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Nitya Khanna

Oh, You're doing Psychology? Can you listen to my problems?

Listen, my friend seems to be very sad and doesn’t do any work, tends to avoid any social gatherings and just lays in one place and doesn’t have any interest in his favourite activities

“I think he’s depressed, since you are studying psychology, can you help me help him?”


So you know what? Today I woke up early, I started with a very good day, I had my favourite meal and everything was bliss until I went for my evening tea session with friends; we discussed politics and things started getting heated up.

“Since you are studying psychology, can you tell me the psychology behind this?”


I think my friend has been stealing from me “do you think you can listen to my problems and help me?”


I constantly keep things back in their place, in a specific order. I often see myself cleaning my hands and constantly cleaning my house like Monica Gellar from ‘Friends’,

“ Do you think I have OCD?”


Psychology students and practitioners often tend to see themselves in tricky situations like these, we are often left with a void when confronted with these questions because people look for free and quick resolutions and yet most don’t agree to the solutions.


So what is a psychology practitioner supposed to do & is it advice giving?


Psychology fundamentally refers to the study of the mind and behaviour.

A Psychologist is a trained mental health specialist who psycho-educates people on how to deal with mental issues in a healthy manner. They are able to support individuals who are going through difficult times in their lives. Years of education and training is completed in order to be able to provide this help to people by offering them a wide variety of mental health services.

Psychologists take into account all aspects of a person’s development, including their thoughts, behaviours, emotions, personality, and brain function. Living up to its reputation of being a multifaceted subject, there is not just one kind, there are several kinds of psychologists with their specialties, and not all of them involve talk therapy.


So, is counselling a form of advice?


No, it is not merely giving advice and coming to conclusions based on one conversation at a social event.

Each individual is very unique, what might work with Person A might not work with Person B, Person A & B may have their own set of answers for each problem that they face.

Most often, a client might not even reveal the whole situation, so advice cannot be given when we as counsellors do not know the entire background or situation of the client. Keeping that in mind you must also know that a client might also just want to vent out their feelings without any advice required.

Psychology Practitioners assess, analyse, and treat the mental issues and behavioural dysfunctions related to physical and psychological wellness. In addition, they contribute significantly to the promotion of healthy behaviour, the prevention of diseases, and the enhancement of the quality of life for patients. They adhere to a strict code of ethics as they carry out their clinical responsibilities.


To better understand, let’s read a case study on Anxiety


Madan is a 27-year-old man who works as a software engineer in Bangalore. He has been experiencing feelings of anxiety for several months, which have been affecting his daily life. He is always worrying about things like his performance at work, his relationships, and his health.His mother also often adds tension by asking him to get married. He has trouble sleeping and often feels tired during the day.

Madan’s anxiety has also affected his social life. He has stopped going out with friends and has become more isolated. He has trouble concentrating at work and often feels overwhelmed. He has tried to manage his anxiety by using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, but they have not been very effective.

After speaking with his doctor, Madan was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). His doctor recommended a combination of therapy and medication to manage his symptoms. Madan began seeing a therapist who specialises in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

In Madan’s Case the therapist used The Downward Arrow Technique- The technique involves asking a series of questions that explore the deeper meaning and significance of a negative thought or belief.

Once the core belief or assumption is identified, the therapist and Madan worked together to challenge and reframe the belief using other CBT techniques such as cognitive restructuring.

Through this therapy and a combination of more, Madan learned to identify and challenge negative thoughts that were contributing to his anxiety. He also learned coping strategies to manage his symptoms, such as relaxation techniques and problem-solving skills. He also learned to form a routine, started taking care of himself and also asked his mother to look for women to get married too.


So with this we understand the technicalities and depths a psychologist goes into, Thus, one must keep in mind that a few questions to a psychologist at a social gathering may not be the answer to your problems; So next time you feel you want to tell someone about a friend who stole your makeup, or want to discuss the psychology behind why your 80 year grandfather was hyper while discussing politics go ahead and book your sessions with us at Psychoflakes!

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