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Facing Mother’s Day Without Mum
Mother’s Day is a difficult time for those who didn’t grow up with a mother and equally sad for those whose mother’s are no longer in their lives. Jude Crank Shares her story about what it was like coming home after her honeymoon to receive the sad news of her mother passing away. Twenty-one years…
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is about wellness. A person with good mental health is considered to be in a state of wellbeing. They feel good, function well and are positive. These people are emotionally mature and can cope with the normal stresses of life, they’re resilient, realise their potential, contribute to the community and work productively. What…
Cannabis / Marijuana Dependence and Withdrawal
Research has shown that people going through Cannabis withdrawal may experience physical and psychological symptoms after attempting to stop their prolonged marijuana use. Since the early 1960’s until recent times, cannabis was thought of as mild and non-addictive recreational drug in comparison with other ‘heavier’ drugs. In the DSM-5 the APA has officially recognised that…
Caffeine Withdrawal – Now in the DSM-5
In Australia cafes have sprung up just about everywhere, becoming places to catch up with family, friends and work colleagues over a cup of coffee. We consume it regularly, particularly in the mornings as an energiser for the work day ahead. Energy drinks, soft drinks, brewed tea and even chocolate can contain large quantities of…
Sam Wundke – aifc Student in SA
Sam Wundke I chose to do the aifc course as a step toward regaining personal direction and purpose. After almost a year, I have grown so much both on a personal level and in my relationships. Although the content is challenging, the environment is supportive, encouraging and uplifting. Although I don’t know exactly where this…
Using Food And Exercise To Combat Depression
The most common mental health illness in Australia is depression with one in five people having experienced it. People with depression feel worthless, unmotivated, overwhelmed and sad. Medicine and Therapy are very beneficial to helping patients with depression. However, a good diet coupled with regular exercise plays a vital role in promoting good mental health.…
When To Get Help For Kids & Teens
Dr John Townsend believes kids who have suffered trauma in the very early stages of childhood are more likely to have their personality affected by it, particularly during their adolescence. He encourages parents to have these children see a mental health professional as early as possible. Get Help If There Has Been Early Trouble by…
Repairing Trust Violations With A Heartfelt Apology
Research shows why some apologies are more effective than others. Two studies have reported that there are six components of an apology. Additionally, repairing trust violations were seen as more compelling than expressions of remorse for integrity based violations. Apologies are central to conflict management. When we hurt someone a quick apology with an expression…
Dr. Gary Smalley
World Renowned marriage and relationship expert and public speaker Gary Smalley who authored award winning and best-selling books on family relationships and marriage from a Christian perspective, has gone to meet our Heavenly Father on March 6 2016, aged 75. He was married 52 years to Norma and had three children, Kari, Greg and Michael.…
Emotional and Psychological Abuse
According to Lifeline Australia, there are many forms of abuse that fall under the category of Domestic and Family Violence. Emotional and Psychological abuse are non-physical forms of control used to isolate and manipulate a person that can be equally as traumatising as physical abuse. Family violence and abuse can happen to anyone irrespective of…
Could Air Pollution Be Affecting Our Mental Health?
We live in an industrial world that is constantly pumping out dangerous fumes and gases into the atmosphere. Natural events can also pollute our air with pollen, smoke from bushfires and the dust from windstorms. There are many other pollutants that can affect the quality of air we breathe impacting on our overall health, mental…
When to Seek Help For Anger Management
Losing control of anger on a regular basis may mean that there’s an underlying issue worth probing into. To diagnose an anger management problem, a mental health professional will look at patterns or trends in an individual’s behaviour, taking into account their physical and emotional symptoms as well. Anger is a completely normal and healthy emotion,…
Childhood Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
According to The Huffington Post, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder has attracted its fair share of controversy since its addition to the DSM-5 in 2013. Kids who throw huge explosive tantrums can now be labelled, posing the question, ‘Have they really gone too far in calling this seemingly normal behaviour a disorder?’ To answer that question…
Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children
Childhood Separation Anxiety Disorder is different from usual childhood fears due to its intensity that extends beyond appropriate developmental period for a child’s age. When children experience severe anxiety due to separation from their mother or primary care giver they might be feel a strong, persistent and excessive fear or anxiety. Physical symptoms may also…
Why Youth Homelessness Matters
According to Homelessness Australia, there’s a staggering number of homeless young people in Australia. When we think about homeless youths we often think about street kids, drug addicts and runaways. But this is not always the case. Most of the homeless youth aren’t homeless by choice. Domestic issues and family violence and relationships or family…
Diagnosed With Parkinson’s Disease? You’re Not Alone
Parkinson’s Disease affects those between the ages of 50 and 60 but can affect younger people. It often goes unnoticed by everyone including the patient themselves as the symptoms can be very mild at first appearing with a small shake in a hand while it’s resting or can appear as weakness or stiffness in a…
How Pets Can Help Children Develop In Key Areas
According to the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne approximately 80% of Australians have or have owned a pet at some stage during their lifetime. Children can gain benefits that go beyond the physical when caring for animals aiding with development in confidence and self esteem. Pets allow us to make emotional connections. Especially in the case…
The Co-Dependent Rescuer & Enabler
It can start with a well intentioned desire to help, but co-dependent relationships become dysfunctional helping relationships that occur when a person rescues, enables or supports another’s bad behaviour, immaturity, procrastination, underachievement, addiction or poor mental or physical health. The co-dependent often feels compelled to solve other people’s problems and more often than not end up…
Emotional Immaturity Linked to Depression and Anxiety
The main characteristic of emotional maturity is the ability to see life clearly and accurately and to be able to deal with life’s ups and downs in a healthy way. Emotionally mature people are able to control their emotions and take full responsibility for their life and actions along with being able to handle their…
Avoidant Personality Disorder
People with Avoidant Personality Disorder struggle with feelings of inadequacy and extreme shyness. These people are sensitive to rejection and show extreme social inhibition. They are also insecure and feel inadequate. The symptoms of this disorder affect a person’s occupational life and their relationships. People with this disorder appear timid, shy, awkward and lonely. Symptoms…
Good Friday – The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
He was hung on a cross to die, but even after being tortured, teased and crucified for all mankind, death couldn’t hold Jesus down. He was raised from the dead by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ unwavering trust in the father was a testimony to God’s love, goodness, sovereign power and authority revealing…
Supporters Say The DSM-5 Enables Reliable Diagnosis
Those supporting the changes in the DSM-5 have one thing in common, they believe revisions in the new edition have fine-tuned diagnosis capabilities enabling real mental health professionals to reliably diagnose and effectively treat patients affected by psychological problems. In May 2013, the APA – American Psychiatric Association released the DSM-5, approximately 20 years after…
Rascism, Prejudice & Discrimination in Australia
”The Sydney Morning Herald published a story on how Paul Shin and his wife Isabella were brutally bashed at their own business, a general store in Terrigal NSW, by a 17 year old male, who during the attack was repeatedly yelling racist slurs at the couple. Mr Shin was punched in the face and was…
14 New Disorders in the DSM-5
21st century living has contributed to the addition of 14 new Disorders in the DSM-5 The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals around the world. The manual is the guide by which mental health professionals base their diagnosis. Below is a…
