My Publicatons

Clinical psychologist Monica Sharma tells us that one may never really know when one’s initial loving relationship has turned toxic. “The start of a relationship is usually associated with strong highs, during which both partners feel proud, thrilled and passionate about being in it,” explains Monica.

Some happy and cheerful kids; some anxious toddlers; some crying & screaming; some droning and some watching silently with submissiveness, eyes filled with tears; some holding the hand of their p...

Every day, All day long, life is like this. Apprehension, Avoidance, Pain, Anxiety about what you said, Fear that you said something wrong, Anxious to enter a conversation, afraid you'll have no...

In many cases the mother is aware that her kid is being sexually abused but can't stop it. Denial is the main cause. Denial is the psychologically incapacitating state that some mothers experience when faced with the possibility that their children are being sexually abused by their partner.

Indians are not as happy as they were last year, according to this year’s UN World Happiness Report. The country figured among the lowest 20 at 140 out of the 156 nations ranked, dropping seven places from 133, last year. Clinical Psychologist Monica Sharma blames the modern and complex lifestyle that is leading people towards unhappiness. She also avers that the source of happiness has shifted from inner happiness to materialistic contentment, which is leading to fear of public opinion. “Individuals are busy from head to toe in their daily life so they have less involvement in social life. The increased level of competition and low ability to accept failure is leading an individual to live unhappy life,” insists the psychologist. She also suggests that one should take charge of own happiness than being dependent on someone else. “The main source of happiness is accepting what is out of your control. Accepting is not being passive but a wise act when it’s out of your control,” recommends Monica.

Find it scary and difficult to be with other people, especially those you don’t already know, and have a hard time talking to them even though you wish you could? May have body symptoms when you are with other people, such as: blushing, heavy sweating, trembling, nausea, and having a hard time talking?

It's not unusual to feel anxious, especially when you perceive a threat to yourself or a loved one’s safety, security and welfare. Thus, the imminent anxiety that warns you of a real threat is adaptive as it lets you know that you are at a risk of danger, until you do something to eliminate the threat. But, there are those who are predisposed to chronic anxiety and may be suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Becoming a therapist or to be precise a clinical psychologist was not something I had planned for. Me being an average student during my school days I was helped by a special educator who made a difference in my life and what I am today. So, I was interested in psychology. During my bachelors days going through the disorders and understanding their clinical descriptions was something that excited me. But then in my internship when I actually saw my first client I observed that the reality of a disorder was different from what we read in books. Understanding the condition of psychiatric clients and also the social scenario (especially in India, that too in rural parts) I was motivated to work with these clients who others would say were better off with medications alone and to help them live a more meaningful life with the help of therapies. During my initial years of practice I also noticed that if few skills are taught to individuals in their childhood they can be protected from developing minor psychological problems. All this motivated me to be a psychologist and still does.