All posts by Kimberly

26
Nov
2019
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When is Mental Illness Awareness Month/Week

When is Mental Illness Awareness Month/Week

When is Mental Illness Awareness Month/Week

It is just as important to take care of your mental health as it is your physical health and during the second week of October each year, the nation as a whole makes it a priority to bring awareness to the vital importance of our inner world and overall well being.

In 2019 from 5 to 11 October, universities, councils and dedicated mental health institutes stage programs, support groups, exhibitions, fundraisers, forums, performances, workshops and general meetups in an effort to focus on helping each other through the hard times and how essential it is to connect with the mental health support services available to them.

By shining a light on wellbeing and community, we can see the importance of taking time for the things that boost our mental wellbeing such as keeping active, giving, relieving stress, connecting and checking in on others, enjoying the moment and caring for all living things.

How to have the Conversation

During Mental Awareness Month (in Australia, this takes place during October), the conversation continues, giving Australians the opportunity to reflect on the mental health of those they care about and what we can do for ourselves when it comes to our own mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to have conversations with your friends, family and community about mental health and wellbeing. For some people, the thought of having a ‘mental health’ conversation may be uncomfortable or too difficult. The RU OK website has great information on how to start off and have a mental health conversation.

Mental Health Survey

According to the Mental Health Australia Report to the Nation, the top 5 things important for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians are as follows:

  • Family/partner support and love: 21%
  • Friends/socialising with others: 20%
  • Physical activity/sport: 16%
  • Being positive/happy: 15%
  • Having time to yourself: 14%

The first Mental Health Australia Report to the Nation (2022) reveals that there are many things to celebrate in terms of the mental health and wellbeing of Australians. For the most part, this research suggests we are a happy and socially connected nation who support one another and have things in our lives to look forward to. When we need to, most Australians are able to reach out to a range of formal and informal sources of mental health and wellbeing supports and information, and overwhelmingly, when we access support this is safe, respectful, and effective in improving our mental health.

However, there are many areas where our mental health and wellbeing at population level could be strengthened. We are more likely to help others than ask for help ourselves, and we commonly feel we should resolve our issues on our own, suggesting an opportunity to further encourage social connection through vulnerability. Fewer than half of us feel part of a community, and levels of financial and job security are worryingly low. Many of us are also feeling an impact from global threats such as climate change, war and social unrest. As economic and global instability and the threats of climate change evolve over coming years, they will continue to threaten the mental health and wellbeing of Australians.

 

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26
Nov
2019
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What Psychologists Mean by Personality

What Psychologists Mean by Personality

What Psychologists Mean by Personality

There are numerous quizzes on the internet that claim to determine your personality.  Personality quizzes calculated by simply selecting your favourite food or leisure activity. Many people are drawn to pop quizzes like these in an attempt to more fully understand their behaviour. But have you stopped to consider what psychologists are actually referring to when they use the term “personality”?

Personality is the pattern of thoughts, behaviour and feelings that make up an individual. These are considered to be relatively stable over time. While this pattern may indeed determine which leisure activity you like to engage in, it also influences many unseen parts of our lives such as our values and attitudes. Considering how an individual’s personality can have a big impact on how a person experiences the world, it is understandable that this has long been a topic of interest.

The History of Personality

Philosophers and scientists have sought to discover what determines someone’s personality for centuries. Hippocrates was the first to suggest a theory in 370 BCE. He believed that the way a person acted consisted of a balance of ‘humors’, or bodily fluids. Depending on the balance of humors that a person possessed, they would show a tendency towards particular traits (yellow bile would make a person grumpy, black bile would lead someone to be melancholy, phlegm would result in a calm nature and someone with a greater balance of blood would show more cheer). 

Several others have also put forth various theories in relatively modern times. Suggestions include that personality is influenced by early developmental experiences, responses to reward and punishment, one’s social environment, or by genetics and heredity. Another school of thought is that people there are different characteristics, or traits, that individuals possess to a greater or lesser degree (e.g. openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism etc). While each of these theories have merits and limitations, it is largely accepted that personality is likely to be influenced by a combination of factors.

There are times when an individual’s personality can be so rigid and inflexible that it results in significant issues in relationships and difficulty functioning. In these cases, psychological distress may often be present. Possessing these signs or symptoms may indicate a personality disorder. 

Personality Disorders

There are several personality disorders which psychologists are trained to detect and provide therapy for. Depending on the disorder, displayed behaviour can include extreme reliance on others, fear of abandonment, narcissism, or eccentricities or “oddness”, among others. Personality disorders often arise in adolescence or young adulthood, and can be present along with other psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. 

Although personality disorders have previously been considered “difficult to treat”, please be assured that there is hope. Our psychologists use evidence-based therapies such as Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to reduce maladaptive symptoms for those with a personality disorder. If you feel that yourself or a close family member may need psychological therapy for a personality disorder, or to make an enquiry regarding our services, please call 98091000.

References

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26
Nov
2019
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Are Mental Illnesses Disabilities?

Are Mental Illnesses Disabilities?

‘Mental illness’ is an umbrella term that covers several different conditions ranging from depression to schizophrenia, and anxiety to personality disorders. Knowing this, it’s important to recognise that one person’s experience with mental illness can be very different from another’s. While some may be able to continue their life with relatively little impact, others may have their functionality altered significantly. A person’s ability to function may also change over time. Therefore, there is no ‘hard and fast’ answer to this question.

A condition may be considered a disability when an individual’s ability to function or participate fully in everyday life is strongly affected. While disability is often considered to be caused by physical conditions, it can also be a result of mental illness. The Australian Government’s Department of Health has claimed that mental illness is the largest cause of disability in Australia. The Australian Human Rights Commission has also confirmed that mental illnesses may be considered a disability according to the Disability Discrimination Act. 

There are many facets involved with having a mental illness that can lead to disability. Amongst others, challenges often arise from its unpredictable nature, the stress experienced when trying to keep a condition confidential, and medication side effects. These factors may lead to difficulties in maintaining consistent employment or engaging in schooling, or forming meaningful relationships with others. 

Despite this, it is important to recognise that people with a disability can still live fulfilling lives. Government and community services are available for support and advocacy. Additionally, having a mental illness does not necessarily mean that you have a disability. Your psychologist and general practitioner will be able to assist you to determine the degree that your functioning has been affected, and if needed can refer you to relevant support services. 

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References