Minding Your Mind

What is the difference between an anxiety disorder and normal, everyday worry? Or between depression and appropriate sadness? Where is the line? Are we over-diagnosing and over-medicating some people? If you have any...

Is Melatonin a fat-burning wonder drug? We separate fact from fiction. If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindingyourmind2@gmai...

We debate the merits of sharing your own mental health experiences online. You may pick up some useful advice, and help others going through similar experiences. But you might also get some critical comments that hurt...

Sleep is vital for good mental health, so what do we do during periods when our sleep is challenged, like when studying for exams, or with a new baby? We share practical suggestions to help. If you have any questions or...

Why do we get stuck in unhelpful ways of looking at the world and reacting to others? When we identify our flaws, why can it be so hard to change? Could it be because of our foolish pride? If you have any questions or...

What’s so special about trees? Why does being in nature so often have a positive effect on our mental health? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at...

We often think our mood is dependent on what’s happening at work, the person we live with not doing the washing up, or being stuck in traffic, but what if it was actually all about our blood sugar? If you have any...

We know playing sport is good for us, but is barracking for a team good for mental health? Why do we get so passionate, when ultimately, who wins isn’t that important? Is watching sport a good way to release all our...

No one likes being rejected – by a partner, when going for a promotion, or not being invited to a party. It stings. How can we best deal with it? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at...

How much assertiveness is too much? Sure, we want to stand up for ourselves, but no one wants to be that guy overreacting to every perceived slight. How do we get the balance right at work, home and on the footpath when...

We often hear bad news stories about mental health. What about some of the great achievements of the Australian mental health system – how Australia has led the way in breakthrough treatments for mood disorders...

Can new weight loss drugs like Ozempic have an effect on our mood and how much we enjoy things? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at...

What explains the rise of the far right? Who do its’ ideas appeal to? Is social media a cause? COVID? What does the increasing popularity of far right ideologies have to do with our search for identity? If you have any...

Good and evil are concepts as old as humankind. Are some people evil, or do they just do evil things? Are we all a mixture of good and bad? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and James at...

How can AI change therapy? Can it provide cheap, accessible, accurate and helpful advice for those with depression or anxiety? Or do the risks outweigh the benefits? If you have any questions or comments, email Ian and...