Can your sensory profile affect your mental health?
Does hyper- or hyposensitivity cause you to feel overwhelmed or under-stimulated in environments others may find normal? Psychologist Luricka Fick considers whether mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety and risk-taking behaviour, may point to sensory integration issues. She discusses the role dopamine plays in over- and under-responsiveness, and the benefits of a sensory integration assessment.
If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Luricka and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device. Tip: Use earphones to listen in private.
In ep. 159 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, counselling psychologist Luricka Fick discusses
what your unique sensory profile entails
why a need to drive fast or a dislike of hugs may indicate a need for more, or less, deep-pressure input to regulate the person’s nervous system
why hypersensitivity or over-responsiveness may lead to anxiety and panic, avoidance and isolation, or
stress and irritability
why hyposensitivity or under-responsiveness may lead to risk-taking behaviour, difficulty with social connections, or frustration and aggression
the impact of alcohol on the nervous system, specifically regarding dopamine
the interaction between sensory profiles and specific mental health conditions regarding ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Anxiety disorders
how an adult sensory integration assessment done by an occupational therapist can shed light on challenging issues
how Luricka approaches the influence of sensory profiles on mental health conditions in her private practice
her advice for parents
Luricka’s tips for growing curious about your sensory profile.
In this episode, Luricka mentions Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Dr Daniel Amen.
Scroll down for more info on Luricka, including her contact details.
Here Luricka clarifies postnatal depression and what a mom - or their loved ones - can do.
Read about Luricka’s view of Freud, her home life, and guilty pleasures.
You can read “Do you or your child have a sensory integration issue?” here.
Listening to the podcast will tell you what the above image is doing here …
Contact details
Luricka Fick is a counselling psychologist and founder at Dynamic Health Today, based in Johannesburg. She works in person and online.
Websites:
https://joburgpsychologist.today/
https://dynamicdevelopment.today/ – including online sensory integration courses for adults or children (if not yet available, they will be on offer soon)
https://bettermom.today - including a podcast called The Good Enough Mother Podcast.
Tel. 083 759 0351
Email address: hello@bettermom.today
Facebook: BetterMom and Luricka Fick Counselling Psychologist
Instagram: @bettermom.today
LinkedIn: Luricka Fick
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Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash. Model used.
Photograph of Luricka Fick and biscuits: supplied