The Brain and Panic Attacks
1. WHAT IS A PANIC ATTACK A spontaneous, discreet episode of intense fear that begins abruptly and last for several minutes to an hour. Many different symptoms in the body can occur including: Palpitations, chest pain Difficulty in breathing, hyperventilation Sweating...
Why I Don’t Use Ayahuasca In My Shamanic Practice
CREDITSShamanism Blog By Scott Silverston Shamanism is the practice of entering an altered state of consciousness for a specific purpose and then returning to normal waking consciousness once that purpose is fulfilled. Various names such as the Dreamtime have been...
11 Reasons to choose psychiatry as a specialization
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl Choosing a specialty in medicine, including psychiatry, often comes down to a combination of personal interests, values, and experiences. Psychiatrists work in a unique medical field where they address mental health, combining both...
The pros and cons for patients with depression and anxiety to use social media
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on individuals dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It's worth noting that the effects can depend on numerous factors, including the nature of usage, the...
Does your psychiatrist know what you are thinking?
Patients and other medical professionals often seem to overestimate what psychiatrists can know about their patients’ thoughts. Psychiatrists are trained professionals skilled in understanding and analyzing human behaviour, emotions, and thoughts. However, they do not...
Can a patient fool the mental health professionals during a 30-day forensic observation process?
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl When a person has committed a crime, there are sometimes reasons to suggest that the person was not mentally stable/ or able to choose to do what is right. Such persons are referred via the court for 30 days of observation. Some people...
What is the Polyvagal Theory?
CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl What is the Polyvagal Theory? Dr. Stephen Porges developed the Polyvagal Theory in the 1990s and offered a nuanced way to understand the autonomic nervous system, especially in the context of safety, threat, and social behaviour. The name...
What can I expect when I visit a psychiatrist?
CREDITS By Dr M van Zyl Most people are reluctant to visit a psychiatrist, thinking that it is evidence that they are “mad.” However, visiting a psychiatrist can be a helpful step towards addressing mental health concerns, and you should leave the consultation with a...
DANGEROUS INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FOUND ON THE INTERNET
CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl We all know (and sometimes trust) Dr. Google. I have asked CHAT GPT to list some of the worst online advice. This list is quite “mild” compared to what I have read/ been told by patients and family members. 1. Self-diagnosis and...
Paint it Black: Jungian Song Analysis
CREDITSBy Dr M van Zyl "Paint It Black" is a song by the Rolling Stones, released in 1966 on their album "Aftermath."It was also the theme song from “Sending Vietnam” or the original “Tour of Duty” TV series that ran in the late 1980’s. Although I did not watch the TV...
The Brain and Panic Attacks
1. WHAT IS A PANIC ATTACK A spontaneous, discreet episode of intense fear that begins abruptly and last for several minutes to an hour. Many different symptoms in the body can occur including: Palpitations, chest pain Difficulty in breathing, hyperventilation Sweating...
Why I Don’t Use Ayahuasca In My Shamanic Practice
CREDITSShamanism Blog By Scott Silverston Shamanism is the practice of entering an altered state of consciousness for a specific purpose and then returning to normal waking consciousness once that purpose is fulfilled. Various names such as the Dreamtime have been...
11 Reasons to choose psychiatry as a specialization
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl Choosing a specialty in medicine, including psychiatry, often comes down to a combination of personal interests, values, and experiences. Psychiatrists work in a unique medical field where they address mental health, combining both...
The pros and cons for patients with depression and anxiety to use social media
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on individuals dealing with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It's worth noting that the effects can depend on numerous factors, including the nature of usage, the...
Does your psychiatrist know what you are thinking?
Patients and other medical professionals often seem to overestimate what psychiatrists can know about their patients’ thoughts. Psychiatrists are trained professionals skilled in understanding and analyzing human behaviour, emotions, and thoughts. However, they do not...
Can a patient fool the mental health professionals during a 30-day forensic observation process?
CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl When a person has committed a crime, there are sometimes reasons to suggest that the person was not mentally stable/ or able to choose to do what is right. Such persons are referred via the court for 30 days of observation. Some people...
What is the Polyvagal Theory?
CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl What is the Polyvagal Theory? Dr. Stephen Porges developed the Polyvagal Theory in the 1990s and offered a nuanced way to understand the autonomic nervous system, especially in the context of safety, threat, and social behaviour. The name...
What can I expect when I visit a psychiatrist?
CREDITS By Dr M van Zyl Most people are reluctant to visit a psychiatrist, thinking that it is evidence that they are “mad.” However, visiting a psychiatrist can be a helpful step towards addressing mental health concerns, and you should leave the consultation with a...
DANGEROUS INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH FOUND ON THE INTERNET
CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl We all know (and sometimes trust) Dr. Google. I have asked CHAT GPT to list some of the worst online advice. This list is quite “mild” compared to what I have read/ been told by patients and family members. 1. Self-diagnosis and...
Paint it Black: Jungian Song Analysis
CREDITSBy Dr M van Zyl "Paint It Black" is a song by the Rolling Stones, released in 1966 on their album "Aftermath."It was also the theme song from “Sending Vietnam” or the original “Tour of Duty” TV series that ran in the late 1980’s. Although I did not watch the TV...
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