Psychotherapist says lollipops help ease anxiety in patients

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Sydney psychotherapist Hope Rosenberg uses lollipops as a calming tool for patients experiencing stress and anxiety.

Sydney psychotherapist Hope Rosenberg reports that almost every patient she sees in any given week is dealing with stress, anxiety or both. She uses lollipops as a calming tool, describing them as a 'security blanket' to help manage these feelings. Rosenberg attributes rising anxiety to a culture of relentless expectations around success, appearance, productivity and self-improvement, exacerbated by social media. She sees children as young as 12 and 13 at her clinic distressed about body ideals and beauty standards.

According to the Australian Psychological Society, stress occurs when people feel overwhelmed, tense, worried or unable to cope. While stress is a normal response to challenging circumstances, prolonged stress can negatively affect mental and physical health. Anxiety is typically a short-term response to stress, characterised by worry, nervousness or apprehension. However, it can develop into a mental health disorder when it becomes severe or persistent and interferes with daily life.

Rosenberg says that when people remain in an 'overdriven state' for too long, it perpetuates anxiety, stress and burnout. She advocates for resetting and managing stress levels while maintaining ambition, acknowledging that life's inevitable challenges will cause stress and overwhelming feelings.

How it is being reported

• ‘Security blanket’: How lollipops can be used to help ease anxietyAlmost every patient who sits down with a Sydney psychotherapist is suffering from some degree of stress and anxiety – and they often don’t know how to manage it.The West Australian · 25 Oct, 01:59
• ‘Security blanket’: How lollipops can be used to help ease anxietyAlmost every patient who sits down with a Sydney psychotherapist is suffering from some degree of stress and anxiety – and they often don’t know how to manage it.Perth Now · 25 Oct, 01:59

In this story: Hope Rosenberg · Australian Psychological Society · Sydney

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