What is going on with Henok
According to my assessment of what you have said, it appears you are depressed because you mentioned that you have not been sleeping well. The condition manifests since you’re going through a period of unrest and worry, which might be tied to dissatisfaction. These are signs of depression (Riemann et al., 2020). At your age, the feeling of dissatisfaction is unique. You appear to have been engaged in impulsive actions such as hair bleaching, skydiving, and contemplating the purchase of a motorbike, which might indicate a craving for excitement and uniqueness. You have also expressed guilt over possibly improper contact with a female coworker, which might indicate you seek acceptance or admiration beyond your married life. Also, the fact you have not told your spouse about your plans to purchase a beach property shows a probable lack of open communication and emotional closeness in your relationship. Sleeping difficulties, feelings of failure, and mourning your late father may contribute to your depression. I advise that you accept your situation and get help as soon as possible.
How to overcome these feelings
You need support to prevent the problem from going further because it can harm you. I will examine your life experiences to ascertain why you are here today. It is critical to affirm your sentiments and reassure you that it’s natural to feel restless and anxious through significant life transitions, such as approaching middle age and reflecting on one’s successes. I assure you that you are not alone in these feelings and that it is normal to feel this way. We shall investigate the possible underlying reasons for his depression together. It looks like you are having concerns about self-esteem and identity. You feel like you are a failure, bleaching his hair, and you go further purchasing a beach property without telling your wife. These activities might be interpreted as seeking external affirmation and reclaiming a sense of enthusiasm and purpose in his life. The kind of pressure will result in progressive depression because you will try to impress society (Riemann et al., 2020). As a counsellor, I encourage you to consider your feelings and views about your self-worth and identity. I will assist in identifying any negative thinking patterns or beliefs that may be causing this depression. You may, for example, have unreasonable expectations of yourself or feel compelled to live up to societal or cultural expectations. You have unsolved concerns from your history, such as missing your late father. I encourage you to express and process your feelings healthily through writing or speaking with a trusted friend or family member is essential.
I will touch on your activities contributing to your sadness, such as his guilt for obtaining a female coworker’s phone number, as you must avoid engaging in an impulsive or dangerous activity to cope with your emotions. I encourage you to adopt healthy coping techniques, such as participating in hobbies or activities he enjoys, spending quality time with his wife and children, or obtaining professional assistance through counselling or therapy. Exploring your communication and interpersonal dynamics with his wife is another critical aspect of assisting you. There is a need for open and honest communication in a marriage, and I urge you to speak openly with your wife about your feelings and desires, including purchasing the beach home. Develop good communication skills and techniques for constructively expressing your feelings and concerns (Prime et al., 2020). It is important to observe self-care, which includes getting enough sleep, eating well, and engaging in regular physical exercise.
Referral for Henok
Henok appears to be going through a midlife crisis, which includes restlessness, anxiety, changes in looks, impulsive actions, guilt, and desire for his late father. Henok will benefit from seeking help from a mental health expert, such as a psychologist, to explore and processing his feelings, thoughts, and actions in a safe and non-judgmental setting (Tackett et al., 2019). Couples counselling with his wife will as well be beneficial in addressing any potential communication concerns stemming from his recent choices, such as acquiring a beach home without alerting his wife.
Conclusion
Henok, You appear to have gone through a lot recently. It’s critical to remember that it’s normal to feel restless and nervous sometimes and that this does not imply that you’re a failure. You appear to have made substantial changes in your life, such as attempting new activities like skydiving and considering purchasing a motorbike. It’s also fantastic that you’re taking care of your physical health by visiting a doctor. It is also critical to prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. Consider speaking with a counsellor or therapist to assist you in processing your emotions and worries. Remember that it is never too late to make great changes in your life, and it is ideal for determining what offers you fulfilment. I reached a conclusion based on the client’s subjective data analysis, which is crucial in understanding the patient’s problem (Linton et al., 2023). I used my vast knowledge as a counsellor to note Henok’s problem. In addition, I researched the possible symptoms of depression, which enabled me to conclude that the patient was getting depressed further.
Reference
Laposha, I., & Smallfield, S. (2022). Self-care: An occupational therapy student perspective. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, p. 6. https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/cahp_ot_articles/6/
Linton, S. C., Kwon, S., De Boer, C., Zeineddin, S., Figueroa, A., DeTella, M., … & Ghomrawi, H. M. (2023). Discordance between Subjective and Objective Assessments of Activity after Pediatric Appendectomy. Journal of Surgical Research, 283, 751–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.006
Prime, H., Wade, M., & Browne, D. T. (2020). Risk and resilience in family well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. American Psychologist, 75(5), 631. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2020-34995-001
Riemann, D., Krone, L. B., Wulff, K., & Nissen, C. (2020). Sleep, insomnia, and depression. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45(1), 74-89. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-019-0411-y
Tackett, J. L., Brandes, C. M., King, K. M., & Markon, K. E. (2019). Psychology’s Replication Crisis and Clinical Psychological Science. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 579–604. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095710
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