The Christmas Break...

Services during Christmas / New Years



The Holiday Season of 2011 is here and soon we will be bringing in the New Year – 2012!

Wherever you are at this time, whoever you are with and however you celebrate, may the true light of this season shine within your heart!

From all of us at ADAVIC we wish you all a very happy holiday season and a very happy and prosperous New Year. Take time off, relax and enjoy the holidays.

All The Best!

See you all back here in the New Year!

Anna Kouloubos
Managing Director


ADAVIC OFFICE (PHONE SUPPORT, INFORMATION & REFERRAL)

Our final office day for 2011 is Tuesday 20th December, closing at 4pm.

We re-open on Tuesday 10th January 2012 at 10.30am.

If you require assistance during the Christmas / New Year's break the following organisations may be helpful:

Organisation Phone
Lifeline 13 11 14
SuicideLine 1300 651 251
Mental Health Advice Line 1300 280 737
Parentline (Vic) 13 22 89
Men’s Line Australia 1300 789 978
Kids Help Line 1800 551 800
Reconnexion 9886 9400 or 1300 273 266
Beyondblue—Info Line 1300 224 636
Nurse on Call 1300 606 024




EMAIL SUPPORT

Emails to adavic@adavic.org.au will be checked twice-weekly during the Christmas break.



SUPPORT GROUPS

Group Final meeting 2011
Altona Tue 13th Dec
Berwick Tue 13th Dec
Coburg Mon 12th Dec
Kew Mon 12th Dec

Group meetings to recommence 2012
Altona Tue 17th Jan
Berwick Tue 24th Jan
Coburg Mon 16th Jan
Kew Mon 16th Jan

For more details about Support Groups click here.




DISCUSSION FORUM

The ADAVIC Discussion Forum will remain open during the break (typically 24/7 access).

Forum features:

•Discuss and share experiences
•Ask for advice
•Help others whilst helping yourself
•Open 24 hours/7 days a week
•Registration Required

To access the forum click here.



BOOKSTORE

Orders from the ADAVIC online store will be processed twice-weekly during the Christmas/New Year's break.

Please be aware that delivery may take longer than usual due to Christmas mail.

PTSD Support Group 2012

Domenic Greco, from the Victims of Crime Counselling services will be running a support group for PTSD - see details below.


Support Group for PTSD will be commencing on the 25th January 2012
Will run every week on Wednesday from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm at
Victims of Crime Counselling Services at 163 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy.
The support group is specifically for those suffering from PTSD following being the victim of crime.
Domenic Greco, Psychologist will be facilitating this group.

Weekly Quote

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
- Jimmy Johnson

ADAVIC Events in 2012!!

The team at ADAVIC are already well underway organising events for next year! So far there are three lectures available:

EVENT NAME: ‘Don’t Worry: Treating Generalised Anxiety Disorder’
PRESENTER: Peter Kyriakoulis
DATE: Thursday 23rd February 2012
TIME: 7.30pm – 9.00pm
COST: $10.00 ADAVIC Members $20.00 Non-members
VENUE: Clayton Hall (Meeting Room)
ADDRESS: 264 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria.
CONTACT: Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria
PHONE: 03 9853 8089
EMAIL: adavic@adavic.org.au
WEBSITE: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=130


EVENT NAME: ‘From anxiety & Panic to Courage, Commitment, Calmness and Change…’
PRESENTER: Pauline McKinnon
DATE: Tuesday 28th February 2012
TIME: 7.30pm – 9.00pm
COST: $10.00 ADAVIC Members $20.00 Non-members
VENUE: Horticultural Centre Function Room
ADDRESS: 82 Jolimont Road, Forest Hill, Vic
CONTACT: Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria
PHONE: 03 9853 8089
EMAIL: adavic@adavic.org.au
WEBSITE: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=131


EVENT NAME: ‘School Refusal: An information session for parents and teachers’
PRESENTER: Dr Simon Kinsella
DATE: Wednesday 7th March 2012
TIME: 7.30pm – 9.00pm
COST: $10.00 ADAVIC Members $20.00 Non-members
VENUE: Cardinia Public Hall (Next to Cardinia Primary School)
ADDRESS: 2405 Ballarto Road, Cardinia, Victoria, 3978
CONTACT: Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria
PHONE: 03 9853 8089
EMAIL: adavic@adavic.org.au
WEBSITE: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=132


EVENT NAME: 'How to transform distressed sleep to peaceful sleep'
PRESENTER: Dr Donna Golding
DATE: Thursday 19th April 2012
TIME: 7:30pm - 9.00pm
COST: $10.00 ADAVIC Members $20.00 Non-members
VENUE: Northcote Town Hall
ADDRESS: First Floor, Room B, 189 High Street, Northcote, VIC
CONTACT: Anxiety Disorders Association of Victoria
PHONE: 03 9853 8089
EMAIL: adavic@adavic.org.au
WEBSITE: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=133

Organising Finances During the Holiday Season

I don’t know about you, but for me it feels as though it was just the other day that we were celebrating Christmas, but sure enough, here it is again. Christmas day is generally a very relaxing and peaceful day for families. The build up to this day, however, is quite the opposite. It is during this time of year that people tend to be busiest. Work is demanding, the kids are home from school looking for something to do, and on top of all this, there are still so many things that need to be organised for the big day. If all this hustle and bustle wasn’t enough, this holiday period can also be very financially taxing. Between planning holidays to buying gifts, it often feels as though spending money never ends.

While the Christmas period should be about celebrating with your family, friends and, depending on your religion, your church community, it is often the gift giving part that people think about most during this time. Many people have to arrange gifts for partners, kids, parents, siblings, cousins, friends, bosses, and the list goes on. The good news is that you can still give a great present without having to delve into your life savings. Here are some low cost gift ideas:
Gift baskets: gift baskets and hampers are wonderful gift ideas because they are original and can be very diverse. All it takes is to get together a few bits and pieces, such as the person’s favourite food, drink, DVD, chocolates and any other things you think they might like. The best thing about this gift is it shows that you have gone to a lot of effort, and you can put in as little or as much into it as you wish.
KKs: For those who don’t know, a KK (Kris Kringle) is when a group of people, such as a family, a group of friends or a class, put everybody’s name into a hat and each person chooses one name each, that name being the person who you are to buy a gift for. This is a really fun way of buying presents as it adds a little mystery into gift buying and leaves everyone wondering who will be buying for them. Alongside this, it is the ultimate way to save money as you are only required to buy one person a gift as opposed to a number of people.
Make something: This is probably one of the easiest and cheapest gift ideas, but also tends to be one of the best. Things you could make include a scrapbook for someone close to you with pictures, quotes and letters, a personalised apron you have decorated for someone who likes to cook, a CD with favourite songs for your best friend, a hand made voucher for a partner to take them out for dinner and to the movies whenever they like, and the list goes on. While this may seem like something really small, it shows the recipient how much time and effort you have put into their present.
Always remember, ‘It’s the thought that counts’!

Now that we have the present situation under control, time to move onto holiday planning. Everybody needs a break and it is generally during this time of the year that people tend to do so. So how can it be done economically? Here are some tips on how to save money when organising a trip:
Avoid school holidays: if you are planning on going away with your partner or a close friend, aim to do it when school is on. Prices are a lot higher during school holidays, so if you don’t have to go during this time, try to steer clear of it, not to mention it will probably be a lot more relaxing without kids running around everywhere!
Explore Australia: if you are going away with your kids, you don’t have to go overseas. There are so many great places within Australia, and furthermore, within Victoria, that you can visit. Places such as Lorne, Ocean Grove, Mt Bulla and The Grampians are all beautiful holiday destinations which will work out to be a lot cheaper than an overseas trip.
Think Big: instead of going on small trips every year, why not save up for a big holiday? This will give you something to work towards. I personally find that it’s a lot easier to work and save money when you know you are working and saving up for something. Adding on to this notion, if you have something planned, you will be able to book months in advance, which in itself will save you a lot of money.
Always remember, you don’t need to go to Paris or the Bahamas to have a great time. In my eyes, a holiday is a holiday. No matter where you go, as long as you are away from the demands of your daily life and are with good company, you will have a great time.

The holidays don’t need to be a stressful and expensive time that provokes anxiety. They can be as relaxing as you want them to be. Plan ahead, be creative and stay on top of things. Happy holidays!

By Monica- ADAVIC Volunteer

Participate in Research! OCD, PANIC DISORDER AND FEARS

You are invited to take part in research being conducted by staff and students on Deakin University. This research aims to examine the cognitive and problem solving abilities of people with anxiety disorders. We are also interested in finding out about what people find helpful in enabling them to cope with their anxiety disorder and what they find difficult in daily life due to these conditions.

You are eligible to participate in the research if you:
•are 18 years and over

•Have a diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Panic Disorder

•OR believe you suffer from a fear of spiders, dogs, heights or enclosed spaces
Participants who choose to be involved in this project will be provided with a questionnaire package to be completed independently. The questionnaires in this package will ask you to provide information relating to your mental health and how it impacts on your life. Following this, you will meet with one of the trained researcher from the School of Psychology for approximately 90 minutes where you will be asked to complete six tasks that assess your ability to pay attention to certain stimuli, your ability to solve problems and aspects of your memory. This will occur at Deakin University Geelong or Burwood, or in your home if preferable to you.
If you are interested in participating in this research or would like further information, please contact:


Emma Gould, Lecturer, School of Psychology, Deakin University

Phone: 03 5227 8492
Email: emma.gould@deakin.edu.au

Teenagers reporting increased stress

The 2011 Mission Australia survey has found teenagers are stressing about school work, body image and coping with stress more than ever.

Teenagers are feeling the pressure to get good grades at school, particularly 15-19 year olds. The survey found that 41.8 are now listing school as their top priority, up from 28.7 last year. These concerns are probably coming from this generation watching people lose jobs due to the global financial crisis and anticipating the highly competetive job market they will be entering.

Teens, particularly girls, have reported increasing levels of concern with body image, this indicates that the messages about healthy liefstyles and realistic body images are not getting through. The quest to gain peer approval and to be popular seem to be over riding all attempts to make people aware of the dangers associated with the quest to be like "the girls on tv."

This age group also reported generally coping with stress as a stressor.

All in all these figures are concerning, the pressure youth are under and the pressure they put themselves under could lead to further mental health issues.

For more information, check out these articles from News.com and the Australian.

Social Inclusion Week 19th - 27th November

Social Inclusion Week encourages everyone to reconnent and be inclusive of all cultures, age groups, nationalities and the disadvantaged.

Social Inclusion Week is focused on making everyone feel valued and to give people the opportunity to participate fully in society. This includes connecting with local communities, work mates, family and friends to build relationships and networks, addressing isolation and exclusion by supporting people who may be unable help themselves.

Social Inclusion Week was launched in 2009 to encourage everyone to connect, to create awareness of groups that are often isolated. These groups include; young people 12-25 years of age, jobless families with children, disadvantaged Australians, people with a disability or mental illness, people who are homeless, older people and Indigenous Australians.

Who are YOU looking out for this week?

Attitudes towards mental illness

Negative attitudes towards mental illness are again in the spotlight with moves to stop plans for two housing facilities for people with mental illnesses in the Narre Warren area, reports the Casey Weekly.

Locals are concerned about increased traffic in the area, insufficent public transport and the site's location near a bus stop "where many young people congregate", as well as it being close to Scout and Guide halls. Their concerns are seen to be perpetuating old myths about mental illness. Locals and Australians in general are urged to quash outdated views on mental illness.

Similar points were raised during forums held in mental health week in October. Leaders in the field raised the point that increased awareness of mental illnesses and exposure to people with mental illness is the best way to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and normalise mental illness within the community. Considering one in five Australians will suffer from a mental illness at some stage in their lives, and all Australians will be affected by mental illness, this negative attitude towards mental illness needs to stop!

Weekly Quote

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

‘Sleep Soundly CD’ – Sarah Edelman

Sarah Edelman provides the listener of the ‘Sleep Soundly’ CD two tracks of different visualization exercises, guided imagery and meditation, which are effective for promoting sleep. The listener is provided with step-by-step assistance in each exercise by Sarah’s gentle voice that enables the listener to forget any troubling thoughts and become lost in what seems like a surreal world. This is further encouraged by the accompanying ambient music, which also allows you to relax. As you become immersed in Sarah’s voice your breathing starts to slow down and you can feel your muscles begin to relax and eventually find yourself in a state of mental calmness and deep physical relaxation.

The CD is considered to be most effective when heard at night whilst laying in bed or when you’re experiencing a slight case of insomnia. Some nights, you may not even get the chance to listen to the CD from start to finish as you could find yourself feeling sedated and soon enough drifting off to sleep before you know it. However, it could be suitable when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the endless thoughts and worries of the day, or when you might feel the need to release any tension and let go of any anxiety. The visualization exercises and the “Letting Go” imagery are appropriate at such times as they allow you to become distracted from the demands of the real world and engage in a dream-like state. Thus, Sarah Edelman’s ‘Sleep Soundly’ CD is highly recommended to people as it alleviates some of the stress and anxiety of daily pressures.

By Mary – ACAP Placement Student

Both these CD’s are available from ADAVIC’s online store for
the price of $24.95
CHECK IT OUT: http://www.adavic.org.au/product-view.aspx?Id=8

Sleeping…or not!

Unfortunately anxiety-producing thoughts may sometimes be hardest to deal with at the time when you most need some rest from them - when you are trying to sleep. On settling down in bed at night (or at some stage during the night) you may be hit with a very high level of anxiety. It is as though it has simply been lying in wait all day for the time when you are at your lowest points in terms of trying to work with those thoughts. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation are often useful at this time, since they are based around releasing the thoughts. But not everyone is able to put this into practice.

The least benefit is obtained, obviously, from simply lying in bed and turning the thoughts over and over in your head, which will only be added to the anxiety over not being able to sleep. Therefore, one method of taking some action, and hopefully relaxing enough to be able to sleep, is to take ‘’the bull by the horns’’ and deal with whatever is playing on your mind. It is best done by getting out of bed, sitting yourself in another room and attacking the problem with pen and paper in hand. If this is not possible, nor desirable, complete the exercise in the same way while lying in bed, making mental lists.

The first step is to define each situation which is causing anxiety, and then look at what can be done about it and when. If there is absolutely nothing you can do about it at the moment, consider briefly what action will be possible to resolve the situation, then add the action and the desired time-frame to your list.

As an example, let’s suppose you are having worrying thoughts about your health. If you consider that the symptoms are serious enough to need immediate attention, then call a doctor or take yourself to a hospital. If, on the other hand, you do not feel that the situation is that serious, then mark the action necessary (making an appointment with your GP) and when you need to do it (as soon as possible, the next day) on your list. Once you have taken either of these options, resolve that you will now be able to return to bed without continuing to worry about the situation as you have either taken immediate action, or have a plan as to what action you will take and when. A hint here is to try and confine the list to those particular situations which are causing most concern – it will not be helpful to stay up all night trying to deal with every issue you can bring to mind!

The final step is to return to bed and relax, reassuring yourself that you have either done what you can at the moment, or have prepared yourself for further action, in regard to those earlier worries. In this way you are making another move towards taking back the power over your disorder, since you no longer lying in bed at the mercy of your thoughts, but have done something positive. Hopefully, with a little practice, you will find it a useful option when trying to sleep.
By Sandy

LAST EVENTS OF THE YEAR!

The end of the year is rapidly approaching and with it ADAVIC's final three lectures!

Tomorrow night (Thursday 17th November) ADAVIC presents a "Questions & Answers: For parents who have children / adolescents with Anxiety or Depression" which will be presented by Clinical Psychologist, Author & Mother, Sally-Anne McCormack and Author and Mother Nicky Johnston at the Balwyn Library (Meeting Room) from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

Next week (Wednesday 23rd November) ADAVIC presents "Empowering your child to deal with School Bullying" Presented by Counselling Psychologist Evelyn Field at the Kew Library (Phyllis Hore Room) from 7:30 - 9pm.

Wednesday 30th November, ADAVIC presents "Hoarding problems: Diagnosis and management" Presented by Professor Mike Kyrios at the Northcote Town Hall (Ground Floor, Room 2)from 7:30 - 9pm.

For more information or to book, please check out the ADAVIC EVENTS CALENDAR.

Weekly Quote

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Eating Disorders. Not just for women...

During November there is a focus on men's health, both mentally and physically, as promoted through Movember.

This is a good time to discuss other issues affect men that go unnoticed. Eating disorders have been traditionally stereotyped as a disorder for women, but men are also suffering from the disorder. In many men the disorder goes unnoticed. There are a few reasons for this, firstly we do not look for the symptoms in men. Secondly, the symptoms generally present differently. It is more common for anorexic males to over exercise rather than starve themselves. It is also more acceptable and normal for men to eat large meals, so binge eating is far less noticeable. These and many other factors lead to eating disorders in males going unnoticed and untreated. Eating disorders have many short and long term health problems, including high mortality rates.

Movemeber is aiming towards increased awareness of and discussion about men's health, this is the time to take notice and speak up.

Let's talk about it - mental health and suicide forum

Mental health and suicide are often not spoken about. This needs to change. To try to make this change the ABC presented a 3 hour forum with many experts from the the mental health industry, including representatives from beyondblue, lifeline, headspace and SANE. The broadcast aimed to engage the community in conversation about mental health and suicide. For further information about what was discussed please visit the ABC website.

Weekly Quote

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”

― Mother Teresa

Some of ADAVIC's Volunteers!

My Journey Through Agoraphobia

Hi everyone,
It has been a while since I have written, and I apologise.
Overall my progress is coming along, still slow and steady for me.

I have had some changes in my life which I have found difficult to deal with, so the fact that I am still making progress, however slow it may be, is good!

A few months ago my long term partner and I separated.
We have been together for twenty years so this has been very, very hard for me. We have remained friends and that is something I am happy about. He just felt he needed time and space away from the relationship. Like most couples we had our ups and downs but my problems with agoraphobia, anxiety and depression took a big toll on him. He was very supportive but there is no doubt that living day and day out with an agoraphobic person can be difficult for partners.
I live on my own now and that has also been challenging for me.

Apart from the more personal aspects, it also has been hard for my progress with my agoraphobia. I was at the stage where I was trying new things and venturing further and I could do this as long as he accompanied me. I felt safe with him knowing he understood about my anxiety and knowing that if it became too much for me he would gently coax me along, or would take me home if need be. With that confidence I was doing more and more new things which I was totally enjoying.

The freedom of being able to go out! It felt so liberating to be finally able to go out. I felt like I was part of the world again, instead of being trapped inside by my fear. This may sound like I was just doing it easily. I wasn’t. I would often be anxious, sometimes very anxious but I was able to now cope better with this anxiousness and not let it overwhelm me.

Then when my partner left I had less opportunities to try to get out more. I am doing things on my own more and more but I am not at the stage yet where I can do a lot on my own. I can walk short distances on my own and I have started to drive again but I can only go around quiet streets near my home.

Another big change for me was one of my closest friends whom I have known since we were kids, and who has also been a great support to me, moved interstate.

Again, apart from purely missing her and her loving friendship, she was also a practical help to me as she would take me to my therapist every week. She would also take me out when she could. Thankfully her sister has been able to take me to my therapist for my sessions. She usually can’t take me every week but I am grateful that she can take me at all. My therapist and I do phone sessions when I can’t get there in person.

I must admit I have felt frustrated that just as I am ready to explore the world the two people I have relied on to do that with are not available!

I do have other friends but they generally live too far away to be able to help. It is times like these when I really miss having family for help and support. I am an only child and have no family. Still I know having a family is no guarantee of help and support!

However, I have kept on with my own work that I can do, which is trying to work further everyday and trying to drive again.
Getting in a car again has been very scary for me but I have taken it very slowly. At first I was only able to drive a few houses down and then turn around but I have gradually widened that to be able to drive a few streets away. I am lucky that the streets where I live are very quiet with hardly any traffic. My car is an old bomb that is falling apart and I had the experience of it breaking down when I was going on one of my drives. That was extremely challenging for me!
It actually happened twice. The first time the car just stopped in the middle of the road and thankfully a nice passerby helped me to get the car off the road. I was one street away from my house
He could tell I was shaken up so he offered to drive me home. I was so relieved that he was so kind.

The next time I had a bit of warning and I pulled over to the side of the road before the car stopped dead. This time there was no kind passerby so I had to walk home on my own. It was a little bit further than I was used to walking and I become quite anxious. I wanted to just run so I could get home quickly and not panic but I knew that running was not the answer!
With legs shaking I just started walking slowly but steadily trying to loosen my tight grip on myself and my muscles and let go of the tension. That helped enormously and I made it home.

I have kept up my meditation and truly believe that has been a huge factor in my progress in dealing with anxiety and panic.

I have had days and nights when I have felt so alone that I didn’t know how I would make it through. I have also had days when I have realized that being on my own is helping me know my self more, the good the bad and the painful.

I have had a lot of childhood issues that I have been working through with my therapist and this time alone has allowed me to really feel the pain of my past and my present.

More than my progress with going out, I think what I am most proud of is that I have let myself feel my pain, let my tears flow freely, and let the loneliness envelop me without being quite so afraid of all of it.
It hurt like nothing else to face my deepest pains. I had stuffed all the pain down, deep down inside and tried to ignore it. I used to be afraid that if I let myself feel all of that it would overwhelm me and I would have the ‘big’ panic attack that I had always dreaded. In fact it is the opposite, by letting all that out and feeling it all, the anxiety lessens.

I am still a work in progress in this regard but there is progress.

Sometimes it is easier to see how far I still have to go rather than how far I have come. But when I think back to the person I used to be…… so very frightened and existing with a level of anxiety most of the time… I see how far I have come.

By Janesse – September 2011

Participate in Research!

SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Life and Social Sciences
CONSENT INFORMATION STATEMENT

Title: Obsessive compulsive disorder: attachment and beliefs about the self.
Investigators
Dr Richard Moulding, Supervisor
Jude Allamby, Student Investigator

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that is characterised by the repeated occurrence of intrusive thoughts and by compulsive actions. The purpose of the current study is to extend research into the current models of OCD through asking about beliefs about self and relationships.

Please note we are seeking people without a diagnosis of OCD to do this research. If you have OCD you are free to continue although you may find some questions to be confronting.

Participation in this research involves completing an anonymous survey. The survey involves a series of questions about yourself in relation to others and some demographic details. It should take around 30 minutes to complete. Please note that some questions about sensitive topics will be asked in this study. If you are uncomfortable with this you may wish not to participate (e.g., symptoms of depression and OCD, experiences of close relationships, and views you have about yourself).

If you decide to participate in this research, please complete the anonymous online survey. It is important that you understand that your participation in this study must be voluntary. You are free to discontinue participation at any time.

The results of this study will form the basis for the thesis of the student investigator. It may also be published in an academic journal or presented at academic conferences. Only grouped results would be published and no individual’s responses would be identifiable. Data for this study will be securely stored for a period of seven years before being destroyed.

If you have any questions about this project, please contact:
Dr Richard Moulding, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, (03) 9214 4686, rmoulding@swin.edu.au.

If you experience any discomfort that you would like to discuss with a counsellor, possible services include:
Swinburne Student Services, Hawthorn campus, phone: 9214 8025
Swinburne Student Services, Lilydale campus, phone: 9215 7101
Swinburne Psychology Clinic, phone: 9214 8653
Lifeline, 13 11 14.

This project has been approved by or on behalf of Swinburne’s Human Research Ethics Committee (SUHREC) in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. If you have any concerns or complaints about the conduct of this project, you can contact:
Research Ethics Officer, Swinburne Research (H68),
Swinburne University of Technology, P O Box 218, HAWTHORN VIC 3122.
Tel (03) 9214 5218 or +61 3 9214 5218 or resethics@swin.edu.au

Link between Alcohol and Mental Illness

During the Salvation Army's Annual Alcohol Awareness Campaign, they've released new, Roy Morgan research that focused on the links between alcohol misuse and mental health. The research included a random national sample of 638 Australians, aged 14 and older. It focused on alcohol consumption and attitudes towards alcohol, particularly regarding mental health.

The study found that 81% think that drinking alcohol has a negative impact on a person's mental health. 21% reported drinking more than they intended to, and 10% reported drinking as a way of dealing with negative emotions.

These findings are very concerning! The Salvos are urging all Australians to think about how they use alcohol and its effects, and ask everyone to make it a topic of conversation with friends and family. For more information about this study, please check the Salvation Army Media Release.

Mobember!

It's Movember again, the month of the MO! Movember is an annual fundraiser, raising money and awareness for men's health, particularly for prostate cancer and depression.

To be a part of Movember, start the month with a cleanly shaven face, then for the rest of the month have friends and family sponsor your efforts to grow your mo! Participating men are called Mo Bros, and their female supporters are Mo Sistas! To get involved in Movember visit the website.

Mens health issues are often a topic thats kept quiet and ignored. It's time this changed!

New e-tool to catch youth depression before it takes hold.

Australian researchers have received funding to develop a customised Internet program to equip young people, especially those at risk, with the skills and resilience to avoid depression. The web-based program will aim to prevent depression by building resilience. The service will be focused towards young people (aged 18-24)who fall into high risk groups such as strong family history of mood disorders, and other factors relating to environment, lifestyle, personality and stress management.

The need for this type of preventative approach is vital. Studies indicate that about 50 percent of all life-long psychiatric disorders start by the age of 14, and about 75 percent of disorders are present by the age of 24. If people within this age group have been better equip with better coping strategies and resilience, the hope is that the severity of disorders will be reduced and that prevalence rates might reduce.

The current system of treating disorders after symptoms emerge has been likened to only treating heart disease patients when they have a heart attack. It is important that everyone has access to mental health services and strategies and that everyone practices mentally healthy habits.

For more information, read the full article.

More help for young Australians

15 new Headspace centres have been announced to support young Australians with mental illness.

The mental health of young Australians is at the forefront with Prime Minister Julia Gillard's announcement of the locations for 15 new headspace centres Australia wide. Early intervention has been a focus, in an attempt to prevent mental health issues in youth becoming more serious and longer lasting. It has been suggested that eight out of ten illnesses affecting people aged 15 to 25 are associated with mental health. With such high figures, it becomes obvious how important helping people as early as possible is.

Headspace have also launched their free and confidential counselling service online and over the phone for young people aged 12 to 25. For more information about headspace and their services check out the headspace website.

Affirmations: Attitude, Kindness and Courage

Attitude
...Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.
- Charles Swindoll

Kindness

Kindness is an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When we do good things from this inner desire, there is kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.

- Emmanuel Swedenborg

Courage

One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.

- Maya Angelou

Press Release: “Operation: Emotional Freedom”

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Angie Muccillo
angiemuccillo@gmail.com
www.artsinaction.com.au
m. 0417391055

Documentary Film “Operation: Emotional Freedom” Shows Combat Vets Healing Years of “Incurable” PTSD

Melbourne, Victoria 24/10/11

In this stunning documentary film, traumatized veterans from wars in Vietnam, 1991 Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan self-heal “incurable” PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and flashbacks, survivor guilt and insomnia. Years of symptom- suppressing drugs and counselling at the VA, may have helped some, but still the nightmares came. That is, until they were recruited to try EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique, a holistic acupressure emotional release technique also known as “tapping.”

Sceptical and at times hostile, they grudgingly agreed to “try anything” to get their lives and relationships back. Guided by several EFT coaches who specialize in trauma, these veterans tapped away years of graphic war memories safely, quickly and without drugs or side-effects. As the sights, smells and sounds of combat faded and released, men tormented by horrific nightmares reporting sleeping peacefully. Veterans who had explosive anger outbursts felt “lighter”, those who avoided public places went to a restaurant. Wives declared the loving husbands they married had finally resurfaced. EFT is also effective for phobias, panic attacks, childhood trauma, some forms of physical pain, and general stress and anxiety.

A fundraiser screening of OPERATION: Emotional Freedom – The Answer is being held on Remembrance Day 11th November 2011 (as part of World Trauma Awareness Day) at The Glen Eira Town Hall Theatrette Caulfield at 7.30pm with doors open from 6pm. Representatives from the Victorian EFT Practitioner’s Network (VEPN) will be available on the night of the screening to offer information, resources, DVD's, contacts, advice and to deliver mini sessions before the scheduled screening. The event includes a panel discussion and a message from the Producer Eric Huure.

For Bookings and further information visit: http://melbourneoperationemotionalfreedom.eventbrite.com/

The screening hosted by Arts in Action and the Lions Club of Stonnington will raise funds for helping veterans access EFT sessions for treating PTSD symptoms.

Mental health prescriptions rise to 29 million a year!

Last year, there were 29 million perscriptions written for medications used for mental health issues, 60 per cent of these scripts were for anti-depressant medications. Others that were perscribed highly were anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic medications. This information comes from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) new website and was reported in an article in The Australian.

While these figures indicate that many are seeking help, concerns remain that people may not be recieving adequate pyschological support.

These figures are alarming, however AIHW figures also indicate there has been a 25.7 per cent increase in psychological services in the past five years and a 5 per cent increase in community mental health services, but only a 1.9 per cent increase in medication use. This indicates that mental health policy may be moving in the right direction.

Social Anxiety and Helpful Ways of Managing It

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) or also known as Social Phobia is not to be confused with shyness. Social Phobia is far more intense than shyness, and can interfere with ones daily functioning. People with social phobia want to interact with others, but are overcome with fear and much distress.

Social Phobia is an anxiety disorder where the sufferer fears social or performance situations or being scrutinized by others and therefore, they are afraid of embarrassing or humiliating themselves in public. Exposure to the feared situation almost instantly provokes anxiety, which may take the form of panic attacks. The feared social or performance situations are either avoided or endured with anxiety or distress and interferes significantly with the person’s normal routine, occupational or social functioning. Public speaking is one of the most common anxiety-provoking situations for people in general and it is the single situation most commonly feared by SAD patients as well. Other situations most feared by people suffering from social phobia are eating in front of others, dealing with authority figures or unfamiliar people, dating, performing on stage and informal speaking, which is avoided by 71%. When put in these social or performance situations sufferers may become anxious and have symptoms such as a racing heart, trembling, blushing or even sweating.

Social Phobia has two subtypes: specific or generalised phobia. Specific phobia refers to when the sufferer may only fear and/or avoid only one specific situation whereas the generalised subtype is when one may be concerned about several social or performance situations. Risk factors for social phobia include: early experiences of embarrassment, humiliation or scrutiny by others in social or performance situations, and having rigid rules of social behaviour, such as always having to sound intelligent or fluent. Parenting influences can also put children at risk for developing social phobia. For example, parents with elevated self-criticism or those that encourage avoidance of threatening situations which build coping and resilience.

There are some helpful tips and treatments readily available to effectively manage and reduce social anxiety in social or performance situations. Taking slow, deep breaths in a controlled manner in socially anxious situations can be a great way to reduce social anxiety and manage social phobia. Take deep, long breaths and feel your stomach and chest rise with each inhalation and exhale slowly.

Furthermore, it may be beneficial to focus externally rather than internally. SAD is based on intense feelings of dread, fear and apprehension in social settings. Sometimes, people suffering from social anxiety are so involved in their own physical symptoms and discomfort that everything else vanishes into the background. However, by trying to focus on external rather than internal stimuli - such as the people, conversations and information around you - attention may be diverted away from any physical sensations and allow for better social functioning and reduced social anxiety.

It may also be helpful to try and identify and remove deeply ingrained fears and false beliefs. Even though that may be easier said than done, negative thoughts, false beliefs, prior conditioning, self-esteem issues only help to feed social anxiety. By challenging and refuting these negative beliefs and irrational thoughts, great healing and change can occur. A popular and widely available therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), helps you change your thought patterns, beliefs, feelings, and behavior associated with the phobia and much research has shown it can be highly successful.

Taking small steps is vital to help overcome social phobia and build social confidence. Exposure therapy is frequently used for social phobia. By gradually exposing the person to feared social situations, usually beginning with small exposures and then slowly moving onto longer exposures, the brain is learning that the social or performance situation it once feared is actually not so bad. Social skills training may also help a person suffering from social phobia to become more confident in certain feared social or performance situations.

Lastly, Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests that if you suffer from social anxiety disorder you should try avoiding isolation during the holidays as it only reinforces social anxiety. If friends, family or others who you may feel comfortable with are available then keep in contact with them. It may also be beneficial to leave time for relaxation, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. It should also however, be kept in mind that social anxiety is likely to get worse if left untreated.

References:
Bandelow, B., & Stein, D.J. (2004). Social Anxiety Disorder. Marcel Dekker, Inc, New York.

http://www.socialphobia.org/
http://www.au.reachout.com/
www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/easing-social-anxiety-during-the-holidays
http://www.ehow.com/ - How to Reduce and Manage Social Anxiety

By Aly—ADAVIC Volunteer

Self Esteem quotes!

“To wish you were someone else is to waste the person you are”

“You must love yourself before you love another. By accepting yourself and fully being what you are, your simple presence can make others happy”

“Love yourself, for if you don’t, how can you expect anybody else to love you?”

Youth and Mental Health.

Mental health week last week seems to have sparked a call for extra funding for services related to young people's mental health.

Raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness at the forefront, particularly among children and teenagers. This time in life can be very challenging, especially for those who may not have the support and services they need. Many do not want to be associated with mental illness and therefore do not seek help. Instead many turn the wrong way, to alcohol and drugs. Today the Canberra Times posted an article referring to the 'slippery slide' from pressures during childhood and adolescence to self harm, drug and alcohol abuse and even death. Too many youth are entering the system too late, presenting with acute mental illness or addiction, or slipping through the cracks entirely.

Two things are required: services to help and a reduction in the stigma associated with seeking help. Sunbury College is working to fight this stigma and come up with in school programs to better mental health. A local Weekly has reported the school's program with year nine students, in conjunction with Orygen Youth Health and the Sunbury Community Health Centre, to develop a mental health resource kit for young people. This program is hoped to be implemented into other schools.

Weekly Quote

Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it. ~Mark Twain

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Unravelling a normal reaction to an abnormal situation..."

How do our bodies and brains react to trauma?
What is Post traumatic stress disorder?
What is the normal reaction to trauma?
How can we transform trauma?

On Wednesday the 26th of October ADAVIC is holding a lecture that will answer all these questions and more!

Presenter Donna Zander is a Clinical Social Worker who is the Co-ordinator of Post Trauma Victoria at Austin Health and is the director of her own private practice with many years experience in a diverse range of settings.

If you are interested in attending this event or want more information please check out the ADAVIC website or call 03 9853 8089.

Update on BBQ Fundraiser - 8th October 2011

Hi all,

Just want to let you know we raised just under $2,200 last Saturday at our Annual Bunnings Fundraiser.

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out on the day - they being:

Frank Duke - our resident chef
Irma
Ellen
Jane
Kevin
Yvonne
Mark
Ashlee
James
Tim
Hannah

Thanks to all the sponsors;

Don KRC
Safeway - Kew
McMahaon's Butchers - Balwyn
Baker's Delight - Glenferrie Road Hawthorn

Till next year!!!!

Stress Less

Four tips for better mental health!

Be connected: Social networks provide us with the tools to overcome stress

Be active: Excercising our bodies and minds leaves us feeling refreshed

Be Giving: Leaves you feeling better about yourself and opens the possibility to experience more of what life has to offer.

Take notice and Tune in: Pay attention to where you are; experience the moment. Listen to your thoughts; be kind to yourself.

For more on this, check out this article.

Call to combat mental illness stigma with campaigns

A Brisbane Summit on mental health this week proposed that government bodies need to act to reduce the stigma related to mental illness.

It was suggested that ongoing campaigns, such as those used for smoking and alcohol misuse, should be implemented to reduce the stigma associated to mental illness.

Others suggested that it would be far more beneficial for people to be more open about their mental illness so the general public can see that 'average' 'everyday' people have mental illness.

For more information check out this article.

Social Anxiety Group

RMIT University Psychology Clinic is holding a Social Anxiety Group from the 29th of October for 8 weeks for any one suffering from Social Anxiety.

Social Anxiety affects 2-3% of the Australian Population, occuring equalling in both men and women. Social Anxiety is an intense and overwhelming fear of being watched and judged by others and of doing things the will embarrass them. They will have either a general or specific fear about social situations that interferes with the individuals work, school and other ordinary activities, even making and spending time with friends.

If you are interested in participating in the Social Anxiety Group or would like more information, please call the clinic on 9925 7603

Do you live with someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Researchers at Swinburne University of Technology are looking for volunteers to participate in an interview of people who live with or support someone suffering from OCD.

If you and the person with OCD are over the age of 18 and you are willing to be interviewed either in person or over the phone, please contact Samantha on 0457 116 037 or at SBEEKEN@groupwise.swin.edu.au.

Weekly Quote

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
~World Health Organization, 1948

Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Panic attacks affect approximately 4 in 10 people. These attacks are very debilitating! They leave the individual feeling that they are losing control, going crazy or even dying. Panic Disorder is less frequent and affects about 4% of the population. People suffering from panic disorder have a persistent fear of having a panic attack and a constant worry about the consequences of an attack. To compensate, many alter their behaviour in an attempt to prevent attacks, for some it is so overwhelming that they try to avoid any place where it might be difficult to get help or to escape from, this is avoidance is called Agoraphobia.

On Thursday the 13th of October, Psychologist Peter Kyriakoulis will be presenting a lecture discussing the use of Cognitive Behavioural therapy to treat Panic attacks and Panic Disorder. The lecture will be held in Ringwood from 7:30pm. For more information, or to book, please check out the ADAVIC website.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Lecture 11th October 2011

During Mental Health Week Psychiatrist Dr. Scott Blair-West will be presenting a lecture on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The lecture will discuss OCD, drawing upon examples of different obsessions and compulsions that people perform, including some of the more newly recognised symptoms. The Lecture will be held on Tuesday the 11th of October from 7:30pm in Moorabin. For more information or to book please visit the ADAVIC website

Mental Health Week 9th - 15th October!

2011 Mental Health Week will be launched this Sunday!
Mental Health Week has been running since 1985. The week is dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing, increasing knowledge about mental health and trying to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Further information about this week and the events can be found on the Mental Health Foundation of Australia (Victoria) Website

This year, World Mental Health Day is the 10th of October. World Mental Health Day aims to increase public awareness about mental health issues. It encourages open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services, particularly in poorer countries.

Weekly Quote:

“Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.”
– Les Brown

Quotes on Positive Thinking!

*The difference between can and cannot are only three letters. Three letters that determine your life's direction.

*Being positive or negative are habits of thoughts that have a very strong influence on life.

*Positive and negative are directions. Which direction do you choose?

*Positive thinking is expecting, talking and visualizing with certainty what you want to achieve, as an accomplished fact.

*The mind is the decisive factor in your life, but who decides for the mind?

*A positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative.

*To think negatively is like taking a weakening drug.

*Positive thoughts are not enough. There have to be positive feelings and positive actions.

Poem - My Garden

Deep inside of me there is a garden, full of many seeds. Three very special seeds have names. Those are Confidence, Calmness and Contentment.

I was born with these seeds, but when I was young the garden was not tended to, and the seeds of ugly weeds began to take over Confidence, Calmness, and Contentment. As I grew older, I thought that the weeds had taken over the garden for good, and that Confidence, Calmness, and Contentment were killed.

Gone forever.

What I didn’t know was that the little seeds, no matter how many times they were stepped on or neglected, were the strongest seeds in the garden. They were alive, only lying dormant, for many years. For when I began tending the garden myself by nurturing the seeds with love and respect that they deserved – small, yet strong, lovely sprouts began to grow.

Someday soon they will chase away the weeds and become the most beautiful flowers in my garden.

Eventually, they will drop other seeds into the fertile soil and they too will grow strong with lovely flowers, with names like Hope, Pride, Peace, and Dignity.

Nobody will be able to walk on my garden again --- I won’t let them! For I know that every human being has the right to grow a beautiful garden inside of them.

Reconnexion National Community Conference

Anxiety: Create a Path to Recovery

1 in 7 people experience an anxiety disorder in Australia and yet there is a lack of information and understanding in this area. People are often unaware that there is treatment available and it’s hard to find information on how to access help and what has been proven to be effective.

Reconnexion is holding a National Community Conference – Anxiety: Create a Path to Recovery for people who have anxiety, their family and friends on Saturday 8 October at Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre to address this problem. A one day event for the community – that is, ‘consumers’ and ‘carers’ – almost all of us given the widespread nature of these common mental health problems.

Each person has their own journey; the conference aims to help people make choices based on individual needs so they can develop their own path to recovery

The Conference will inform people of the treatment and support options available; provide information on evidence based treatment; help people to navigate the maze of conflicting information; and support people, families and friends affected by anxiety disorders.

To achieve this, the Conference will present current counselling treatment, research and programs; e-therapy and web based programs; support programs such as meditation, yoga, art therapy; and the experience of consumers and carers.

Clinicians and people who have experienced anxiety disorders will come together to share their knowledge and skills in workshops and plenary sessions allowing people to choose the session of most benefit to them. Presenters include Simon Palomares, Associate Professor Nickolai Titov, Professor Paula Barrett, Professor Kathy Griffiths, Pauline McKinnon and Dr Wendy Knight.
This conference is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing.

For further information visit this direct link:
http://www.reconnexion.org.au/community-conference-on-anxiety/w1/i1024364/

Connecting Online

Like many non-profit organisations, ADAVIC has decided to “take the plunge” and become more active on the social networking scene. As well as being able to visit our website (www.adavic.org.au) you can now get additional news and information on our blog, follow us on Twitter and become a fan of us on Facebook.

Social networking is a positive way for us to communicate more regularly with our members and the wider community and to keep informed about what other organisations are doing.
Through these platforms we are able to share even more information about coping strategies, how other people have managed their condition, and lots of links to interesting content in the media.
We can also make sure the wider community is aware of our upcoming events so that we can try and assist even more people with anxiety disorders.

So if you are not already connecting with us online:

Follow us on Twitter
www.twitter.com/ADAVIC
Become a “fan” on Facebook
www.facebook.com/adavic.org.au

Fundraising BBQ

As previously mentioned, ADAVIC will be holding their annual Bunnings BBQ fundraiser on the 8th of October at the Bunnings located at 230 Burwood Rd Hawthorn.

The BBQ will be running from 8am until 4pm with proceeds going to assist the continual running of ADAVIC's work within the community.

The event also coincides with Mental Health Week, so what better way to help out than by showing your support for ADAVIC and buying a sausage!

Mental Health Week 9th - 15th October

The 2011 Mental Health Week is rapidly approaching. During this week, Sunday the 9th to Saturday the 15th, ADAVIC will be holding two lectures.

On Tuesday the 11th of October Dr Scott Blair-West will be presenting a lecture on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This lecture aims to explain what OCD is and will discuss different examples of the obsessive thoughts and compulsive rituals people perform. It will also delve into some more newly recognised OCD symptoms performed to reduce anxiety. For more information or to book online, please click here.

The second lecture; 'Treating Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)' will be held on Thursday the 13th of October. Presenter Peter Kyriakoulis will discuss the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as a treatment option for Panic Attacks. For more information about this event or to book online, please click here

Weekly Quote:

"He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe"
- Marcus Aurelius

Obessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) has been categorised as an Anxiety Disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV. OCD is characteristed by recurrant and disturbing thoughts; refered to as obsessions and the urge to perform repetitive and ritualised behaviours; refered to as compulsions. People suffering the disorder attempt to actively dismiss the unwanted thoughts/obsessions by performing the compulsions. In most cases the compulsions help to alleviate some of the anxiety as the compulsions are seen to cancel out the obsessions, and therefore whatever the disturbing thoughts are will not become real.

There has been a lot of research in the area of OCD lately, Psych Central recentally published an article, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Drugs Helps OCD in Children which discusses a recent study on treatments.

If OCD is something that you are wanting to learn more about, ADAVIC have a lecture coming up on the 11th of October being presented by DR Scott Blair-West. For more information or to book please Click Here

Online Treatment For OCD

Swinburne University researchers have been trialing an online treatment option for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with initial findings indicating that it could be successful in helping to manage symptoms.

"The online treatment will potentially make a huge difference for people in remote or rural areas, who have limited access to psychological services," said Professor Michael Kyrios who is leading the study.

The initial trial is now being followed by a larger study which will provide participants with access to free online treatment that is supported by therapists.

If you are over 18 year of age and are interested in participating you can contact Sam Mancuso on (03) 9214 4628 or via email: semancuso@swin.edu.au

For more information visit Anxiety Online

Treatment options: a medical vs a naturopathy perspective

The Body and Soul liftout in the Sunday Newspaper often has a comparisson of how different conditions can be managed from the perspective of a GP and of a Naturopath.

The following links provide their two different opinions on how to affectively treat anxiety.

The GP says:
expert opinion - GP

The Naturopath says:
expert opinion - Naturopath


Keep in mind that these are only two opinions and that the suggestions given may not work for everyone.

MY JOURNEY THROUGH AGORAPHOBIA

Hi everyone,

It has been a while since I have written, and I apologise.
Overall my progress is coming along, still slow and steady for me.

I have had some changes in my life which I have found difficult to deal with, so the fact that I am still making progress, however slow it may be, is good!

A few months ago my long term partner and I separated.
We have been together for twenty years so this has been very, very hard for me. We have remained friends and that is something I am happy about. He just felt he needed time and space away from the relationship. Like most couples we had our ups and downs but my problems with agoraphobia, anxiety and depression took a big toll on him. He was very supportive but there is no doubt that living day and day out with an agoraphobic person can be difficult for partners.
I live on my own now and that has also been challenging for me.

Apart from the more personal aspects, it also has been hard for my progress with my agoraphobia. I was at the stage where I was trying new things and venturing further and I could do this as long as he accompanied me. I felt safe with him knowing he understood about my anxiety and knowing that if it became too much for me he would gently coax me along, or would take me home if need be. With that confidence I was doing more and more new things which I was totally enjoying.

The freedom of being able to go out! It felt so liberating to be finally able to go out. I felt like I was part of the world again, instead of being trapped inside by my fear. This may sound like I was just doing it easily. I wasn’t. I would often be anxious, sometimes very anxious but I was able to now cope better with this anxiousness and not let it overwhelm me.

Then when my partner left I had less opportunities to try to get out more. I am doing things on my own more and more but I am not at the stage yet where I can do a lot on my own. I can walk short distances on my own and I have started to drive again but I can only go around quiet streets near my home.

Another big change for me was one of my closest friends whom I have known since we were kids, and who has also been a great support to me, moved interstate.

Again, apart from purely missing her and her loving friendship, she was also a practical help to me as she would take me to my therapist every week. She would also take me out when she could. Thankfully her sister has been able to take me to my therapist for my sessions. She usually can’t take me every week but I am grateful that she can take me at all. My therapist and I do phone sessions when I can’t get there in person.

I must admit I have felt frustrated that just as I am ready to explore the world the two people I have relied on to do that with are not available!

I do have other friends but they generally live too far away to be able to help. It is times like these when I really miss having family for help and support. I am an only child and have no family. Still I know having a family is no guarantee of help and support!

However, I have kept on with my own work that I can do, which is trying to work further everyday and trying to drive again.
Getting in a car again has been very scary for me but I have taken it very slowly. At first I was only able to drive a few houses down and then turn around but I have gradually widened that to be able to drive a few streets away. I am lucky that the streets where I live are very quiet with hardly any traffic. My car is an old bomb that is falling apart and I had the experience of it breaking down when I was going on one of my drives. That was extremely challenging for me!
It actually happened twice. The first time the car just stopped in the middle of the road and thankfully a nice passerby helped me to get the car off the road. I was one street away from my house
He could tell I was shaken up so he offered to drive me home. I was so relieved that he was so kind.

The next time I had a bit of warning and I pulled over to the side of the road before the car stopped dead. This time there was no kind passerby so I had to walk home on my own. It was a little bit further than I was used to walking and I become quite anxious. I wanted to just run so I could get home quickly and not panic but I knew that running was not the answer!
With legs shaking I just started walking slowly but steadily trying to loosen my tight grip on myself and my muscles and let go of the tension. That helped enormously and I made it home.

I have kept up my meditation and truly believe that has been a huge factor in my progress in dealing with anxiety and panic.

I have had days and nights when I have felt so alone that I didn’t know how I would make it through. I have also had days when I have realized that being on my own is helping me know my self more, the good the bad and the painful.

I have had a lot of childhood issues that I have been working through with my therapist and this time alone has allowed me to really feel the pain of my past and my present.

More than my progress with going out, I think what I am most proud of is that I have let myself feel my pain, let my tears flow freely, and let the loneliness envelop me without being quite so afraid of all of it.
It hurt like nothing else to face my deepest pains. I had stuffed all the pain down, deep down inside and tried to ignore it. I used to be afraid that if I let myself feel all of that it would overwhelm me and I would have the ‘big’ panic attack that I had always dreaded. In fact it is the opposite, by letting all that out and feeling it all, the anxiety lessens.

I am still a work in progress in this regard but there is progress.

Sometimes it is easier to see how far I still have to go rather than how far I have come. But when I think back to the person I used to be…… so very frightened and existing with a level of anxiety most of the time… I see how far I have come.

By Janesse – September 2011

Workplace Bullying

Brodie Panlock committed suicide in 2006 at the age of 19 after being repeatedly bullied by three co-workers. In early 2010, four workers at Café Vamp, a small restaurant in Melbourne Victoria, were fined a total of $335,000 for repeatedly bullying or allowing bullying to occur to Brodie. In this particular case, the victim’s life was cut short when she began to feel unhappy and unsafe and the only solution she could find was to end her own life. “Brodie’s Law” represents a necessary increase in the penalties for bullying.

Workplace bullying is a large issue in Australian culture. I can think of several friends of all ages who have experienced this. I have even seen it happen and taken to initiative to complain to management, with zero action. It appears that unless someone is seen repeatedly engaging in bullying behaviour by a manager, they have the upper hand and cannot be fired. It is problems like this that allow bullying to continue.

In doing some online research for this story, I saw similar complaints by thousands of Australians. People feel helpless and believe that even if they speak up, nothing will be done to the perpetrator. The victim even begins to feel like it is their fault.

“Brodie’s Law” or to be specific, the Crimes Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2011, is a change to the Crimes Act that introduces 10-year prison terms for bullying. We have to ask however, if this is going to be enforced. One thing that has been reiterated throughout my research is that bullying in the workplace is everybody’s responsibility. Considering that about one in six people are bullied at work; in some industries the figure is higher, ranging from 25%, 50% to 97% (Duncan and Riley study), this sounds like sound advice. I would urge not only those being bullied, but those who witness it, to stand up and declare that it is not acceptable. This is the first step to a safer work environment for all Australians.

Not surprisingly, bullying has been an increasingly important area for psychologists to understand. Psychologist Evelyn Field’s website, www.bullying.com.au has sections devoted to workplace bullying. Evelyn is available for counselling and has recently published a book entitled ‘Strategies for Surviving Bullying at Work’. I would recommend viewing the information on the website if you are dealing with workplace bullying or suspect that someone you know may be. To take it a step further, I suggest that all of us make an effort to understand what workplace bullying may involve. Australia needs to join together to educate ourselves and make a stance against workplace bullying. Let’s respect the passing of Brodie Panlock by not allowing this to happen again.

Jessica—ADAVIC Volunteer

Advocacy for Carers - ARAFEMI

ARAFEMI
Advocacy for Carers
On the path to self-advocacy
Learn how to champion the best interests of your loved one and yourself (for carers)
Saturday 15th October 2011
10am - 1pm
This workshop assists carers to navigate the mental health system and effectively communicate his or her own interests, desires, needs and rights.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Seminars/Workshops: $5.00 and are facilitated from ARAFEMI’s head office, Ground Floor 270 Auburn Road Hawthorn.
Booking Form:
http://www.arafemi.org.au/family-support/carer-education.html
For further information or to book email volunteers@arafemi.org.au or contact Carer Helpline
1300 550 265

Probiotics May Help Treat Anxiety & Depression

New research has found that good bacteria, or probiotics like those found in yoghurt could help treat people with anxiety and depression because it helps to reduce stress and has the potential to change the chemistry of the brain, thus relieving symptoms.

Watch a video from The Today Show to find out more: Yoghurt Magic

Weekly Quote

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
- Wayne Gretzky

Cluttered lives of hoarders

Compulsive hoarding is where people have trouble discarding items. This leads to the person's house becoming cluttered to the point they can no longer move freely within their homes and begin to face unnecessary risks such as injuries from tripping and difficulties with hygiene. Hoarding afffects about one million Australian's and will soon be recognised as a medical condition in its own right. The Sunday Night show presented some very interesting information on this topic along with additional links on this issue, for further information please click here.

"Questions and Answers" - Anxiety, Depression and Treatment Options.

Each year one in five Australians experiences a mental illness, yet due to stigma associated with these conditions many do not seek assistance. On Tuesday the 20th September ADAVIC are providing everyone with the oppurtunity to Ask Questions and Get Answers from Clinical Psychologist Dr Sallee McLaren and Psychotherapist Pauline McKinnon. For more information or to book online please click here.

A mother's journey dealing with a child suffering panic attacks!

By Georgette Anderson-Reed

My eldest daughter Rhiannon always had a spark about her that made me envious, people were drawn to her, her smile was contagious. She had an essence for life that was inspiring. We had just had the most amazing start to the year as her father and I married after thirteen years together, we were all on top of the world. Rhiannon gave a speech in front of eighty people expressing her love to us both, we were so proud. So why two months later did it all come crashing down around us?

It started off as small spurts, little things that no one else would have picked up on, but as a mother I knew something was not right with my little girl. She was ten and struggling at school and letting little things get to her. She was stressed getting up in the morning to go to school and that was a sign that something was wrong as Rhiannon loved school and hated the thought of not going. In the six years of her education, she had only ever missed a handful of days and when she did, she was usually very ill. Day by day she began to deteriorate and as a mother I knew I needed to be strong to get her through this, but on the inside I was screaming for someone to give me back my daughter.

Doctors after doctors, tests after tests, no one could tell me what was wrong with my angel. As I held her in my arms while she cried, screaming that she wanted to hurt herself or someone else for all the pain to stop, I knew a piece of Rhiannon had died and it was going to be my job to find a new piece for her to develop. I told her to start writing down and explaining her feelings. Her first piece of work explained more than I could have ever imagined. Reading your daughter’s pain and how trapped she feels you begin to wonder where you went wrong as a parent.

Sadly no one was taking this seriously and her school was only treating this as if I was a crazy mother and my daughter was trying to get attention. She started seeing the school psychologist which was helping, and I began to see Rhiannon’s new path. She started talking about wanting to help other kids that may feel the same way as she does and arranged a group for kids just like her to be heard and for someone to just listen. I was so proud, but deep down I could see Rhiannon was still struggling. She had always been a highly anxious child, stressing about the little things; however I was clueless to the depths of her discomfort. She began to panic at the smallest things, to the point where she would almost faint.

I must admit, as a control freak myself, I was struggling with her. I just wanted her to get back on track and live a happy normal carefree life. Everything became an issue - cutting her hair, going up and down stairs, escalators and elevators, and even eating meat became problematic as she was fearful of choking. I knew she was struggling but I did my best to make everything ok, but I was only making matters worse. The sad point is that I too suffer from panic and fear, so how could I of all people not understand? Because I believe I have mine under control. Mine is all hidden where no one can see, then escapes at night in my sleep where I have nocturnal panic attacks.

It wasn’t until I started student placement at ADAVIC, and I started reading books on anxiety, that it hit me smack in the face. Rhiannon was caught in her own nightmare where everyone could see her anxiety on display. I asked Rhiannon to share her feelings in writing an article, so I could understand how she was feeling around her panic and fear. It was right in front of me the whole time that she was suffering from a panic attack disorder and I got so caught up with trying to fix her that I did not stop to see her discomfort. Whilst Rhiannon and I share a beautiful relationship, I was trying to control her disorder rather than helping her live with it.

I am slowly adjusting to having a daughter who suffers from a panic attack disorder, giving her the time she needs when she faces her fears. My husband, on the other hand, does not understand as he has never suffered anything like this and acts as cool as a cucumber, and does not have the tolerance with her. However, we are taking it day by day and learning to work with her instead of against her. When an attack comes on we help her, talk her through it, and we learn more and more everyday from her. Although I lost a piece of my daughter, I have gained a new piece, a strong inspiring piece that will not only teach me but will help and teach many more in the future. If Rhiannon has taught her father and I anything, it is that living with panic attack disorder should not be a life sentence, it will take time, patience and support but as a family we will learn to live with it, not against it…

Louise Hay Affirmations!

It is Safe to Look within
As I move through the layers of other people's opinions and beliefs.
I see within myself a magnificant being, wise and beautiful.
I Love what I see in me.

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My home is a peaceful haven.
I bless my home with love.
I put love in every corner, and my home lovingly responds with warmth and comfort.
I am at peace.

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Loving others is easy when I Love and accept myself
My heart is open. I allow my love to flow freely.
I love myself.
I live others and others love me.

R U OKAY DAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Tomorrow is R U OK Day
Who will you ask?

Research Participants!

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Healthier Kids, Healthier Future


The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne

PARTICIPANTS REQUIRED FOR RESEARCH PROJECT ON HELPING TEENAGERS WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY MANAGE ANXIETY


A research study at The Royal Children’s Hospital is currently underway aimed at helping teenagers with acquired brain injury (ABI) manage their anxiety. We are looking for teenagers to participate in the study who have had an ABI and are experiencing anxiety.
Teenagers enrolled in the study will participate in a cognitive-behavioural therapy program aimed at reducing their anxiety. The program runs for 11 sessions over 11 weeks.
We would like to hear from you if you or your child:
(1) is aged 12–19 years,
(2) has had an acquired brain injury (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke),
(3) has difficulties with anxiety, and
(4) the injury/onset occurred more than 6 months ago.


Please contact Irene Dinatale on (03) 9090 5224 (irene.dinatale@mcri.edu.au.) or Laura Punaro on (03) 9090 5253 (laura.punaro@mcri.edu.au) for more information about this study.