Useful Information
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What is Depression?
What is Anxiety?
What is Anger?
What is Stress?
What is Low Self- Esteem?
What is Depression?
Depression often manifests as a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in life. Those affected may feel a deep sense of emptiness, and everyday activities, once enjoyed, can seem burdensome or unimportant. Sleep and eating patterns may be disrupted, and a person may begin to withdraw from friends, family, and social activities. When someone is depressed, they tend to view themselves, others, and the future in a negative light, often feeling hopeless and uncertain about any possibility for change. This can lead to feelings of anger, guilt, or self-loathing, and thoughts tend to focus on past mistakes or regrets rather than hopeful visions for the future. Depression can be difficult to recognise, as individuals may feel constantly exhausted and attribute their fatigue to laziness or a lack of motivation. They may also begin to isolate themselves, feeling like a burden to others and avoiding conversations about their struggles.
Depression can last anywhere from a few days to many months, and it can severely impact a person's ability to function, affecting their ability to care for themselves or work effectively. As challenges build up, they may feel overwhelmed and unable to handle the growing difficulties, leading to a sense of things spiralling out of control. In some cases, depression may lead to thoughts of self-harm or even suicidal ideation, as the individual struggles to manage the weight of their emotions.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel at risk to yourself or to others then contact your GP, visit your local A&E or call 999.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of intense fear or unease, often in response to a real or imagined threat. When anxious, a person may worry about something bad happening, but these worries tend to focus on the worst-case scenario. The mind races with “what if” thoughts, leading to heightened fear and distress.
Anxiety often triggers a range of physical symptoms, such as a racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath, or a dry mouth. These responses are the body’s natural “fight or flight” reaction, as it prepares to confront a perceived danger, whether it is real or imagined. This heightened state of alertness, while meant to protect us, can become overwhelming and exhausting when experienced frequently or without resolution.
Whereas depression often involves deep rumination about the past, anxiety typically centers around fear of the future. Thoughts focus on potential threats or dangers ahead, often leaving the person feeling powerless or unable to control what might happen next.
Different Types of Anxiety Disorders:
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of situations and issues, rather than focusing on one specific fear or concern. People with GAD may find themselves constantly worrying about things like finances, work, health, family, or even the future in general.
These worries can feel overwhelming and uncontrollable, with thoughts constantly cycling through the mind. A common experience for those with GAD is the worry about worrying itself — the fear that the anxiety will never end or that it might escalate. Many people with GAD express a deep concern about "going mad" or losing control of their thoughts. Living with GAD can make daily life feel exhausting, as the constant cycle of worry takes a toll on both mental and physical health
Panic
A panic attack is an intense episode of fear or discomfort that comes on suddenly, often without warning. During a panic attack, a person may experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, feeling hot or cold, and changes in vision. These symptoms can feel overwhelming and frightening, and during these moments, many people fear they might faint, have a stroke, or even die.
In an attempt to cope, individuals may try to steady themselves by holding on to something, sit down, or even flee the situation in search of safety. Panic attacks can be triggered by specific situations, like a crowded space or an upcoming event, but sometimes they can occur with no apparent reason at all. This unpredictability often leaves individuals feeling anxious about the possibility of another attack, adding to their overall stress.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterised by persistent, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant distress. To relieve this anxiety, individuals feel compelled to perform repetitive behaviours (compulsions), such as cleaning, checking, tapping, washing, or counting. These compulsions are intended to neutralise the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts, but the relief is often temporary.
OCD can be incredibly time-consuming and isolating, as the person may feel trapped in a cycle of anxiety and compulsion. It can also lead to severe emotional distress and, in some cases, significant financial or social difficulties due to the impact these behaviours have on daily life.
Specific Phobias
A specific phobia is an intense fear of a particular object, situation, or activity that causes overwhelming anxiety. Common phobias include fear of enclosed spaces (claustrophobia), heights, spiders, needles, blood, flying, and more. While many of us may have mild discomfort with certain things, for those with a phobia, the fear can be extreme and difficult to manage.
For individuals with a specific phobia, the challenge arises when they encounter the feared object or situation in daily life. While some people can avoid their triggers, this is not always possible. For example, someone with a fear of elevators might work in a building on the 15th floor, or someone with a fear of enclosed spaces might struggle with public transport or travel. In these cases, the phobia can significantly impact a person’s ability to function and enjoy their life.
Health Anxiety
Health anxiety involves an intense fear of becoming seriously ill or dying, often leading to excessive worry about one’s own health or the health of loved ones. A person with health anxiety may constantly check their body for symptoms, sometimes doing so without even realising it. Common physical sensations, like a headache, might be interpreted as signs of something much more serious, such as a brain tumour.
Those affected by health anxiety often seek constant reassurance from family and friends or visit doctors frequently for check-ups. Despite receiving negative test results, they may find it difficult to accept the reassurance, often requesting the same tests be repeated just to be "sure." This fear of not having a condition diagnosed can create a cycle of worry and distress that can be difficult to break.
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is characterised by an overwhelming fear of being judged or negatively evaluated in social situations. Individuals with social anxiety often feel extremely worried or fearful when faced with activities like public speaking, giving presentations, or participating in group discussions. They may become convinced that others are closely observing them and critically judging their actions, especially their anxiety.
As a result, individuals with social anxiety may withdraw from social situations or engage in behaviours designed to reduce their anxiety in the moment. These “safety behaviours” might include rehearsing their speech repeatedly, hiding their hands to prevent others from seeing them shake, avoiding social events altogether, or using alcohol or drugs to cope with the fear. These behaviours can provide temporary relief but often reinforce the cycle of anxiety, making it harder to face social situations over time.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is characterised by a fear of being in public spaces or situations where escape might feel difficult or impossible. Individuals with agoraphobia often experience intense anxiety about leaving the safety of their home and may spend days, weeks, or even months avoiding leaving their house altogether.
This anxiety is often rooted in the fear that something bad will happen when they are outside, such as experiencing a panic attack or encountering an unsafe situation. In some cases, this fear may stem from a past traumatic event or accident that has left the person fearful of venturing out again. Over time, the fear can become so overwhelming that it significantly impacts daily life, making simple tasks like running errands or going to work seem impossible.
What is Anger?
Anger is a natural emotion, like anxiety, happiness, or sadness, and it often arises when we feel violated, insulted, deceived, or threatened in some way. How we express anger can vary greatly—either constructively or destructively. It’s important to note that anger doesn't have to lead to physical harm. A person can feel angry at themselves or others without resorting to aggression.
Learning to express anger assertively is a key part of managing it. Being assertive means confidently communicating your views and feelings without becoming aggressive or hostile. This approach helps ensure that your emotions are understood without causing harm to others. Some people express their anger more actively, through shouting, hitting, or physically acting out. On the other hand, some individuals may suppress their anger, leading to it being displaced in unhealthy ways, such as through overeating, drinking, or smoking.
What is Stress?
What is Low Self- Esteem?
Low self-esteem occurs when a person holds a negative view of themselves, focusing primarily on their perceived weaknesses or past mistakes. This often leads to feelings of worthlessness, where the individual feels they don’t deserve good things or happiness in life. People with low self-esteem may feel inadequate or inferior and struggle to see their own value.
Self-esteem can be influenced by various factors, including concerns about physical appearance, weight, illness, or past experiences. The core of self-esteem is how a person feels about themselves as a whole, including their sense of personal worth and value. When self-esteem is low, it affects not just how the person feels internally, but also how they act and relate to others in the world. Low self-esteem can significantly impact many areas of life, including relationships, career, and daily activities. It can prevent individuals from forming new relationships, pursuing career opportunities, or trying new experiences, leading to a sense of isolation and missed potential.
Useful Self- Help Materials
You can find a variety of self-help modules on the following links:
https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Overview
https://selfhelp.cntw.nhs.uk
For more information on how I may be able to help you, or to arrange an initial appointment please call/text 07931229137 or email me here
