Thought Cloud

Psychological and physical health are intricately linked. There are many physical issues that may have a direct impact on mental health. Women’s bodies are chameleons. They change dramatically at each stage of life. Sometimes, there are imbalances as we adjust to new demands on our systems. It is [...] Read more

* Thank you to Alana Healthcare who requested I write this entry as a "guest blogger" on their website for September 2016 ... Becoming a parent is a major life event. It’s an exciting time that changes life in lots of ways—and this transition requires numerous adjustments. Many new parents find that [...] Read more

I love the Olympics, the whole idea of defining human limits and then pushing beyond them. There is so much to be admired watching the athletes. Just as important as their awesome physical abilities is the undeniable mental strength in the long journey that leads them to the games. Even more [...] Read more

Most of us will notice thoughts coming into and out of our heads all day. We are always thinking, evaluating and interpreting things that are going on around us. This is important for us to make sense of the world and to plan what we do next. But what you say to yourself can really influence how you [...] Read more

Even just taking a long hot bath, alone, once a week, may reduce the risk of postnatal depression - Research by Hannah Woolhouse, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Stephanie Brown, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute - One in three women will experience significant depressive symptoms in the [...] Read more

The loss of a baby can be a deeply distressing experience at any stage of a pregnancy. Many women experience intense emotions while also dealing with the physical impact and hormonal upheaval. The sense of bonding between a woman and her unborn baby can be very strong. It is understandable that you [...] Read more

The need to have a psychological evaluation is a prerequisite when adopting a child from another country. Although the requirements can vary for each country, usually a clinical interview and some well-validated psychological measures are completed for each prospective parent. The process might [...] Read more

Next week is Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week (15-21 November 2015). It’s common for pregnant women and new mothers to feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, frustrated and just plain exhausted. But if this is all you feel and there are few positive feelings at all, it becomes [...] Read more

Stress has been getting some pretty good press lately. A number of recent books and articles have been selling its benefits and urging us to embrace it as our friend. Is that possible? A pounding heart, tense muscles, quickened breathing . . . stress is the automatic ‘fight or flight’ survival [...] Read more

In Australia, 1 in 5 women will experience depression and 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety in a lifetime. Anxiety and depression in our community is more common than you might think. When life isn't going to plan and problems seem overwhelming, it can feel like you are alone in the world. In [...] Read more