Blog - Page 6 of 7 - Dr Antoinette Miric

05 Jun 2016

Infographic | 5 Quick Facts On Alcohol Use

In my initial interview, I find out from all my patients about their daily/weekly alcohol consumption. I am often shocked at how many individuals in the Johannesburg region who drink excessively, and I suspect patients think I am overreacting or being overcautious. This infographic summarises some of the guidelines which were released this year in the United Kingdom. It’s important to remember that these drinking guidelines are written for the general population and are not for people who suffer from any mental health issues. Alcohol makes most psychiatric disorders worse and more complicated to treat. I advise all patients to […]

19 Jun 2016

Sleep and Smartphones: incompatible

I saw this video which describes the problems with using smartphones before bed. It follows on from my previous post on the topic – Screen time at bedtime

11 Jul 2016

What is Adult ADHD ?

Adult ADHD is frequently undiagnosed and not sufficiently treated. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a developmental condition that starts in early childhood. ADHD affects the way the brain processes and retains information. In addition, it also affects brain areas which are important in delaying gratification and thinking before acting which results in impulsivity. Previously it was thought that you outgrow ADHD, but research has shown that ADHD frequently persists into adulthood. Here is a useful video explaining the symptoms of Adult ADHD. It is a highly inherited condition with the heritability from a 1st Generation relative thought to be around 75%. It […]

18 Jul 2016

Binge drinking and blackouts are bad for you

Binge Drinking is very common in South Africa. Most people don’t understand what it is or why it is dangerous for your health. Binge Drinking is when you consume a large amount of alcohol in a short period. General guidelines say it is the equivalent of 8 units of alcohol a night for me and 6 Units of alcohol a night for women. Please remember that 1 unit of alcohol does not equal 1 Drink. If you read this previous infographic on this blog, you will see that is the equivalent of about five beers for men ( 5*330ml) or […]

26 Jul 2016

Kristen Bell talks about her struggles with depression and anxiety

This is a short youtube video clip featuring Kristen Bell who opened up about her struggles with depression and anxiety. She speaks so eloquently and describes how treatment has helped her. She also discusses shame which many people experience when they have a mental illness.

20 Jan 2018

How to speak to your psychiatrist

I have just got off the phone with a family member who is being treated by a colleague. This colleague is an experienced clinician whom I respect, and I found myself advising the person on how to explain themselves to their doctor. I frequently find in conversations with friends, family and colleagues that some people struggle to communicate with their psychiatrist effectively. Better communication will lead to better outcomes. Some important details to understand about us ‘Psychiatrists’: It is important to realise that there are different types of psychiatry appointments, some are medication check-ins (15 min), some are follow ups which may […]