Mental health conditions, explained
Working out what you’re dealing with is usually the first step to getting the right support. These guides cover what each condition looks like, what tends to cause it, and how it’s typically treated.
Mood & emotional wellbeing
Depression
More than ordinary sadness: a persistent low state that affects how you think, feel and function. Highly treatable.
Read the guideGrief and Loss
A natural response to loss, with no fixed timeline. Covers ordinary grief and when it has become more complicated.
Read the guidePerinatal & Postnatal Depression
Depression during pregnancy or the year after birth. Affects about 1 in 7 new mothers, plus many fathers and non-birthing parents.
Read the guideLow Self-Esteem
A persistent harsh view of your own worth. Not a diagnosis on its own, but it shapes mood, decisions and relationships, and it can change.
Read the guideBipolar Disorder
Distinct episodes of elevated mood and of depression, with steadier periods between. Affects about 1 in 50 people. Manageable with treatment.
Read the guideAnxiety & stress
Anxiety
One of Australia’s most common conditions, affecting about 1 in 4 people. Persistent worry that gets in the way of daily life.
Read the guideSocial Anxiety
An intense, persistent fear of being watched or judged. More than shyness, and one of the most treatable anxiety conditions.
Read the guidePanic Disorder
Recurrent, unexpected panic attacks plus ongoing worry about having more. One of the most treatable anxiety conditions.
Read the guideStress and Burnout
When stress runs chronic without enough recovery it can tip into burnout: emotional, physical and mental exhaustion that rest alone won’t fix.
Read the guideOCD
A cycle of intrusive thoughts and the compulsions used to manage them. Affects about 1 in 50 people, and has a specific first-line treatment.
Read the guideTrauma & major life events
PTSD and Trauma
When the impact of a traumatic event keeps affecting how you think, feel and function long after it’s over. Several trauma-focused treatments work well.
Read the guideRelationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic, family or friendship relationships. One of the most common reasons people seek psychological support.
Read the guideNeurodivergence
ADHD
A neurodevelopmental difference in attention, impulse control and activity regulation. Often first recognised in adults. A difference in wiring, not a deficit to fix.
Read the guideAutism
A neurodevelopmental difference in communication, sensory processing and how someone experiences the world. Often recognised in adults who masked for years.
Read the guideBehaviour & body
Eating Disorders
Serious conditions affecting a person’s relationship with food, eating and body image. They can affect anyone, and recovery is possible.
Read the guideBody Image
How you perceive, think and feel about your own body. A difficult relationship with it is common and worth addressing at any point.
Read the guideAddiction and Substance Use
A pattern of use a person struggles to control despite the consequences. A recognised health condition, and effective treatment is available.
Read the guideAnger Management
Anger is healthy. It becomes a concern when it’s frequent, intense, hard to control, or causing problems in relationships, work or wellbeing.
Read the guideInsomnia and Sleep Issues
Persistent trouble falling or staying asleep despite the opportunity. Sleep and mental health feed each other. CBT-I is the first-line treatment.
Read the guideIdentity, relationships & personality
Borderline Personality Disorder
Difficulty regulating emotions, a strong fear of abandonment, and instability in relationships and self-image. Genuinely treatable, particularly with DBT.
Read the guideLGBTQIA+ Mental Health
The same range of conditions as anyone else, often alongside specific stressors like discrimination, family rejection or navigating identity.
Read the guideMen's Mental Health
The same conditions as anyone else, but with specific barriers to seeking support and symptoms that can present differently.
Read the guideMatched with someone who's the right fit, not just whoever's free
Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your situation. The match considers clinical fit, practical things like session format and cost, and, if you want, identity-based preferences.
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