Anxiety and panic disorders are complex, with both biological and psychosocial causes. Managing symptoms with these seven tips will help pave the way towards a thriving, anxious-free life. 1. Exercise regularly If anybody could condense the benefits of exercise down into a single pill, it would very likely be the closest thing to a panacea […]
Easing Social Anxiety with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Accept what is out of your personal control, and then commit to value-guided mindful action that enriches your life. What is ACT? “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change” -Carl Rogers, On Becoming A Person Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of behavioural therapy […]
Staying Present: Turning Towards Anxiety and Panic With Mindfulness
Cultivating a mindfulness meditation practice is a very powerful antidote to anxiety symptoms. Mindfulness has become a catchphrase in today’s wellness culture. It used all across the board for increasing productivity at work all the way to coping with trauma, mental illness, and physical illness. However, mindfulness meditation has a rich lineage and history attached […]
Polyvagal Theory: The Healing Power of the Ventral-Vagal Connection
Polyvagal Theory is a comprehensive evolutionary model for understanding and treating anxiety and panic disorders. General anxiety disorder and panic disorders are two of the most common mental conditions in Australia and around the world. The difference between the two is that anxiety disorders are mainly characterised by excessive worry brought about from perceived threats; […]
The Relationship Between Bipolar Disorder and Creativity
There is a strong association between bipolar disorder and creativity, and much more to be understood. You might have an idea of what makes a person creative, or you might be a creative person yourself. Creative people stand out from the masses in being high in trait openness, with high receptivity towards ideas and experiences […]
Managing Bipolar Disorder
The bio-psycho-social-spiritual model is a comprehensive approach to alleviate the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Although the concept of bipolar disorder originated in the 19th century, the first effective treatments for the illness did not appear until the latter half of the 20th century. Biological: Medication for Bipolar Disorder Today the choice of medication in bipolar […]
Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Clearing Up 3 Misconceptions
Many common conceptions of bipolar disorder are misleading, stigmatising, or just inaccurate. Here are three common misconceptions about bipolar disorder: 1. Bipolar Disorder is rare It is estimated that 1 in 50 Australians develops this illness, with more prevalence among males than females. Most of those diagnosed are in their 20s, around the same time […]
Support Tips For Bipolar Disorder Caregivers
Caring for someone with any illness can be taxing and difficult, but this is especially true in psychiatric mood disorders that have no easy and effective cures. A recent study published in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing surveyed 72 caregivers and showed that nearly half of the caregivers had high levels of psychological […]
Bipolar Disorder and the Nature vs. Nurture Debate
An age-old question remains in understanding the root cause of bipolar disorder: To what extent does genetics or life experience play a role in the development of bipolar disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mental illness where patients experience recurrent episodes of mania or hypomania and depression. Approximately 2% of Australians will experience bipolar disorder in […]
Depression Ruined My Relationships Until I Took Control
I believed I was doomed to be alone forever, until I took control of my depression. Relationships can be difficult for everyone, but they can be even tougher when you have a mental illness, like depression. Each relationship I had suffered as partners found it difficult to be around me. They never knew which version […]