Depression & Other Mood Disorders

Depression is not just feeling low. While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, and over a long period of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. If this continues for more than 2 weeks, it is best to check in with your General Practitioner (GP). When depressed you might notice a change in behaviour, for example, avoiding going out, not enjoying the things you use to, using food, alcohol or drugs to feel better, withdrawing from others or unable to concentrate. You might notice more negative thoughts, such as “I’m a failure, I can’t do anything right, I’m worthless, My life is not worth living”. You might feel frustrated, irritable, guilty, unhappy and lacking confidence. Physical symptoms of depression include tiredness, sleep problems, change in appetite and and headaches. Depression is a serious condition that can affect your physical and mental health.

Types of Depression include Major Depression (Melancholia, Antenatal and Postnatal Depression, Psychotic Depression), Bipolar Depression, Cyclothymic Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder.

Anxiety & Panic Attacks

Everyone feels anxious from time to time. When anxious feelings don't go away, happen without any particular reason or make it hard to cope with daily life it may be the sign of an anxiety condition. The types of anxiety include, Generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder.

Normal anxiety tends to be time bound and related to a stressful situation or event, such as as exam. The type of anxiety experienced by people with an anxiety condition is more frequent or persistent, not always connected to an obvious challenge, and impacts on their quality of life and day-to-day functioning. The different types of anxiety have different symptoms and signs, however you may experience panic attacks, racing heart, tightening of chest, restlessness and rapid breathing. You may also feel an intense fear or worry, catastrophising, feeling like you won’t be able to handle this emotion and it will never end. This can lead to avoiding certain situations that may contribute to the anxiety, but in some types of anxiety you may engage in compulsive behaviours.

Eating Disorders & Body Image

Eating disorders are characterised by dysfunctional thoughts and behaviours related to eating, exercise and food. There is an intense preoccupation with shape and/or weight, which can significantly affect their quality of life, psychological and medical health.

The types of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, pica, rumination disorder, other specified feeding or eating disorder and unspecified feeding or eating disorder.

Some warning signs of an eating disorder include, restricting intake of food or water, calorie counting, excessive exercise, compensating for food consumed, body checking, losing a large amount of weight suddenly, extreme dissatisfaction with body shape and/or weight, distorted body image, and more anxiety around meal times.

Pregnancy and Early Parenthood

Mental health conditions during pregnancy and early parenthood can affect anyone, regardless of your background. Most of the time there is not a single reason for the development of mental health issues. They’re likely to develop with the combination of ‘risk factors’ and a lack of support of ‘protective factors’. Risk factors include longer-term issues that you might have been dealing with before becoming pregnant, as well as more immediate ones related to giving birth and becoming a parent, lack of social support, isolation and inadequate sleep.