11/6/2014 Bev Aisbett is a well known Australian author, illustrator and artist who has suffered from depression and anxiety. Bev wrote her autobiography, ‘All of It’ as well as a number of self help books looking at depression and anxiety. She is also an artist who exhibits regularly. I was contacted by Ashburton Library and …
Monday 26/5/2014 Whilst reading the Sunday papers, and indulging in a delicious raspberry muffin yesterday, I came across an article in Herald Sun’s, Body & Soul supplement May 25 2014 about fear of vomiting treatment. Kylie Stevenson has written an informative article about emetophobia. Some people fear vomiting in public, whilst others fear their own vomit or …
21/05/2014 Primary school children may worry about their parents getting divorced, be afraid of dogs or the dark. Therefore some children need to learn how to cope with anxiety. ‘Go Away Mr Worrythoughts’ is a stage show targeted at primary school children which gives tips on how to cope with anxiety. Go Away Mr Worrythoughts is …
17/5/2014 A large study (which can be found online in the British Medical Journal http://www.bmj.com/content/348/bmj.g1996 ) by researchers at the University of Warwick, England, has found that several common anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills were linked to an increased risk of death. The study followed people who had had prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax and Valium …
When interviewed by the media, I often find myself answering the question “What is Social Anxiety?“ The crux of social anxiety is an excessive fear of being negatively evaluated. Sufferers worry that other people will consider they are e.g. boring or stupid or incompetent if they appear awkward, say or do anything they consider is embarrassing, or …
14/5/2014 Have you been following the trail of Oscar Pistorius, a double amputee athlete, who fired four shots through a locked bathroom door and killed his girlfriend, 29 year old lawyer and model, Reeva Steenkamp? If you have, you are probably aware that a psychiatrist for the defence, Dr. Vorster, has stated that Oscar has had an …
I am delighted to have been invited to discuss social anxiety on air at ABC Radio National next Tuesday morning with presenter Phil Kafcaloudes and Terry Laidler (forensic psychologist and working at The Global & Cultural Mental Health Unit, University of Melbourne). The segment on social anxiety starts at 9.30am so I will have to get up …
I just stumbled across a great article about overcoming your fear of public speaking by famous American atheist, author, philosopher & neuroscientist, Sam Harris. Sam starts his article on public speaking anxiety by reporting that American President Thomas Jefferson was said to be scared of addressing Congress. John Adams said of Jefferson “During the whole time …
07/05/2014 Driving a car is probably the most risky thing many of us do. A recent survey by Allianz Insurance, reported in The Herald Sun on February 28th 2014, has discovered that 79% of the 1000 drivers they surveyed had worries about driving. 17% of motorists surveyed reported that they decide not to make a certain …
24/4/2014 Moby, the successful American musician, DJ, photographer, and singer/songwriter, has divulged that he has experienced anxiety since he was child. His apprehension and worry escalated into panic attacks when at the age of 19 he tried LSD. For many years Moby avoided dating or self medicated with alcohol in order to avoid anxiety attacks. …