Dance Therapy

Movement and the mind

Bodily movement is closely related to energy levels in the mind. Various pathologies in the brain reflect themselves through physical agility as well as immobility. Depression is well known to bring about anergia, diminished activity, over sleeping as well as ‘lazy and inert’ tendencies. Mania on the other hand is characterized by excessive activity, unrealistic bursts of energy, and ‘hyperactive tendencies’ with lessened need to rest. Movement is certainly more significant than the cognizance it receives in the world today. It arouses sub-conscious emotional, cognitive, social and behavioral changes. Dance and movement as a therapeutic modality have developed over the past few decades. Dance therapy is one of the most effective ‘expressive therapies’ today.

Goals: are they set right?

Routinely, we have a gazillion goals we want to fulfill. Rightly so if a footballer doesn't intend to score a goal, he’s nothing short of a fool kicking a ball around purposelessly in the field. Goals are essential, goals are important; goals give purpose to action. We want to lose weight, get confident, voice opinions, be punctual, finish reading that book, start studying for upcoming exams, propose to our love, seize the day... There are desires, wishes, dreams and wants; those are not goals. Goal setting has always been a very tedious task; accomplishing it; another challenge in itself. Destinations need to be set; and the path to reach there ought to be chalked too. The perfect and most beautiful destinations on the mountain tops need a path else no one can reach up there to bask in the beauty. The exquisiteness loses its worth if there’s no one to know it. We need to appreciate the beauty. We need the path to that goal…

Psychiatry? Psychology? Thats crazy!

I’m not crazy! You are!

My child does not pay attention 
He can’t sit at one place for long 
His mind meanders in no time 
Kids these days are just sluggish 
They find excuses to evade study 
Teachers at school just complain 
Parent 1: I don't know what to do about this behavior; I can’t comprehend how to deal with this issue. Every time I meet his teachers they nitpick about how careless he is and how restless he gets at time, it’s so embarrassing for me. Maybe something is wrong with those teachers. 
Parent 2: Well, have you considered taking him to a doctor? 
Parent 1: Why do I need a doctor? He just needs to be spanked and grounded only then he will understand how to behave. 
Parent 2: Your child may have a behavior issue or an adjustment problem; you could consult a psychiatrist and resolve this issue while he is still young. Probably hitting him and punishing him will worsen the situation 
Parent 1: Huh! Why does my son need a psychiatrist? He is not mentally ill. He is not crazy or retarded. He is fine. I know what to do with my son. He's not crazy, you are!

Suicidality and Suicide

Value of life
Everyone must have uttered these words at some low phase in their life: 'Oh God, I’m fed up this life is just not worth living.' These are momentary and transient thoughts that change as soon as the situation changes, and then suddenly life seems livable all over again. However, for some, this thought may constitute a suicidal ideation, which can easily progress to a suicide plan, suicide attempt, and sometimes-completed suicide. Suicide is a dangerous act, which is consciously undertaken with the attempt to harm oneself with full and complete awareness and consciousness.

How are you, socially?

Being the center of attention is exciting. Limelight, propaganda, publicity are good when they get you positive attention. Human nature circumvents all potential uncomfortable situations and evaluations that may have negative consequences on one’s performance, ability or character. An examination or presentation for which one is unprepared is not exhilarating. Some have the ability to fight the situation; others react with nervousness. Social phobia is relatively common today.

Worry: The norm today

Typically nervousness and worry form a part of everyday small matters like work, finances, relationships, health and safety of loved ones; school or college assignments, job presentations and other routine tasks. The focus of worry usually keeps shifting from one task to another. Normally everyone is able to keep control over bothersome thoughts; and life's uncertainties ordinarily don't seem to be getting out of hand. But sometimes, defenses don't match up the stressors; demand overruns the supply of personal energies, and troubles do get out of subjective control.

What’s your problem?

Seriously, what is your problem? This question is not tinted with sarcasm or contempt. Not probing here to mock or ridicule you. Not questioning to demean or belittle you. But to sincerely know, do you really think you have a problem? Problem is such a small 7-letter word but in reality its bulk topples our lives when we face one. And then most of us face so many at a given point in time! We talk of big problems, small problems; little problems, mild problems, serious problems, minor problems, major problems, petty problems, old problems, new problems; you and I keep saying this all the time. We always seem to be having some or the other problem some or all of the time!

Examination stress

We hardly ever are apprehensive or worried about things which are of no consequence to us. When we do have something at stake, we worry; we anticipate, we try and predict (sometimes positively; at others, negatively) and we embark on a wonder trip about the results more than the process. This is the point where we get hit by the enormous, dangerous, destructive, yet elusive iceberg of stress!

Teens: That’s what friends are for!

Teenage and stress?

Stress is a part of every living creature’s existence. Everyday, every moment of our lives we face numerous challenging situations. Everyone is entitled to bad days and waving moods but its important to know when they are worse than the normal limits. Teenage is known to be the period of tumult and turmoil and it takes intense psychological defenses to safeguard oneself and stand strong amidst the storm.