Dianne Everitt Clinical Psychologist

01/09/2025

The number one people struggle to sleep is because of an overactive mind, which is often a byproduct of an overactive nervous system.

The second reason people struggle to sleep is because of an overactive mind... related to ADHD.

Regardless of which category you fall into, if you struggle with either falling or staying asleep, or both, you need to be working on sleep hygiene.

These are the most effective sleep tips that I've seen in over 15 years of working with mental health. It can sometimes be a little more nuanced than this, but if you're struggling, start with these tips.

Do you have any other sleep hacks that you have found effective? Share it in the comments.

19/08/2025

Some of the most valuable lessons I've learned that have changed my own life, as well as the lives of my clients.

If this is helpful, share it, save it for later, and follow for more.

28/07/2025

Don't get me wrong - you'll find me in a happy place when strategy, problem solving and creativity collide. I'm an out of the box thinker who thrives on creative problem solving of difficult problems. BUT

When I get stressed, I dig a little deeper and push a little harder. And while this is often effective, the other side of the double edges sword is that achieving a state of rest and recharge for the nervous system never happens.

Because working hards fuels independence, and independence feels safe. Resting is the last thing I want to do when I'm stressed, and yet what I need so badly.

I see the exact same mechanism in my high achieving friends and clients. They don't know how to switch off, and it ends up costing them more than they'd like to pay.

Whilst they want to reduce the price and recalibrate to find better balance, they feel trapped, and can't pinpoint why.

It all comes back to safety. Performing feels safe. Resting doesn't. So we perform at the expense of ourselves until our nervous systems scream at us.

I am deeply passionate about this and on a mission to help this category of people find the solutions they need to live a life that feels balanced and meaningful.

If this is you, hot follow for practical tips and tools.

If you have a friend in mind who needs this too, share it with them.

12/07/2025

If your ambition is always on.
If it drives you to pursue success at the expense of yourself, your health, your relationships.
If you can't switch off.
If slowing down feels stressful.
If you always have to be doing something productive.

There's a good chance you're driven by high functioning anxiety, disguised as ambition.

That's the reason you look like you have it all together to the outside world.
But wonder why you're so discontented on the inside.
It's why you can achieve success and still feel empty.
It's why the novelty of each accolade wears off so quickly.
It's why you're a perfectionist.

If you have high functioning anxiety, it means you've learned that performance = safety.
You've learned to either avoid pain or elicit validation through your competence and capabilities.

But what you desire is not success itself.
It's what you think is on the other side of success.
Validation.
Identity.
Peace.
Contentment.
Feeling like you're "enough".

The thing is.
You are already enough.
As you are.
Without the need to perform.
You just need to learn to believe it.

This is the deepest work.
The work I am most passionate about.

If this resonates, follow me for practical tips and tools for high achievers.
Share this with someone who might benefit.
Find the quiz in my bio - Do you have high functioning anxiety (and what to do about it)?

26/04/2024

For the parents out there - how often do you recognize your own stuff getting in the way of being the parent you'd like to be? My wonderful colleague is doing a free workshop on how to regulate our own nervous systems so we can help our kids regulate theirs. I have learnt so much from her about nervous system regulation in the context of parenting, and this is bound to be a fantastic workshop!

FREE MASTERCLASS FOR PARENTS - DISCOVER HOW YOU CAN REGULATE YOUR OWN EMOTIONS, EVEN DURING YOUR CHILD'S OWN EMOTIONAL STORM!

18/05/2023

By the time most people get into therapy, they've mastered the art of ignoring the subtle cues of their nervous system, signaling that they're not so okay.

Most of the time, the high achievers among us are very accustomed to pushing through the pain, staying on top of their game, and overriding fatigue.

This is fine in the short term. Over the long run, it chips away at us, and the chips start to add up. One day, we find it difficult to recognize ourselves, and wonder how we got to being so overwhelmed.

I call it intuitive living - learning to adjust ourselves according to what our minds and bodies are telling us about where our threshold is at.

Sometimes it's as simple as knowing when to reduce stimulation, withdraw to a quiet space, get into nature, say no to a social commitment.

17/04/2023

Research has shown that perseverance, resilience, and tenacity are at their strongest when people feel that they are liked, valued and trusted, for who they are, and not just for what they can achieve. Even more so than when people have a growth mindset!

Your identity is not defined by your behaviour.

Yes I know, sometimes people make bad choices. We all do sometimes.

When people are stuck in a rut if bad choices, adding judgement creates shame, and fuels even worse choices.

When people feel like they are enough, and their need for belonging is met, they are significantly more likely to make better decisions.

Sometimes the hardest thing is to see the best in a loved one when they don't show it to you. More than likely, bad behaviour comes from unresolved pain, and isn't as personal as it sometimes feels.