CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl The most difficult part of having children was to deal with them if they did not sleep. I am one of those people who need eight hours of sleep (at least) to function. So, what can we do with a child that does not sleep well? Children can...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl Men's mental health is a critical and neglected topic, as societal expectations sometimes discourage men from seeking help or expressing emotional distress. Some of the important issues related to men's mental health include: 1. Stigma and...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl This is by far the most boring blog I have ever written. On my website, I promise a list of common antidepressants and the minimum effective dose- so here it is! As boring as this list is, as important as it is to be aware of the minimum...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl Did you know your brain and digestive system are intricately connected? Our gut is so important that it is now even named our second brain. Our gut is extremely sensitive to stress. We have known this for ages, talking about butterflies or...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl The ego has been getting a lot of bad rap in the media. This is probably because a healthy, strong ego is confused with a big ego (as in narcissism). A healthy ego, however, is important for psychological wellbeing. In my practice, I spend...

Firstly, we will look at the most important actions you can take to get rid of depression. Then I will discuss one of my favourite topics, mindfulness, and how practicing mindfulness can help treat depression. 1. Psychotherapy: Engaging in talk therapy, such as...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl Depression and sadness are related emotional experiences but differ in several important ways. It's essential to understand these differences to recognize when someone may need professional help for depression or when they are experiencing...

CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl I have a couple more hours on the road with my recent work schedule change. Listening to audiobooks was the best use of this time. My current book is “The Coddling of the American Mind” by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. I was...

CREDITS By Dr Melane van Zyl When we have experienced trauma, it can lead to the formation of complexes. Many Jungian analysts and scholars argue that the discovery of complexes was Jung’s most important contribution to psychology. A complex is a form of energy, and...

CREDITSBy Dr Melane van Zyl After so many years in private practice, I am still surprised by how often I have to convince a patient to take an antidepressant. After all, antidepressants can save lives! Here is a list of why people are sceptical and even scared of...