General

Mental Health (General)

This section covers general mental health conditions.

Depression

Depression is characterised by a low mood that lasts a long time or returns frequently. There are various forms of depression and it can occur alongside other mental health conditions like anxiety. There is a lot of stigma associated with depression but it is important to know that it is a genuine health condition with effective treatment options. Some symptoms of depression include: persistent low mood, overwhelming negative feelings like guilt and irritation, difficulty making decisions, a lack of motivation, disturbed sleep, and suicidal thoughts. Some people with depression may also experience psychosis which is usually a combination of delusions (unlikely or unusual beliefs) and hallucinations (sensing things that aren’t real). This form of depression is called psychotic depression. Depression has numerous causes, it can be triggered by a difficult life event like bullying or bereavement but it can also emerge with no obvious cause. Some people suffer from what is known as postnatal depression, depression that occurs after birth and in the early stages of parenthood. Some people with postnatal depression may have intrusive thoughts about hurting their baby which can become frightening. No matter what form of depression you have, there are treatment options available. We now have medications, therapies and lifestyle interventions that can significantly improve life for people with depression.

Mind

Mind – Depression

Mind - in Kingston upon Thames

Samaritans

Mental Health Foundation

Rethink Mental Illness

Pandas – Postnatal depression awareness and support

Hestia – Life beyond Crisis

Young Minds

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust Charitable Fund

NHS Surrey and Borders Partnership Service Finder

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A girl sits with her back to a sofa, she has her hands on her chest and seems to be struggling to breathe.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a mental health conditioned characterised by persistent feelings of anxiety. It may occur alongside a number of other conditions like depression. Psychologically you may feel restless, have an overwhelming sense of dread, feel irritable and ‘on edge’, and find it difficult to focus. Anxiety also has a range of physical symptoms. These include dizziness, quickening heartbeat, excessive sweating, nausea, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. The accumulation of these mental and physical symptoms may sometimes lead to panic attacks. A panic attack is sudden, intense anxiety and fear. You may have a racing heartbeat, feel out of control, tremble or shake, and hyperventilate. There may be a variety of underlying causes for anxiety with the root cause differing from person to person. Often it stems from high pressure environments, difficult past experiences, financial pressures, poor physical health like illness, or a complicated family life. As well as being a mental health condition in its own right, anxiety can be an important indicator of other conditions, for example neurological developmental disorders like ADHD and autism. There are many charities dedicated to mental health that can support you through anxiety.