Munchausen Syndrome is a serious mental illness where an individual will pretend to suffer from an illness for the sake of attention from others. The condition is usually underpinned by either a behavioural or compulsive disorder, with individuals struggling with severe emotional deficits. They feed off attention from friends, family, and even co-workers – their only
OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is often misunderstood as a condition describing an overly fussy neat freak who is in total control of their behavior. This stereotype is cemented in TV and movies, with very little facts about what this mental illness actually is. Obsessive neatness and frequent hand-washing doesn’t automatically mean you have OCD, and
By definition, a personality disorder falls into a class of mental disorder marked by dysfunctional behavior and thought patterns. This dysfunction sets the individual apart from others when it comes to the ways in which they perceive things and relate to other people. The consequences of the dysfunction inherent in different types of personality
These days there seems to be a mounting pressure in all areas of society to stand out, do well, be best, and high achievers especially are all hurtling along at breakneck speeds to avoid being left behind. Nobody can really say when pushing yourself to the point of illness became a desirable
Over the years each generation has had to deal with what is known as health shocks. For instance, some generations had to cope with wars or the devastation of epidemics. These types of events can ultimately have an effect on health. The World Health Organisation has referred to these health
As we enter the first week of January, it is back to reality and business as usual While it may be a major relief for some people, it can be stressful for the majority. This time of the year is financially, physically, and emotionally challenging, even though it brings much
When viewing bipolar disorder from the outside, this mental health condition can be somewhat confusing If you struggle with manic depression or know someone close to you with this condition, you will most likely see that it is a debilitating chronic condition to live with. Living with bipolar disorder has several challenges, and if
Studies done on mental health issues in adolescents indicate a serious problem growing in our society. Consider that […]
What is an anxiety disorder? Have you ever felt out of control? Or disconnected from your mind, body and soul? Do you often experience panic attacks, nightmares or painful thoughts of the past? Then this article is for you. We will be covering anxiety disorders in this month’s blog post
Sleeping disorders are classified as the inability to fall asleep easily and includes disrupted sleeping patterns The Human Sciences Research council revealed that one in 14 South Africans struggle with some sort of sleep disorder, which is linked to their overall mental health wellbeing. *Amanda (not her real name) struggles most nights
Have you ever wondered how your daily habits could be affecting your mental health? Marcus Aurelius stated, “You have the power over your mind – Not outside events. Realise this, and you will find strength.” *Amanda (not her real name) struggles most nights to fall asleep. She wakes up several
Young or old, man or woman, child or adult… mental illness can affect anyone. However, your background and who you are definitely informs how mental illness is dealt with. In another article, we discussed the stigma surrounding mental health issues among celebrity sportsmen, who are often made to suffer in silence
Is it possible to die from a broken heart? This question has been around since the first people loved, and lost. And no, they’re not being over-sensitive or dramatic. It’s widely known that our bodies have a physical response to emotion – a raging pulse with anger, shortness of breath with fear…
A mindful practice helps you reach a positive mind to live a life with the glass half full Find out how to practice mindfulness and how it may benefit your mental health: If you’ve read our previous articles about mindfulness – you may be curious about the different techniques to practice it.
Living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can feel like you’re climbing Mount Everest in sandals. Symptoms including forgetfulness, restlessness, and trouble concentrating are all too real, and powerful enough to impact your work, relationships, and day- to-day life. However, all too often, the traits of ADHD are overlooked because of a commonly- held
On October 10th we celebrate Mental Health Day, to shed light on mental health It’s likely that you know someone that is currently struggling with mental health conditions. We all know someone in our inner circle that can benefit from a mental health care professional’s help. Mental health day is dedicated to
Not every Valentine’s Day is all candy and romance Sometimes you may feel like you can’t breathe or wonder when you’ll ever feel okay again The day is anything but sweet for those who have lost a loved one, experienced a breakup, or are preparing to divorce or separate. It
Peer pressure refers to a person or group feeling influenced to change certain attitudes or behaviors that they wouldn’t usually change, by another person or group. The general pressure felt is based on a very strong desire to fit in or be accepted by a particular group, and its effects can
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a mental health condition marked by three hallmarks: an inflated sense of self, a severe lack of empathy, and a deep need for attention. Because of this, narcissists are usually described as egotistical, arrogant, demanding, and manipulative. Setting in during early adulthood, NPD tends to affect men more than
Taking care of your stress Stress is, unfortunately, part of our daily lives. We experience short-term stress in multiple environments and it usually leaves a person feeling a little upset or anxious. However, the side effects don’t leave a long lasting impact on your mind or body. Long-term stress, on
In times of uncertainty and change it has become easy to forget what effect this has on our mental health. Adapting to circumstances is in our genes, then again being able to cope does not come that easy for everyone. During the lockdown, we have had to adapt to new
Zwavelstream Clinic is supported and affiliated with most medical aid schemes based in South Africa. To find out if your medical aid is covered by Zwavelstream Clinic, please contact us for more information.
Receive monthly news updates with the latest mental health news
