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As a psychiatrist, I spend my days working with people whose mental health is suffering. I prescribe medication. I refer for therapy. I think carefully about risk. That's the work, and I believe in it. But for years, I've also been quietly fascinated by something else: the growing body of evidence for wellbeing interventions that sit outside the clinic — in nature, in water, in heat and breath — and what they might offer alongside conventional care. The research has been accu

A Preview of Groundbreaking Work Being Presented at a National Psychiatry Congress This May When I returned to university as a mature-age student to study medicine, I had three children under ten and a daily commute from Sydney to Wollongong. On clinical placement, a supervisor told me he wouldn't have selected me — insufficient return on investment, he said, given my age, gender, and role as a mother. By the end of the placement, he conceded I had done three times the work o

When Doing Good for Patients Means Doing Battle with Bureaucracy by The MotherMind Doctor I've been a psychiatrist long enough to know that healing doesn't always happen in a consulting room. It can happen on a forest trail. It can happen in a number of different environments like wellness activities such as sauna, spa, or simply through learning to breathe differently. These aren't fringe ideas. They're evidence-based interventions with a growing body of scientific literatur

By The MotherMind Doctor The concerning trend around all corners of the internet involves ‘maxxing’ and started with maximising your status in gaming. Then it was picked up and extrapolated to popular use with obsessional intent on specific aspects of your life like your appearance with ‘looksmaxxing’ for your face, and your body with ‘gymmaxxing’.It can even be referred to for health pursuits like sleep, ‘sleepmaxxing’, and diet…yes maxxing; going so far as strategies such

By Dr E K Wills night baths a stone's throw from home Where is your favourite place to go when you’re feeling overloaded and need a break? There are so many options available it can be hard to know where to turn and we often start with what we know: Do you prefer spas to ice baths? Or saunas to hot springs? How about a massage? And then which type: Swedish deep massage, Chinese reflexology or hot stones, maybe Thai dry massage or Japanese shiatsu? Now you can be feeling

By Dr EK Wills Mars: half Ragdoll/half tabby Have you ever felt unable to make a decision? Or now know how you feel? Could you be prioritising everyone else's needs to the point where you feel stuck, resentful, or have simply lost touch with who you are? This pattern of behaviour, often rooted in a desire to be seen as good or virtuous, can paradoxically lead to significant personal distress. It’s a concept I have heard referred to as the ‘martyr trap’. Many carers and pare

By Dr E. K. Wills The wellness tourism industry is booming. Travellers are spending vast sums on wellness-themed cruises, retreats, and holidays in the pursuit ofhealth and rejuvenation. The appeal of a restorative getaway is undeniable, and the market is only accelerating.But beneath the glossy marketing lies a problem worth examining. The Problem with Wellness Tourism Despite the enormous sums being spent, the wellness tourism industry operates in a largely unregulated spac

These aren't just lifestyle hacks; they are powerful acts of retraining your brain.

Organisations would benefit from having strong leadership in this area by guiding workers and promoting quality in the work as well as having policies on AI use

By Dr E K Wills PS. I wrote this not AI Sunset on the Year 2025 This year has been one of discovery and difficulty for many and I am no exception. Thankfully, I have a guide of sorts in my supervisor/therapist (recommended for all psychiatrists and in fact can be helpful for anyone) who suggested a reflection of the year’s highs and lows in order to discover the potential path for next year. I cheated by looking back over my annual calendar which held some forgotten pearl

Knowledge is power – but action gets results. If your OLBI quiz results (or your gut feeling) tell you that you’re burnt out, consider creating a support plan. Recovery from neurodivergent burnout is not a solo project; it thrives with inclusive support from various angles: Professional Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. In Australia, you can talk to your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan – while “burnout” itself might not be a formal diagnosi

Burnout is more than ordinary tiredness – it’s the gradual erosion of your energy, motivation, and ability to cope over time[2]. Classic symptoms include persistent low energy, feeling emotionally detached or cynical about work, and a sense of ineffectiveness or guilt[3]. You might struggle to get out of bed despite adequate sleep, snap at loved ones then withdraw, or feel “I just need a break” but find that even rest doesn’t help[4]. The Black Dog Institute describes burnout

Burnout can feel overwhelming for anyone – but for neurodivergent adults (such as those with ADHD or autism), it often strikes in unique and intense ways. In this post, I explore how neurodiversity intersects with burnout in adults, especially busy mums and working professionals. I’ll discuss why neurodivergent individuals may be more prone to burnout, how to recognise the signs, and what inclusive support and recovery strategies are available. Most importantly, I’ll introduc

By now, you should recognise that burnout is a serious, but solvable, issue – especially when approached with an understanding of neurodiversity. Whether you’re an autistic professional pushing through 60-hour weeks or an ADHD mum holding your household together, you deserve to feel supported and thrive. Recovery isn’t always quick or linear, but every journey begins with a first step. So here’s your first step: Take the complimentary OLBI burnout quiz to assess your level of

While every individual is different, it’s helpful to understand how burnout might manifest in adults with ADHD versus those with autism. There’s considerable overlap between ADHD burnout and autistic burnout – both often involve pervasive, long-term exhaustion and reduced ability to function[11]. However, there are some nuanced differences: ADHD Burnout: Adults with ADHD might experience burnout as extreme mental fatigue and overwhelm after long periods of trying to meet neur

Ready to get started? Take the OLBI quiz now and see where you stand. It’s the first step toward understanding your level of burnout and taking back control. After the quiz, I invite you to join my online community and consider enrolling in the online Burnout Rescue Kit for a step-by-step recovery journey. With the right support, you can recharge, rebuild your resilience, and reclaim joy and balance in your life. Let’s beat burnout together! Explore my Burnout Rescue Kit for

How can you tell if you (or someone you care for) is experiencing burnout and not just “having a bad week”? Many signs of burnout are universal, but here are some common signs with a neurodivergent twist: Chronic Exhaustion – not just sleepiness, but bone-deep fatigue. You might feel like your “battery” never recharges, no matter how much you rest. Autistic and ADHD burnout are marked by pervasive exhaustion that doesn’t improve even after a weekend off[14]. Reduced Tolerance

Recovering from burnout as a neurodivergent person often means recharging your energy reserves and making sustainable changes to reduce stress going forward. Here are some strategies and considerations for an effective ADHD or autistic burnout recovery plan: Extended Rest and Sensory “Detox”: Your brain and body likely need more rest than you think. This could mean taking a leave from work, pausing non-essential commitments, and creating a low-stimulation environment for a wh

By Dr E K Wills time to sort it out! Ever had a great idea and needed to flesh it out? Or been given a 10 page report and needed to distill it down to succinct points? Well now AI makes this possible and in fact is so pervasive that 40% of people report receiving AI generated, convoluted or overly wordy information that lacks clarity. This is such a problem now that it has been given a name: workslop. I run a private practice, an online startup and have a family of five

Key Insights from Our Webinar: Your Gut Matters By The MotherMind Doctor Following the response to our first collaboration webinar, I joined forces again with Lindsay Black, fitness and health trainer. Our latest conversation delved into a topic that is a cornerstone of wellbeing, yet often overlooked during the menopausal transition: gut health. Gut Health and Menopause Connection In this webinar, we explored the profound connection between the gut, our hormones, and t