Nearly one in three Australians will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Every person has their own unique factors that contribute to their anxiety disorder and experiences the impact of their anxiety disorder on their well-being in different ways. People at risk include young people, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Grief is the normal response to loss. Grief affects all parts of our experience, our emotions, thoughts, behaviours, beliefs, and identity. Grief is a universal, individualised, non-linear, healthy, and adaptive process. The grief process involves accepting the loss, processing grief emotions, connecting to, and adjusting to life after the loss.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a cognitive behavioural therapy designed to treat PTSD. It addresses negative beliefs or “stuck points” resulting from trauma. CPT involves 12 sessions, focusing on re-evaluating distorted beliefs and processing the trauma. Research supports its effectiveness in reducing PTSD, depression, and alcohol misuse symptoms.
The past few years have been challenging due to events like bushfires and the pandemic. Trauma refers to both traumatic events and psychological injury from such events. Symptoms include fearfulness, sleep issues, and preoccupation with the event. Recovery often involves support networks and coping strategies, but professional treatment may be necessary.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by traumatic events. PTSD symptoms include re-living the traumatic event, feeling wound up, avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, and experiencing negative thoughts and emotions. Effective treatments include Cognitive Processing Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Retraining, and Prolonged Exposure.
Experiencing trauma can significantly impact one’s physical and emotional well-being. While most people recover using common coping strategies, some need psychological therapies to improve. However, barriers like the fear of reliving trauma, trusting psychologists, judgment, and doubts about treatment efficacy often impede seeking help. Addressing these barriers is crucial to recovery.
