According to the WHO, mental health is defined as a “state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to contribute to his/her community”. Mental health is a critical component of overall health and wellbeing, and it cannot be separated from other aspects of health. Mental health issues can have a flow-on effect, impacting the physical health and social relationships and vice-versa. If left untreated, mental health challenges can escalate and have consequences. Did You ..read more

Mental health has always been a critically important topic. But it’s only recently that a truly conscious effort has been made to openly discuss and raise awareness on the issue. Mental health is a pillar of overall wellbeing, and it cannot be separated from other aspects of health. Mental health issues can have a flow-on effect, impacting the physical health and social relationships and vice-versa. If left untreated, mental health challenges can escalate and have consequences. Almost all of our actions, thoughts, and behaviours are impacted by our mental state. Therefore, it is critical to t ..read more

At Bayside Psychotherapy in Melbourne, we’ve noticed an increase every year in the number of people we help to stop, or come to terms with the damaging impact of binge drinking. Whilst we help people from all walks of life, facing all kinds of personal challenges it’s clear that binge drinking and associated impacts of alcohol misuse are on the rise. Our counselling clinic is treating more people suffering with this out of control problem than we ever have before. View our presentation on Binge Drinking in Australia here:   It’s not our job to judge, but to help and infor ..read more

As Australia and the rest of the world emerge from the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic the effects of lockdowns, border restrictions, business closures, home schooling and social isolation continue to impact the mental health of many Australians. The results from recent research have also found that the divorce rate amongst Australian couples has skyrocketed. According to divorce statistics in Australia by The Age, over 200,000 divorce applications were lodged by unhappy couples in the past two years which did not include de-facto separations or figures from Western Australia. The Australian g ..read more

There are times when we don’t always recognise our feelings and it is very easy to forget that anxiety has physical effects too. When we can identify these signs it becomes easier to tell if you are experiencing anxiety and move towards a mindful solution, which is why we have put together this guide to the physical signs of anxiety. This post is part of our Anxiety Awareness Campaign at Bayside Psychotherapy; if you’d like to learn more statistics about how many people live with anxiety you can do so here. We want to help spread an understanding of anxiety and those who experience it in ..read more

Mental health awareness has grown significantly and especially as a result of COVID and the associated lockdowns. In Australia, we have taken huge steps forward in opening up about our mental health issues. However, when it comes to assessing our mental state or seeking treatment for potential issues the solutions may still remain a little unclear. Like a physical health check-up at the doctor’s office, a mental health check-up is essential for overall well-being. A registered therapist can assess your mental health and provide recommendations regarding appropriate treatment options. Seeking ..read more

Let’s examine how age and gender can influence eating disorder risk. When reading this article, remember – although age and gender may impact one’s chance of being diagnosed with an eating disorder, eating disorders can affect anyone at any time. Eating disorders have existed for a long time, with the first case of anorexia nervosa identified in the UK in 1689. Over the years, historical records and research have concluded that the risk for developing a specific eating disorder can be significantly affected by age and gender. Eating disorders have a higher prevalence among younger people. How ..read more

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘you are what you eat’. But do you know what it really means? Every time you consume a meal, you are not only providing your body with the energy it needs to function, but you are also sending critical instructions to your brain. Different types of food can be thought of as having their own unique codes that program how the body and mind should work. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to eat foods that promote a healthy body and mind. As Samantha Heller, a clinical nutritionist at NYU Medical Center in New York states, “Everything you eat becomes a part of n ..read more

Have you ever noticed a connection between your eating habits and your emotions? Perhaps you’ve experienced a short burst of energy after binging on sugary foods, or felt irritable and tired after skipping breakfast. Food can certainly affect how you feel. But the same applies vice versa. Your frame of mind can affect your relationship with food and, subsequently, your eating habits. While the exact causes of eating disorders are complex, researchers are continuing to uncover that there are strong psychological factors involved. Let’s dive deeper into what psychological triggers can lead to ea ..read more

Here’s an interesting fact. Your brain never switches off. Even when you are tucked up in bed at night, sleeping peacefully, your brain is still working away – priming your body for the day ahead. The brain has an incredibly high energy demand. In fact, despite only weighing 2% of your body weight, the brain uses about 20% of the calories you consume. It uses these calories to maintain things like your temperature, your breathing rate, your heart rate and your emotions. Now, take a minute to reflect. What exactly are you feeding your brain with? The relationship between food and your mood The ..read more