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Anxiety
What are the symptoms of anxiety? Anxiety can affect both your physical health and your mental health (behaviour and feelings/emotions). They can depend on a number of factors. They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time. If you, or a friend, have some or many of the following symptoms it may be worth talking to your doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counsellor about ways to reduce anxiety. Some common ways that anxiety might affect your mental health (behaviour and feelings) include: - irritability or constantly being in a bad mood
- worry or a constant feeling that something bad is about to happen
- often ask many unnecessary questions and require constant reassurance
- being very well-behaved, eg never get into trouble at school or with friends (though not necessarily at home)
- get upset when a mistake is made or if there is a change of routine, eg sports day, a substitute teacher, unexpected visitors, or a trip to an unfamiliar place
- being a loner, or hanging out with a small group of group of people (who are often younger or older)
- being a perfectionist, eg taking a long time to complete homework because you try to have it absolutely correct
- being argumentative (but not usually aggressive), especially when trying to avoid a feared situation
- being pessimistic and easily able to identify what may go wrong in any given situation
- not answering questions and rarely volunteering comments or information at school or college. Some common ways that anxiety might affect your physical health include:
- dry mouth and/or difficulty swallowing
- nightmares
- difficulty getting to and staying asleep
- difficulty concentrating
- muscle tension and headaches
- rapid heart rate and breathing
- sweating
- trembling
- diarrhea
- flare-up of another health problem or illness (e.g. dermatitis, asthma)
- sexual problems, such as not being having any sexual
- feelings or being interested in sex.
What can I do if I am feeling anxious? Making changes Look at the times when you get anxious and the things that cause you stress. Can you identify changes you can make that might help? Are there people that make the situation better or worse? Are there things that make you feel more relaxed that you can do more of? It’s easy to get so caught up in day-to-day life that you don’t take time to think about what’s going on in your life and what makes you happy. Eating and exercise When people feel anxious they often neglect themselves. Ensuring that you are eating healthy foods and regular meals as well as getting regular exercise will improve your overall health and well-being. Relaxation There are loads of ways to relax, and different things work for different people, but it’s really important to find something that works for you. Whether it’s going for a walk, doing a class like yoga or pilates, learning to meditate, or playing football with a friend, take some time out just for yourself. Talking Bottling things up is likely to keep your anxiety levels high. If possible, talk to a friend about the things that are making you feel anxious and see if they can be resolved.
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Clear Up Your Thinking
Hearing music with lots of rhythmic, can make you think clearer. This rhythmic music can actually sharpen your math skills. Rhythmic music makes the logic part of the brain think better, it’s said that when you tap your feet, to this music your helping your brain as well Music doesn’t only affect your mood. Music affects the way your brain responds chemically, it also affects the nervous system. Music can help keep you youthful, give you more stamina and extend your life 
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Depression
Depression is a very common condition which affects more than one in ten people at any one time. Any of us, irrespective of age, gender or background can be affected at any point in our life. Many people come through depression with help and the right kind of support. Depression: What is it?
Depression is a mental health condition which affects a person's thinking, energy, feelings and behaviour. It can vary from mild to severe and can prove disabling in some cases, impacting on the individual's family and work life. It is possible to minimise the impact of depression by accessing information and support, and by finding ways to manage the condition.
What should I look for?
Depression has eight main symptoms. If you experience five or more of these symptoms, lasting for a period of two weeks or more, you should speak to you gp of a Mental Health Professional. The symptoms of depression are: - Feeling sad, anxious or bored
- Low energy, feeling tired or fatigued
- Under- or over-sleeping, or waking frequently during the night
- Poor concentration, thinking slowed down
- Loss of interest in hobbies, family or social life
- Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt
- Aches and pains with no physical basis, e.g. chest/head/tummy pain associated with anxiety or stress
- Loss of interest in living, thinking about death, suicidal thoughts
What can causes it?
Depression has a number of possible causes. For some people, it comes about as a result of a traumatic life event such as bereavement, relationship breakdown, financial difficulties or bullying. In other situations, the person may have an inherent tendency towards depression, and such genetic factors can be key in the case of bipolar disorder. This mood disorder involves not just periods of depression, but also periods of elation, where the person's mood is significantly higher than normal. During these periods, he/she may have excessive energy with little need for sleep, may have grandiose ideas and may engage in risk-taking behaviour.
What should I do if I think depression is a factor for me or a loved one?
The most important thing to do is speak to a doctor or mental health professional in order to get a correct diagnosis.Talking through concerns with someone who understands can also be a help: Different Types of Depression Mild depression
The person typically experiences tiredness, some early morning wakening, indecision, impaired concentration and loss of confidence. It is important to note here that the person will not necessarily feel depressed.
Moderate depression
Most of the symptoms of depression are present: the person feels depressed, is extremely fatigued, has marked sleep disturbance and appears to others to be depressed.
Severe depression
In addition to the symptoms of moderate depression, the person's judgement is impaired in a severe depression - i.e. they have an extremely negative and pessimistic view of their own self-worth and future prospects. Strong suicidal thoughts (or intent) will also be present.
Someone suffering a severe depressive episode may have delusions or false beliefs (e.g. that they are evil, wicked, bankrupt or terminally ill) or may suffer from hallucinations (hearing voices or having visions) with similar themes. When delusions or hallucinations are present, the depression is referred to as a psychotic depression. Such depressions are an extreme extension of the negative thinking that is part of a mild or moderate depression. 
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder involves both depressive periods and their opposite, which are known as elations or manic periods. Symptoms of the depressed phase are the same as those of unipolar depression described above:
- Feeling sad, anxious or bored
- Low energy, feeling tired or fatigued
- Under- or over-sleeping, or waking frequently during the night
- Poor concentration, thinking slowed down
- Loss of interest in hobbies, family or social life
- Low self-esteem and feelings of guilt
- Aches and pains with no physical basis, e.g. chest/head/tummy pain associated with anxiety or stress
- Loss of interest in living, thinking about death, suicidal thoughts
If you feel that you are suffering, from some of these symptoms from more than two weeks, it is important that you seek professional Medical help.
The symptoms of elation (mania) are: - Feeling elated, enthusiastic, excited, angry, irritable or depressed
- Increased energy, 'never felt as well', over-talkative or over-active
- Reduced need for sleep and marked difficulty in getting off to sleep
- Racing thoughts, 'pressure in the head', indecision, jumping from one topic to another, poor concentration
- Increased interest in pleasurable activities, new adventures, sex, alcohol, street drugs, religion, music or art
- Excessive and unrealistic belief in one's ability, or having grandiose plans
- Being unaware of the physical symptoms of illness such as asthma, having muscle tension at the back of the head or round the shoulders
- Thinking that one can live forever, taking reckless physical risks or, if angry or distressed, feeling suicidal.
If five or more of these symptoms are present for more than two weeks, it may be a manic episode, and it is advisable to seek professional medical advise.
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