... tv5: depression and suicide treatment, therapy, and prevention in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, osteopath, quezon city, manila)

tv5's bitag, hosted by mr. ben tulfo, sent apple meneses and cyril piernas to interview me on why suicides make frequent news these days.

what comes to mind is the phenomenon called "copycat suicides." this phenomenon occurs when a person successfully commits suicide, which emboldens other depressed people to follow suit.  copycat suicides happen particularly when a popular person (such as a tv personality, public figure, or even a fictional character in a book or movie) commits suicide, or when media sensationalizes a particular suicidal incident.

the lesson here is for media to be responsible enough by not sensationalizing suicide cases and by not making frequent news reports on suicide.  depressed people get emboldened to act on their suicidal tendencies when they know that others have successfully done it.  

i have written a number of blog articles about suicide which you might want to review:  

- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2012/07/major-depression-and-suicide-therapy.html

- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2012/04/depression-and-suicide-in-teens-and.html

- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2011/06/major-depression-in-philippines-and.html

- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2011/02/depression-treatment-and-suicide.html

- http://randydellosa.blogspot.com/2010/10/depression-treatment-therapy-in.html

if you are depressed and having thoughts of hurting yourself, call 415-6529 or 415-7964 RIGHT NOW and set an appointment at the soonest time.  the earlier you get help, the quicker you'll recover from your depression!  

... Major Depression Treatment Therapy Mood Clinic in the Philippines (life coach, counseling, psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, quezon city, manila)

Kimberly Go and Nino Manalo of Solar News Talk TV passed by my clinic for an interview on depression.

Major depression, also known as clinical depression, is a mood problem caused by a serotonin imbalance in the brain.  Since serotonin imbalance is the culprit for major depression, it follows that the condition should be treated with serotonin balancers.  These serotonin balancers are what we call anti-depressants.  

Taking anti-depressants is the fastest way to get rid of the depression.  While all anti-depressants are clinically researched to be effective, it is important to find the anti-depressant which matches your body system.  In order to know which anti-depressant best suits you, I have two criteria that must be met:  First of all, there should be no side effects.  And secondly, you should feel significant improvement within 2-3 weeks.  Unfortunately, the only way to know whether you've found the right anti-depressant for you is through trial and error.  

In the internet forums, a lot of people bash anti-depressants for their side-effects.  My question for these bashers is, why in the first place would you continue taking an anti-depressant that makes you feel worse?  If the anti-depressant has side-effects or makes you feel more depressed, or if you've been taking it for more than month and you're still depressed, then it only makes sense to stop taking that anti-depressant and try another one.  

Oh and by the way, it is unfair to bash or heap accolades on a particular anti-depressant because the choice of anti-depressant for each person is very individualized.  The anti-depressant that best suits you may be the worst anti-depressant for another person, and vice versa.  Like they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure.  

Best thing to do is find a shrink who you can collaborate with in finding the right medication, because once you've found the right medication and taken the right dosage, then you should be back to your old happy self within 2-3 weeks.  Yes, recovery from major depression is generally that quick!

Hhmm, this is a pretty depressed kitty cat, don't you think? It looks like it needs a lot of tender loving care!

... major depression in the philippines and the risk of suicide ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

brigada is GMA's investigative television show hosted by veteran journalist jessica soho. brigada is a revival of the the 1990's tv show brigada siete, which was then hosted by louie beltran.

in light of iwa moto's suicidal attempt, brigada sent tolits tan to interview me about depression and suicide.
.
suicide is attempted for many reasons. many suicidal people feel that they have reached the end of the rope. they feel hopeless, and feel that they can no longer cope with their depressing situation. some people, attempt suicide out of vengeance. their intention is to make the person who wronged them feel guilty. others attempt suicide to join a loved one who had passed on earlier than them. suicide have also been done for a noble cause- by going on hunger strikes or by setting themselves ablaze.
.
and then there are people who are suicidal just because of a glitch in their brain chemicals-what psychiatrists call a "serotonin imbalance." even without a situational trigger, chemically-imbalanced people can just slump into a depression and become suicidal.
.
i always feel bad when i hear about successful suicide attempts because these people didn't need to die. if they only got themselves treated with anti-depressant medications and underwent intensive talk therapy, they would likely have gotten well within a month's time. they would not have died by their own hands and they would have spared their loved ones of the agonizing emotional burden of their tragic and unnecessary deaths.
.

... the emo culture and self-cutting in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

just a few days ago, the crew of rescue (gma's reality-documentary program) interviewed me on depressed people.
.

having worked with colleges and universities as a school psychiatrist, much of the clinically depressed kids i encountered came from the "emo" culture. you'll recognize these "emos" unmistakeably. they're depressive and resort to their favorite pastime activities, namely, (1) brooding about the gloomy aspects of their life and then (2) cutting themselves up.

.

no, these self-cutters don't necessarily want to die. some of them have become so numb from the pain of their existence that they may not feel anything emotionally or physically. self-cutting is their attempt to feel something... or anything! in fact, they'll tell you that feeling something (even pain) is better than not feeling anything at all.

.
authentic "emos" have little to do with the "emo look." in fact, they despise "emo fashionistas" and consider them to be pathetic posers.
.
the emo cult is composed of teenagers and young adults with major depression, low-grade depression (aka dysthymia), borderline personality disorder, and depressive personality disorder.
.
if you know any "emo" lurking around, encourage them to get the help they need. through counseling and medical treatment for their depression, the promise of a more meaningful and joyful life awaits them.
.
.

... depression treatment and suicide prevention in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

with the tragic news of former defense secretary angelo reyes' self-inflicted death, gma network interviewed me on the topic of "suicide" for their breaking news.
.
i won't get into details about what i mentioned in the interview, but i'd like to offer you some tips on what to do in case you encounter a friend or loved one who is suicidal:
.

• take your suicidal friend or loved one seriously. many suicidal people are ambivalent about dying so they express their suicidal thoughts as a cry for help. be calm; listen to what s/he has to say; don't be judgmental or belittle his/her feelings.
• find out more about the person's suicidality. ask her/him how s/he plans to do it. ask whether s/he's attempted suicide before. inquire about the current situations that triggered the suicidal thoughts. ask whether s/he hears voices (auditory hallucinations) which tell him/her to do it.
• empathize with the person's distress. offer them reasons to go on living. offer them suggestions on how to cope. encourage them to seek professional help immediately.
• don't leave your friend alone. if you have to leave, make sure someone's with him/her.
• never keep it a secret. inform his/her parents as soon as possible. your suicidal friend may think that you betrayed him/her, but by informing the parents, you would have saved his/her life.
• get counseling for yourself. you surely will need emotional detox after interacting with a suicidal person.

.
.

... major depression in the philippines: therapy and treatment ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

what causes depression during the holidays? gma's medical advisory program "pinoy md" wanted my take on the matter.

.

from the depressed people who consult me at my clinic, here's my list of causes:

.

(1) physical distance from loved ones (e.g., ofws)
(2) break-ups with partners
(3) ongoing conflict with partner
(4) family misunderstandings
(5) death of loved one
(6) illness of loved one or of self
(7) memories of bad experiences/ trauma which happened in past christmas holidays

(8) looking back at the year that passed and deeming it unfruitful or unproductive
(9) financial hardship
(10) major depression

(11) seasonal affective disorder

.

causes # 1-7 are "relational" in nature and are primarily managed through individual psychotherapy and relationship/ family counseling.

.

causes # 8-9 are "pragmatic" in nature and are primarily managed through advice and coaching.

.

cause # 10-11 are "biochemical" in nature and are primarily managed by anti-depressant treatment.

.

... psychology of a hostage crisis ... (philippines, life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.
The Psychology of a Hostage Crisis
by Caroline J. Howard, ANC
08/24/2010 11:01 PM

.
MANILA, Philippines - What prompted Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza to turn from a crime-fighter to be on the wrong side of the law? What could have driven him to be an armed threat to human life instead of protecting it as he was supposed to as a man of the law?
.
Before grabbing headlines for the hostage-crisis, Mendoza was counted among the top men in the country's police force. But with 4 other policemen, he was dismissed from service on charges of the illegal arrest and extortion of an individual in 2008.
.
On Monday, the disgruntled police officer took the law into his own hands. In an act of desperation, he commandeered a tourist bus and took 22 Hong Kong tourists and three Filipinos hostages to prod authorities to look at his case. Mendoza wanted the Ombudsman to review his case and reinstate him into the country's police force.
.
"If the case he was talking about was in 2008, that means he was harboring a grudge. It was festering in him. This was his desperate final act," psychologist Randy Dellosa said on Mornings@ANC.
.
Dellosa said people react to grievances in three ways: they either don't get affected, pass it off quickly, or develop psychological disturbances. He added it is the third way that people have to watch out for.
.
He said signs of depression anxiety are: insomnia or any change in sleeping patterns, changes in a person's appetite and energy level, gloominess of attitude that makes them suicidal or think about death, problems with focusing, palpitation, light-headedness and fear of death. Noting how such symptoms may remain hidden until a later time, he added clinical intervention would help diffuse the intensity of the person's feelings.
.
Dellosa said Mendoza may have lost control when he realized there was no way authorities would give in to his demands after the police arrested his brother, Gregorio.
.

Hostage trauma
.
Dellosa said survivors of Monday's hostage crisis will need time and a lot of emotional support to recover from the trauma of the incident. He emphasized the value of family support, and the opportunity to retell the incident to reduce the intensity of emotions.
.
"During times of crisis, there's the adrenaline rush, panic. So this might stay with them for a long time. Giving them physical reassurance that will help them," Dellosa noted, adding comforting gestures and human touch will go a long way.
.
Dellosa said the 3-part process in addresses hostage trauma involves, diffusion or giving information, debriefing or helping survivors understand what happened, and following-up.
.
He said the approach to treating the trauma depends on the individual's needs, adding children, who may not express their feelings as well, are usually more severely affected by the incident. "Whether it's adults or kids, it has to be personalized. We have to find our what their concept is of death. What was their experience inside the bus. There are some children who may not even care, it may have just been a drama they participated in and its forgettable. Sometimes, it may even be the parents who magnify or intensify their experiences, so parents have to be coached."
.
Mendoza's own family will have to deal with trauma from the hostage crisis, and the circumstances surrounding their kin's death. Dellosa said the Mendozas will also need time to rest adding that while media and police may continue to hound them for a statement, they should be allowed to grieve and come to terms with their family's loss.
. A country's duty
.
As the country comes to terms with the incident, and a new travel ban from Hong Kong, Dellosa said, it must remain sympathetic to the Chinese territory by showing the Philippine government's sincerity in delivering justice. "We need to show that we're doing something to rectify the fault, and keep following up the condition of hostage survivors to show we're sympathetic."
.
Dellosa, however, admitted one way to cope with tragedy and grief is for people to realize and accept their humanity. “We we're all unprepared, all of us are shocked. The best thing is to realize that there are some things we can't control and some we can."
.

... teenage depression and the emo culture in the philippines ... (life coach, counselor, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

timmy yee plus crew of 700 club, cbn-asia came over to interview me about teenage depression and the emo culture.

.

over the years, there have been an increasing number of emo peeps consulting me at my clinic. as expected, they are morbidly introspective and angsty, and suffer from major depression. because of emotional or physical numbness, they commonly resort to self- cutting or self-mutilation.

.

the good news is that there is effective help available for them, which is the reliable, good old combo of anti-dep meds, psychotherapy, and wellness therapies.

.

it is so satisfying for me, as a shrink, to see them transformed into human smileys within 2 weeks to a month. if you know any emos around your neighborhood, perhaps you could encourage them to get the help that they need.

.

... the emotional help continues: bringing hope and healing to typhoon survivors ...

.

just what does a mother say when her 8-year old child asks, "is this the end, mom? is this our destiny?" just what comfort can this mother offer when she herself is struck with terror by the very questions her child asks?

.

such were the stories shared in the post-typhoon disaster forum i facilitated at the national grid corporation of the philippines.

.

people have the impression that just because the worst of the typhoons is over and that the relief goods have been distributed, the typhoon survivors can now put their trauma behind them. but the sad truth is this: when calamity strikes, it deeply sears into one's heart what is known as the "death impact." it is the sense that life is frail, that everyone is vulnerable, and that death may be lurking at any corner, at any time.

.

a month has passed since the typhoon disaster happened but many typhoon survivors are still experiencing anxiety, fear, anger, sadness, and grief. some are now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or ptsd.

.

these people, they continue to need helping hands, listening ears, and compassionate hearts!

..

the workshop: helping typhoon victims overcome and survive their emotional storms

.
the workshop was attended by educators, social workers, hr officers, psychologists, ministers, and students.
.
we started by sharing our personal experiences during the typhoons ondoy and pepeng. though a month had past since the two storms, many participants were still emotionally distraught as they narrated their stories.
.

after the sharing session, we proceeded with learning different ways to help typhoon disaster victims overcome anxiety, depression, grief, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. among the the topics covered were:
- cognitive processing therapy,
- relaxation methods,
- emotional freedom techniques,
- emotional release therapy and EMDR,
- brain balancing techniques, and
- art therapy.
.
participants had plenty of practice sessions:
.
many participants received relaxation and healing in the process:
.
and what workshop would be complete without some smiles and camaraderie?
.
my thanks too to agnes, al (and may) for their ever-reliable, ever-efficient support and assistance!

.

Helping Typhoon Victims Overcome and Survive Their Emotional Storms

.

"Helping Typhoon Victims Overcome their Emotional Trauma”

.

Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng are now gone but they continue to wreak havoc in the emotional and psychological lives of some of its victims. Survivors may give the impression that they have already recovered but many are actually suffering in silence from their emotional distress and psychological trauma. For instance, many of the survivors develop fear, panic attacks, depression, nightmares, insomnia, loss of appetite, flashbacks, and difficulty in concentration. All these symptoms cause long term disturbances in their personal and work lives.
.
In view of this calamity that raged through the country, the Philippine Society of Life Coaches (PSLC) is offering a skills-training workshop entitled "Helping Typhoon Victims Overcome and Survive their Emotional Storms." Participants will learn the essential skills for assessing the survivor's emotional condition and acquire the strategies for supporting them towards their emotional and psychological recovery.
. This one-day workshop is facilitated by Randy S. Dellosa, M.D., Psy.D., a life coach, psychologist and psychiatrist. It will be held on October 24, 2009 at the University Hotel, UP Diliman, Quezon City from 9 am to 5 pm.
.
Registration starts at 8.30 am. Proceeds of this training will be donated to typhoon victims. For more details please contact Agnes R. Agbayani, RGC, M.Ed. at 415-7964 and 415-6529 and mobile phone 0922-877-5970.
_____________________________________________________
Philippine Society of Life Coaches
Office Address: 105 Scout Rallos Street. Barangay Sacred Heart, Kamuning, Quezon City
Telephone Numbers: 415-6529, 415-7964

.

... typhoon ondoy, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), and disaster counseling ... (philippines, psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist)

.

Dealing with trauma after 'Ondoy'

(article excerpt)
ABS-CBN - Wednesday, September 30

MANILA - The damage brought by tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) ruined the lives and homes of thousands of Filipinos in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.

.
"This time, we're dealing with trauma based on a calamity or disaster. So it's very disheartening to know the extent of the damage, not only environmentally but with regard to people's lives," said clinical psychologist Dr. Randy Dellosa in an interview on Mornings @ ANC on Tuesday.
.
Trauma
.
Dellosa said there are different kinds of trauma based on different emotional incidents in a person's life.
.
"I've talked to a number of survivors and they have exhibited different types of emotions," he said.
.
Though they have bravely stepped up to help others during the typhoon, disaster response teams or volunteer rescuers also need help themselves.
.
"These 'heroes' also need our help. Because some of them may be acting out of their own fears. We call this counter-phobic helping. Just to confront their fears, they start helping people, but deep inside they have anxieties and fears," Dellosa said.
.
Common reactions experienced by disaster victims are the following:
.
SHOCK over the suddenness of the disaster, being unprepared for it, and feeling bewildered. Dellosa said there is also a tendency for victims to deny that things were happening to them, even if they were confronted with flood waters and scenes of death and destruction.
.
ANGER that can be directed towards the disaster, God, others, or themselves. Victims question why disasters happened to them and if they had done anything wrong. They can also feel regret for choosing to live at a certain place, especially when there is great loss.
.
DEPRESSION after losing property or loved ones. Dellosa said it is natural for victiims to cry profusely, even if they don't know the reason, or to feel an overwhelming sense of sadness. "That's part of the grief of losing so many things," he said.
.
SURVIVAL GUILT or wondering why they survived and others did not. Victims may feel that others were more worthy of living, or that they did not do enought to help others. This is sometimes accompanied by the feeling that they should have died along with their loved ones.
.
Further, people surrounding a typhoon victim or survivor are also at risk for developing psychiatric disorders because the experience of dealing with others' losses can be traumatic or make them feel vulnerable.
.
Telltale signs
.
Victims can develop anxiety disorders like a panic disorder. Throughout a person's day, they can experience periodic symptoms like shortness of breath, palpitations, gastric disturbances, and tenseness of the body.
.
Dellosa said victims can also experience anticipatory anxiety, or the fear that something traumatic will happen again. This can happen, for example, if a typhoon victim gets nervous at the first sight of rain.
.
Depression can manifest in sudden changes in appetite, energy level, or sleeping patterns. Victims have difficulty focusing or concentrating, and can even have suicidal tendencies or thoughts - just to escape pain or even to reunite themselves with their loved ones. 'Sometimes they are stoic and do not show emotions. But they are delaying the manifestation of their anxiety. Everyone can experience this, from old to young," Dellosa said, adding that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress.
.
What to do
.
He warned those who have relatives of friends who exhibit overwhelming anxiety or depression to seek professional help immediately, or to offer a sympathetic ear so that victims can unload their feelings.
.
In counseling, this is called a "defusion stage" where victims release pent-up emotions and tell their stories so that healing takes place. "You have to lower the level of anxiety and terror that they feel. This takes place in the first few hours after the disaster and before they sleep. Allow them to vent and share their stories," Dellosa said.
.
People should also avoid showing graphic images of calamities to victims because it reinforces their negative feelings. It would also be a good time to mobilize the victim's support system (friends, family, church) to remove feelings of helplesness or lonliness.
.