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Alexithymia: When "How Do You Feel?" Has No Answer
Photo by Darya Sannikova: https://www.pexels.com/photo/unrecognizable-man-with-mental-disorder-near-wall-4603590/ The therapist asks: "How does that make you feel?" You sit there. Silent. Not because you're being difficult or resistant. Not because you don't want to answer. Because you genuinely have no idea. You know something is happening in your body. There's a sensation—tightness, heaviness, maybe heat. But you can't name it. You can't tell if it's anxiety or sadness or f

Melanie Du Preez
Mar 1413 min read


Why Impostor Syndrome Hits Neurodivergent People Harder—and Differently
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-red-t-shirt-looking-at-her-laptop-3755761/ You got the promotion. You completed the project. You received the compliment. And your immediate thought is: "They don't actually know what they're doing. If they knew the real me, they'd realize I'm faking it." You attribute success to luck, timing, or other people's generosity—never to your own competence. You live in constant fear of being "found out." You dismiss

Melanie Du Preez
Mar 712 min read


Finding Adult ADHD Online Support: A Guide to Getting Help for Adult ADHD Online
Living with adult ADHD can feel like navigating a maze without a map. The distractions, the impulsivity, the restless energy - they all swirl around, making daily life a challenge. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do this alone. Thanks to the digital age, getting help for adult ADHD online has become more accessible, flexible, and tailored to your unique needs. Let’s explore how you can find the support you deserve, right from the comfort of your own space. Why Ad

Melanie Du Preez
Mar 24 min read


Interoception: The Sense You Didn't Know You Were Missing
Photo by Leeloo The First: https://www.pexels.com/photo/question-marks-on-paper-crafts-5428833/ You work through lunch without noticing hunger until you're shaking at 4 PM. You don't realize you need to use the bathroom until it's an emergency. You go from "fine" to complete meltdown in what feels like seconds, with no warning. You can't tell if you're anxious, hungry, tired, or sick—everything just registers as "bad." You ignore pain until an injury becomes serious. You stru

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 2810 min read


Therapy Booking South Africa: Book Online Therapy Sessions in ZA
Life can sometimes feel like a winding road with unexpected turns. When the path gets tough, reaching out for support is a brave and important step. If you’ve been wondering how to find the right help without leaving the comfort of your home, you’re in the right place. Today, I want to share with you how to book online therapy sessions in ZA and why this option is becoming a lifeline for so many. Why Therapy Booking South Africa Is Easier Than Ever Booking therapy sessions i

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 234 min read


AuDHD: When Your Brain Needs Routine AND Novelty at the Same Time
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-black-pants-lying-on-brown-cardboard-boxes-4553180/ You need routine to function. Structure keeps you regulated. Knowing what's coming prevents the anxiety that derails your entire day. Predictability is safety. You also cannot stand doing the same thing twice. Routine becomes suffocating within weeks. Repetition drains something essential out of you. Your brain screams for something new, something different, s

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 2112 min read


Effective Online DBT Therapy for AUDHD: Unlocking Online DBT Therapy Benefits
Living with AUDHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder combined with Autism Spectrum Disorder) can feel like navigating a maze with shifting walls. The challenges are unique, and traditional therapy approaches might not always fit the bill. That’s where Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) steps in, offering a compassionate, structured way to manage emotions, improve relationships, and build resilience. And the best part? You can access this powerful tool from the comfort

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 164 min read


Boost Focus with ADHD-Specific Strategies: Effective adhd focus techniques
Living with ADHD can make maintaining focus a daily challenge. However, with the right strategies tailored specifically for ADHD, it is possible to improve concentration and productivity. This article explores practical and effective adhd focus techniques that can help you harness your attention and get more done. Understanding ADHD and Focus Challenges ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, affects the brain's ability to regulate attention, impulses, and activit

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 143 min read


Effective ADHD Management for Adults: Practical Strategies and Insights
Living with ADHD as an adult can present unique challenges that affect daily life, work, and relationships. However, with the right strategies and support, managing ADHD effectively is entirely possible. This article explores practical approaches to adhd management for adults , offering clear guidance to help navigate this condition with confidence. Understanding ADHD Management for Adults ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is often associated with children, b

Melanie Du Preez
Feb 113 min read


December is hard when you have trauma.
Here's the thing about December: the whole world acts like it's supposed to be magical. Cozy. Joyful. A time for family and gratitude and sparkly lights. And if you have a trauma history, you might spend most of the month wondering what's wrong with you for feeling like you're barely surviving it. Nothing is wrong with you. Your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do. It's just that what it was designed to do doesn't play well with forced togetherness, sen

Melanie Du Preez
Dec 10, 20254 min read


The Trauma of Not Knowing: Why So Many Late-Diagnosed People Also Have CPTSD
Here's the thing about being a high-achieving woman with undiagnosed AuDHD: you don't get to coast. You don't get to have an "off" day. You don't get to just be — because just being has never, ever been enough. You learn this early. Maybe you were "too sensitive." Too intense. Too much. Or maybe you were too quiet, too in your head, too somewhere-else. Either way, the message was clear: the way you naturally exist is not acceptable. Please adjust. So you adjust. And adjust.

Melanie Du Preez
Dec 7, 20259 min read


Pro-Ana is Back: What Every Parent Needs to Know Right Now
Here's the thing nobody wants to talk about at braais and school meetings: there are corners of the internet actively teaching your child how to starve themselves. And Instagram's algorithm is helping. I'm Dr Melanie du Preez. I'm a clinical psychologist with over 26 years of experience, and I'm one of fewer than five Maudsley-certified eating disorder specialists in South Africa. I've treated hundreds of young people with anorexia, bulimia, and ARFID. And I'm watching someth

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 27, 20254 min read


Strengthen Your Bond with Online Relationship Counseling
In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy relationship can be challenging. Couples often face communication barriers, misunderstandings, and emotional distance. Fortunately, online couples therapy offers a convenient and effective way to nurture your relationship from the comfort of your home. This blog post explores how online therapy can help you and your partner strengthen your bond, improve communication, and resolve conflicts. Why Choose Online Couples Therapy?

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 24, 20253 min read


The Barely Functional Human's Guide to Surviving December: Science-Based Survival Strategies for the Festively Exhausted
It's November 28th. My daughter just texted "finished!" about her last exam two years ago, but I still remember that moment. I should have felt relief. Instead, I sat in my car in the office parking lot, too tired to turn the key, wondering if I could just... not do December that year. (Spoiler: You can't not do December. It arrives anyway. Like load-shedding during dinner.) Here's the thing—I'm writing this now, at the end of November 2025, and that same exhaustion is every

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 22, 20255 min read


Why Smart Women Miss Their ADHD (And What to Look for Instead)
Here's what nobody tells you about ADHD in women: The signs don't look like the textbook version. They don't look like hyperactive 8-year-old boys bouncing off walls. They look like this: You're chronically overwhelmed but can't figure out why everyone else seems to cope better. You appear highly capable on the outside, but inside you're barely holding it together. Small tasks feel mountainous, and you can't explain why. People call you "too sensitive" when rejection - real o

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 17, 20252 min read


How Behavioral Therapists Help You Transform Your Life
Changing your life for the better can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply want to improve your habits, professional support can make a huge difference. Behavioral therapy experts offer practical tools and guidance to help you understand your thoughts and actions, and then change them in ways that improve your well-being. This blog post explores how these experts work with you to create lasting positive change. Understand

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 17, 20253 min read


The Three Types of ADHD Masking You've Never Heard About (And Why They're Destroying You From the Inside Out)
Everyone talks about masking in autism. But ADHD masking? That's the lesser-known cousin that's been silently wreaking havoc in your life—and you probably don't even know you're doing it. Here's the thing: We've become pretty good at recognizing autism masking. Social scripting, camouflaging, mirroring others to fit in. But ADHD masking? It flies completely under the radar because it looks different. And it's exhausting you in ways you might not even realize. I've been workin

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 15, 20257 min read


Discover Tailored Solutions for Mental Health Challenges
Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, yet many people face challenges that can feel overwhelming. Finding the right support and strategies to manage these challenges is essential. Tailored mental wellness solutions offer personalized approaches that address individual needs, making recovery and growth more achievable. This article explores practical ways to discover and implement these solutions effectively. Understanding the Importance of Tailored Mental Welln

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 10, 20253 min read


The December Lie: What Every Matric Parent Needs to Hear
My daughter wrote matric in 2020. During a pandemic. With masks and sanitizer and the constant fear that exams might be cancelled. My son wrote matric in 2023. "Back to normal," everyone said. "At least it's not during COVID," they said. (Spoiler: There is no "at least" when it comes to matric December. There's just different flavors of impossible.) I'm writing this now, in November 2025, because if your child is writing finals right now, or if you're about to enter that spec

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 7, 20255 min read


Improving Communication Through Expert Therapy
Effective communication is the foundation of healthy relationships, successful careers, and personal growth. Yet, many people struggle to express themselves clearly or understand others fully. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and feelings of isolation. Fortunately, expert communication therapy techniques offer practical ways to improve these skills and foster better connections. Communication therapy is a specialized approach that helps individuals identify and

Melanie Du Preez
Nov 3, 20253 min read
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