Mental Health

Depression is a condition that affects emotions (e.g., sadness), behaviour (e.g., social withdrawal) and thinking (e.g., negative thinking and difficulties with decision making). People who experience depression often experience problems with concentration and memory and some higher order functions. Neuropsychological assessment can be particularly helpful at distinguishing depression from other conditions such as dementia, or from the direct effects of acquired brain injury. Each of these phenomena is associated with different evidence-based treatments and so distinguishing between them is important and can save time and costs. (Contact us on 1300 224 331 to find out more)

It is normal for most people to experience anxiety from time to time as this helps us avoid undesirable consequences (e.g., it can be helpful to be anxious about being in a high place because we might fall). However, an anxiety disorder is where a person becomes unduly anxious about situations that are unlikely to cause significant harm. Anxiety affects thinking by reducing blood supply to the brain and distracting attention away from tasks at hand and towards stimuli that are perceived to be threatening. As such, people experiencing anxiety disorders may have functionally impaired memory functioning. (Contact us on 1300 224 331 to find out more)

Psychosis refers to a mental state where a person loses touch with reality. Although psychosis is commonly associated with hallucinations (false perceptions) and delusions (false beliefs), many people with psychosis also experience significant difficulties with cognition and behaviour. Schizophrenia is a psychotic condition and is associated with a high prevalence of concentration, memory and executive dysfunction, as well as lack of initiation and motivation. Neuropsychological assessment and treatment of Schizophrenia has become recognised as an integral component of rehabilitation for individuals with these difficulties. (Contact us on 1300 224 331 to find out more)

There are numerous other mental disorders that fall outside of the main categories of depression, anxiety and psychosis. (Contact us on 1300 224 331 to find out more)