Make small goals for yourself along the path to your big desired result.  This way, you’ll provide yourself mini opportunities to feel good about yourself.
• Get A Good Counselor
  • For me, this had been the key to putting all the pieces together.  If you find yourself struggling with depression, then you will benefit from a trained counselor.  Period.  Many health insurance plans will help you cove the costs, so there’s no excuse.
  • Many people avoid a counselor because there is a stigma attached.  If you feel that way, then don’t tell anybody.  Find a good counselor, and I promise you that they won’t publish your problems on Facebook.

 To Get in Touch With Kathleen Mills

(Maybe you want her to help you become a counselor)

Visit the website for Life Tree Counseling by clicking here.

Email Kathleen:

[email protected]

Listen to their Counseling Business Podcast Here.

Thank you Kathleen Mills.  You CRUSHED IT!