How a Psychologist Can Help You Manage Anxiety

Did you know that anxiety disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making them the most common mental health issue?

Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for people with anxiety disorders, fear and worry can become overwhelming and constant. These intense feelings often come with physical tension and other symptoms that impact behaviour and thinking.

Psychologists play a crucial role in helping individuals manage their anxiety by understanding these disorders, providing effective treatments, and teaching useful coping strategies.

Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders encompass a range of conditions, each with unique characteristics:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Constant and excessive worry about everyday activities or events.

• Panic Disorder: Sudden panic attacks and a fear of persistent panic attacks.

• Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear and worry about social situations, fearing embarrassment, humiliation, or rejection.

• Agoraphobia: Excessive fear and avoidance of situations where one might panic or feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed.

• Separation Anxiety Disorder: Excessive fear or worry about being away from people one is very close to.

• Specific Phobias: Strong, irrational fears of specific things or situations, leading to significant avoidance and distress.

• Selective Mutism: Consistent inability to speak in certain social situations, despite being able to speak comfortably in others.

Treatment Methods for Anxiety

Psychologists use a range of methods to treat anxiety. They will spend time getting to know your unique situation and work with you to find the best ways to improve your anxiety over several sessions. Their methods will be based on how your anxiety began, what triggers it, and how it impacts your life. Some common approaches include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a type of short-term therapy that helps people understand how their thoughts influence their feelings and actions. CBT includes a number of strategies to manage anxiety:

• Psychoeducation: Learning about anxiety and how to monitor your symptoms.

• Cognitive Restructuring: Challenging negative thoughts and developing more helpful thinking patterns.

• Problem-Solving: Talking through and tackling daily problems to build confidence and reduce anxiety.

• Exposure Therapy: Gradually facing specific fears to reduce the anxious response over time.

• Relaxation Techniques: Practices like mindfulness, meditation, or muscle relaxation to reduce anxiety.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps people recognize and accept their feelings instead of trying to ignore or fight them. You will learn that emotions are normal responses to life's ups and downs and that these feelings shouldn't stop you from achieving your goals. By understanding this, you can accept your struggles and commit to personal growth, finding resilience to make positive changes in your life.

Coping Mechanisms for Anxiety

Psychologists teach people different ways to cope with anxiety in their everyday lives:

Relaxation and Thinking Strategies

• Deep breathing: Taking a moment to breathe deeply can help your body relax and let go of stress. 

• Thought journaling: Writing down what makes you anxious can help you recognize patterns and triggers. 

• Positive self-talk: Speaking to yourself in a kind manner and being less critical of yourself can lift your spirits.

Lifestyle Changes

Psychologists can also assist you with making some changes in your routine to help reduce anxiety: 

• Getting regular exercise 

• Cutting back on alcohol and caffeine 

• Setting aside time for activities you enjoy 

• Improving time management

• Prioritizing sleep and creating a good sleep routine

Anxiety can be overwhelming, but with the help of a psychologist, you can learn to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Through various treatment methods, understanding different anxiety disorders, and employing effective coping mechanisms, psychologists provide valuable support to those struggling with anxiety. If you or someone you know is dealing with anxiety, seeking help from a qualified psychologist can be a crucial step toward recovery.

Don't let anxiety control your life. Reach out to our experienced psychologists at PsychWest today to start your journey toward recovery.

ADHD: Where to Start

Have you noticed more people around you speaking about ADHD or seen ADHD related content popping up on social media? You’re not alone – ADHD seems to have come into the spotlight recently, and it’s helping more people to understand what this development disorder looks like. For some people, this has helped them to recognise that there may be a deeper reason for persistent problems that they have experienced since childhood. If you want to learn more about where to start with ADHD, this blog post will help to further your knowledge and understanding.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a complex developmental disorder that usually begins in childhood, which sometimes can persist into adulthood. It primarily consists of persistent problems with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness which often leads to poor performance at work, relationship issues, and low self-esteem. Hyperactivity usually reduces in adulthood and can be replaced by restlessness. Symptoms tend to decline with age.

Most people experience symptoms similar to ADHD at different points in time, but ADHD can only be diagnosed when symptoms are severe enough to cause ongoing problems across multiple areas in your life, and can be traced back to childhood.

Considering we all experience some symptoms similar to ADHD at some point, you may be wondering what ADHD feels like. People who have ADHD often experience their emotions deeply, so that they feel overwhelmed by them. This could be positive emotions like joy or excitement, or negative emotions like anger or confusion. Sometimes, these deep emotions can lead to impulsive behaviours that may cause regret later. Intense emotions and overwhelming thoughts can also make it difficult to focus on conversations or the world around you, because your mind is too loud and takes up your attention.

How ADHD Presents in Females

An important consideration when discussing the presentation of ADHD is that it can often show up differently in females. This means that women often go undiagnosed with ADHD, because the symptoms can be less obvious or socially disruptive and are therefore overlooked.

In men and boys, symptoms often include restlessness, impulsivity, fidgeting, impatience, mood swings and disruption. However, in women ADHD generally presents as inattentiveness – difficulty to focus, stay organised, remember things, listen and pay attention to details.

These symptoms can often be considered personality traits in women, so they cannot get the help that they need. This is why we believe it’s so important to educate on how ADHD presents in females.

Can ADHD be Cured?

ADHD cannot be cured or prevented, but early diagnosis and a good treatment plan can ensure that the person can manage their symptoms in a way that suits them. In many cases, symptoms can get milder as the person ages, which can help with functioning – as can understanding how to manage their individual symptoms.

How ADHD is Diagnosed

ADHD is diagnosed through a comprehensive ADHD assessment, where we assess for emotional, cognitive and behavioural symptoms for ADHD and provide a comprehensive report with an individualised intervention plan.

These assessments can be used for a psychologist to make an ADHD diagnosis, to enable us to provide support with a treatment plan.

The ADHD assessment is a process conducted over 4 sessions with an experienced psychologist. The psychologist will ask questions and administer questionnaires about the sufferer’s background, educational history and aptitudes and noted changes in their cognitive ability (i.e. memory, focus, concentration, distractibility) to determine if they may have ADHD or other related problems.

Psychwest has appointments available for ADHD assessments now. Book in with our team of experienced Perth psychologists here.

How Depression Affects the Brain

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a common and serious mood disorder that negatively affects the way someone feels, thinks and behaves. While we all get a case of the blues or feel sad or moody from time to time, depression isn’t something that can be easily snapped out of. People with depression experience these feelings intensely, sometimes without apparent reason, for weeks, months or even years.

Why Depression Happens

Depression is a complex disease that has many possible causes, and the cause can be different for each individual. Often, there are a range of contributing factors. These can include (but are not limited to):

• Brain chemistry and biochemical factors

• Genetics and family history

• Personality

• Stress or trauma

• Illness

• Ageing

• Life changes, such as the postnatal period or pregnancy

Every person is unique, and while one of these factors may contribute to one person developing depression, it may not have the same effect on another. We all respond differently to psychological triggers.

Depression is not a sign of weakness or an issue that’s ‘all in your mind’ – it is a serious mood disorder that should be taken seriously and treated with appropriate support.

How Depression Feels

As a mood disorder, depression primarily impacts our feelings and emotions. It can feel like you are sad all of the time, which can also show up as emptiness, hopelessness or tearfulness. There are also often feelings of worthlessness, including fixation on past failures or self-blame. Feelings of apathy are common, which can result in a loss of interest in things that once interested you and social withdrawal. Irritability, frustration, reduced motivation and lack of energy or fatigue are also common with depression.

Physical changes and sensations can also be felt in the body as a result of depression. Sleep disturbances, weight changes, trouble concentrating or remembering things, slowed speech or unexplained physical problems like headaches, stomach aches and back pain are common.

Why Depression Makes You Tired

Tiredness or lack of energy are common symptoms of depression, with some severe sufferers unable to even get out of bed. As experienced psychologists, we are often asked why depression makes you tired. Neurotransmitters in your brain such as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin play important roles in regulating energy levels, sleep and motivation (amongst other things), so changes in these that can come along with depression can impact your energy levels and cause fatigue.

How Depression Affects the Brain

It’s commonly said that depression is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, but, as above, this is only one part of the disease. It’s not as simple as one chemical being too high or another being too low.

As well as changes in the brain resulting in depression, depression can actually physically change the brain itself.

This can include changing the size of different areas of the brain by impacting the amount of grey matter. Studies have shown this in the hippocampus, which is responsible for learning and memory, and in the prefrontal cortex, which plays a part in high-level thinking and planning.

People who have major depression episodes have also shown brain inflammation, although it’s unclear whether the depression or the inflammation comes first. Uncontrolled brain inflammation can cause thinking problems, hurt or kill brain cells and prevent new brain cells from growing.

Are Depression and Anxiety Comorbid?

In Australia, one in 7 people will experience depression in their lifetime and one in 4 people will experience an anxiety disorder. The commonness of these mental health conditions begs the question of whether anxiety and depression are regularly comorbid amongst Australians, and the answer is yes.

One of the most common comorbidities with depression are anxiety disorders, and some estimates show that 60% of those with anxiety will also have symptoms of depression. Sometimes, anxiety can occur as a symptom of clinical depression, and depression can also be triggered by having an anxiety disorder.

This doesn’t mean that everyone who experiences depression will also experience anxiety, but they are experienced together by many people. 

If you are struggling with depression, the Perth psychologists at Psychwest are here to help. We provide therapies that are suitable for treating depression such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and our experienced psychologists will work with you to determine the best course of action for you as an individual. Book your appointment now.

Burnout Without Overwork: Is It Possible?

‘Burnout’ is a term that most people are familiar with nowadays, with hustle culture and demanding workplaces taking centre stage. Burnout is defined as a state of emotional, mental and often physical exhaustion brought on by extended or repeated stress. While most of us associate burnout with overworking or problems at work, it’s actually possible to reach burnout without working really long hours. You may also experience burnout related to other areas of life, such as parenting, caretaking or in romantic relationships - any situation where you feel overworked and undervalued.

Why Burnout Happens 

In some cases, a person can work a large number of hours consistently or invest a lot of time into something and remain free from burnout. In others, some people end up experiencing burnout from the same situation. What’s the difference?

Our personality traits and lifestyle factors can impact whether we experience burnout or not. Lifestyle factors could include not getting enough sleep, people-pleasing or taking on too many responsibilities, lack of work-life balance or lack of supportive relationships. Personality traits that could impact burnout include being a high-achiever, perfectionist, needing to be in control or being a pessimist.

In addition to overwork, a lack of control or lack of recognition at work can be a factor that causes burnout. Unclear expectations can have just as much effect on burnout as unrealistically high ones, or working in a chaotic environment.

How Burnout Affects Mental Health

Burnout involves feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion, resulting in feeling empty and devoid of motivation. Often, this shows up as a burnt-out person not caring anymore and feeling as though they cannot achieve any positive changes in their situation. This is in contrast to stress, where you feel as though there are too many pressures that need to be taken under control before you’ll feel okay again.

Depression and burnout share some similar symptoms; however, depression involves experiencing negative emotions with all areas of life, not just those that have been causing chronic stress.

What Burnout Does to Your Brain

It’s common knowledge that chronic stress can have both mental and physical impacts on our body. However, it can also impact our brains by thinning the grey matter in the prefrontal cortex. This weakens the area, which can have an effect on our ability to retain information and pay attention, so we’re more likely to make mistakes.

It also enlarges the amygdala, which is where our flight-or-fight response resides. This can generate more fear and anxiety, taking us back to a more primitive level.

Can Burnout Be Diagnosed?

Burnout is not a diagnosable psychological disorder, but it is something that a psychologist can help you overcome. It’s difficult to see the way out when everything feels bleak and you lack the motivation to create positive changes in your situation. This is why it’s important to seek support from someone who is trained to help you get your life back into balance and cope with your stressors.

The Midland psychologists at Psychwest can help you to overcome your burnout and get back on track today. Contact us now to book your appointment.

Does Seeing a Psychologist Help with Anxiety?

Experiencing persistent anxiety can feel scary, isolating and can negatively impact your life, however you don’t need to go through it alone. There are anxiety treatments available from professionals such as psychologists, and there are things that you can do in the comfort of your own home to cope with anxiety.

Before we dive in to the various ways you can receive support for anxiety, you may be wondering about the difference between general anxiety that everyone experiences occasionally and anxiety disorder.

What is Anxiety Disorder? 

The most common mental health disorders in Australia are currently Anxiety Disorders including Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Social Anxiety Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational anticipation of future threats which causes impairment in functioning.

It’s normal to experience some anxiety, and in some cases, it can be helpful. For example, feeling anxious before a big presentation at work can improve your performance and make you more alert. Sometimes, feeling anxious about a situation is a sign that we care. 

Anxiety becomes a disorder when it's excessive, irrational and when it interferes with your ability to cope in daily life. Approximately 25% of Australians will experience an anxiety disorder that warrants treatment at some point within their life, so if this is you, you are not alone. You may manage to cope with your anxiety fairly well and live a normal life, but if it’s causing you significant distress then it is important to seek treatment.

Can Psychologists Help with Anxiety?

Seeing a psychologist is one of the best ways to manage or overcome an anxiety disorder. Initially, a psychologist can make the initial diagnosis of your anxiety disorder, then they can work with you to find the treatment that works best for your individual needs, as everyone is different and anxiety can affect people in different ways.

Often, a psychologist will work with you to identify the unhelpful thought patterns that are making you feel more anxious, encourage you to do activities that boost your sense of satisfaction and focus on behaviour patterns that need to be addressed to reduce anxiety.

Treatment for Anxiety

The two main treatments for anxiety are psychotherapy (which can be provided by a psychologist) and medication.

We suggest psychotherapy is undertaken before going on medication, as not everyone who is suffering from anxiety requires medication. Sometimes, therapy can resolve the issue or reduce your anxiety to a manageable state where it is not affecting your ability to cope or causing you significant distress.

In therapy, a psychologist can work with you to reduce your anxiety symptoms. One of the anxiety treatments used by psychologists, including at Psychwest, is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is an effective therapeutic approach for anxiety as it involves challenging the irrational and negative thoughts that often lead to distress or unwanted, dysfunctional behaviours. These negative automatic thought patterns can be disrupted and replaced with more helpful ways of thinking, which can assist you to learn better ways of coping and relieve your mental health symptoms.

Sometimes, a combination of psychotherapy and medication is required to alleviate anxiety symptoms and help you to live a normal life. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication – this will usually be prescribed by your GP in Australia.

At Home Coping Mechanisms for Anxiety

If you are waiting to see a psychologist and looking for a way to cope with your anxiety symptoms prior to your sessions, try one or more of these strategies:

• Slow, deep breathing

• Progressive muscle relaxation

• Bring yourself back to the present moment with mindfulness or grounding techniques

• Plan worry time

• Practice self-compassion

If you’re looking for an anxiety therapist in Perth, our Midland psychologists at Psychwest are here to help. Get in touch now so that we can find the best psychologist for your needs.

How to Help Someone With PTSD

What is Post traumatic stress disorder?

PTSD is a response to a situation that evoked an extreme amount of fear. It often occurs after someone is involved in or witnessed an event that had the potential to or did cause psychological or physical harm or death. Some examples may include a natural disaster, accident, act of violence, sexual assault, terrorist acts, act of war, bullying or intimate partner violence/abuse.

People with PTSD experience persistent disturbing thoughts related to the traumatic experience, long after the experience has ended. They may experience intense nightmares or flashbacks, have mood disturbance/anxiety and withdraw socially.  Not everyone develops PTSD after a traumatic event. It is common to experience these symptoms for days after a traumatic event for most people, however to be diagnosed with PTSD the symptoms must be present for at least a month after the event. For some people the symptoms can persist for years, or a lifetime.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

People may experience some or all of the following symptoms with PTSD:

• Recurrent, involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the traumatic event

• Recurrent and distressing dreams of the traumatic event

• Flashbacks and dissociation

• Intense psychological distress as a result of exposure to cues that remind the person of the traumatic event

• Marked physiological reactions that resemble an aspect of the traumatic event

• Avoidance or efforts made to avoid triggers or reminders

• Mood disturbance that is triggered by or worsens after the event

• Alterations in memory – difficulty remembering certain aspects of the event

• Changes in beliefs about oneself or the world eg. “the world is a dangerous place”

• Diminished interest in social engagement, or feelings of detachment

• Persistent inability to experience positive emotions

• Irritability, anger

• Reckless or self-destructive behaviour

• Hypervigilance

• Exaggerated startle response

• Problems with concentration

• Sleep disturbance

PTSD Treatments

PTSD can be treated effectively. Evidenced based treatments include

• Medication such as SSRI’S

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Prolonged exposure therapy

• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)

How can I help someone with PTSD?

What you can say to someone experiencing PTSD

Whether your loved one has a confirmed diagnosis of PTSD or you suspect they may, there are some things you can say that are helpful, and things that are unhelpful.

Avoid shaming, blaming, guilt tripping the person or offering solutions. For example:
“Get over it”
“Cheer up, life’s not that bad”
“Try to think positive thoughts”
“You just have to try harder to feel better.”

These types of responses are unhelpful and damaging. Instead offer gentle support, empathy and attempts to understand.

For example:
“I’m sorry you are feeling bad, in what way can I help?”
“I am here if you need to talk, or if you would like some company anytime.”
“I can see you are struggling, that must be really hard.”
“What do you think you need right now in order to begin to heal?”

What you can do for someone experiencing PTSD

Fatigue and lack of motivation are common symptoms of PTSD due to mood disturbance and poor sleep, and completing daily tasks can be difficult. You can offer to complete some household chores for the person, cook a meal, babysit the kids and complete some life admin tasks for the loved one. If the person has not visited a health professional, you could offer to book a GP appointment and escort them.

 You can also provide some helpful websites or phone numbers, and research potential mental health professionals in the area for them. Psychwest can offer support for individuals struggling from PTSD. Contact us today to find out more or book an appointment.

How to help someone with PTSD who doesn’t want help

It can sometimes be difficult and scary for someone to come to the realisation that they need help. It can take some time until they come round to the idea that they may need additional support.

You may feel powerless in a situation where a loved one is suffering.

Here’s what you can do:

• Get your own support

• Reach out to your own support system (friends or family)

• Book a counselling session 

Be available to the sufferer, continue to offer gentle support (don’t avoid them), but don’t put pressure or force the person to get help.

If you suspect the person may be suicidal then access a service like Lifeline or Beyond Blue, as they also provide support and advice in this instance.

If you suspect that the person is at immediate risk of harming themselves, then seek help immediately by calling 000.

COVID and Mental Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted, and continues to impact, mental health and wellbeing. Not only from the stressors associated with adjusting to a worldwide pandemic over the last few years, but also the impact that contracting the disease has had on people’s physical and post COVID mental health.

For example, research has found that COVID-19 has:

• Exacerbated pre-existing mental health conditions in some individuals 

• Increased incidence of both depression and anxiety since 2020 worldwide

• Higher risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 for people living with mental disorders

(WHO, 2022)

Psychologists are now mindful of these impacts and take them into consideration when seeing new clients. We consider how the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced or impacted upon their current mental health concerns.

It is normal and common to experience stress, worry and grief in regards to the pandemic, but it’s important to remain vigilant to emerging symptoms in regards to a recent bout of COVID, or those that are stress related due to the pandemic.

COVID Mental Health Support

Here are some things to consider in regards to your own mental health and COVID-19:

• Have you had a recent infection of COVID—19? If so, could this be causing some of your symptoms such as fatigue, restlessness, irritability, insomnia or low motivation?

• Have you experienced an increase in stress due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic?

• Does the onset of your mental health symptomology correlate with the onset of a COVID-19 infection?

If COVID-19 has been found to potentially have an impact on your mental wellbeing, this would need to be considered when deciding on what intervention may be helpful for you. A trip to the GP for a check-up and to rule out long COVID may also be necessary.   

Coping with Pandemic Stress

If you’re struggling with stress related to the pandemic, incorporate one or more of these strategies:

• Take breaks from news stories and social media

• Take care of your body: focus on nutrition, exercise and be sure to be up to date with your health checks

• Take time to relax and rest, and make this a priority

• Connect with others. Talk to people you trust about your concerns

• Reach out for professional help if you feel like you cannot cope. Some resources are listed below.

COVID-19 Resources

• Lifeline COVID-19 Resources

• Headspace COVID-19 Resources

For more information on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in Australia follow this link.

If you’re struggling with your mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, book a session with one of our experienced Perth psychologists today.

ADHD Assessment - What to Expect

Have you booked in for an adult ADHD assessment with a Psychologist and have no idea what to expect? This blog will answer some of the most common questions that people have before their ADHD assessment.

Why does it take four sessions to assess for ADHD?

Recently, the AADPA released the first ever evidence based clinical practice guidelines for ADHD, where they recommend a minimum of four hours of interviewing in order to make a thorough assessment of ADHD. ADHD is a complex disorder that requires time spent with the client in order to assess appropriately.

What can I expect during the sessions?

For the first session, your Psychologist will ask you a series of questions in order to gather a detailed history of your childhood, development, medical, family/genetic, upbringing and mental health.

They will then provide you with a take home questionnaire: one for you to fill out and another for an observer (usually a spouse, partner, or family member you reside with).

They will also complete a structured interview based on the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD, specifically focused on the symptoms of ADHD. This can often take two sessions in itself.

They may administer some screener questionaries for other disorders including autism, anxiety and depression, as these are often co-morbid with ADHD.

What is my Psychologist looking for?

Your Psychologist will be looking for evidence towards all of the criteria needed to confirm the presence of ADHD. This includes evidence that the symptoms were present from early childhood.

They will be looking for symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity/restlessness and impulsivity. They will be looking at the impact and any impairment caused by these symptoms and how long they have been present. They will also consider if these symptoms are caused by another condition or not.

Why do I need to get observer information?

In order to gain a thorough understanding of your difficulties, collateral information from someone who knows you well is needed. These people often observe outwards signs of ADHD including restlessness, disorganisation and hyperactivity and can provide valuable information.

What will I need to provide?

Your psychologist will often ask for some primary and high school reports and completed questionnaires.

Can a Psychologist prescribe medication?

No, Psychologists are not medical doctors. If you are interested in pursuing medication as a treatment option for ADHD, then you will need to book an appointment with a Psychiatrist. Your Psychologist will provide the diagnostic report to the Psychiatrist to aid in this process.

To find out more about the specific packages we offer here at Psychwest, follow this link.

What Mental Health Disorders Are There?

What is a mental health disorder?

A mental health disorder is a wide range of conditions that affect mood/emotions, thinking or behaviour to a significant clinical level.

How common are mental health disorders?

According to the National Health Survey 2021 (ABS) around 1 in 5 Australian adults experience a mental illness every year. Around 45% of Australian adults will experience some type of mental illness at some point in their life.

Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Disorders in Australia

Anxiety Disorders

The most common mental health disorders in Australia are currently Anxiety Disorders including Panic disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalised anxiety disorder, PTSD, Social Anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anxiety disorders are characterised by excessive, uncontrollable and often irrational anticipation of future threats which causes impairment in functioning.

Some common symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

• Restlessness

• Irritability

• Fatigue

• Increased heart rate

• Difficulty relaxing

• Chest pain

• Worry

Affective Disorders (or Mood Disorders)

The second most common cluster of mental disorders in Australia are affective or mood disorders. These include Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, Seasonal affective disorder and Bi-polar disorder. A mood disorder is characterised by a distorted emotional state that impacts on daily functioning.

Common symptoms include:

• Low, empty or irritable mood (times of euphoria if Bi-polar)

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Loss of pleasure

• Weight changes

• Suicidal ideation

Substance Use Disorders

This is the third most common type of mental disorder in Australia. It is a stand-alone disorder with a continuum from mild to severe and encompasses any/all types of substances including alcohol. It is characterised by the persistent use of drugs/alcohol despite harm and adverse consequences.

Symptoms include:

• Dependence

• Withdrawal

• Cravings

• Tolerance

• Impaired functioning

Other Mental Health Disorders

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders are disorders of early brain development characterised by difficulties with cognition, learning, behaviour, communication and more. Some examples are Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia. Symptoms are present from early childhood and are wide and varied.

Psychotic Disorders

These are characterised by abnormal patterns of thinking and perception or a disconnection from reality. Some examples include Schizophrenia, Delusional disorder, Brief Psychotic Disorder and schizoaffective disorder. Common symptoms include hallucinations and/or delusions.

Feeding and Eating Disorders

These are mental health conditions that involve a complex and problematic relationship with food, exercise, eating and/or body image. For example, Binge eating disorder, Bulimia and Anorexia Nervosa. Some common symptoms include fixation on food, alterations in weight, preoccupation with body image, disruption in eating patterns, mood fluctuations, social withdrawal, behaviours that lead to weight loss.

Personality Disorders

These are characterised by rigid and unhealthy patterns of thinking, functioning and behaving. Some examples include Borderline Personality Disorder, Antisocial personality disorder, Schizoid Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Symptoms vary widely but commonly cause significant problems and limitations in relationships, social activities, work and school.

Please note: this list is not exhaustive. If you are concerned about some of your own mental health symptoms, you can reach out to a Psychologist at Psychwest to discuss.

Psychologist vs Psychiatrist – Which Mental Health Professional Should I See?

You are not alone if you are confused about what a Psychologist vs what a Psychiatrist does, these are commonly mixed up. This blog aims to distinguish between the two practices so you are able to make a more informed decision about your mental health care.

PSYCHOLOGIST

What training have Psychologists done?

Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate degree, 6-8 years of study/training.

What do Psychologists do?

Psychologists are trained mental health professionals, who specialise in human behaviour, cognition and emotions. Their focus is providing talk therapy as an intervention for various mental health conditions, interpersonal struggles, adjustment issues and more.

PSYCHIATRIST

What training have Psychiatrists done?

Doctorate Degree (Medical), GP experience plus Psychiatry degree, 11+ years of study/training.

What do Psychiatrists do?

Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health disorders. They have a stronger focus on the biological determinants of mental illness and provide treatment with medication, brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy and talk therapy.

What are the main differences between Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

The main difference is that Psychiatrists are medically trained and can prescribed medication, while Psychologists do not have medical training and cannot prescribe medication. Psychiatrists tend to treat more complex and severe presentations such as Schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder.

What are the main similarities between Psychologists and Psychiatrists?

Both Psychologists and Psychiatrists are trained to recognise, diagnose and treat mental health issues and disorders.

Which one is best for me?

Your GP can help you determine which would be best for you, but often times if you have a serious mental disorder, both will be necessary.  For example, conditions such as Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia will likely benefit from seeing a Psychiatrist for medication management and a Psychologist for talk therapy.

As a general rule, if you are experiencing depression, or anxiety symptoms, talking to a Psychologist is a good place to start. Medication can be managed through your GP. A psychiatrist may be necessary if talk therapy and GP prescribed medication is not alleviating symptoms, or your needs are very complex. Keep in mind that Psychiatrists in Australia have long wait lists, and a referral will be needed from your GP to get an appointment.  

I think I may have ADHD, should I see a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist?

Both are trained to assess for and diagnose ADHD, however only Psychiatrists can treat ADHD with medication (GP’S cannot prescribe ADHD medication either). Due to the long wait times and high expense of seeing a Psychiatrist, it can be beneficial to initially book with a Psychologist. They can provide a full comprehensive assessment and diagnose the ADHD, then take that report your Psychiatrist to determine if medication is a viable treatment option for you.

If you believe a Psychologist is the best fit for you, Psychwest has appointments available now. Book yours here.

How to Find a Psychologist That Is Right For You

Not every psychologist and client match is the right one. Sometimes, for many potential reasons, a pairing may not be the right fit.

Research has found that the rapport and bond between psychologist and client is one of the most important determinants of successful therapy. 

It is important to do your homework, and research potential psychologists before booking an appointment. This minimises disappointment and increases the likelihood of finding the right psychologist for you and your needs.

Things to consider when searching for a suitable psychologist

• What are my goals for therapy? Do I need help with relationship issues, stress, mental illness, grief etc.? Check that the Psychologists work with this presentation before enquiring.

• How long do I think I need to be in therapy for? Am I looking for a short-term solution, or do I have some deep entrenched issues that may need an extended period of time working through?

• Who are my ideal therapists? Are they younger or older? Do I have a preferred gender? Do I want someone who has the same culture or race as me? Do I want someone who has many years of experience or would I prefer someone newly trained? (There are benefits to both)

Tips for finding the right psychologist for you

When making an enquiry, request a brief phone call with the potential psychologist so you can get a feel for them and have an opportunity to ask about how they work before making a booking. Most places will encourage this practice and it is not uncommon. During the conversation, take notice if you feel comfortable and at ease; this is a signal that it could be a good fit. It is ok to keep looking until you find someone you feel good with.

Ask your GP if they have any recommendations. Often, GP’s build relationships with psychologists and get to understand how they work. They also get to hear feedback from their patients.

Check their credentials. Psychologists must be trained at a minimum in a 4 year Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of supervised training or 2 years study (Master’s degree) and be registered with the regulatory board AHPRA.

What to ask a potential psychologist

• What are your areas of interest?

• Have you ever worked with (insert issue) before?

• What intervention do you use?

• How long have you been practicing for?

• What can I expect from the first session?

• What are your fees? Do you accept Medicare rebates/insurance?

We have a diverse range of psychologists here at PsychWest. You can check out a short description of the Perth Psychologists working for PsychWest on the about page on the website and request a chat with any of them anytime.

How Anxiety Affects Your Body

“What does anxiety feel like?”

“How do I know that what I am experiencing is anxiety or something else?”

As psychologists, these are questions that we often hear.

Anxiety shows up in many ways.  

It can show up in your thoughts as consistent and persistent worrying, unwanted automatic thoughts or spiralling/racing or intrusive thoughts, difficulty concentrating, and forgetfulness.

It can show up in your emotions as fear, disgust, panic, terror, dread, and anger.

It can show up in your behaviour as avoidance, checking, busyness, restlessness, and safety behaviours.

And most commonly it can show up in your body physically through racing heart, palpitations, breathlessness, muscle tension, shaking, trembling, twitching, sweating, flushing, pain (chronic or acute), tingling, tightness, stiffness, light-headedness, stomach ache (nausea, diarrhoea or constipation), weight loss or gain, frequent illness (colds/flus), insomnia and fatigue.

The physical effects of anxiety can be felt daily, and sometimes they can escalate into what is called a panic attack. A panic attack is a sudden, brief but intense onset of any of the above physical symptoms together with a feeling of impending doom, or feeling like you are about to die. These feelings can be scary, but don’t cause any harm.

Anxiety is a normal and necessary part of human functioning. As humans, we are wired to experience anxiety. It is the alarm system in our body, designed to engage all of our energy and attention to fight off threats. Every single person experiences anxiety symptoms in some form or another. It can often be adaptive: helping someone pass a difficult exam, run away from an angry dog, win a sports game or help in an emergency etc.

Anxiety can be a compass for when something doesn’t feel quite right in our lives. Often, anxiety can spike for no apparent reason- this is also normal. Our alarm system was developed millions of years ago when we had to fight off lions and bears and hunt for our food. It has not caught up to our modern world, and so it can be activated easily through minor threats and inconveniences.

People often report the most distressing parts of anxiety are the physical effects of anxiety. The positive about this, is that this is often the easiest part to treat or relieve.

How to relieve physical symptoms of anxiety quickly

• Deep belly breathing for 10 counts (see demonstration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB3tSaiEbNY)

• Moderate paced 30-minute walk through nature (if possible)

• Ice pack to the chest for 10 minutes

• Cold splash of water to the face

• Grounding exercises (count down from 100, progressive muscle relaxation, 5,4,3,2,1 technique)

• Short guided visualisation (you can find many for free on Youtube)

• Take your shoes off and walk through grass or natural ground

• Yoga stretches for relaxation

When anxiety goes haywire

Normal anxiety can also develop into an anxiety disorder. This is when the threat system goes a bit haywire and becomes hyper vigilant, setting off frequently and consistently over a long period of time, to the point that it causes significant distress and dysfunction in someone.

What makes you more at risk of developing an anxiety disorder?

• Genetic disposition: parents or siblings with anxiety

• Trauma: the more high stress past events you have experienced the more likely to develop an anxiety disorder

• Depression: if you already have depression you are more likely to develop anxiety

• Constant stress: consistently stressful environments or multiple stressful events piling up

• Personality: some personality types are more prone to anxiety disorders (shyness, rigidness, sensitivity to criticism, fixation)

• Substance abuse: you are more likely to develop an anxiety disorder if you engage in drug or alcohol abuse

• Social isolation: consistent loneliness can lead to increased risk of an anxiety disorder

• Physical health conditions: some physical health conditions can lead to an anxiety disorder, or produce symptoms similar to an anxiety disorder.

What are the different types of anxiety disorders?

• Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

• Panic Disorder

• Specific Phobias

• Separation Anxiety

• Medication-Induced anxiety disorder

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Agoraphobia

What to do if you are struggling with anxiety:

Speak with a healthcare professional, your GP or Psychologist. There are many effective treatment options available.

Many of the Psychologists at PsychWest have significant experience working with anxiety and anxiety disorders. Make an enquiry today.