Go Away Mr Worry – A Step Towards Managing Childhood Anxiety
Child Anxiety Sherry-Lee Smith Perth Psychologist
Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – Part 6/6 Tips to help with Panic Attacks
Tips to help with panic attacks Slow your breathing down as much as possible – try breathing through a straw or into a paper bag. Take slow deep breaths Remind yourself that the panic attack is temporary and it will pass Educate yourself on anxiety and panic attacks Avoid nicotine and caffeine as much as…
Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – What are panic attacks or anxiety attacks – Part 2/6
Sherry-Lee Smith Registered Psychologist Perth, Western Australia What are panic attacks or anxiety attacks? When an abrupt surge of intense anxiety happens, a person is said to have had a panic attack (also sometimes referred to as anxiety attacks). The anxiety reaches a peak within several minutes and can last for up to half an…
Anxiety, Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder – What is anxiety? Part 1/6
Sherry-Lee Smith Registered Psychologist Perth, Western Australia What is anxiety? Anxiety can be considered a normal human experience, everybody feels anxiety from time to time. Moderate anxiety can be helpful in a number of ways such as improving your performance by increasing your motivation, energy levels and alertness. This can be helpful prior to playing…
OCD – Tips for family members and friends Part 6/6
Learn as much as you can about OCD Take care of yourself and seek professional help if you need it Try not to participate in their rituals – this only reinforces and entrenches OCD symptoms Try not to let OCD take over the family or relationship Criticism and negative comments can make OCD worse…
OCD – Tips to help with OCD Part 5/6
Postpone OCD rituals whenever you can – this will assist you in learning to sit with the anxiety Remember that unpleasant feelings always reduce when given enough time When you notice an obsessive thought arising, refocus your attention to something else Write down obsessive thoughts or worries Anticipate OCD urges– know your triggers and…
OCD – How medical treatment or counselling/psychotherapy can help – Part 4/6
Severe OCD is a difficult condition to treat. It is common for suffers of OCD to hide their symptoms and treat it like a secret problem. Nonetheless it is important to seek treatment from medical and psychological professionals. With perseverance most patients can expect some reduction in symptoms. However, it is common for some level…
OCD – Factors that contribute to the development of OCD Part 3/6
Factors that contribute to the development of OCD OCD is a complex neurobiological disorder. There are various factors thought to influence the development of OCD. It is most likely an interaction between biological, psychological and social factors. Some of the factors thought to contribute to the development of OCD are: A genetic predisposition Ineffective functioning…
OCD – OCD in Children and Adolescents Part 2/6
OCD in children and adolescents The prevalence of OCD in children and adolescents is 1-3% of the population, similar to the number of adults who suffer from this debilitating condition. However many more have obsessive compulsive tendencies that are not clinically diagnosable but are noticeable nonetheless. OCD in children is often not identified and treated…
OCD – What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Part 1/6
Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health issue which is distressing to sufferers and impairs their ability to function in daily life. OCD is characterised by persistent thoughts, ideas, images, doubts or impulses (obsessions) that are experienced as disturbing, along with repetitive behaviour or mental rituals (compulsions) aimed at reducing anxiety. Obsessions stimulate anxiety and…