Dealing with Anxiety Problems? Get into Action. Don’t Wait!

All of us experience stress and feel anxious from time to time. For example, feeling anxious about an exam that is coming up soon, a job interview, or even a wedding! A little of this anxious feeling is a normal part of everyone’s life, and in fact, sometimes, even helpful to us. 

According to Dr. Neil Rector, Head for the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic in Toronto, “It is necessary in humans for survival and adaptation, and it is not in the least harmful or dangerous. Anxiety is typically short-lived, and in some cases moderate levels of anxiety actually enhance performance”. It becomes a problem, however, if the anxiety level reaches an extent where it interferes with your day-to-day life, that is, you feel overwhelmed by it, your health is affected, you are not able to interact with others as well as you used to be, and it is disrupting your ability to work/study. This is even more so if it has been going on for weeks, months or even longer, and it is highly important to do something about it. 

Several things that you can do:

• Stay healthy

o Eat healthily – have a balanced diet and eat regularly

o Sleep healthily – have a regular sleep schedule and get enough sleep.

o Exercise – at least 30 minutes on most days is good for you, but do not do it excessively or too late in the day (i.e., exercise no later than 3 – 4 hours before you sleep).

o Avoid alcohol - It may seem to help, but it is short-lived, and in actual fact, it worsens the situation, and makes it even harder for you to get better. 

• Relax—There are many ways to help you relax. A few suggestions include:

o Taking a walk  

o Listening to music 

o Having a hot shower/bubble bath  

o Watching a comedy

· Talk to someone

o It helps to relieve your feelings when you talk about the things that make you anxious with a friend or family member. They may have encountered similar situations with you and can help/support you go through it.    

• Seek professional help

o Lifeline (131114) – 24/7 telephone counselling services.

o Your local General Practitioner (doctor) – he/she can help identify your struggles and find the best ways for you to manage it.

o Counselling—The centre is open to EVERYONE—see details below.

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Appointments may be made by calling 9639 3875 or online at:
http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

Article by Ping Yin Ngu, Child and Adolescent Psychologist 

 Photo: freedigitalimages.net

Struggling to get over the breakdown of a long-term relationship?

Anyone who gets married or enters a relationship does so with the hope of living ‘happily ever after’.  Unfortunately however, in Australia up to 50% of marriages end in divorce.  Whether you’ve been married or in a relationship that hasn’t worked out, it can be difficult to move on and forget about the past.  The breakdown of a relationship can be very painful; especially when you have invested so much of yourself into what you thought was forever.  You may feel like you can’t live without your partner and feel depressed and lonely.  Perhaps you’re struggling with identity issues as previously you were part of a couple and now you’re single.

If you need support in being able to grieve the loss of a relationship, learning from the past in order to move forward, then please contact Marina Dyson at Counsel@CrossCulture.

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Marina Dyson, General Counsellor
Associate of CCAA, Adv Dip Christian Counselling & Family Therapy
T. 0402 345 039; E. marina@counselcc.net.au

Marina Dyson works with individuals and couples experiencing grief and loss, depression, anxiety, marriage and relationship
difficulties and those seeking career guidance or general support during life transitions.  Marina also speaks Italian.

Photo: nuchylee, freedigitalimages.net

I have a friend whose spouse has left them. My friend doesn’t have much money now. What family law advice can you give?

It is a tragedy that in Australia, something up to 50% of marriages break down. Marriage breakdown is extremely stressful for all parties.

Our experience is that about 1 in 4 marriage breakdowns involve some sort of addictive behaviour by one of the parties. Maybe it is gambling. Maybe it is alcohol or other drug dependency. We help see clients whose spouse has been physically violent or financially abusive or repeatedly verbally abusive. This can crush the sense of self-worth of some clients.

When one party leaves their spouse and refuses to provide financial help for them, that is made worse if there is illness or other inability to earn enough income. We see lots of family law clients. We don’t handle divorces at all, but we actively push parties to independent mediation regarding children and property issues. Mediation is usually much better (and cheaper) than going to Court to resolve issues.  Through alternative dispute resolution, we have been able to help many people sort out their disputes about children and matrimonial property issues, without going to Court. As a result, they have saved thousands of dollars.

Counsel@CrossCulture is open to everyone. You don’t have to attend a church to attend Counsel@CrossCulture.  Legal Counselling as well as individual and couple relationship counselling is available.

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Pastor Mike Kirkpatrick, Lawyer / Legal Counsellor
BA, LLB, M.Div;  T. 9639 3875; 0432 339 582; E. mike@legalcc.net.au

Appointments may also be made online at:
http://appointment.counselcc.net.au.

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Photo: Ambro, freedigitalphotos.net