Vision Psychology Brisbane

Open 6 Days - Wishart Psychologist & Counselling Centre

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Party Drugs: Occasional Ecstasy use also poses a threat to your mental health

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Recreational drug taking is on the rise with increasing availability of illegal stimulants. Ecstasy contains the drug MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine), yet the actual quantity of this stimulant varies as most pills have higher concentrations of ‘fillers’, cleaning products and other harmful chemicals, such as bleach are used to stretch the product. Beside the health detriments of these poisons, the actual effect of MDMA itself on mental function is often over-looked and under-reported aspect of drug use. No drug use, no matter how minor or infrequent, is without risk, particularly in those prone to depression or other genetic mood disorders such as bi-polar or anxiety.

If you are worried about yourself or a close friend or family member, it may be helpful to speak to a psychologist about treatment options or therapies to curb drug use or deal with substance-related problems. Vision Psychology has a number of psychologists and psychotherapist who work in drug-related therapies.

General Anxiety In Children

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Have you noticed that your child frequently complains of an upset stomach or headaches? Does your child get easily upset, worry a lot about getting things right or do they often cry over small things? If so then your child may be suffering from anxiety. While we all, children included, experience anxiousness from time to time, it may be time for additional support if your child’s anxiety or anxious behaviours begin to get in the way of your child enjoying day to day activites.
 
Anxiety in children may present itself in a number of ways that impact the whole family. Recurrent physical issues such as sleeplessness, stomach aches, chest pains and sore muscles may become more frequent. Your child may begin to refuse to participate in activities that serve as a source of anxious or fearful feelings. This may include activities such as going to school or visiting friends. Without professional assistance, these feelings and avoiding behaviours can significantly impact on your child’s social and emotional development.
 
If you feel that your child may be experiencing anxiety, know that help is available. A trained psychologist is able to work with you and your child in establishing new strategies and techniques to help better manage these feelings and behaviours. To start working towards both you and your child being able to enjoying life to the fullest, book an Emotional Health Check Up today.

GP or Specialist?

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If you are a GP in our local area you may like to fax the mental health referral letter (under the better access initiative) to (07) 3420 5824.  Please remember that we do not need the mental health plan, unless the client consents to its release. We require a referral letter like the one you send to a psychiatrist, and Medicare requires that you bill the psychology mental health plan number for your consultation.  Please state the number of sessions that you wish us to provide to your client as this is a Medicare requirement. Read More…

Mental Health

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Life events such as the birth of a child, death of a relative, marriage and separation can cause a decrease in mental health as individuals and families become over-burdened with stress, change and the drain on resources due to these sorts of events. Most individuals recover well without counselling, but sometimes individuals become vulnerable due to excessive change, poor physical health and a sudden decrease in social supports. Read More…

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Anxious thoughts can be helpful at times, they serve as a mechanism to ensure we are careful in our day to day lives. However, anxious thoughts can cause problems if these thoughts become obsessive, intrusive or distressing, especially if only specific rituals or behaviours can calm this anxiety.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is described as the experience of obsessions, taking the form of obtrusive thoughts, that can only be neutralised by compulsive mental or physical behaviours that ease fears regarding certain events. Constant cleaning, counting, checking, ordering or extreme levels of perfectionism are common behaviours of OCD sufferers. OCD is often chronic and debilitating, impacting on work and putting strain on relationships with family and friends. Since OCD is both mental and behavioural, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered the first line treatment as it addresses both the obsessive thoughts and resulting behaviours. Administered in sessions with a psychologist, CBT is proven to reduce the severity of symptoms, general distress, and associated depression whilst increasing general life functioning.

If you suspect that you or someone close to you is struggling with compulsion-related stress, help is available. Vision has numerous psychologists who specialize in CBT treatment for anxiety-related difficulties. Free Emotional Health Checkups are offered at both the Wishart and Loganholme and are a great place to start if you are unsure of who to see.

Anxiety and You

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Anxiety is very common and experienced by most people at some stage of their lives. Anxiety is a normal automatic response that is triggered during threatening situations as part of your body’s ‘flight or fight’ response. Symptoms you may have experienced usually fall under three common categories:

  • Physical: panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, racing heart, tightening of the chest, diet and weight change, heavy and quick breathing, restlessness or feeling tense or edgy;
  • Psychological: excessive fear, worry, catastrophizing or obsessive thinking;
  • Behavioural: avoidance of situations that produce these symptoms and can impact study, work or social life.

Anxiety becomes a problem when what we do to avoid making ourselves anxious starts to negatively impact our lives. If you feel that anxiety is negatively impacting your life, why not come in for a free Emotional Health Check Up to see how you can put yourself back in control. Get help from a trained psychologist today.

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