What's worrying you?
Addictions
Addictions are repetitive and potentially harmful behaviours that an individual has difficulty controlling. They can be triggered by the overwhelming need to escape from distressing emotional or physical situations. The compulsive urge to do or use specific things repeatedly can seem to be a solution to the initial issue; however, the consequences of this excessive behaviour can be dire for both the individual and those around them.
Anxiety
In Australia each year, around 14% of adults are affected by some form of anxiety disorder. The majority of these are women.
Most of us feel anxious from time to time. It could be in the lead up to a big event or as a result of stress. In most cases, the feeling goes away relatively quickly but when it lingers for days, weeks or longer and interferes with our daily lives then it can become a problem.
Bullying
Bullying is a form of repetitive physical or emotional behaviour that is used to intimidate or hurt somebody. In general behaviour is classed as bullying when it results in the victim feeling belittled or worthless.
Cancer
Cancer is a disease that causes the body’s cells to multiply excessively. We normally produce new cells regularly and the rate varies depending on the cell type. For example skin cells normally regenerate every 28 days. However sometimes the cells multiply out of control and can form tumours.
Career
It has been said that many of us plan our holidays in more detail then we plan our lives. When we see a travel agent we always have a destination in mind but we need help to find the best way to get there. The travel agent will ask about our preferences for transport, timescales and activities.
Debt
Our relationship with money is as individual as it is complex. We would like to say that we don’t need money to have a good life but the fact is – unless we live totally self-sufficiently in the bush – we all need it.
Depression
Most of us have low moods occasionally. We might feel sad or a bit detached from things however it is usually a passing thing. People with depression feel these emotions far more intensely and over an extended period from weeks to years. There isn’t always an obvious reason or trigger and the effects are different for everyone. It is a real and serious condition which impacts on how people feel about themselves and their place in the world.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious and diagnosable mental illnesses. They are characterised by an unhealthy preoccupation with food, eating habits, exercise, weight and body shape. Someone with an eating disorder may see themselves as being overweight or unattractive. This lack of self-esteem may lead to changes in their eating habits which can then affect their physical and mental health. It is not a lifestyle choice. In fact, eating disorders can have a very negative impact on the person’s daily life.
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge-eating Disorder
- Other Eating Disorders
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Anxious thoughts are often a normal response to a real situation. However if they result in regular, compulsive behaviour they could become a serious issue.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition in which sufferers experience uncontrolled mental or physical urges. Obsessions are recurring thoughts, images or feelings that the person knows to be silly or irrational yet they can’t be stopped.
Passive Aggressive Behaviour
Passive Aggressive Behaviour was originally officially classified as a personality disorder; however it is now so commonly seen it is regarded as a general behaviour type. It is an indirect expression of hostility though negative actions and attitudes.
Personality Disorder
Personality disorder refers to a long-term pattern of thinking, behaviour and emotion that causes distress and makes it difficult to function in everyday life. People with personality disorders find it hard to change their behaviour or adapt to different situations. They may have trouble sustaining work or forming positive relationships with others.
- Antisocial Personality Disorder
- Avoidant Personality Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Dependent Personality Disorder
- Histrionic Personality Disorder
- Narcissistic Personality Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
- Paranoid Personality Disorder
- Schizoid Personality Disorder
- Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Desorder
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety that can develop after a person experiences a traumatic event. We all experience feelings of fear and heightened stress when we are in danger. Our heartrate rises and we can lose the ability to think clearly. We may even manage feats of great strength just to get ourselves out of the situation.
Psychosis
Psychosis is a symptom of a number of mental illnesses including personality and mood disorders and applies when an individual cannot distinguish fantasy from reality.
It is not a diagnosable condition in itself but is a major symptom of Schizophrenia, Delusional Disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder and related conditions.
Redundancy
Redundancy is also known as retrenchment or termination. With the changing nature of the workforce, it is inevitable that some jobs or skills may no longer be required while new ones are created. If you are made redundant it means that your position will no longer be offered by your employer.
Relationship Counselling
It's the rare couple that doesn't run into a few bumps in the road. If you recognize ahead of time, though, what those relationship problems might be, you'll have a much better chance of getting past them.
- Separation and Divorce
- Affairs and Betrayals
- Cross cultural Relationships
- Pre-nuptial Counselling
- Family Issues
- Workplace Relationships
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a very misunderstood mental disorder. Many people believe it to refer to a ‘split’ or multiple personality. However Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler derived it from a Greek term that translates to ‘split mind’. He was referring to the split or separation of personality from reality.
Stress
Our ancestors were constantly under threat from the elements and predators. We developed an instinctive response to such threats called the ‘fight or flight’ response. Our brains released high levels of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormones) which produced the energy needed to either fight for survival or flee to safety.
Today we still encounter situations that our body perceives as ‘threats’ in some way. These could be emotional threats rather than physical ones, but our body can’t tell the difference and either will trigger the same internal reaction.
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