There are parts of me, and parts of you. There are parts of us that dominate our experience, and parts that hide way down the back. There are parts which pop up and parts that draw back. Too often, we can be driven by the parts that might be scared. There might be parts that feel weak, small and out of control. But deep down, there are also other parts …Read More
Imagine going through your life, always afraid that at any moment – wham! – a wave of absolute terror and panic will overtake you. Welcome to the life of a panic attack sufferer. People who suffer panic attacks describe them as intensely unpleasant, overwhelming and even debilitating. They can last from short intense ‘moments’ to long, continuous sessions of panic and fear. Panic attacks usually fall within the ‘anxiety’ cluster …Read More
It is supposed to be the happiest day of your life – but many brides (and grooms) struggle with the lead up to – and enjoying – the wedding day of their dreams. Wedding stress and anxiety can start to build up weeks and months before the big day. Unfortunately, it may show up in physical or emotional symptoms, including obsessing over every detail, sleep disturbances, constantly worrying, being angry …Read More
Do you want to be more effective, efficient – and at the same time enjoy everything more? Are you being overwhelmed, diverted and unable to achieve what you want? Many people suffering anxiety, trauma, fears and phobias could benefit from becoming more mindful, as a part of finding a natural solution to their present circumstance. Too often client’s experience of life is derailed by over-load, multi-tasking and lack of focus on …Read More
There has been some recent commentary in the newspapers regarding students sitting their VCE exams (end of high school and entry to university exams) needing ‘special consideration’ due to high levels of anxiety. The issue of anxiety and stress in teens and young people is extremely common, and something I work with regularly in clinic. For those not wanting to be medicated, but find a long term, natural solution to …Read More
Often in clinic there are clients who have developed severe levels of anxiety by asking themselves questions which are impossible to answer. “What if” is a question which may be useful in creative writing, but for people with anxiety, it can be the worst question they ask themselves. Consider this process. A client asks themselves a ‘what if’ question: “What if I get stuck on the freeway”? If they fail …Read More
As we go through life, we encounter experiences which can remind us of times gone by. The smell of fresh bread for most people brings back very positive memories. The sound of rain on a roof when you are tucked up warm in bed can be calming and peaceful. However, there are also experiences which can trigger unwanted and unpleasant memories. People who have suffered trauma or witnessed a terrible …Read More
People suffering anxiety and depression often attend clinic with symptoms that can only be described as ‘post traumatic stress disorder’ – or PTSD. Somewhere in their history, an event, or series of events occurred which have traumatised them. These events can have lasting impacts on how people see themselves, and the labels that they absorb. Victims of trauma often develop views about themselves in the circumstance, which become rigidly fixed …Read More
One thing that I often see in clinic is clients who have wonderful people in their lives, but as they struggle to move beyond their depression and anxiety, they feel completely isolated. They simply don’t see the caring people and resources around them. Unfortunately, these are natural responses in people suffering anxiety and depression. When someone has depression, they often feel a level of helplessness and hopelessness which makes them …Read More
This week, I have had the pleasure of spending four days working with Dr. Michael Yapko, perhaps the world’s top expert in the treatment and anxiety and depression. Dr Yapko brings the very best in both the science and the artistry in the natural treatment of anxiety and depression. In fact, Dr Yapko was emphatic that the medical model of depression, in particular, has been overstated, if not disproved. The …Read More