Life can be full of challenging situations

Drug and Alcohol problems can develop as an unhelpful coping strategy to stressors or mental health issues,  or perhaps due to environmental factors role modeled during childhood. There is also strong anecdotal evidence of an addictive gene that is passed down through generations.

Substance abuse can exist with both illegal and legal substances.  Alcohol, prescribed and over the counter medications, Cannabis and Cocaine are the most common on the Central Coast.

Substance misuse has the potential to create many losses in a person’s life – loss of work, loss of physical and mental health and loss of relationships. However, hope exists for those motivated for change. There are some excellent pharmacotherapies available to help with cravings and in conjunction with counselling, evidence shows that there is a likelihood of a more positive outcome.

Whether your goal is controlled use or abstinence, allow me to support you on your journey to recovery.

Studies show that one in twenty Australians are affected by depression each year. It is not known what causes depression. However, it’s development can be linked to a number of factors that may include life events like long-term stress, grief and loss, living with abusive relationships, family history, drug and alcohol use and personality traits.

It is important to know the symptoms of depression. These may manifest in a number of ways.

Mood – Anxiety, apathy, guilt, feelings of hopelessness, mood swings, sadness or a loss of interest in usual activities.
Behaviour – Agitation, excessive crying, irritability or social isolation.
Cognitive – Lack of concentration, thoughts of self-harm/suicide.
Routine – excessive sleepiness, insomnia, restless sleep, changes in appetite.

If symptoms persist, it is important to seek mental health treatment.

Every person experiences depression differently. Some people feel like they are under a dark cloud. Others describe it like being underwater and struggling to breathe. However it manifests, depression makes it difficult to live a life worth living. You can’t always identify the factors behind depression on your own. The most important thing is to recognise the signs and symptoms and seek support.  Beginning with a complete mental health assessment for every new patient, I can work with you on developing a treatment plan to help you manage your depression.

We all feel anxiety in our lives. It is a natural response to stress. Anxiety becomes a problem when it remains once the stressful situation has gone away. Common symptoms of anxiety may manifest physically, psychologically or in behaviour.

Physical – Panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, racing heart, quick breathing, chest tightness, restlessness and feelings of tension that won’t subside.
Psychological – Excessive fear and worry, obsessive thinking, critical thinking,  and catastrophizing future thoughts.
Behavioural – Avoiding situations that may make you feel anxious, resulting in isolation from study, work or social situations.

On average, one in four people will experience anxiety at some point in their life. This makes it the most common mental health issue in Australia. Some people will experience anxiety due to a genetic predisposition. Others may find anxiety develops following stressful life events like pregnancy, relationship problems, job changes and the loss of loved ones. Chronic physical health problems and childhood trauma have also been linked to anxiety.

Effective treatment helps you control your anxiety so it does not control you. Beginning with a complete mental health assessment for every new patient, I can work with you on developing a treatment plan to help you manage your anxiety/panic attacks.

Coping with loss is one of life’s greatest challenges and one of its most profound pains. Loss of role, loss of child or partner, loss of health are some of the life events that will cause a grief and loss response.

Handling the process of grief is more than simply acceptance. It is the process of coming to terms with the feelings of loss you may be experiencing, while finding ways to accept and understand a range of conflicting emotions. These may include anger, guilt, disbelief, sadness or even fear, depression and anxiety.

Evidence shows the pain of loss is known to affect physical health. This makes it increasingly difficult to eat, sleep and function. Mental health issues can also develop,  trapping you in cycles of despair.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. However, there are healthy ways to come to terms with your loss, add meaning to your life, and move forward on your journey to acceptance.

A mental health professional, like myself,  can support you through your grief and loss journey.

Bringing new life into the world and trying to be a good enough parent requires, patience, commitment and focus. However, being a parent is challenging and can evoke feelings of stress and anxiety and often our boundaries can become blurred.

Resolving these complex feelings come from understanding the emotional world of children and learning how to read their subtle emotional cues. This is best demonstrated by the Circle of Security’s program of parenting.  Circle of Security is based on many years of research and is linked to Attachment Theory. Rather than a behavioural based parenting program, it is a relational based one.

Allow me to guide you through the steps of this process, with a focus on:

• Supporting your child’s ability to manage their emotions
• Enhance the development of their self-esteem
• Understand and appreciate the desire of all children to feel secure
• While at the same time, you are evaluating your own childhood and how you were parented.

Raising a child is a challenge, but one that comes with great satisfaction and fulfillment.  Let me show you how the benefits of the Circle of Security Parenting Program can improve the attachment and security between you and your child.

Drug and Alcohol problems can develop as an unhelpful coping strategy to stressors or mental health issues. Without treatment, these may spiral into issues affecting entire families. The reality is, the negative consequences of substance abuse are not limited to the person with the substance abuse problem. They also impact loved ones who often feel powerless to help.

Research has shown there is an increased prevalence of illness and domestic violence among family members of those with a substance abuse.  In addition to this, children grow up in a family feeling unsafe often causing a trauma response.

Coping with those dealing with a substance abuse problem will require firstly, determining if you are safe.  Secondly, assessing whether you are enabling their behaviour in any way. While you cannot control someone else’s behaviour, you can control your own. It may feel hopeless at times, but there is hope if you reach out for professional support.