Information and support for Anxiety Disorders
Bé reluctantly steps into the bathroom. He feels overwhelmed. To him, the bathroom is untidy. Unclean. His chest tightens and he reminds himself to breathe.
He approaches the basin with caution. As warm water runs from the tap he puts soap onto his hands and begins to wash them. [Read more…]
We all have unwanted, intrusive thoughts. A tiny smudge on the mirror that only you took notice? A picture hanging slightly askew that’s bothering you? A desire to have all of your pens neatly lined up? These are intrusive thoughts.
One of the most difficult and confusing things about dealing with mental health issues is not knowing how to start getting help. Regardless of whether you, your friend, a work colleague, a classmate or a family member has noticed that something is not right – when it is time to ask for help you want to make sure you are going to the right people.
The media plays a crucial roll in creating more awareness, understanding and compassion about Anxiety Disorders and other mental illnesses.
WayAhead are promoting an OCD Awareness Week May 22 – 28, 2016.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which an obsession, for example – concern that something bad may happen to someone is followed by a compulsion for example: if I tap my hands this bad thing won’t happen.
“People with OCD often feel intense shame about their need to carry out these compulsions. These feelings of shame can exacerbate the problem and the shame, and consequent secrecy associated with OCD can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. It can also result in social disability, such as children failing to attend school or adults becoming housebound” says beyondblue.
For WayAhead educator, Julie Leitch whose life was ruled by OCD and its rituals, OCD Awareness Week represents an opportunity to let people know what it is like for people with OCD and there is hope, “if people can know that for someone with OCD life can be miserable and lonely, it affects relationships and work but they can get help and manage the Disorder, they can control the OCD rather than the other way around”.
According to beyondblue “people with OCD often feel intense shame about their need to carry out these compulsions. These feelings of shame can exacerbate the problem and the shame, and consequent secrecy associated with OCD can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. It can also result in social disability, such as children failing to attend school or adults becoming housebound”
OCD Awareness Week will attempt to lessen the shame. Activities that WayAhead are undertaking include
These free events below – while free, bookings are essential via EventBrite
WayAhead have also developed
Please help, try and hold an event or use our posters to help people understand what is OCD and what it means to the person who is diagnosed with OCD.
Together we can make a difference.
There are different treatment options for Anxiety Disorders and we ‘ve outlined what they are.
Follow this link to find out about Doctors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists and the different treatment options there are.
Our self-help groups are free to attend and are based on an effective, 12 week, self-treatment behaviour therapy program. [Read more…]
SUPPORTED BY
WayAhead is supported by the NSW Government
WayAhead is an ACNC registered Australian Charity and a QIP accredited organisation
