Common mental health concerns
Anxiety
Anxiety can develop and present in many ways, such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, phobias, panic disorder, social phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anxiety is not always caused by a single factor but by a combination of things. A family history of anxiety, genetic makeup, physical health, personality traits, and stressful life experiences can all contribute to the development of anxiety.
The signs and symptoms may vary:
- Tightening of the chest, tenseness in the body
- Fast-paced breathing/racing heart
- Restlessness
- Panic attacks and excessive fear/worry
- Hot and cold flushes
- Feeling 'knots' in the stomach
- Obsessive thinking
- Catastrophizing
- Avoidance of situations that increase anxiety
Depression
There can be genetic, biological, psychological, social and environmental factors leading to a person experiencing depression. Major life trauma, stress and change can be a trigger for depression.
Depression symptoms can include:
- Prolonged and intense feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, guilty, or worthless
- Restlessness, irritability, and anger
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite
- Weight fluctuations
- Physical pain, such as headaches
- Suicidal thoughts
Stress
Stress is a normal reaction the body has when changes occur, resulting in physical, emotional, and intellectual responses. Stress management training can help you deal with things in a healthier manner.
There are 3 types of stress:
- Acute stress (most common) arises from the demands and pressures of the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of the near future.
- Episodic acute stress comes from ceaseless worry where the person may perceive a disaster around every corner and/or habitually forecast catastrophe in every situation.
- Chronic stress is a longer-term condition where a person sees no way out of a miserable situation and may give up searching for solutions.
Signs and symptoms of stress may vary:
- Physical and psychological stress, 'burnout' or adrenal fatigue
- Changes to sleep patterns (including insomnia)
- Weight gain/loss
- Low immune function
- Headaches, heart palpitations and high blood pressure
- Muscle aches and pains
- Digestive symptoms
- Worry, fear and overwhelm
- Poor concentration/memory
- Irritability, anxiety and/or anger
- An inability to 'switch off'
Grief and Loss
Grief and loss are feelings often experienced after the loss of someone with whom we cared deeply about or something that is important to us.
It can take time and support to be able to adjust to the change and allow ourselves to heal, as we move through the natural grieving process.
Common signs can include:
- Strong feelings of sadness
- Stress and anxiety
- Confusion and exhaustion
- Shock, denial, detachment, and 'numbness'
- Anger, guilt, blame, or relief in some circumstances
- Withdrawal
- Loneliness
- Feeling of hopelessness
- Frequent crying, headaches, changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Life Transitions and Adjustment
Life transitions are periods in life involving lots of changes to your lifestyle, which can prompt a person to re-evaluate their lives and successes, a process that can be painful and emotional.
Examples of life transitions include:
- Marriage or a new relationship
- The arrival of a new baby
- Parenting an infant, child, or adolescent
- Growing up and moving away from home
- Adjustment to Uni or the workplace
- Empty nesting
- Divorce, separation, or recovery from infidelity
- Retirement, job loss, or career changes