Catherine Madigan - Psychologist
B.A. (Hons)., MA. (Clinical Psychologist)., M.A.P.S.
Specialising in: Stress Management, Social Phobia, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Relationships.
74 Bendigo StreetRichmond. Vic. 3121.
Phone: (03) 9819-3671; Mobile: 0419-104-284
Also practising at:
Floor 1, 140-142 Barkers Road, Hawthorn
and
202 St. Georges Road, Northcote.
EMERGING FROM SOCIAL ANXIETY
For those who suffer from a social phobia there's always a dark
cloud overhead about to rain on their parade, writes the War
Cry
We have all, at one time or another, suffered from a bad
(and ill-timed) case of nerves before a social or professional
event.
Maybe it accompanied our first foray into public speaking or our
first big birthday party, however, most of us find that after
a while we get used to the situation, and are able to control
our nerves. Yet for some people within our community the thought
of having to place themselves in social situations can make them
physically ill. Unsurprisingly, such people suffer from something
known as "social phobia".
Research has shown that people most likely to suffer from a social
phobia tend to display emotional personality traits and, as such,
are more likely to become depressed, anxious and have panic attacks.
Social Phobias can also develop through a combination of negative
experiences, poor nurturing and genetic inheritance.
Growing up, we are each presented with situations that test our
resolve and maturity, and in everyone's childhood there will be
experiences that have affected us negatively. For some, these
experiences carry more than just a resonance into their adult
lives.
For example, standing in front of a class giving our first talk
and being presented with a roomful of disinterested, maybe even
hostile, faces would be a distasteful memory for most of us. But
for those more sensitive to their external environment, the situation
could spark an endless cycle of social problems.
People suffering from social phobia experience a variety of symptoms
when faced with a social situation. The most common symptom is
known as anticipatory anxiety. Catherine Madigan, a Melbourne-based
clinical psychologist who treats social phobias, explains why
suferers experience such a reaction.
"People with a social phobia have a fear of being negatively evaluated
or judged by others. They worry that when they get into a social
situation they will do something to embarrass or humiliate themselves."
When sufferers find themselves in this situation, the anxiety
that occurs gets even worse. Some people experience panic attacks,
sweating, heart pounding, nausea, shaking, blushing and a variety
of other symptoms. These symptoms usually cause sufferers to avoid
social situations, which, depending on the phobia, can cause them
to lead isolated, perhaps even unfulfilled, lives.
Luckily for sufferers there is help available. In Melbourne, Madigan
runs a treatment program, which, she claims, is 80% effective.
The program, designed by a group of American psychologists, is
also geared towards showing sufferers how to finally enjoy life
in friendly group situations. Individual sessions are also available,
however, this is not recommended.
"Just working with me is not a threatening or real life situation,"
Madigan explains. "Because sufferers have a fear of being
negatively evaluated by others it is more realistic to be in a
group."
While the program focuses on the treatment of social phobias,
anyone who suffers from other phobias, such as agoraphobia, claustrophobia,
or what is known as specific phobias, which can include fear of
heights or dogs, can be treated this way.
The treatment is based on a three-point-premise - graded, repeated
and prolonged exposure to the feared situation or object. Grading
the treatment means you expose the sufferer to their least feared
situation, then when they can cope with that they move onto the
next hurdle, until they reach the hardest possible scenario for
them. By repeating the exposure to the situation the sufferer
gets used to feelings of anxiety, and becomes more able to deal
with them.
Most importantly, the exposure to the situation has to be prolonged.
The person is not allowed to leave just because they feel uncomfortable.
"By prolonging the time in the situation, sufferers learn that
after a while, their anxiety levels can come down and they can
tolerate being there," says Madigan. "Furthermore, they
learn that the next time they find themselves in the situation
they feel more positive and relaxed."
The success of the program depends upon the amount of work people
are willing to put into their own treatment, she says.
"Social phobias are something you need to keep working on, the
treatment helps you to improve a lot but unless you keep up your
social contacts, social phobias can start creeping back."
Receiving group therapy for the treatment of phobias can be a
fun and effective way to come to terms with the problem. It not
only helps people to deal with life-hindering problems, but gives
group support. By introducing sufferers to a social environment,
everyone can help each other get the best possible treatment for
their problem.
Written by Danielle Johanesen.
DEPRESSION
Unfortunately, depression is a very common illness. In Australia, the 'black dog of depression' affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men at any time and often goes untreated. Anxiety sufferers are often also affected by depression, as if life isn't difficult enough!!Am I sad or am I depressed?
Everyone experiences periods of sadness or feeling blue, but these are usually transitory lasting for only hours or days. When people are depressed they have been experiencing lowered mood for several weeks, as well as a number of physical and psychological symptoms.The symptoms of depression
- Feeling sad, being tearful
- Sleeping significantly more, or less, than usual
- Eating significantly more, or less, than usual and associated changes in weight
- Loss of interest in one's activities, e.g. you don't enjoy or care about your hobbies, sports, work etc as much as you used to
- Decreased motivation
- Lethargy
- Decreased sex drive and impaired sexual functioning
- Poor memory and concentration
- Irritability
- Agitation (you can't sit still, are fidgety etc)
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, plans or attempts
- Bodily aches and pains
The types of depression
Sometimes people become depressed in response to stressful life
events such as: illness, stress, bereavement, divorce. This is
called reactive depression.
Endogenous depression occurs for no obvious reason and
is due to changes in brain chemistry.
Bipolar affective disorder (more commonly known as manic depression) is another biological type of depression, which involves periods of elation as well as periods of depression.
Who is likely to get depressed?
Anyone can become depressed, but there are factors, which predispose people to developing depression. The factors include:-- Old age
- Living alone, being widowed, divorced etc
- Chronic physical illness
- Chronic pain
- Substance abuse
- Obsessional personality traits, e.g. perfectionism
- Being female - premenstrual - menopausal - post natal
Children get depressed too!
Children may suffer from depression too and exhibit symptoms similar to those experienced by adults. However, children's depression may also manifest as:- Anger, aggression
- School refusal
- Social withdrawal
- Physical complaints such as stomach aches and loss of bladder and bowel control
Depression can be treated
Mild depression may be treated by a psychologist using supportive counselling and/or cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy's basic premise is that how one thinks affects how one feels, so if we change our negative thoughts, beliefs and attitudes into more rational ones, our mood will improve. Marriage counselling and/or family therapy may also be appropriate. Moderate depression may be treated by cognitive behavioural
therapy and/or antidepressant medication. Antidepressant medications
generally take 3-6 weeks before the sufferer experiences the full
benefit and it is recommended that people continue the medication
for some months after they feel they have recovered. Some people
experience adverse side effects on some antidepressants such as:
dry mouth, sedation, impaired sexual functioning, increased anxiety,
diarrhoea, nausea etc., and these should be reported to your doctor
as perhaps another type of antidepressant would not have these
effects.
Severe depression may not respond to medication or talking
therapies and ECT, electro convulsive therapy may be required.
If you are feeling mildly depressed you may wish to seek counselling
from a psychologist.
If you are moderately depressed, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy may be sufficient, but if you are experiencing suicidal ideation, it is time to talk to your doctor about whether antidepressants are warranted.
Where to get help?
- Your general practitioner (she/he may recommend a psychologist or psychiatrist)
- Community Mental Health Clinic
- Community Health Centre
- ADAVIC can provide referrals
- Lifeline - 131 114
- Care Ring - 136 169
- Clinical Psychologists
Phone: 9819-3671 or mobile 0419-104-284
