Identity Issues: Overcoming the Confusion
Your identity is influenced by a variety of factors such as: religion, race, social status, sexual preference, gender and/or ethnicity. It is normal to struggle with your identity at various stages of your life. Addressing and effectively coping with these issues can lower your risk for a variety of health issues like: depression, anxiety and/or headaches.
Signs
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Eating Disorders
- Insecurity and/or Low Self-Esteem
- A Sudden Change in Personality and/or Behaviour
Causes
- Peer Pressure: When the people around you pressure you into doing things that you do not feel comfortable doing it can lead to identity issues, especially if you depend on others to boost your self-esteem or validate your self-worth.
- Self-Expression: When you do not feel as though you are able to express yourself properly it can lead to identity issues. It is not uncommon to struggle with self-expression, especially during adolescence and young adulthood.
- Body Image: If you do not have a healthy body image it can lead to identity issues. If you have a hard time accepting how you look, you may experience confusion, anxiety, frustration, eating disorders and/or a low self-esteem.
Treatments
Minds For The Future psychologists can provide you with the support and tools that you need to effectively work through your identity issues.
- Focus
Minds For The Future psychologists can teach you how to relax, breathe deeply and let your mind wander. Your psychologist will teach you how to focus on your breathing when you feel overwhelmed, confused or frustrated. This technique will help clear your mind so that you can work out your identity issues.
- Write It Down
If you are experiencing identity issues and are unsure of what to do or where to turn, Minds For the Future psychologists can help you manage your confusing feelings so that you develop a healthy self-esteem and self-confidence. During therapy, you will be instructed to write your feelings down in a journal or diary. This will help you sort out your true feelings and develop strategies to overcome your identity issues.
- Make New Friends
Making new friends will help not only help you work through your identity issues, but also help increase your self-confidence and self-esteem. Minds For The Future psychologists can guide you on how to reach out to others who share your same interests. For instance, your psychologist may suggest that you join a club or participate in sports.
- Talk to Someone
If you are experiencing identity issues, share your feelings with someone that you trust. Minds For The Future psychologists can assist you to express yourself in a healthy and productive way. During therapy, you will not only learn how to communicate in a calm and open way, you will also learn more about who you are as a person. In addition, your trusted confidant will provide support and help you think of positive ways to resolve your issues.