BLOGS & VLOGS
Perfectionism often masquerades as a virtue, celebrated in job interviews and on social media. However, the reality can be far from perfect. While a desire for excellence can be motivating, perfectionism often leads to intense stress, procrastination, and burnout. So, what distinguishes healthy ambition from perfectionism, and how can we find a balance?
The Problem with December’s Finish Line
As December approaches, it’s easy to feel like we’re all sprinting toward an imaginary finish line, only to land in the usual lineup of holiday chaos. End-of-year anxiety is real, affecting productivity, relationships, and mental health. The blend of work pressure, holiday planning, and personal “to-do-before-2025” lists has a way of turning even the most relaxed among us into ballpoint-hoarding list-makers.
Living with tic disorders or Tourette's Syndrome can be incredibly challenging. As clinical psychologists based in Sydney, our goal is to offer compassionate insights into these conditions, their symptoms, causes, and available treatments. By understanding these disorders, we can take the first step toward managing them effectively and improving the quality of life.
Tic disorders are neurological conditions characterized by sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that are difficult to control. These tics can be motor (involving movement) or vocal (involving sound). Common motor tics include eye blinking, facial grimacing, and shoulder shrugging, while vocal tics can range from grunting to complex verbal utterances.
Transient Tic Disorder: Tics that last for a short period, typically less than a year.
Chronic Tic Disorder: Tics that persist for more than a year, either motor or vocal, but not both.
Tourette's Syndrome: A more severe form involving both motor and vocal tics lasting for more than a year.
Tourette's Syndrome is a chronic tic disorder involving both motor and vocal tics. It often begins in childhood and can vary in severity. While the exact cause is unknown, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Individuals with Tourette's Syndrome often also experience other conditions such as OCD and anxiety. Those with Autism or ADHD also often report experiencing tics at some point in their life.
In some cases, Tourette’s and Tic Disorders can unfortunately lead to physical health issues, including chronic pain or dental problems.
The exact cause of tic disorders and Tourette's Syndrome remains unclear, but several factors are believed to contribute:
Genetics: A family history of tics or Tourette's can increase the risk.
Brain Structure and Function: Abnormalities in certain brain areas, neurotransmitters, and neural pathways.
Environmental Factors: Stress, infections, and other external factors may play a role.
Diagnosing tic disorders and Tourette's Syndrome typically involves a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including:
Medical History: Understanding the patient's history of tics and any associated conditions.
Observational Assessment: Monitoring and documenting the frequency, type, and severity of tics.
Neurological Examination: Assessing brain function and ruling out other neurological conditions.
While there is no cure for tic disorders or Tourette's Syndrome, several treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life:
Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral interventions, such as Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), can be very effective.
Medications: Certain medications can help reduce tic severity and address associated conditions like ADHD or OCD.
Lifestyle Modifications: We know you’ve heard it before, but it really does help - stress management techniques, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can contribute to overall well-being.
Support and Education: Providing support to individuals and families through education, support groups, and therapy can make a significant difference. Having those around understand your struggles and know how to react to your tics is a really important part of treatment.
Living with these conditions can be tough, but with the right support and strategies, individuals can lead fulfilling lives. Creating a supportive environment at home, school, and work is crucial for managing symptoms.
Educate Yourself: Understanding the condition is the first step toward effective management.
Seek Professional Help: Regular consultations with healthcare providers including clinical psychologist, neurologist, GP and/or psychiatrist can help monitor and manage symptoms.
Build a Support Network: Connecting with support groups and others facing similar challenges can provide emotional support.
Practice Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, and engaging in hobbies can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Tic disorders and Tourette's Syndrome are complex conditions that require a comprehensive and compassionate approach to management. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of a tic disorder or Tourette's Syndrome, please reach out for professional guidance and support.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, feel free to contact us at admin@brodieearl.com or by calling on 0450 808 917. Together, we can work towards a better understanding and management of your tic disorder, offering a more hopeful future.
Okay so you’ve decided to go to therapy (woo go you! It’s really helpful, and I’m a little biased, but I think everyone should do it). But you’re not sure who to go to. It is a tricky decision, because it can be a big financial investment, as well as a commitment to investing your time. You want to find the right person to help you. Hopefully these tips will help you to make a good decision.
I’ve seen incredibly competent and successful people be criticised and nit-picked and given impossible tasks that couldn’t possibly be done within a given timeframe to such an extent that they start to harbour serious doubts about their abilities (despite evidence to the contrary), feel constantly stressed and anxious about work even outside of the workplace, and are generally really unhappy.
“Perfectionism in a lot of ways can be helpful – often it helps drive people to do more and be better. But it becomes a problem when we become so overwhelmed with the task that we procrastinate or avoid it, or we work ridiculously hard at getting it done, often at the expense of other important areas of life.”
“So many people feel pressure to have a solution when someone tells them about their problems. When the person is talking all they’re thinking is “What do I even say to that? I have no idea how to fix that.” And sometimes we even avoid those conversations or shut them down because we know we don’t have any viable solutions.
Good news is, you actually don’t have to.”
