The contents of this page are provided for general information only.
Depression
Depression is deeper, longer and more unpleasant than short periods of unhappiness that we all have from time to time.
Sometimes there is an obvious reason for becoming depressed but sometimes it may not be clear, different people have different reasons. There may be more than one reason but often people don’t realise how depressed they are because the depression has come on gradually and so struggle on coping by keeping busy. This can make them even more stressed and exhausted which can cause physical pains, such as constant headaches, or sleeplessness.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal response to stress or danger and is often called the 'flight or fight' syndrome. This process involves adrenalin being quickly pumped through the body enabling it to cope with whatever we fear might occur. . Problems arise when this flight or fight response is out of proportion to the actual danger of the situation, or is generated when there is no danger present. A feeling of anxiety can underlie everything a person does often seeming overwhelming.
Stress
Stress affects different people in different ways, and everyone has a different method of dealing with it.
Stress is the way that you feel when pressure is placed on you. A little bit of pressure can be productive, give you motivation, and help you to perform better at something. However, too much pressure or prolonged pressure can lead to stress, which is unhealthy for the mind and body.
Grief
Losing someone or something you love is very painful. After a significant loss, you may experience all kinds of difficult and surprising emotions, such as shock, anger, and guilt. Sometimes it may feel like the sadness will never end. While these feelings can be frightening and overwhelming, they are normal reactions to loss. Accepting them as part of the grieving process and allowing yourself to feel what you feel is necessary for healing.
Bereavement
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning after a death. When you grieve, it's part of the normal process of reacting to a loss. You may experience grief as a mental, physical, social or emotional reaction. Mental reactions can include anger, guilt, anxiety, sadness and despair. Physical reactions can include sleeping problems, changes in appetite, physical problems or illness.
Self Esteem
Self-esteem reflects a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. It includes beliefs and emotions and may be reflected in behaviour.
Trauma
Trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world.
Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm.
Phobias
A phobia is an intense fear of a situation or an object that wouldn't normally worry other people. It severely restricts life and may force you to take extreme measures to avoid whatever triggers it. A phobia is a reaction to fear. While it is a natural reaction to keep ourselves safe from something that might do us harm, those who suffer from phobias know they aren't really frightened of particular situations or places, but of the feelings of fear they experience when in them.