Dr Manju Rajaratnam explains, you are not meant to stay in a prolonged survival mode. If this is you or someone you know, it is important to seek support with a medical professional to discuss how to manage symptoms and restore healthy brain chemistry. Dr. Rajaratnam, is a GP with more than 29 experience helping people manage physical health, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, especially during life’s toughest seasons.
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Stress (fight or flight) chemicals
Adrenaline, Cortisol
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Feel good chemicals
Dopamine, endorphins, serotonin
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5 A Therapy
Anchor -Faith in God or greater power
Awareness- recognise negative thought and choose to change
Acceptance- Understand pain, loss and betrayal are a part of life.
Appreciation- Focus on what you have.
Amend- Where possible mend relationships.
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Centre for clinical intervention
www.cci.health.wa.gov.au
Virtual Hope Box APP
Now for a quick recap for building resilience in crisis.
When we are faced with a crisis, there is a chemical reaction in our bodies that equips us to act. Known as the fight or flight mode.
This is needed to act in an emergency however it is important we do not stay in the fight or flight mode.
Prolonged thinking on a stress episode causes changes to our brain and body leading to depletion in the necessary feel-good chemicals, like dopamine.
While this is complex, one way to calm and rebalance in these times is
to build resilience and emotional fitness drawing on strong foundations of close connections.
This is an overview of Dr Manju’s 5A therapy Framework for reference-
Anchor -by Faith in God or greater power
Awareness- by recognising negative thought patterns and decide to change thoughts to align with your values and true identity.
Acceptance- by Understanding pain, loss and betrayal are a part of life. Instead of reacting in anger or bitterness, make the choice to forgive.
Appreciation- by Focusing on what you have. Write out or think about the good things in your day. Write a note of thanks to someone you know. This impacts your thinking and helps others as well.
Amend- Where possible mend relationships. Humble yourself where needed with apology and accept disagreements will occur. Letting go of disagreements calms your brain and improves relationships.
Dr Manju draws this five A framework from evidence-based therapies and includes elements of the AA 12 step model.
These are some resources for you to support a healthy mind and build resilience.
Go to Centre for clinical intervention website
and the app, Virtual hope box.
