Clinic Address: Unit 3, 36-42 Auburn St, Wollongong NSW  | Monday to Friday by Appointment Only

Clinic Address: Unit 3, 36-42 Auburn St, Wollongong NSW  | Monday to Friday by Appointment Only

Skills Before Pills

Save PRN Medications for Emergencies

PRN comes from the Latin term Pro Re Nata which means 'when the circumstance requires it'. Some find it easier to remember it as Per Required Need. These medications are sedating which will reduce arousal to “take the edge off” the feeling of distress. They can be very tempting to reach for when you are feeling overwhelmed. While these medications serve their purpose, a reliance on them long term can cause more problems later on. They disempower you and rob you of an opportunity to be courageous.


It is way more beneficial to learn skills to manage your distress to create meaningful change for your future. Knowing that you have the ability to manage any emotion or feeling that you experience will increase your confidence and reduce your dependence on PRN medication.

This handout has a list of skills you can use BEFORE you reach for PRN medication. 



This 16 page mini guide has a comprehensive list of skills and tactics for surviving distress.

To download this handout or Mini Guide, go to our Resources page. It's free!

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About Our Resources

We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful change in managing mental health issues through different modes depending on people's learning preferences including infographics, text, worksheets, handouts and video. 

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The Biology of Distress

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Bruxism and PTSD: The Teeth Keep the Score

By Al Griskaitis • June 29, 2024
How PTSD Can Lead to Bruxism and Dental Issues: The Teeth Keep the Score By Dr Al Griskaitis, Psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk noted in PTSD that "The body keeps the score". Bruxism is a literal example of that. What is Bruxism? Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. It can occur during waking hours (awake bruxism) or during sleep (sleep bruxism). Common signs include worn-down biting surfaces of teeth, erosion of teeth at the gumline (abfraction), jaw pain, headaches, and increased tooth sensitivity. While bruxism is often associated with transient stress, its common connection to PTSD highlights a bodily impact of feeling endangered. Bruxism likely relates to this chronic state of increased arousal from PTSD which can be further exacerbated by alcohol and some medications. What is PTSD? I posit that it is more than a reaction to trauma with a syndrome of symptoms, that's too low resolution. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs when a very serious adversity leads to a "alarm

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    We hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

    We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful changes in managing mental health issues. View resources here.

We hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

We offer actionable resources and teach real skills to help people make meaningful change in managing mental health issues.

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