Mental Health Issues
Here is some information about the most common mental health issues.
Addiction is a strong and uncontrollable need to take drugs, drink alcohol or carry on a particular activity such as gambling. It becomes the most important thing in your life and leads to problems in many areas of your life (home, work, school). Many people regularly use addictive substances without having major problems. However for some it might cause damaging physical and psychological effect and turns into addiction. Substance dependence can cause powerful cravings and you might want to give up but find it extremely difficult to stop without help. Signs and symptoms vary according to individual, the substance, family history and personal circumstances. Most common are: At-risk groups It is often a way of dealing with or trying to escape from other problems you are experiencing. More on symptoms link FRANK – Friendly, confidential drugs advice It is a feeling of unease, worry or fear usually accompanied by physical symptoms. Everyone has feelings of anxiety and in some situations they are perfectly normal e.g. taking an exam, having a medical test or job interview. However, some people find it difficult to control their worries, feelings of anxiety are more constant and affect their daily life. Anxiety is the main component of several conditions, including panic disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobias. Therapy can help you with the general anxiousness by providing you with ways of dealing with certain situations as you encounter them and exploring their underlying causes. Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) You feel anxious about a wide range of situations and issues, rather then one specific event. Psychological symptoms: Physical symptoms : Therapy can help you with the general anxiousness by providing you with ways of dealing with certain situations as you encounter them and exploring their underlying causes. Anger is a normal and healthy emotion but when it gets out of control it could be destructive. Anger can show itself as aggression if you become violent and threatening to others. It can lead to problems at work, your relationships, and in the overall quality of life. You might feel at mercy of an unpredictable powerful emotion. When suppressed or turned inwards, it can lead to other problems such as eating disorders, self-harm or substance dependence. Therapy can often help with finding the root of your anger and help you to express anger in more healthy and constructive ways. Controlling anger before it controls you. Booklet on anger from American Psychological Association. The death of a loved one can be devastating. Even the loss of a pet can have a major psychological effect. Bereavement affects people in different ways. You might feel: Working through these feelings with a therapist can help you come to terms with your loss. Experts generally accept that there are four stages of bereavement: Grief, Loss and Bereavement article form GoodTherapy.org Most people experience sadness, stress or anxiety during difficult times. Depression is more than feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. This is not something that can be changed overnight. It affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. It often prevents a person from functioning to their full ability. Many people with depression have symptoms of anxiety. The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary between people. In general if you are depressed, you feel: The symptoms persist for weeks or moths and interfere with your work, social and family life. Psychological symptoms: Physical symptoms: Social symptoms: Eating disorders are very common and if not treated appropriately, could lead to illness and even death. A person with an eating disorders worry a lot and focus on their weight and shape the food they are eating or trying not to eat. This often leads to making unhealthy choices about food with damaging results on health. The most common eating disorders are: Symptoms of eating disorders People might be affected by eating disorder in different ways. You probably have an eating disorder if there are following happening: Eating disorders are often blamed on the social pressure to be thin. However, the causes are more complex and arise from a combination of personal, family, physical or genetic factors as well as life experiences that might cause to be vulnerable and sensitive about weight and shape. Eating disorders in general are coping behaviours and a way of regulating emotions and coping with life. Therapy can be helpful in changing thoughts and expectations and be a source of support and encouragement. NICE National Institute for Health and Care Excellence OCD is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity. An obsession is an unwanted thought, image or urge that is constantly present causing anxiety or unease. A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that someone feels that need to carry our to alleviate the unpleasant feelings cause by the obsessive thought. OCD affects people differently but there are usually four main steps present: Therapy can help by looking at patterns of behaviour with a therapist. OCD UK Information and support OCD Action Find a support group PTSD is a psychological and physical condition that is caused by a very frightening or distressing event. The type of events that can cause PTSD: Symptoms Symptoms can develop immediately after someone experienced a disturbing event or it can occur weeks, months or even years after. Therapy can provide the space to process the traumatic event and your individual reaction. It is a type of depression some women experience after having a baby. Around one in ten women is affected by it. I can develop within few first weeks after giving birth, but it often not evident until around six months. Main symptoms: It is more rare and more serious condition that can develop after giving birth. Regarded as a medical emergency as it could be life threatening for the mother or the baby. Symptoms are more serious then in postnatal depression. Most women with postpartum psychosis will experience: The Guardian An article written by a mother who shares her experience. Link
Therapy can help you address the causes of addiction and help you stop your addictive behaviour.
They have a significant impact on the daily life but vary widely between individuals.