Addiction is characterised as repeated, uncontrollable engagement in behaviour, despite the fact that it may subsequently be harmful to you. This can include participating in activities such as gambling, taking drugs, drinking too much, smoking and sniffing solvents. However, it may also cover things that would usually be considered normal activities, but have been taken to an excessive level, for example: working, playing computer games, shopping or spending time on the internet. Addiction can be physical, psychological or both.

These behaviours feel rewarding in some way – drugs may give you a high or winning money from gambling may make you feel like your luck is in. A person may then continue the behaviour in order to try to achieve the feeling of pleasure again and again. People may also become addicted to behaviours which they recognise as destructive but partake in for negative reasons.

The main indicator of addiction is withdrawal. Going without these practices may affect you psychologically by causing you to feel low or stressed out. There can also be physical symptoms of withdrawal. This occurs particularly with substance abuse, where you can feel physically unwell when you stop using a drug. A mild example of this is the caffeine headache some of us experience if we miss our morning coffee. It is important to remember that physical withdrawal from certain drugs can be severe and it is essential to seek the right support with this. The negative mental and physical feelings associated with trying to break an addictive habit create a need for you to proceed with it instead, as this often seems easier than dealing with the withdrawal.

Managing addiction is a process that takes a lot of work, and help from your GP or services who have experience in what you’re dealing with. There are many charities who offer support for quitting smoking, alcohol addiction, drug addiction and gambling addiction. Some people may need medication to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal, which can be provided through your primary care doctor.

If you or anybody you know is struggling with addiction it’s important to seek support. In addition, you can talk to your friends, family, anonymously in charity supported groups or to your GP. You are not alone, addiction is a very common problem and help is available.

Anxiety is a form of stress. It a normal feeling for all people to experience at some point in their lives. However, sometimes it becomes so distressing it influences a person’s ability to carry out regular daily activities. It can be experienced in thoughts, feelings, physical sensations or some combination of the three.

There are many causes of anxiety which may include: family history of anxiety, exhaustion, extreme stress, financial worries or feeling isolated. Past childhood experiences such as neglect, trauma, bereavement or bullying may also result in someone struggling with anxiety. This list is just a small sample of potential factors that can lead to a struggle with anxiety. Keep in mind, it is very dependent on an individual’s personal circumstances and the possible reasons are endless.

Anxiety is a byproduct of the freeze, flight or fight response. It is there to make us feel alert and ready to react in situations where a reaction might be imperative and beneficial. It is considered to be a mental health problem when it starts impacting on your ability to live your life. The effects anxiety can have on your life may include:

• You feel unable to control the level of anxiety though stress management techniques
• The anxious feelings last for a long time or are very strong
• It impacts your ability to eat or sleep properly
• You feel panicked when you need to do things that are basic requirements in life like make a phone call, take a trip to a local shop, or use public transport
• You start avoiding situations that may make you feel anxious because you fear you don’t have the ability to cope

Some people with anxiety may experience panic attacks or anxiety attacks. The symptoms of these vary from one individual to another but commonly include symptoms such as: shortness of breath, shaking or trembling, feeling out of control, sweating or feeling extremely cold, a raised heart rate, feeling weak, pins and needles, dizziness, feeling pain in your chest, a feeling of extreme fear and many more.

Diagnosis of anxiety should start by talking to your primary care doctor. If they feel that you have anxiety problems they may start you on a medication regime or refer you to a psychiatrist for further support.

There are treatments to manage anxiety such as medication, therapy and stress relief techniques. Peer support from family and friends or online communities can be helpful. Self care can also be beneficial. Activities such as yoga or swimming or any pastimes you enjoy may assist you in relaxing and relieving stress.

It’s important that if you feel any of these symptoms apply to you that you seek medical advice from your GP. If you fear it is urgent, contact your local emergency room.

Bipolar Disorder, which was formerly known as manic depression, is a disorder that affects your moods. People with Bipolar can have extreme moods that swing from low to high or can be described as “mixed”. A mixed mood can be feeling an internal energy but lacking the motivation or concentration to utilise this. Similarly, it can be exhibiting symptoms of mania but feeling low in mood or depressed. Typically, moods don’t swing within a day with Bipolar – this is more of an EUPD “symptom”. These extremes may last for weeks at a time and many who suffer from bipolar disorder never feel at a “normal” level with their mood. The types of Bipolar are Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Cyclothymia.

Research suggests that there are a variety of potential causes that may make you more likely to develop Bipolar disorder. It can occur as a result of physical, social or environmental impacts or some combination of the three. These factors may include childhood trauma, genetic inheritance, brain chemistry and stressful life events.

The symptoms of Bipolar are a range of high and lows, for example:

• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Feeling irritated
• Feelings of despair or guilt
• Pessimistic attitude
• Hallucinations or illogical thinking
• Self doubt
• Lack of sleep
• Feeling lethargic
• Lack of appetite
• Suicidal thoughts
• Feeling very happy, elated
• Extreme energy
• Feeling self important
• Not eating or sleeping
• Feeling agitated
• Doing things that are dangerous or have severe consequences such as spending large sums of money or risky behaviour
• Lowered inhibitions
• Lack of self awareness

A diagnosis for Bipolar is usually made by a specialist such as a psychiatrist. You will be asked about how many symptoms you have experienced, how long these symptoms last, when they were first experienced. They may also want to know your medical background and family history of health problems.

Bipolar treatment is usually a combination of treatments. These can include medication to manage the highs and lows, self care by learning to recognise the triggers and manage your reaction, psychological treatments like talking therapies and lifestyle advice, for example, making sure you eat right, exercise regularly and get in to a good sleep routine.

Should you feel like you, a friend or a family member have symptoms of Bipolar it is important to seek help from your GP so you or they can be referred and diagnosed by the correct professionals. If anybody is in immediate danger please seek help from your nearest emergency room.

Borderline Personality or Emotionally Unstable Personality are personality disorders. They may be characterised by having problems with interpersonal relationships, low self worth, and confused perception of others.

The causes of BPD or EUPD are not fully understood but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors both play a part. Childhood trauma is another potential trigger.

You may get a diagnosis of BPD/EUPD if you have a history of:

• Intense but unstable personal relationships with others
• Self damaging behaviour
• Impulsive or dangerous behaviour
• A distorted sense of self
• A fear of abandonment
• Intense emotions that can last for hours or several days and change suddenly
• Dissociation
• Strong feelings of anxiety or feeling empty
• Moods which swing from high to low rapidly. A feeling of going from 0-60 in 5 seconds flat.
• Finding it difficult to understand or identify moods or emotions that you are feeling.

A licensed mental health professional should carry out a diagnosis of BPD, for example psychiatrists, psychologists or clinical social workers. In order to get a referral to these professionals, you will first need to seek support from your primary care doctor. A diagnosis will usually include a thorough interview that discusses your life and your symptoms, a medical exam to rule out alternative causes for the problems and taking a family medical history.

Treatment for BPD/EUPD is usually a combination of medication and psychological treatment. Therapies such as CBT or DBT can be helpful in teaching you to manage your condition. Medication is not a cure but it can help to reduce the symptoms to a manageable level.

If you suspect that you or anybody close to you is suffering from BPD please seek the support of a medical professional to help put you in touch with the right services for you.

Depression is a feeling of low mood. This can be minor or very extreme. While most people will go through periods of feeling low in their life, depression is characterised as a long lasting low mood that affects your ability to function day to day. There are different types of depression, for example:

• SAD or seasonal affective disorder which primarily occurs in the winter
• Postnatal depression which occurs shortly after the birth of a child
• Prenatal depression which occurs during pregnancy
• Chronic depression which is a long lasting depression for the duration of two years or more

The causes of depression may include:

• Life changing events such as loss in the family, a new child, a loss of job of financial concerns
• Genetic predisposition if it runs in your family
• Sleep, diet and exercise problems
• Physical health problems
• Side effects from medications
• Childhood problems
• Other mental health conditions

Depression is usually diagnosed by a GP by carrying out medical tests to exclude any physical problems that may be causing the depression and questionnaires to answer how your symptoms affect you, how often they occur and for how long they’ve been continuing. If you have symptoms of depression for a lot of the day, and that persist longer than two weeks, you should seek support from your GP.

Treating depression usually includes medication, therapies and changing of lifestyles. The treatment you receive will depend on the severity of the depression you’re experiencing. Some people may find with low level antidepressants they are able to function in life, whereas others may need more support.

Dissociation is the brain’s way of disconnecting from your thoughts, identity or feelings during extreme stress. Dissociation itself is a short term phenomenon. However, if you dissociate for a long time or repetitively throughout life this may be diagnosed as a dissociative disorder.

Professionals believe that the main cause of dissociation is childhood or past trauma. It develops as a way to protect yourself in stressful situations when you have no other skills that are useful for coping.

The symptoms of dissociation can include but are not limited to:

• Memory lapses that have no explanation
• A sudden shift in mood – suddenly feeling sad for example
• Feeling disconnected from yourself
• Feeling as if the world around you isn’t real
• Cognitive problems such as difficulty concentrating
• Identity confusion – behaving in a way that isn’t normal for you
• Problems handling intense emotions

Diagnosis of dissociative disorder will depend on how you are experiencing dissociation, how much distress it causes you, whether it interferes with your life or whether it is a side effect of another medication. A specially trained professional will need to run a full assessment in order to make a diagnosis. Your GP or primary care doctor can make a referral to a specialist.

Treatment for dissociative disorder include medication and talking therapies such as counselling or psychotherapy. While there is no specific medication for dissociative disorders, medications may help to control depression or anxiety to relieve some of your symptoms.

If you are experiencing symptoms of dissociative disorder you will need to bring these worries up with your primary care doctor who can refer you to the correct services. If you feel like you are a danger to yourself or others please visit your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

An eating disorder or problem is any abnormal or unhealthy behaviour towards food that is difficult for you. Many people will spend time thinking about or being affected by food problems in their lifetime – whether they want to be healthier, lose weight, lose their appetite, gain more of an appetite or feel like cravings are taking ahold. When these problems start to impact your daily life and alter your thought patterns you may be experiencing disordered thinking about food.

The causes of eating disorders are not fully understood but they may include:

• Criticism of eating habits or weight
• A family history of disordered eating habits
• Being extremely concerned with being thin, perhaps as a reaction to pressures in your life, society or work.
• Sexual abuse
• Low self esteem
• Obsessive personalities
• Anxiety

Diagnosis of eating disorders usually starts at your GP or primary care doctor. They may ask you a range of questions about your eating habits and feelings surrounding eating. If your primary doctor suspects you have an eating disorder they should refer you to a specialist team for assessment and treatment.

Treatment for eating disorders will depend on the type of eating problem you have but will probably include talking therapies, physical health checks, dieticians to help get you back on track. Recovering from an eating disorder is a slow process but it can be done with the right support.

If you are experiencing eating problems, or you have concerns about somebody close to you, you should seek support. Talk to family or friends and visit your primary care doctor to put you in touch with the right services.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is a common anxiety problem with two main problems: Obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are thoughts, feelings or images that people do not want – they can provoke anxiety and unrest. Compulsions are a reaction to this in the form of repetitive behaviours or mental acts to try and settle the feelings associated with the obsession.

Despite much research these is no clear cause of OCD. Many theories have been made about the potential causes including: environmental factors, pregnancy, genetics, triggering events, learned behaviours or neurobiological. Theories speculate that it could be one or a combination of the above factors that leads to OCD.

There are many different symptoms of OCD depending on the obsession of the individual. These may include but are not limited to:

• Physical or mental rituals (sometimes containing numbers) such as repetitive hand washing, a certain order to objects, touching objects around the room in a set pattern.
• Worrying that not taking certain actions will cause harm to friends or family
• Needing to keep things obsessively clean
• Intrusive thoughts
• Counting to certain numbers
• Checking windows and door locks repetitively
• Checking the oven or electronics are off repetitively
• Repeating key words or phrases either out loud or in your head

A diagnosis of OCD can be received by referring yourself to a local psychological service or also by receiving a referral from your GP if they are concerned that you may be suffering.

Treatment for OCD with usually involve psychological therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) or ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention). A doctor may prescribe medication to help control symptoms of OCD, this will often be medication for depression or anxiety to help with the associated feelings. There may also be local support groups to join as well as online sites geared at supporting people with the disorder. Peer support and stress management can also be invaluable tools.

If you or anybody close to you is experiencing these difficulties please seek help. Contact your primary care doctor who can put you in touch with the correct services.

Paranoia is irrational thoughts or feelings of being under threat or believing that people are ‘out to get you’ despite the fact that there is very little evidence to support the feelings. These thoughts may stem from previous incidents but be blown out of proportion eg. your family having a conversation in the living room could result in you believing that conversation is a plot against you. Paranoia is not a mental health problem in itself. However, it may be a symptom of other underlying mental health issues.

The causes of paranoia are not fully understood, although it is thought that it may be as a result of lack of sleep, genetics, other mental health issues, extreme stress or recreational drug use. In older adults or people who are also experiencing significant memory loss it can be a symptom of dementia.

The symptoms of paranoia include:

• Anger problems
• Intense mistrust of people
• Being easily offended
• Suspicion
• Feelings of betrayal
• Being argumentative or defensive
• Feeling persecuted
• Being unable to forgive and move on

Treatment for paranoia will usually involve starting with your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist to find the underlying cause of the problem. You may also require blood tests and physical examinations to rule out other health problems. Talking therapies such as CBT may be beneficial and there may also be local support groups in your area.

If you feel like you or anybody close to you is experiencing paranoia you should seek support. Contact your primary care doctor who can refer you to the correct support team. If you or someone close to you is an immediate risk to themselves or others you should visit your local emergency room for immediate support.

PTSD, otherwise known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a type of anxiety disorder. It commonly involves reliving traumatic events in the form of flashbacks, although this may not be true for everybody.

The causes of PTSD are understood to be experiencing or witnessing trauma or life changing or threatening events. These are varied but may include things like being a soldier in war, car crashes, sexual abuse, terrorist attacks, extreme bullying or physical abuse but can be anything which has a significant negative impact on your life.

The symptoms of PTSD may include:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Feelings of pain or discomfort
• Feeling unsafe
• Inability to trust anybody around you
• Self blame
• Feeling emotionally or physically detached from yourself
• Overwhelming emotions like anger or sadness
• Distressing images or feelings in your head
• Feeling like nobody understands

Getting a diagnosis of PTSD will start with your primary care doctor. They may ask you questions about whether you’ve ever been involved in a traumatic event and if you are experiencing symptoms since then. If these symptoms have been going on for less than 4 weeks your GP may advise just keeping an eye on them. However, if they are long term symptoms you may get a referral to a specialist team for a diagnosis and to seek treatment.

Treatment for PTSD will usually involve forms of talking therapies aimed at traumatic events. The two most common are trauma focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Refocusing. Medication will usually only be prescribed if you are experiencing other symptoms such as poor sleep or depression. There are also usually local support groups with others experiencing the same problems. Peer support and the support of your family and friends is important to help you work on good self-care to reduce your symptoms and manage your illness.

If you have concerns that you or anybody close to you is experiencing these symptoms then you should seek support from the primary care doctor. They can put you in touch with the right teams for your diagnosis or treatment. If you fear that you or somebody else is in immediate danger please visit your local emergency centre for support.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to view the world around them differently to everyone else. It often involves delusions or hallucinations.

The causes of psychosis are thought to be linked to other mental health issues, genetics or use of drugs and alcohol. There are many mental health issues that can have links to psychotic episodes such as schizophrenia, bipolar or severe depression. Lack of sleep or severe stress and anxiety may also be contributing factors. Some physical health problems may also cause psychosis.

The symptoms of psychosis may include but are not limited to:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Difficulty concentrating
• Poor mood
• Poor sleep habits; either sleeping too much or not enough
• Suspicious thoughts
• Anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts
• Thought disorder e.g. thought insertion or broadcasting

A diagnosis of psychosis will usually start at your primary care doctor but will typically need to be confirmed by a psychiatrist. They will ask you questions including family history, drug or alcohol use and symptoms and if they suspect that you are suffering from psychosis they will refer you to a psychiatric team for a full evaluation. Doctors will also want to rule out any physical health problems that may be causing psychotic episodes such as urine infections, hypothyroidism, dehydration or low sodium.

Psychosis treatment is usually a combination of medication, therapies and social support. Care teams will often want to start with medication called antipsychotics. Talking therapies will usually involve CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which focuses on your thoughts, feelings and behaviour and aims to teach you coping mechanisms to deal with your symptoms. Family therapy may also be beneficial as social support can be vital in helping to manage psychosis. Local support groups may also be available in your area.

If you have concerns that you or anybody close to you may be suffering from psychosis you should seek support from your primary care doctor. They will be able to put you in touch with the right support for you. If you fear that you or somebody else is a danger to themselves or others you should visit your local emergency centre for immediate intervention.

Hurting yourself to cope with extreme emotional hurt or a feelings of being overwhelmed is known as self harming. There are many reasons that people may do this. Contradictory to many misunderstandings, it is often not as a suicide attempt or a play for attention, although these may be the reasons for some. For many it is a way to release a huge build up of tension. This can have many different and difficult life situations as a cause. There are a number of ways that people may self harm. The key thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter how you self harm, if it is an intentional action where you cause injury to yourself it counts as self harm or injury. While many consider this to be a teenage problem, there are also adults that engage in self harm.

There are many causes of self harm that can be different from person to person. Some people may self harm as a result of bereavement, life stress, bullying, financial concerns or sexuality confusion. Other may do so as a result of emotional feelings caused by other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety or dissociation.

The signs of self harm include but are not limited to:

• Unexplained cuts, scratches or other injuries on the body
• Mood changes
• Wearing long sleeves or trousers even in hot weather
• Refusing to change in front of other people at a gym or during P.E (although this may be completely innocent)
• Signs that hair has been pulled out
• Secrecy. Hiding items in rooms or keeping things locked
• Changes in socialisation or sleep
• A lack of communication
• Carrying unnecessary sharp objects or lighters

If you are a parent of a teenager, it is also important to note that many of these are normal teenage behaviours. If you are concerned, you should talk to your child about your fears.

Treatment for self harm will depend on the cause of the problem. It may include talking therapies, support groups, the support of family and friends, peer support online and medications. Medications are not strictly for self harm. However, they may be used to reduce the symptoms of other mental health problems which are causing you to feel like you need to self harm. The type of medication will depend on the underlying problem. They may include anti depressants, anti anxiety medication, mood stabilisers or antipsychotics. Talking therapies will often include support groups or one to one therapy, often CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). It will also be important for you to accept your own feelings and take responsibility for helping yourself recover. This means working out what triggers the feelings of self harm for you and finding a way to manage the feelings without resorting to self harm. In addition, the support of family and friends can really help to overcome self harm. Talk to the people around you and build a network of people you can rely on if you need a place to turn.

If you feel that you or anybody around you may be experiencing self harm, please seek support from your primary care doctor. They can put you in touch with the correct support services for you. If you feel like you are an immediate danger to yourself or to anybody around you then please visit your local emergency centre for immediate intervention.

Suicide is a very complex issue. At the base of things it’s a feeling or want to end your life. These feelings come in different forms and everybody’s reasons for this differ. Many people suffer with feeling suicidal at some point in their life and there is a multitude of support available.

Causes of suicidal feelings are far ranging and will differ from person to person. Some may be obvious life changes such as bereavement, a job loss, financial worries, a traumatic event you either witnessed or were involved in, long term illness, abuse or relationship endings. Others may be less obvious to people who surround you such as feeling like people will be better off without you, trying to end the feelings associated with mental health problems and drug and alcohol addiction. Some people may not know why or what causes their suicidal feelings.

Symptoms of suicidal feelings include but are not limited to:

• A feeling of being lost or hopeless
• Feeling like others will be better off without you
• Mood changes
• Sleep problems
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Feeling like you want to end physical or emotional pain
• Intrusive thoughts
• Changes in appetite
• Neglecting to take care of yourself
• A low self esteem
• Urges to hurt yourself

Treatment for suicidal feelings may include peer support, helplines, the support of family and friends, talking therapies, crisis services and medication. Medication is not specifically for treating suicidal feelings; rather, the underlying problem that is causing them. If somebody is suffering from anxiety or depression for example, it may help to start medication to treat these feelings.

There are often local support groups available through mental health charities. In addition, there are telephone lines such as the Samaritans for somebody to talk to. Talking therapies and crisis teams may be accessed through your local mental health services. You will need to either talk to your primary care doctor for a referral or sometimes you may self refer to these. Waiting lists can be long so it’s also important to talk to your family and friends and build a support network of people you can rely on if you aren’t feeling well or safe.

There may also be online peer support groups which can helpful to give you a place to express your feelings or distract yourself from the immediate overwhelming feelings. There is a myth that if somebody tells you about their suicidal feelings, they do not intend to act on it. This is not true in many cases. You should take it seriously if a friend or family member reaches out.

If you have concerns that you or anybody close to you is experiencing suicidal feelings it is important to seek support from your primary care doctor who can put you in touch with the correct services for you. If you feel like you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, please visit your local emergency centre for immediate intervention.