Leah Beckett
Location Australia
Activity
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Leah Beckett made a comment
They are located in the left side of the brain. Wernike's is in the temporal lobe and the Broca's region is located in the frotal cortex.
Case 1-Broca's Region-responsible for speech development (producing language)
Case 2 - Wernike's area-responsible for language development and speech comprehension. -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Involuntary jerking or writhing movements (chorea)
Muscle problems, ie rigidity or muscle contracture (dystonia)
Slow or abnormal eye movements.
Impaired gait, posture and balance.
Difficulty with speech and/or swallowing. -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Being able to create a piece of visual art, primarily, drawing or painting, gives me immense joy. However, I have noticed that when I am low trying to create anything is near impossible. I have tried composing visual representations of my various moods, but they all seem to end up being unfinished. I used to teach a child with severe ADHD-highly medicated...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
An interesting course that will be the catalyst for me to go on with further study.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Very good course so far. I really like the videos and the diagrams used. I think that at some points there needs to be more of this as I have had to do some added research for clarification.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Reduce pain and boost pleasure. There are about twenty types of endorphins in the human body. As well as reducing pain and triggering euphoria, they can release sex hormones, temper appetite, enhance immune responses......
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Great explanation of how neuro-toxins interfere with neurotransmission. I know understand why certain chemicals, metals and minerals.... can very dangerous for our brain/body. They prevent/distort the natural synthesis process.
Other neuro-toxins include: msg, aspartame, mercury, aluminum, arsenic, lead..... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I find it a lot easier to study (learn new things) when I am listening to music or there is some background noise. I assume by result achieved at university.....that is not effecting my ability to gain of process new information. I do not like it when I have to attend 'professional development' that is associated with my career (education) and we leave our...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I don't really like the word 'smartness'. Surely intelligence is better. With so many ways to measure human intelligence (IQ tests, WISC, Weschler Scales... it has to be all relative to time and the requirements of the individual in his/her environment. I have taught many children who score quite highly on traditional IQ tests but at the same time are also...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
What is the correct term for the 'docking stations' please?
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I think that this should have been explained a lot better here in this stage of the course, either by diagrams and/or video.
However, I found a really good explanation of action potentials, ions, ...... really starts at abound 3.25mins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZG8M_ldA1M -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I am very interested to see how 'drugs' effect neuron activity. Hopefully this will support my understanding of mental illness and it's treatement.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
All very interesting-thank you.
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Leah Beckett replied to Bilal Malik
I would imagine that I was the most appropriate size and structure to compress into the cranium
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Leah Beckett made a comment
There is a lot more to 'smartness' than the number of neurons in the brain, or the brain to body size ratio......
There are lots of different types of intelligence ( Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, as well as common sense, 'street smarts'.....) and just as many ways of measuring intelligence.
It can be influenced by genetics, your experiences,... -
I understand it is determined by how you define 'smart'.
Some argue that intelligence should be judged by the development of skills and abilities that allow 'animals' to live in and adapt to their environment.
If adapting to the environment means consuming, polluting and destroying it, then humans are the superior intelligence.
If adapting to the... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
There are different species of trees, yet they are classified as 'trees' because they are structurally similar and perform the same function. A similar comparison can be made with the way neurons look and function. Just like trees there are thousands of different types of neurons but they too can be classified into 3 types (based upon their function and...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Survival. It has been responsible for all of my conscious and 'unconscious' thoughts and actions. It has been in 'caretaker' mode when I have slept and full function CEO mode when I am awake.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I have really enjoyed this course. Having suffered from anxiety in the past and still suffering from recurring episodes of depression since my teens I already had quite a good insight in to anxiety, depression and CBT. However, I know have a greater increased understanding and greater appreciation of what my husband is currently going through. The section...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I would imagine that the best approach would be one that utilises a lot of varied techniques structured to suit the individual and his/her needs. Just like approaches to physical illness, there is (or should not be) 'no one size fits all' solution.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
It must be very challenging for therapists......who try to get patients to attempt behavioural experiments and their patients are so 'deep' in their illness they never want to or can not take the first steps.
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I really like the examples and the experiment overview worksheet. It takes a very dedicated, compassionate, experienced and educated professional to be able to persevere with effective Behavioural Experiments with patients. i would image that there would be a lot of cases where 'it was back to the drawing board' many times for many people.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
What is meant by 'look for evidence from a range of different places'?
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Leah Beckett made a comment
As I am reading and making notes about all of these 'thinking errors' I am able to give examples for each one of how my husband must feel since his psychological injury. Tears are flowing down my cheeks as I write this because his cognitive thinking, especially about himself, has become so distorted, negative and cyclic. I can know empathise on a much deeper...
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@RinaPapageorgiou Being a teacher myself I agree with you and others to a certain extent about teachers being trained in and teaching about mental health.
While very good teachers are very good at identifying, supporting and ‘referring’ students with any health problems (mental, physical..) it should not be a requirement or expectation that we become their... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Hi I am a qualified and experienced Primary School teacher in Aus.(Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Education +++) I am always interested in learning something new and/or building on, or refreshing what I already know. I am extremely interested in the way we learn, how the brain works and I am of the mind set that anything that I can use to assist me to...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
When I last felt very low and anxious, everything that was said to me by others (it will get better, it will be alright, it is not as bad as you think it is) just became 'white noise' at first. Then after hearing the same comments over and over again I just felt even worse. I began to get angry with 'them' for not understanding and seemingly just trying to...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I am really looking forward to this week and not looking forward to it (the course ending). I am excited to learn about and address (please)unhelpful thoughts and thinking patterns.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I have really enjoyed this week-there was a lot to 'take in'.
I especially appreciated how it was reinforced throughout how the 'patient' has control, takes an active role and/or how there is always a partnership between 'patient' and therapist. I think that reinforcing this relationship and the roles greatly assists people to think of therapy in a much more... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Are smart phones/technology really the way to go?
We are becoming more and more disconnected to the 'real world'. to 'real people' and to 'real situations'. Instead of having a conversation with a person we are turning to apps and the internet to solve our problems.
While I agree that in some circumstances the use of some apps may be beneficial to some... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Having personal ownership and a level of control in any treatment (not just psychological) is extremely important to the wellbeing and recovery of any patient.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Virtual exposure sounds very interesting and I feel could be of great benefit to someone who is suffering from most types of anxiety. Participating in virtual sessions, in a variety of simulations, would provide a 'safer' place. You would feel as if you were in a certain situation or facing a certain object, but in the 'back of your mind' know that you were...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Graded exposure seems like a very 'comfortable' way to unmask/treat certain disorders-specific anxiety. However, to assist someone suffering with extreme panic, PTSD or social anxiety disorder, must be extremely challenging for both the therapist but especially the patient. Graded exposure with someone suffering PTSD would certainly trigger and enhance the...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I am interested to learn more about graded exposure, especially for my husband who is suffering from anxiety-panic and GAD since as a result of injuries sustained in his workplace. As a result of the anxiety he is now developing agoraphobia and will not leave the house without me by his side.
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@rajivsaxena It is more than a matter of a person suffering with depression not liking to be or wanting to be “collaborative”.
Due to the nature (symptoms, ability of cognitive thought....) of the illness it is more likely they simply that they find it extremely challenging to meet the criteria of someone who is collaborative. -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Anxiety prevents you from being your 'true self'. It is like an invisible entity has you in chains and wont let you go. Every time you try do do something the entity not only pulls you back put also inflicts pain on you in the form of racing heart beat, sweating, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, nausea, skin picking.....
Overtime the 'entity' becomes... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
It's about building on baby steps... All of those sayings about 'the first step is the hardest', 'the first step is the beginning of change'.....is so relevant here. Without that first step or in Ailsa's case finding one small thing to find enjoyment from (cup of tea) Ailsa would not have been empowered to take any more steps and positively continue on her...
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When you are in the deepest grips of depression you do not feel like doing anything and anything that previously brought you joy or pleasure currently does not. It is extremely difficult to even 'commit' to any activities. I know that when I am in this situation I have immense fear of failure (nothing I do is good enough....) and it would be very difficult to...
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@AndrewTurner This may help...... especially point number 5 on the second page
https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/chemicals/mercury/documents/mif%20brochure.pdf -
Leah Beckett replied to Mary R
Hi Donna. Try cooking with a ‘light’ olive oil and save the extra virgin olive oil for salad dressings and sauces.
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Leah Beckett replied to Rach B
Nice thought....but replying as a teacher this would be an extremely challenging way to teach. Not only that, but there would not be any role modelling by peers, resilience issues would arise as well as many other social issues.
The best thing a teacher can do (and better teachers do this), is to be aware of each students strengths and needs and cater to... -
Sorry?
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Maintaining a diary is great and works well for a lot of people. However, not all. My husband is 'recovering' from a severe workplace mental health injury. He was a very dedicated and passionate school Principal. Keeping a paper and electronic diary was a huge part of his daily work life. Now doing anything that is related to diaries and/or computer...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I believe the therapist is showing sympathy towards the 'patient'-not empathy. She can sympathise because she understands and recognises the patients symptoms(from training and treatments). However, many therapists can not empathise with their 'patients' because they have never experienced similar emotions or circumstances.
At one stage the therapist said... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
You have to been open to change-change in mood and change in behaviours. It is like finding the right key on a key chain of 100 keys to open a single lock. You have to be ready to firstly choose a key, then keep on choosing until the right key fits. If you are not willing to try the first key the lock will never open-you will never find 'joy'.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I suffer from 'bouts' of depression and can definitely tell the difference from just wanting to 'enjoy my own company' and withdrawing because of my depression.
However, this self-realisation takes a long time to perfect and it is a lot easier to see it in others (especially) close friends and family, than yourself.
In the short term the withdrawal is... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I know that I would cancel meeting with friends-I wouldn't feel like being social and am not the type of person to force/fake myself to enjoy the evening when I clearly would not. I also know that I would spend the night at home ruminating on what had occurred at work and how I could move forward the next day.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I now add dry toasted (in non slick pan) nuts and seeds to every salad-sunflower seeds, pine nuts, hemp seeds, pepitas(pumpkin seeds) and crushed walnuts. Not only does this mix give any salad a great crunch and taste, but also gives you a lot of nutrients.
I just buy large bags of each (well, smaller pine nut bags, they can be $$) and tip them all into... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
It is more about changing my mindset and old eating habits. Once all the 'nasties' are gone from the fridge and cupboards-do not replace them with the same. If they are not there I can not eat them.
My husband and I started a keto style diet a few months ago. We no longer eat 'bread' (Atkins make at home bread is great) or rice or pasta and have just... -
Leah Beckett replied to Leah Beckett
@Allisonkilworth I am so sorry to hear that Allison. It is vicious cycle and once it starts it is very difficult to stop. My husbands GP suggested he try an acne treatment to stop the itching and hopefully then the picking. So far no luck.
If your daughter is like my husband, half of the time she probably doesn't even realise that she is doing it. I... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Having the personal tools to be resilient to anything negative and having a favourable outlook on life (things can/will always get better) are keys to positive mental health.
However, when you are in the depths of depression and anxiety, it does not matter how often, in how many different ways or by whom tells you this. It is extremely challenging, to say... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I am in the Action stage. I am growing in confidence with my food choices and willing to learn new and interesting things everyday. There is off course the fear that there will be as 'relapse'. especially when visiting relatives who live near the best fish and chip shop in Aus. However, I know what is best and if I do 'fall off the wagon' that is OK because...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I think that forward planning is the most important thing to do before an grocery shop. This also includes trialing new recipes and modifying as necessary. I agree with other comments about buying processed foods being more expensive. Also, not shopping on an empty stomach usually ensures that I only buy what I need.
I also feel fuller for longer eating... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Baked pumpkin, tuna and feta salad.
Mixed salad leaves, cubed pumpkin (baked), chopped celery, diced red onion, crumbed feta, dry roasted sunflower seeds and pine nuts, cubed toasted wholegrain bread and good quality tinned tuna (in springwater), a good amount of olive oil (I also use hemp oil) and balsamic vinegar.
Mix all together in a bowl and serve. ... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
It all depends on how well I knew them and past experiences with them.
I am generally not someone who panics and remains very calm in a variety of situations.
If my initial thoughts were 'threatening' I would probably think very negatively and think that something terrible had happened to them, especially if I knew that they always arrived on time or called... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
What I will remember most about this is how many students like Chris there are.
When attending university to become a teacher (4 years here in Aus), we spent a semester learning about how to recognise (and refer) students who may be suffering from certain disorders. Much of the focus was on ADD, ADHD and abuse. As you 'learn your trade' and attend regular... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I am concerned by the number of people who are reading the information throughout this course (especially this week on anxiety) and seem to be 'self-diagnosing'.
It's is great that you have an understanding of yourself and can show an appreciation of the symptoms and the disorders, but what is more important is that if you feel you may have any of these... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I don't fear too much, thankfully.
I used to have a fear of Emus (larges flightless birds here in Aus). I couldn't even look at them and the thought of having to see one made me want to throw up. I was always thinking 2-3 steps ahead and always negatively. It might bite me..., it might hurt..., it might chase me ....... I am not sure where this 'fear'... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
There are a lot of symptoms that are immediately recognisable. I have suffered from several of them myself and recently (and sadly) have seen my husband suffering from severe anxiety. He has even developed a skin picking habit in response to stressful situations.
I guess the 'scariest' symptoms are increased heart rate and chest pain as well as... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
The physical symptoms are wide and varied and can occur simultaneously, a few or one at a time.
These can include, increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, irrational thinking, GI responses (diahorrea, cramps), frequent urination, seeing black spots, feeling faint, disorientation, insomnia, sexual disfunction, increased swearing, increased crying, dry mouth,... -
Thank you Kristy M and Nora. I try my best.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I really like all of the information about inflammation and how depression is linked to inflammation (systemic and peripheral) and how examples were provided for decreasing inflammation by improving git microbiota through food. I am especially pleased that studies show that children need be exposed to a wide variety of microbes.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Geography and Urbanisation. Having lived and taught in both suburban and rural areas I have found that 'country kids' tend to be a lot healthier as far as the rates of asthma and allergies go. The first aid room in our urban school was filled with 'Asthma Plans' and Allergy medication for a lot more students. Parents of rural children were also a lot more...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Children, especially in wealthier western societies, aren't being exposed to a wide enough variety of microbes. It will be interesting to see the effect of the usage of hand-sanitisers and the like on younger children (ie the resistance to asthma...). Also, the generations of children who are now growing up in 'sterile' environments and not allowed to play in...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Here in Australia we are still big red meat eaters, I guess a lot of British traditions. But it is slowly becoming a generational change.
My Gran used to dripping (yuck) to cook and bake everything in. Roast beef or lamb on Sundays and sausages and lamb chops on the BBQ.
My mum still uses a lot of butter and vegetable oil. Steak, chops and the occasional... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Inflammation is the body's attempt and response to heal itself when it has been injured, defend itself from 'invaders' (foreign objects, bacteria, virus...) and repair damage. This can take a lot of effort and the constant 'war' against what we do (or don't) depletes the body's resources and both the physical and mental begin to break down.
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Being a teacher I find that regular sessions of Brain Gym ('awakening the left and right hemispheres of the brain) and mindfulness exercises (meditation, basic yoga...) assist greatly with brain plasticity, especially concentration and retention. Although we teach our students about healthy eating we often just tell them we are eating it because it 'is good...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I can not wait to discover what types of foods (quality of diet) have been proven to increase and maintain the size of our hippo-campus. I am very much looking forward to modifying my families diet based on these foods.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
It would be interesting to see in another hundred years how people view today's current dietary guidelines/diets. I am sure that what we assume is the 'right thing' to do now will be examined/criticised in the same light.
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I understand this. I was referring to the fact that if that was me, as someone ‘with depressive symptoms’......l personally wouldn’t care what was happening and continue on with my day.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Just a question.....what about if couldn't care less about what the Mums talking about and just go about my business?
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Cases such as these are very helpful in understanding just how different and complex individuals are. How we perceive things, think about them and react to them are as individualised as our finger prints. Enough can not be said for building and maintaining resilience.
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Pete also may be predisposed factors for depression (genetics) and past experiences (childhood...) may also effect his/maintain his symptoms.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
The disorientation symptom has never happened to me personally. However, in the early stages of my husbands depression we were driving to a relatives home that was near by and he had to pull over by the side of the road. He just started crying and said that he couldn't remember where he was going. I thought that perhaps it was just the new medication...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I am so glad that rumination was mentioned and will be discussed!
To me there is no doubt that it plays a huge role (if not the biggest role) in impacting the frequency and severity of my depression and anxiety.
I am a huge overthinker and although I have learnt several techniques (mindfulness) to assist me to prevent ruminating, the 'evil black cloud'... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
My GP once described it as normal to have peaks and troughs through a wide range of emotions throughout the course of the day and circumstances. He said what makes depression differ is that the peaks are well below a 'normal' persons and that the troughs can be more frequent and as deep as the mariana trench. Because the throughs are so deep it takes a lot...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I think the stigma associated with mental health conditions is very difficult to change or remedy. I think that people are 'afraid' of those with any condition that is not physical because they are worried that they way say the wrong thing or receive an answer that they are not expecting.
There is also the media-ised/movie-ised associations with mental... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I have really appreciated the information on how we all process the 'world' around us. I've always understood that when I am depressed that everything around me is much less enjoyable and that I have a lot less 'care factor' with things that I am usually excited about. I was really interested in the way ambiguous information can be interpreted depending upon...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I loved this explanation. I think that socio-cultural factors are extremely influential in perpetual expectancy-especially know even more so with the internet and social media. A lot of people have little or no experience with a lot of things, yet seem to have opinions, feelings, thoughts....based on who said, did what....on social media (for example).
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Even though we see the identical images not everyone has the same experiences or retained the information in the same way. It is like our eyes giving our brain the information and then saying....'make of this what you will."
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Our sense organs are merely just the conduit or the means by which we collect and deliver the information to our brains. Our brains are our CPUs (central processing units) for disseminating and storing information.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
If sense is the capability of perception by means of a 'sense organ'....I have often wondered is empathy a sense?
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Leah Beckett made a comment
At the moment I can hear my little Jack Russell sniffing around the kitchen. It makes me feel happy because i know that she is content-on her own personal scrap finding mission. I can also hear her 'hop' (she is a tri-paw) as she gallops across the tiles.
I can also smell the new carpet that we have just had laid in our lounge room.
I don't really taste... -
When I am depressed I feel like little, wet, shivering puppy that has been left out in the cold and constantly having a huge cartoon like finger being pointed at me, with someone in the background berating me all the time. All I want to do is hide someone warm and dark and and wish it would all go away.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I have struggled with depression since my early teens. I have some excellent 'tools' to assist me through my 'lows'. However, my husband is suffering from severe depression, anxiety and PTSD as a result of a workplace injury. He is on numerous medications and sees three different specialists every month. Helping a partner through this time is a lot more...
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Leah Beckett replied to Leah Beckett
Thanks for the reply Robin. Sorry to hear “it was too little too late” :-(
Fortunately mine has some confidence in his GP and it was her that suggested we look into Food and Mood. I will persevere with fingers crossed. -
Leah Beckett made a comment
As my husband is suffering from severe depression, anxiety and PTSD as a result of a workplace injury, I am especially interested in this whole course, but especially the role of the gut and the immune system. He is currently on numerous medications and see three treating professionals every month. Suffering from bouts of depression myself since my teens has...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
For me good mental health is being happy, content and resilient enough to push through tough times and learn from them. It also means having enough personal tools and confidence in yourself to recognise when things aren't 'quite right' and be able to move (emotionally, mentally, physically...) forward. Basically it is about knowing yourself!
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Leah Beckett made a comment
I have not used any of the assessments before. The checklist looks the easiest to use as when you do consume anything and 'check' it off it gives you a visual reminder of what you should a still consume (or that you have had too much of).
However, as with all things, people interested in their health and nutrition wouldn't need any of these. They would know... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Currently.......The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating.....is based on plate sized (visual representation-like a pictograph) servings divided up into portions of grouped foods-the 'five food groups' (ie dairy, grains and cereals) based of what is considered part of a healthy diet.
There are a wide variety of foods and drinking sufficient amounts of water is... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Biological and Personal. I grew up in a 'meat and 3 veg.' family. Nothing really wrong with that but way too heavy on the 'meat'. I guess that is why I am a pescatarian now. Oh, and the fact that certain meat products trigger a terrible gag reflex (palatability).
Education has also played a large role. Teaching primary school aged children my entire... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Each to their own. High respect for traditional and plant based diets. Everyone needs to choose what they perceive to be best for them-you do the best with what you have (including knowledge).
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Sleep.
Too much sleep can be just as damaging (especially physically) as too little sleep. When you are 'down' all you want to do is 'hide' yourself away in the darkness and try and sleep to avoid your thoughts and emotions.
On the other hand not enough sleep causes over-thinking, leading to irrational thinking and rumination. Not enough sleep also... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
Yet again it should not matter (but it does) on what advertisers do or don't do, on what Governments do or don't do, on how supermarkets and the like display or promote their foods...
In our country there are a lot of education sources, Government and privately funded programs, food banks, nutritional sources of information (free publications, online... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
EDUCATION! Education on all levels-from the individual, to the family, to the local government to federal government. Education that models that not everyone is the same and everyone has different needs. There is not a 'one fits all' solution to the social factors effecting mental health. Providing the tools for 'resilience' is extremely important.
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Of course there are Modifiable Environmental Factors that impact everyone's mental health. If there weren't everything would be purely focused upon genetics. Our personal, especially as adults, choices (to a large extent) play a major role in the environment that we create for ourselves and our own personal mental health. I have suffered from bouts of...
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Leah Beckett made a comment
Yes I do agree with the WHO definition for mental health for the most part. I am glad that the term 'normal functioning' was not included in this definition. It often is in a lot of meanings. However, 'normal stressors'..... was.
I am not sure if each stressor can be given equal weight to every individual/class/race/socio-economic group...... -
Leah Beckett made a comment
I agree with a previous comment about the decisions people (some) make are driven out of 'necessity' and laziness. Being teacher in an extremely low socio economic area I have seen just how many financially disadvantaged families usually turn to fast and packaged foods to feed their children. Many individuals have become akin to Veruca Salt (Charlie and the...
