Self-isolation brought an increase in spare time and boredom for many so it’s not a coincidence that we saw a spike in online gaming and gambling. Throw the new Centrelink payments in the mix and there’s an ongoing risk for many to seek entertainment online. If you’ve started dabbling in the world of online gambling…
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a condition commonly misunderstood by the general population and sometimes even health professionals. A diagnosis can carry a lot of stigma, particularly because of the way BPD can impact the lives of people around the individual. What is BPD? According to the DSM-5, BPD is characterised by pervasive instability of…
Easter in isolation and some big emotions because of COVID-19 restrictions may have seen your pantry filled with more chocolate than usual. Chocolate often gets a bad rep for being sugary and unhealthy but it actually has some benefits when it comes to mental health. Psychologically speaking, the darker the chocolate, the bigger the benefit…
The restrictions of 2020 have seen many of us get creative in maintaining friendships and staying in touch with loved ones when Friday night cocktails or sports practice had to be suspended. There’s no doubt that self-isolation and social distancing have been tough but finding ways to stay connected has been instrumental in staying mentally…
We may all be excited by the prospect of COVID-19 restrictions easing and life starting to get back to normal, but with hotels, pubs, and casinos slowing returning to capacity there comes a word of caution for some. For people with a history of gambling-related issues, the reopening of venues may have been like the flood…
Mindfulness is no longer just having a moment – it seems to be here to stay and forms a key part of many psychological therapies. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to the present moment non-judgementally with openness and curiosity. Informal practice involves directing your full attention to regular activities, like washing the dishes or brushing…
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a structured form of therapy developed by American psychologist, Marsha Linehan, to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). It is based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), but has been adapted to meet the needs of people who experience emotions very intensely. It can also be used to treat other conditions, like…
Trust us, we know it can be frustrating completing a mountain of paperwork and questionnaires when you may already be nervous about your first appointment with a new psychologist. Then, just when you think the torture is over and you’ve got comfortable with your therapist, they make you do more a few sessions in -…
Feeling low or sad is part of the normal human experience, especially when we have a bad experience or lose someone or something important. However, a sustained change in mood with additional symptoms that constitute a change in your usual functioning may indicate a depressive episode. Firstly, what is depression? Us psychologists use a specific…
There’s so many ways to volunteer that there’s a role for everyone. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge – good on you! We could talk about the amazing benefits of giving your time and experience for free all day but we know you want to go research all the possible things you could do,…