Turning challenge into growth
Anxiety & related issues
Anxiety difficulties or disorders share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related hyper adaptive (excessive coping) behaviours. Fear is the emotional response to real or perceived imminent threat, whereas anxiety is anticipation of future threat. Obviously, these two states overlap, but they also differ, with fear more often associated with surges of physical arousal necessary for fight or flight, thoughts of immediate danger, and escape behaviors, and anxiety more often associated with muscle tension and vigilance in preparation for future danger and cautious or avoidant behaviors. Sometimes the level of fear or anxiety is reduced by excessive avoidance behaviors. Panic attacks feature prominently within anxiety issues as a particular type of fear response.
The anxiety disorders differ from one another in the types of objects or situations that induce fear, anxiety, or avoidance behaviour, and the associated thoughts. Thus, while the anxiety disorders tend to be highly related to each other, they can be differentiated by close examination of the types of situations that are feared or avoided and the content of the associated thoughts or beliefs. (Adapted from DSM-5-TR).
Online checklists may assist with screening for signs and symptoms of anxiety but only a qualified health practitioner can assist with proper diagnosis. An online resource that may be used at your own discretion: Anxiety Disorder Test (thecalculator.co)
Depression & related issues
Depressive difficulties or disorders include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder (including major depressive episode), persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition, and other specified or unspecified depressive disorder. The common feature of all of these disorders is the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by related changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function (e.g., physical and mental changes in major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder). What differs among them are issues of duration, timing, or presumed causes. (Adapted from DSM-5-TR).
Online checklists may assist with screening for signs and symptoms of depression but only a qualified health practitioner can assist with proper diagnosis. An online resource that may be used at your own discretion: Depression Test (thecalculator.co)
If you are having intrusive suicidal thoughts reach out to Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention. For emergencies, please call 000.
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Trauma & stressor related issues
Trauma- and stressor-related difficulties or disorders include disorders in which exposure to a traumatic or stressful event has occurred. These include reactive attachment disorder, disinhibited social engagement disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), acute stress disorder, adjustment disorders, and prolonged grief disorder. Psychological distress following exposure to a traumatic or stressful event is quite variable. In some cases, symptoms can be associated with anxiety and fear. But sometimes the most prominent symptoms are depressive symptoms, angry and aggressive symptoms, or dissociative symptoms (feeling detached from oneself). (Adapted from DSM-5-TR).
Sometimes trauma can be complex, i.e., prolonged or repetitive exposures to a series of traumatic events within which one perceives little or no chance to escape. This category of post-traumatic stress is known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD).
Online checklists may assist with screening for signs and symptoms of trauma but only a qualified health practitioner can assist with proper diagnosis. An online resource that may be used at your own discretion: PTSD Test (thecalculator.co)
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Relationships
Common issues often cited in relationship difficulties is "breakdown in communication" and "we have little in common". How do we land ourselves in this situation? Decreased self-awareness, defensiveness and values differences may play a significant role. Subconscious fears or insecurities often drive our protective or defensive behaviours and obscure our values, and self-awareness is crucial for both appreciating one's values and moderating defensive behaviour. Whether you are dealing with a professional, formal, friendly, intimate or parenting relationship challenge, we can explore options for moving forwards.
If you believe that you are in an abusive relationship, please consult this online resource for further information and support: Family and domestic violence - Services Australia. If you or others are in danger, call 000.
Male sexual issues
Sexual dysfunctions include delayed ejaculation, erectile disorder, male hypoactive sexual desire disorder, premature (early) ejaculation, substance/medication-induced sexual dysfunction, and other/unspecified sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunctions are a group of disorders that are typically characterized by a clinically significant disturbance in a person’s ability to respond sexually or to experience sexual pleasure. An individual may have several sexual dysfunctions at the same time. Inadequate sexual stimulation or lack of knowledge about effective stimulation may also prevent the experience of arousal or orgasm. It is recommended that a medical practitioner first be consulted to rule out possible physical or medical causes. (Adapted from DSM-5-TR).
Work/Life Direction and Goals
The desirable position to be in is to be surviving less, not existing, and to be living. This often requires that we know who we are, where we would like to head and how to best do it with the resources available to us. This includes our relationships, our work or career and place in life. Explore ways of determining a clearer sense of purpose and meaning. Use expertise knowledge and skills to assist with career, personality and values assessment and development.