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Jo Roome clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches

Areas Of Interest

My interest in psychology, mental health and well-being includes:​

Depression and depressive disorders:

There are different types of depression. It is normal to feel down, sad and less interested from time to time.

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When this feeling worsens and lasts longer than normal it may be something else such as depression.

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Common symptoms of depression include:

  • Sadness

  • Irritability

  • Emptiness

  • Feeling hopeless

  • Low mood or feeling down

  • Changes in sleep (too much, too little)

  • Changes in appetite e.g. no interest in eating or increase/decrease in weight

  • Low energy

  • Fatigue

  • Reduced concentration

  • Excessive guilt

  • Thoughts of death

 

You may even think and move slower than usual. Has it been harder to make decisions?

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There is less enjoyment or pleasure in activities. Less interest generally.

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Do these symptoms affect the way you think, what you’re doing and how you’re feeling?

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Perhaps other people have noticed and commented(?)

Perhaps you are withdrawing(?)

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One type of depression arises just before menstruation. Another might be brought on by alcohol or substance use.

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Possible therapy options: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, mindfulness, EMDR, ACT.

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clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for anxiety

Anxiety

Excessive fear or worry/anticipation about the future.

 

The worry or fear is usually an overestimation of danger and usually out of proportion to the facts. It may become more problematic when we procrastinate or avoid situations.

 

Even if we don’t avoid the situation we feel considerable distress about it – even though we have no proof that there is a threat. â€‹

Symptoms include:

  • Muscle tension

  • Feeling shaky

  • Being on edge

  • Finding it hard to let go of worry and negative thoughts

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Digestive issues such as nausea, diarrhea.

Are you avoiding things or putting things off because you are worried?

Would your life be different if you weren’t so worried?

What would you be doing?

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Therapy can support this exploration by identifying obstacles and moving towards your values. Start living the life you want.

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Possible therapy options: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, mindfulness, exposure therapy, EMDR.

Social anxiety:

Social anxiety is intense fear or anxiety in social situation/s in which we think that we will be judged by others.

The anxiety is out of proportion – we may not have any proof that we are being scrutinised.

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We tend to overthink the situation. To avoid the anxiety – we may avoid particular social situations. 

Do you worry that you might say the wrong thing, worry you might be boring, not funny? You may feel embarrassed or humiliated.

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Is it harder with people you don’t know?

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Social anxiety may stop you from enjoying the occasion because you over-think the situation and worry about what other people think of you. Why did I do/say that? Did I offend the person? Anxiety feels exhausting.

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Is it performance anxiety – speaking in front of people, presentations at school or work? Giving a speech?

clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for social anxiety
clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for phobias

Specific phobia:

Fear or anxiety about a situation or something specific e.g. animals, heights, lift, public transport or being on a plane, getting an injection or having a medical test – MRI, CT scan.

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The response to the phobia is usually avoidance or intense anxiety/fear.

Panic attacks:

Does fear become intense very quickly?

Do you feel shaky, sweaty, have shortness of breath, chest discomfort, increased heart rate, fear of losing control?

 

It can occur when you are calm or when you are anxious – expected or out of the blue? It could be a panic attack.

Panic Attack northern beaches

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Exposure to an intensely stressful event/s or situation/s. It includes emotional, cognitive and physical reactions. It negatively affects a person’s life.
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Trauma can affect the way a person copes or functions in the short term and long term. How an event affects a person depends on many factors.
 
PTSD does not necessarily develop after a traumatic experience.

Symptoms include:

  • Distressing memories or images

  • Nightmares

  • Negative thoughts

  • Reacting intensely to reminders of the trauma

  • Negative beliefs stemming from the trauma

  • Sleep disturbance

  • Hypervigilance

  • Feeling more angry or irritable – even in relation to minor issues

  • Feeling isolated.

Is it difficult to feel positive emotions such as happiness and calm?

Do you often feel on edge?

Are you avoiding activities, people, situations since the event or as a result of trauma?

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Possible therapy options: EMDR, Prolonged exposure therapy, imagery rescripting, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills - for managing difficult emotions and tolerating distress.

clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for PTSD
clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for stress

Stress

Stress is a common reaction to difficult situations or everyday challenges when things become overwhelming.

It usually occurs when we think we don’t have the ability or resources to cope with demands made on us. 

We feel under pressure – whether the pressure is real or perceived.

Stress has mental and physical elements such as:

  • Muscle tension

  • Feeling overwhelmed

  • Memory issues

  • Headache

  • Irritability

  • Worry

  • Upset stomach.

  • Stress can affect all systems in the body including cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.

When does stress become problematic? When it affects quality of life, affects relationships e.g., becoming more snappy/grumpy, affects work/study performance, when the symptoms last a long time, when we find it difficult to unwind and relax, when we over-react to minor issues.

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What is the difference between anxiety and stress? Usually, stress is a response to an external trigger. When the cause of the stress is removed e.g., taking an exam, stress decreases. However, anxiety can be triggered by an external trigger or internal triggers/sensations such as increased heart rate or worries. With anxiety, worries can persist even when the trigger is removed. Anxiety is fear that is out of proportion to the event. Anxiety is usually in relation to the future – the “what if’s…” e.g., What if someone sees I’m anxious, what if I lose my job, what if she doesn’t like me, what if I can’t cope?

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Possible therapy options: CBT, ACT, psychoeducation, mindfulness.

Bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder includes manic or hypomanic symptoms such as:

  • Irritability

  • Reduced need for sleep

  • Racing thoughts

  • Being more talkative than usual

  • Doing a lot more activities and planning lots of things, jumping into complex activities despite having little experience

  • Participating in riskier activities or behaving in a way that is not your usual self. These behaviours may be risky or lead to unwanted consequences e.g., uncontrolled spending splurges, driving dangerously.

  • Feeling “high”, elevated, or excessively happy.

Bipolar disorder can include a depressive episode (symptoms described under depression) and a mix of manic and depressive symptoms. It can include psychotic symptoms.

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Possible therapy options: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, mindfulness, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills - for managing difficult emotions.

clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for bipolar
clinical psychologist brookvale northern beaches for alcohol misuse

Alcohol misuse: 

When there is a problematic pattern of alcohol use that leads to distress or it affects obligations at work/study, family, social life.

Activities are reduced or abandoned because of alcohol use. There is continued use despite problems caused by alcohol. There have been unsuccessful efforts to give up or cut down alcohol. More time spent in activities that include alcohol use.

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Tolerance to alcohol has increased and quantity of alcohol has increased. There may be withdrawal symptoms e.g., vomiting, insomnia, anxiety, hand tremor, sweating, seizures.

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Possible therapy options: CBT including relapse prevention.

For the above mental health issues:

 

Choice of therapy/therapies depends on a few factors, such as your preference, your goals, and symptoms.

 

I only use evidence-based therapies i.e., therapies that have been researched and tested.

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