A diagnosis of schizophrenia changed the course of Alice’s life. While significant steps have been taken in recent years to reduce the stigma around mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, schizophrenia still remains a taboo topic which is greatly understood in most circles. And it’s a shame. With more than one in ten Australians living […]
Medication Side Effects Demystified: Tardive Dyskinesia
Everything you need to know about tardive dyskinesia – a common and uncomfortable side effect of many medications for schizophrenia. As if dealing with a mental health condition isn’t challenging enough, the medications used to treat illnesses like schizophrenia often come with a list of side effects longer than your arm. Without a full understanding […]
Study Shows Positive Effect of Video Game in Schizophrenia
Recent research has found that a specially designed video game could relieve symptoms of schizophrenia. Video games get a bad rap – our kids are spending too much time on them, and their content is often questionable. If some media is taken at face value, video games could be considered single-handedly responsible for a rise in […]
Battling Beliefs
Beliefs are not always true; although, they often tend to feel true. “I’m not good enough.” “I’m a failure.” “I will never be able to make her happy.” “I will never measure up to their expectations of me.” These are all statements and examples of beliefs. These are all beliefs a client (we will call […]
Finding Balance & Promoting Well-Being Within
Make it from “one side to the other” successfully. Well-being and balance: two concepts discussed often in the mental health and medical field. Yet, these two concepts are so difficult at times to acquire and to master. Good news – you can master these skills, but just like with any other skill it takes practice. […]
Therapeutic Techniques & Mental Health Issues
The correct treatment can help a person to live well. Utilising the proper therapeutic techniques for mental health issues allows the provider to achieve success with a client and allows the client’s mental health issues to improve. Therapeutic techniques are provided to us in academics in abundance. We receive training with different techniques. We practice different […]
Ability to “Detach”
Let it go. The ability to detach from work and/or from home allows focus, helps to manage stress and responsibilities, and allows you to be present (whether it’s with clients/patients, co-workers, family, friends, etc.). Detach means to let go, or to disengage. In the mental health and/or medical field, this is incredibly useful and important. […]
Integrating Positivity in Everyday Life Practices
Positivity is a skill. What is positivity? Why is it so important? Positivity is a way of using your strengths, skills, talents, and abilities to face challenges. Looking at the positives of situations versus only looking at the problem itself, can create a sense of resiliency. Positivity can allow you to bounce back from a […]
Initial Support Goes A Long Way
My life has transformed completely only thanks to that little bit of initial support, after years of suffering in silence. For as long and as far back as I can remember, I have suffered from anxiety. Ever since I was in middle school I have been very nervous and constantly overthinks everything. I remember skipping […]
Peter Decides To Run Away
The moment we entered my house Peter proceeded directly to a shelf of books that were in my living room. He picked ‘Veronika Decides To Die’ a book by Paulo Coelho. “I also decided to run, just like Veronika decided to die. I must take this one from you.” “That is one of my favourite […]