This video explores the dual nature of stress, highlighting not only its potential negative impacts, such as anxiety and distress, but also its positive aspects, like driving change and growth. It delves into the brain's response to stress, involving key areas like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, and the crucial fight-or-flight mechanism. Stress management is portrayed as a balance of physiological and psychological strategies, emphasizing the importance of the HPA axis, the gut-brain axis, and the role of telomeres in cellular health. The video advocates for developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and employing techniques like mindfulness and exercise to harness stress positively for improved well-being and life fulfilment.
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Jacka, F. (2019). Brain Changer: How diet can save your mental health–cutting-edge science from an expert. Hachette UK.
Madison A, Kiecolt-Glaser JK. Stress, depression, diet, and the gut microbiota: human-bacteria interactions at the core of psychoneuroimmunology and nutrition. (2019) Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2019 Aug;28:105-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2019.01.011.
Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. (2020) The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids from Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jan 31;11:25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00025
Sullivan R et al, Why do we love medicines so much? EMBO reports (2010), 11, 8, 572-578, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/embor.2010.108
How To Make Stress Your Friend: Kelly McGonical https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend
Your Gut Microbiome - The Most Important Organ You’ve Never Heard of: Erika Angle TedxFargo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9RruLkAUm8
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/docs/default-source/psychological-toolkit/k10.pdf?sfvrsn=4
http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/Groups/Dass/
About Professor Kay Wilhelm
Kay Wilhelm is Professor of Psychiatry at University of Notre Dame Sydney, Conjoint Professor in Psychiatry and Mental Health UNSW and Emeritus Consultant Psychiatrist at St Vincent’s Hospital. She was a Member of NSW Medical Council for 14 years and Chair of Doctor’s Health Program for 12 and now part of the Hearing Member Panel for the NSW Medical Council. She is Chair, HETI Higher Education Governing Council and a member of the Central and Eastern Sydney LDH Advisory Group of Suicide Prevention and Mental Health. Kay has previously been a consultant and researcher in the Mood Disorders Unit at Prince Henry Hospital, which developed into the Black Dog Institute. Following that, she worked at St Vincent’s Hospital in Liaison Psychiatry, with particular interest in transplant psychiatry, diabetes and suicidal presentations. She has carried out a seminal 30-year longitudinal study looking at gender differences of wellbeing (The Sydney Teachers’ Study). She has been awarded Founders’ Medal, from Australasian Society of Psychiatric Research; the RANZCP College Citation and NSW Branch’s Meritorious Service Award and is a Member of the Order of Australia, in recognition of services in depression management, suicide prevention, doctors’ health, professional education and service to the profession.
