There is an average of 285,000 schizophrenics in Australia. Around 46 common chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and endocrine diseases, appear more in schizophrenics than in the general population. One third of young schizophrenics (under 40 years) suffer from non-psychiatric disorders requiring medical care. Schizophrenics are 50 percent more likely to suffer from…
Most children are oppositional from time to time. It is a normal developmental behaviour of two to three year olds and early adolescents. They may be oppositional when hungry, angry or stressed out. However uncooperative and hostile behaviour should be paid serious consideration when it becomes so frequent that it stands out in comparison with…
By Nick Glozier The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-5) has copped the predicted criticisms since its release on the weekend. Most centre on the idea that more of us will be diagnosed with mental disorders, as the diagnostic thresholds are lowered. Critics have also argued these thresholds will…
An Interview with Sydney Gestalt Therapist Rhonda Gibson Long Clinton Power: Hello, this is Clinton Power, founder of “australiacounselling.com.au”. I’m speaking today with Rhonda Gibson Long who is a Gestalt psychotherapist and former Director of the Sydney Gestalt Institute for 15 years. She’s now in private practice in Kingsford New South Wales. Welcome, Rhonda! Rhonda…
A recent study has revealed young people rely on online help for mental health issues over professional help. This national survey was conducted by Inspire Foundation, a mental health organization for youth. This survey questioned 3600 people under 25 years of age. This survey looked at who uses ReachOut.com and why they use it. It…
A large scale study was conducted to check the state of mental health issues in rural NSW. The results revealed that nearly half of them were suffering from a serious mental health issue and were not seeking professional help. Many problems like unemployment, disability and social isolation also lead to mental issues in the bush…
The Gillard Government and beyondblue have teamed up in an unconventional new mental health campaign called “Man Therapy” designed to battle depression and anxiety in Aussie men. Minister for Mental Health Mark Butler launched the humorous campaign alongside beyondblue Chairman Jeff Kennett, both of whom were overshadowed by the cult figure of Dr Brian Ironwood…
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine has shown that the seasonal link with mental illnesses may be stronger than we previously thought. The data was collected over a period from 2006 to 2010. One of the patterns observed was that mental health searches reached a peak in the winter months…
Clinton: Hello! This is Clinton Power, founder of AustraliaCounselling.com.au and it’s my great pleasure today to be speaking with Dr. Roy Krawitz who is a New Zealand psychiatrist with the Waikato District Health Board and an honorary clinical senior lecturer at Auckland University. He’s been specialising for the last 25 years in working with people…
This article was written by Australia Counselling member Narelle Gillies, who works as a Crows Nest counsellor with teens and young adults. “Mum has gone away for a long time” According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1 in 20 Australian children will experience the death of a parent before the age of 18. Prior to reaching…