Q: Is entering psychoanalysis a good way to quickly get over Depression?

A: Not necessarily. When we think of Sigmund Freud (the “grandfather” of psychoanalysis), we think of traditional psychoanalysis, or…

During the 1950’s extending to the 1970’s, lithium was demonstrated as the first effective treatment for Bipolar disorder, initially in treating acute mania, and later in preventing both manic and depressive…

When beginning treatment with EFFEXOR XR, there are 6 things you should know:

1. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to feel the full benefits of therapy. Try to…

Be sure to read the following important information carefully. However, keep in mind that it should not take the place of your doctor’s instructions. If you do not understand all of…

A large-scale review of previous studies suggests electroconvulsive therapy is an effective short-term treatment for depression.

ECT has been around since the 1930s, but doctors still hold a wide range of opinions on its…

If you have tried a number of treatments for depression without getting the results you need, your doctor may suggest electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which involves a brief, mild electrical stimulation of the brain…

Family life can be disrupted by the illness of a member. The stigma attached to mental illness often makes if difficult for the family and affected person to cope.

As…

Tips for carers

Your family member or friend has been diagnosed with a mental illness. What can you do to help?
The Cape Support for Mental Health offers the following…

A therapist is there to offer a supportive, safe environment in which you can deal with your problems. But there are certain limits to what you can expect from your…

You’re depressed and not coping. Your friends have suggested therapy and you’re finally considering it. But where should you start? How do you go about choosing the right therapist?

So many…

Research has shown that the best form of treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. There are several different types of psychotherapy, which may differ in the techniques used based on the…

A psychologist is someone who specialises in psychotherapy, the so-called “talking therapies”.

In order to become a psychologist, one needs to do an undergraduate course (usually a B.A.) with psychology as one of…

Although up to 50% of people with dysthymia start symptoms before the age of 25, many go years without treatment as they see their condition as part of life. The greatest…

Dysthymia, like depression, is thought to be caused by a combination of biochemical, genetic and environmental factors.

Have you felt sad, blue, down, low and not interested in your usual activities for most of the day, more days than not for at least the past two years (or…

It is thought to affect about 3% to 6% of the population. Dysthymia, like depression, can affect both genders and people of all ages, although it is more common among females, and onset in…

Dysthymia, can be described as a long-lasting, less severe experience of depression symptoms. Without treatment, studies have shown that the condition of people suffering from dysthymia tends to progressively deteriorate over time.

Even…

The symptoms of depression, like insomnia, a change in appetite, a feeling of worthlessness and anhedonia - a loss of interest in things that were normally enjoyed, including sex - can have an immense…

Tired of tossing and turning at night, watching the hours tick by and panicking that you will have a rotten day because you haven’t slept at all? Don’t despair, a good night’s sleep might…

Self-help is not a treatment for a depressive illness on its own, but it can contribute towards accelerating recovery and it can help to maintain the benefits of treatment.

Step 1: Understanding the relationship between depression and diet
You feel down and depressed. Does diet play any role in your depression?

Studies have shown that brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) play a mediating role…

Description

 
• Social anxiety disorder is also known as social phobia  
• The essential feature is a marked and persistent fear of social or performance situations in which embarrassment may occur  …

Point blank refusal of treatment due to a mental illness can be a major problem.

South African law provides protection here for the affected patient including that the individual may…