Category: domestic abuse

Publications

On January 24, 2021

In anti-depressants, Anxiety, Counselling in Birmingham UK, depression, domestic abuse, faith and cultural issues, Forced Marriage, Lifemap, Mental Health, Online counselling and therapy, Psycho-Education, self help, social and emotional well being, spiritual well being, worry and stress

A warm welcome to all my readers, and my past, present and future clients.

The ‘I’ In Me: “Who Am I Anyway?” by Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.

Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DKZLQYW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_3hviFbZPSAXBJ

Paperback link uk- The ‘I’ In Me “Who Am I Anyway? by Amazon

Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DBYPZ6R/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ilviFb54TGQZC

Audiobook Link http://The ‘I’ in Me: “Who Am I Anyway?” https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PKQFY1P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_eBldGbFRQYMQE

Author page Kamarun Kalam

Ebook Preview Link – https://amzn.eu/5euAhQc

Medium Articles

About Me – Introducing Kam –https://link.medium.com/tuD0dx3cidb

Being A Decent Human Being -Poetry from the heart. https://link.medium.com/1AGsHHApwdb

Diary of Mr Anonymous In Therapy-https://link.medium.com/GqzZ4V1bidb

Hard Times- Poem https://link.medium.com/n224ExYpwdb

The Buzz Of First Dates- Poetry – https://link.medium.com/Vh0rtb4bidb

The Best Advice Ever Given-https://link.medium.com/zGwrldacidb

Future Self Letter-https://link.medium.com/mNAR5Wccidb

Haiku After Dark-https://link.medium.com/rtAL7ofcidb

5 Truths In Life-https://link.medium.com/IYXaOHjcidb

Infinite Knowledge-Haiku – https://link.medium.com/vQdX39qcidb

Is There Life After Death? –https://link.medium.com/8dcjm2tcidb

Patience (Sabr) –https://link.medium.com/Tv5Tx3wcidb

Radical Acceptance- https://link.medium.com/QTlfh3zcidb

Welcome 2021- https://link.medium.com/VBAKuqDcidb

Everybody Hurts – https://link.medium.com/efP4pQFcidb

What Is- Soulful Poetry-https://link.medium.com/3GDmv1Icidb

The Trouble With Letting Go Is –https://link.medium.com/aTzcBqMcidb

Old Habits Die Hard – https://link.medium.com/I78YIcPcidb

The Joys of Yesteryear –https://link.medium.com/su1f10Rcidb

Dear Me- https://link.medium.com/l26DgsUcidb

Relationship Tips For When Children Are Born-https://link.medium.com/kSfyAOWcidb

Random Acts Of Kindness- https://link.medium.com/sjIBKZ0cidb

Conquering The Assassin Within- https://link.medium.com/UkAPF2odidb

Is Online Dating Safe? – https://link.medium.com/lJ5NOGrdidb

Brene Browns Pearls of Wisdom on Being Vulnerable- https://link.medium.com/UDAhcbvdidb

Yes You Can! – https://link.medium.com/dxq5vbzdidb

Beat The Winter Blues – https://link.medium.com/MheNluBdidb

Personal Power – https://link.medium.com/tXlHvCEdidb

Diseases Of The Heart – https://link.medium.com/kDHq8gHdidb

The I In Me- https://link.medium.com/VTOXGAJdidb

It’s The Unsaid Stuff That Haunts Us The Most- https://link.medium.com/CkmDbXLdidb

Look Inside Yourself- https://link.medium.com/WPBDETOdidb

Forced Marriage

By Kamarun Kalam

On July 7, 2016

In depression, domestic abuse, faith and cultural issues, Forced Marriage

Image courtesy of Clare Bloomfield at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I DO…. NOT!
Forced Vs Arranged Marriage..
It seems everybody has an opinion on this topic, and we have heard some horrendous stories of harrowing escapes, broken family ties and unhappy couples living a lie, but in reality what happens and what are the differences between ‘arranged’ and ‘forced’ marriages today?
Forced Marriage is not a new phenomenon but a social issue that has existed for many years across cultures. In more recent times we have seen a rise in reported cases hence the legislation and police powers attached to help support those in such situations. Under new laws, parents who force their children to marry in England and Wales could face jail.
The practice is already illegal in Scotland. Currently victims are effectively using the Forced Marriage Protection Order by asking authorities to confiscate their passports.

Media focus has been on recently reported cases in which most of the youngsters involved have been of South East Asian origin, and from muslim families. An estimated 8,000 young women a year are forced into marriages. There is a widespread misunderstanding of the differences between ‘arranged’ and ‘forced marriages’. In arranged marriages the couple meet, and can get to know each other before consenting to or refusing the proposal. The ‘arrangement’ is carried out by the families of the said couple who effectively match make for the pair, and if both consent fully inormed and happy to go ahead it is agreed.
However in ‘forced marriages’ there is often no consultation, or the views of the couple are ignored, the families take over and the couple are forced to marry against their will. This can lead to traumatisation, mental ill health and some consider suicide as the only way out. It is a serious issue for society at large and one that we must all work together to combat.
If you have been the victim of a forced marriage or know anybody going through this contact the Forced Marriage Unit:

Telephone: 020 7008 0151 or email: fmu@fco.gov.uk

For outreach work : email fmuoutreach@fco.gov.uk

There is also government legislation and guidance

in relation to forced marriages available to download from

www.fco.gov.uk/forcedmarriage.
For those who need emotional support and therapeutic intervention please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have an understanding of faith and cultural issues around this and beleive it is a not acceptable under any circumstances. This is often dressed up as a religious issue particularly for muslims but it is actually forbidden in Islam to force anybody to marry against their will. It is very much a cultural issue dominated by family traditions.

Anxiety

By Kamarun Kalam

On July 7, 2016

In anti-depressants, Anxiety, depression, domestic abuse, self help, worry and stress

anxiety

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.net

Everyday life can become so stressful that even the slightest things can set us off in a spin. Anxiety and depression have been listed as the two most common mental health problems faced by everyone at some point in their lives. Knowing this, what can we do to help ourselves and when is it right to seek help from our GP’s and seek out counselling?

The answer to these questions will differ from one person to the next because we are all unique and have different ways of coping with life. As a general rule most people visit their doctors in the first instance to discuss symptoms which can lead to taking prescribed medication like anti-depressants. Sometimes counselling is suggested but more often than not the first course of action is medication. Counselling can be sought via the NHS or privately.

In order to understand what causes us anxiety it is important to know the signs, symptoms and what we can do to alleviate personal stress levels and manage. According to MIND, the National Mental Health Charity the following are some common signs of anxiety:

Losing interest in activities and tasks that were previously enjoyed
Poor performance at work
Feeling tense, uncertain and fearful of things
Worries affect sleep, appetite and ability to concentrate
Feeling powerless, out of control or overwhelmed by emotions
Having panic attacks
Feeling on edge, irritable and unable to relax
Seeking reassurances from others, not trusting oneself

To cope with these feelings individuals may turn to vices such as smoking, drinking, or misusing drugs. Holding on in failing relationships and feeling unable to hold down a job. for some people anxiety can be so severe it takes over their lives causing frequent panic attacks. They may withdraw from society, develop other phobias, or begin having obsessive compulsive thoughts or behaviours like exsessive cleaning.

How can I help myself?

Facing your anxieties and addressing why you feel this way is the start of making a difference, looking at the reasons behind what led you to feeling this way and unpicking that fear and insecurity. The following are some ways of helping manage symptoms yourself:

Relaxation and mindfulness techniques of breathing exercises. Mindfulness CD’s can be purchased to listen to and use when feeling stressed. Attend a class on Yoga, relaxation or mindfulness and learn about controlled breathing, deep breathes from the stomach in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Assertiveness training can help, maybe start a dancing, singing or drama class to encourage more social interaction and learn how to feel more confident, look up local classess in your area.
Takes advantage of compimentary therapies such as massage, acupuncture, reflexology, herbalism and hypnotherapy. There are various modes of alternative therapies which can help to relax and stimulate you. Even simple things like lavender oils in the bath or drinking chamomile tea can act as a soothing experience.
Use your freinds and family for support, make that call, go for a coffee and a chat and ask for what you need.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle, drink plenty of water, go for a jog or run, or even the gym where you can also use the sauna and steam room. Eat well, plenty of fruits and vegetables and try to cook from fresh avoiding packaged and processed foods where possible. Try to avoid stimulants like coffee, cigarettes and alcohol as these will impact on your ability to relax and may reduce the quality of your sleep.
It is advisable to seek medical attention and visit your GP if symptoms persist long term as they may be able to support you with prescribed anti-depressants and referrals for counselling.

If you are feeling anxious and need further information and support the following are organisations that can help:

No Panic: 0800 138 8889 nopanic.org.uk
MIND infoline: 0300 123 3393 info@mind.org.uk
Anxiety UK: 08444 775 774 anxietyuk.org.uk
Samaritans 08457 909090 samaritans.org
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy: (BACP) 01455 883 300 itsgoodtotalk.org.uk