Miscarriage and Infant Loss- A Topic People Often Avoid- and Where To Find Support


Miscarriage and Infant Loss- A Topic People Often Avoid- and Where to Find Support 


I wrote about this topic months ago but I wanted to revisit it since I am starting a support group in a couple weeks especially for families who have suffered such a loss.  


Miscarriage and infant loss of any kind is devastating. If someone has not personally experienced such a loss, they just cannot comprehend the pain. 


It is also a topic that people avoid. Family and close friends even tend to avoid others who have suffered a miscarriage, delivered a baby stillborn, or had a baby die in their family.


They just do not know what to say so they tend to pull away and say nothing at all. It is a topic that makes others feel uncomfortable and so they do not know how to hand it. In doing so, they drift away from those who they care about who need support.

There is a safe place in which you can share about your grief and get on-going support.  



Free Miscarriage / Infant Loss / Grief Support Groups

 Groups are on-going and open-group

 Free support groups to begin in October  
to help anyone who has suffered a loss or has been affected by a loss due to miscarriage/ stillborn/ infant loss 

 For mothers and fathers as well as other family members and friends

Support Groups are FREE   

What:
Support Groups for Miscarriage and Infant Loss
Where:
Michael Loftis Counseling      
       2670 Memorial Blvd
               Suite E
  Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning starting October 24, 2015


Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Contact Diane Gammon by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email Diane at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com. 
to register

You can attain hope and healing!

Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with a specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Diane is under the clinical supervision of Michael Loftis L.C.S.W. as she pursues professional licensure as a LPC-MHSP. 

 Diane is a thriving survivor of 5 miscarriages as well as losing an infant daughter.
She uses her personal experiences 
of hope and helping 
along with her education and counseling abilities 
to help others 
who have suffered such a loss. 


By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com
Diane GammonComment
Depression- Symptoms To Look Out For and Support Information


Signs and symptoms of depression are different for different people. However, here is a list of symptoms that may be present in someone's life who is depressed.

Changes in sleep. Many people have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping much longer than they used to. Waking up early in the morning is fairly common for individuals with major depression.
Changes in appetite. Depression can lead to major weight loss or gain when an individual stops eating or uses food as a coping mechanism.
Lack of concentration. An individual may be unable to focus during severe depression. Even reading the newspaper or following the plot of a TV show may be difficult for them. It also becomes difficult to make even small decisions.
Loss of energy. Individuals with depression may feel profound fatigue, think slowly, or be unable to perform normal daily routines.
Lack of interest. Individuals who are depressed may lose interest in their usual activities or lose the capacity to experience pleasure. Depressed individuals may have no desire to eat or have sex.
Low self esteem. During periods of depression, individuals dwell on losses or failures and feel excessive guilt and helplessness. Thoughts like “I am a loser” or “the world is a terrible place” or “I don’t want to be alive” can take over their thought process.
Hopelessness. Depression can make a person feel that nothing good will ever happen to them. Suicidal thoughts often follow these kinds of negative thoughts and these thoughts need to be taken seriously.
Changes in movement. Individuals who are experiencing depression may look physically depleted or they may be agitated. For example, a person may wake early in the morning and pace the floor for hours.
Physical aches and pains. Instead of talking about their emotions or sadness, some individuals who are depressed may complain about a headache or an upset stomach.

Reference
National Alliance on Mental Health 

Free Depression/ Anxiety 
Support Group/ Classes
 
Groups are on-going and open-group

 Free support groups/ classes to begin in October to help adults with depression and anxiety/ panic disorder.

Groups/ Classes are FREE   

What:
Support Groups/ Classes on Coping With Anxiety/ Panic And Depression
Share in group what you are experiencing or you can just listen.

Get information on how to better understand anxiety/ panic and depression as well as learn coping skills and how to be empowered to get through difficult times.  

Where:
Michael Loftis Counseling      
       2670 Memorial Blvd
               Suite E
  Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday morning starting October 17, 2015


Time: 10:00 am- 11:30 am

Contact Diane Gammon by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email Diane at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com. 
to register

You can attain hope and healing!

Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with a specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Diane is under the clinical supervision of Michael Loftis L.C.S.W. as she pursues professional licensure as a LPC-MHSP.



By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com
Diane GammonComment
Dealing With Grief- Ways to Cope


·      
  Turn to friends and  family members – Draw loved ones close, rather than avoiding them, and accept the assistance that’s offered. Oftentimes, people want to help but don’t know how, so tell them what you need —whether it’s a shoulder to cry on or help with funeral arrangements.


Draw comfort from your faith – If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Implement spiritual activities that are meaningful to you like as praying, meditating, or going to church. If you’re questioning your faith in the wake of the loss, talk to a a Pastor or others who are associated with your faith beliefs. This is normal to feel this way.


Join a support group – Grief can make you feel extremely lonely, even when you have loved ones around. Sharing your sorrow with others who have experienced similar losses can be very helpful. To find a bereavement support group in your area, contact local hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and counseling centers.


Talk to a therapist or grief counselor – If your grief feels like too much to bear, call a mental health professional with experience in grief counseling. An experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving. It can help you to better deal with your grief.


Reference
HelpGuide.org


By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

·          



·         








Diane GammonComment
Learn From Your Mistakes and Grow and Go On!
We ALL make mistakes! Our mistakes can be humiliating and painful. 

However, we can grow and learn from them if we decide to do so!





Grieve your mistake.

Forgive yourself.

Learn from your mistake.

Talk to someone about what happened. 

 Pull up your boot straps and keep on ...with your head held high!! 

We are ALL a work in progress!

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Philippians 3:13



And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28



Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Diane GammonComment
Free Miscarriage /Infant Loss / Grief Support Groups
Free Miscarriage / Infant Loss / Grief Support Groups
 



Groups are on-going and open-group

 Free support groups to begin in October  
to help anyone who has suffered a loss or has been affected by a loss due to miscarriage/ stillborn/ infant loss 

For mothers and fathers as well as other family members and friends

Support Groups are FREE   

What:
Support Groups for Miscarriage and Infant Loss
Where:
Michael Loftis Counseling      
       2670 Memorial Blvd
               Suite E
  Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: Every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning starting October 24, 2015


Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Contact Diane Gammon by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email Diane at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com. 
to register

You can attain hope and healing!

Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with a specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Diane is under the clinical supervision of Michael Loftis L.C.S.W. as she pursues professional licensure as a LPC-MHSP. 

Diane is a thriving survivor of 5 miscarriages as well as losing an infant daughter.
She uses her personal experiences 
of hope and helping 
along with her education and counseling abilities 
to help others 
who have suffered such a loss. 
By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor



Diane GammonComment
FREE Depression / Anxiety Support Groups Are Continuing
Free Depression/ Anxiety 
Support Group/ Classes 
 
Groups are on-going and open-group

 Free support groups/ classes to begin in October to help adults with depression and anxiety/ panic disorder.

Groups/ Classes are FREE   

What:
Support Groups/ Classes on Coping With Anxiety/ Panic And Depression
Share in group what you are experiencing or you can just listen.

Get information on how to better understand anxiety/ panic and depression as well as learn coping skills and how to be empowered to get through difficult times.  

Where:
Michael Loftis Counseling      
       2670 Memorial Blvd
               Suite E
  Murfreesboro, TN 37129

When: Every 1st and 3rd Saturday morning starting October 17, 2015


Time: 10:00 am- 11:30 am

Contact Diane Gammon by calling or texting (615) 556-8406 or email Diane at Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com. 
to register

You can attain hope and healing!

Diane received her Master of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University with a specialization in Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Diane is under the clinical supervision of Michael Loftis L.C.S.W. as she pursues professional licensure as a LPC-MHSP. 
By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

            Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com


Diane GammonComment
Grief- Gaining an Understanding of What is Normal


 Grief is a natural response to loss. Grief is an emotion that we suffer and feel when we lose someone or something that we care about. 


You may experience all kinds of difficult emotions and it may feel like the pain and sadness you're experiencing will never let up. 

These are normal reactions to a significant loss. 

Grief can be experienced when we lose a loved one to death. However, there are many other experiences that can cause someone to suffer with grief.


Some of these are:  
It is important to understand that everyone grieves differently. 

Further, how long a grieving process will take is individualized as well. There is not a normal grieving time allotment for grief.

Give yourself time and get professional help if you feel like you need it. 

Grieving is a part of a life and a natural emotion. 

Reference
HelpGuide.org


By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

·          

·          
·          
Diane GammonComment
Grow Your Self-Esteem- And Grow Your life! Tips to Help!


Stay true to Yourself!

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. 
Oscar Wilde

Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.
Norman Vincent Peale
 

Push past your discomfort, growing and stretching yourself!
 
Remember-- You can’t chose what life throws at you, but you can chose how you respond to it!

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. ― Maya Angelou

Success is not that you will never fail--- it is getting back up after you fail and trying again!!

 
I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom. – George S. Patton

Write down positive affirmations about yourself and say them out loud to yourself daily looking into a mirror!  REMEMBER>>>>> WHAT AND HOW you think will feed your feelings and your actions!


By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Diane GammonComment
Victimology and Victim Services- For Those Who Have Been Victimized


Victimology is a subspecialty of Forensic Psychology. It plays an important role because it seeks to treat those individuals who have been hurt in some way by criminal behaviors from others. 

This could be harm to them directly or harm to them by being present in a violent situation. Such harm could be from domestic violence, abductions, shootings, sexual attacks, assault, robbery, and various traumatic experiences to name a few. 

Individuals who work with victims can be the most helpful if they are a mental health profession such as myself. As a mental health professional, they can assist individuals and families to successfully and appropriately treat their traumatic experiences. 

If you are a victim or you know someone who is a victim of a crime or violent/ traumatic act, there is help and hope!

Reference
Bartol, C.R., & Bartol, A.M. (2012). Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
   By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor



                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com
Diane GammonComment