In this podcast, we discuss exam stress and anxiety. Intense anxiety triggers our fight or flight response, releasing adrenaline which can negatively impact our performance. Common fears during exams include blanking out or not knowing the answers, but having coping strategies like relaxation techniques and preparation can reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Trauma: A distressing event that leaves a person with a memory of that event that could be simply an image or symptoms from the event which could lead to PTSD or complex PTSD.

PTSD: post traumatic stress disorder, classic symptoms of PTSD can flashbacks and nightmares which can affect daily life.

The impact of not getting a formal diagnosis of trauma is that there could be confusion with symptoms and with trauma they could have secondary symptoms such as anxiety or depression and the underlying trauma may not even be recognised. There is also many different types of trauma, such as being in an abusive relationship but the problem is the person affected by this may not see this as a problem, simply as every day life which could result in the trauma not being identified and thus treated, only the secondary symptoms which may not get to the root cause.

Problems with trauma: people often describe themselves as losing themselves or feeling vulnerable. People often feel they do not feel safe going out anymore or trust anyone else (of the trauma involved other people). Treatment and formal diagnosis will help with all of these complex problems, such as EMDR.

EMDR - Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing. EMDR, helps with trauma, anxiety and depression. It is a structured approach to help people to safely process traumatic memories, in time helping them to overcome the stress they have been experiencing. Research suggests EMDR is just as affective as CBT and can really help improve their quality of life.

#emdr #emdrtherapy #trauma #traumahealing #cbt

Here Ian, Director of Hope Therapy discusses his own experience with employee mental health from his days of managing upwards of 200 people in enterprise companies. Listen to himself and Wendy take a deep dive into employee mental health and how critical mental health is to individuals happiness and performance at work, and how this in turn can affect the organisation as a whole.

#employees #employeemotivation #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

Having a review at New Year can be constructive but we can end up making a really long list that can be unrealistic if we get carried away with the tradition of setting New Year resolutions. Our new enthusiasm can quickly turn into despair if we do not end up meeting our long list of resolutions.

ACT - where we spend time thinking about our values, what gives it meaning and purpose, may be a useful way of looking at resolutions in a more controlled and achievable way. Values naturally lead onto more realistic actions/goals.

#newyear #newyearresolution #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyrelief #values #smart

How can we approach Christmas? Be true to your values, nobody can do anything and please everyone...what is really important and focussing on that rather than trying to do everything.

Life and Christmas is really about an element of compromise.

Pressure can come from so many places at Christmas, such as pressure from children, pressure of hosting or pressure of what social media can create - glamourised image of what a fairy-tale Christmas should be. The pressure that we place on ourselves to make it this perfect idea often places huge amounts of stress on us.

It simply has to be our way, rather than perfect.

#stress #christmas #christmasstress #anxiety #mentalhealth

This episode discusses ACT and how it can help support the treatment of a variety of mental health symptoms. Clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions and, instead, accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives.

Are you your own worst critic? In this episode of "Being Your Best Self," we dive into Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and how it can help you develop healthier mental habits. Discover practical strategies to manage distress, transform self-criticism, and cultivate emotional resilience.

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#CompassionFocusedTherapy #SelfCompassion #MentalHealth #EmotionalResilience #BeingYourBestSelf

https://www.hopefulminds.co.uk/services/

Are you caught up in thoughts of the past or anxious about the future? In this episode of "Being Your Best Self," CBT psychotherapist Wendy and mindfulness expert Ian Stockbridge discuss how mindfulness can help you break this cycle and promote a sense of calm and focus.

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Counselling for Mental health and well-being | Remote & in clinic (hopefulminds.co.uk)