It's natural to feel worried from time to time; however, our anxious thoughts can sometimes be unhelpful. Our emotions, thoughts, and actions are all linked, constantly affecting one another. Unfortunately, we may develop thoughts or behaviour patterns that affects our well-being. These negative thought patterns can affect how we feel, which can, in turn, affect how we think and behave,...
Many neurodivergent people have heightened sensory experiences. Vibrant lights, busy crowds, intertwining conversations, and the aroma of festive cooking can overwhelm the senses. Although some people may find these joyful, they have the potential to cause distress for others. Picture this: You walk into a room filled with blinking lights, multiple conversations are happening at once, and someone hands you a...
Picture yourself sitting silently in a meeting or a busy café when out of nowhere, you feel a sharp, stabbing pain in the middle of your chest. Your heart beats quickly, your palms sweat, and it feels like the walls are closing in. It feels like you have tilted too far back in a chair, but instead of stopping, the...
Picture this: Just as you're getting ready to head out for a crucial appointment, you can't seem to rid yourself of the nagging worry that you forgot to turn off the iron. You check once, twice, three times - each time knowing it's off, but unable to trust your own eyes. Your hands are clammy, your pulse is rapid, and you're...
As I sat glued to my screen. I found myself incredibly humbled by the remarkable stories of resiliency and triumph watching the Paralympic Games in Paris. One such story, is an extremely personable young lady: Alexa Leary, an Australian swimmer who defied seemingly insurmountable odds to not only compete but also succeed at the pinnacle of parasport. Three years ago, Alexa...
Have you ever found yourself repeating the same patterns in relationships, work, or personal life, despite your best efforts to change? The answer might lie in understanding maladaptive schemas, which are deeply rooted patterns and beliefs that influence how we perceive the world and ourselves. We'll look at what maladaptive schemas are, how they develop, and how they affect our...
For those on the autism spectrum and with other neurological differences, the world can often be an intense sensory experience. Everyday sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes that may go unnoticed by neurotypical individuals can be amplified and overwhelming for neurodivergent people. This sensory overload can lead to meltdowns, shutdowns, and a desperate need to stim (self-stimulatory behaviour) to regain...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can significantly impact a person's ability to regulate behaviour and attention. One of the core deficits associated with ADHD is impaired executive functioning. As we discussed in a previous post on neurodiversity and executive functioning, executive functions are cognitive processes that help us with planning, organisation, managing time, paying...
