Mental Health UK

How does it really feel???

DON'T JUST PUT ON A BRAVE FACE ON

Mental Health issues are more common than you might think. One in four of us will be affected at some time, but despite this, it's still a scary or little-know subject.

Mental Health UK

They support people with mental health illness- and their carers, family members and colleagues. We believe that by sharing the facts, creating more understanding and talking about how we feel, we can help the nation lead happier, healthier lives.

What happens on the inside?

This can help everyone get the information and support they need. This will talk about the most common conditions, but there are many others.Some people experience more than one.

You'll also find advice on:

- Seeing your GP if you're worried about mental health.

- What to do if someone you know is affected.

- How you can help yourself.

- Who you can Contact for more advice.

We bring together four national UK charities

You will find their contact details at the end of this post.

- Hafal in Wales

- Mindwise in Northern Ireland

- Rethink Mental Illness in England

-Support in Mind Scotland

Find out more at:

mentalhealth-uk.org

It might be hard to see the signs.

If a relative,friend or someone else you know has a mental health issue, they may tell you. But if they don't any of these signs could suggest something's wrong:

- Anxious or irritable

- Mood swings

- Seeming Withdrawn

- Self-harming

- Saying or doing unusual things

- Struggling to cope with work or studies

-Problems with concentration or memory.

What can you do

Encourage them to talk to their GP, and show your support by telling them:

- You want to listen

- All GPs have mental health training and can help

- You can go with them

- Their GP won't share any information without permission

- Most mental health problems can be treated

What if they don't want help?

No-one can be forced to get help, but you can contact their GP for them. Talk their GP about their symptoms and behaviour, then the GP will decide if they need to take action.

If you think they're a serious risk to themselves or others,the NHS and social services may get involved.

-England and Scotland: Call NHS Direct or NHS 24 on 111

- Wales: Call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47, or 111

- Northern Ireland: Call the person's GP or local social services.

Or the Emergency Social Work Service on 028 9504 9999 out of hours.

IF YOU THINK THE PERSON IS AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, CALL 999.

Depression

1 in 6 people will be diagnosed in the UK

SEE THE SIGNS

Here are the most common symptoms. You may have some and not others, but any of them could mean you have depression.

- Feeling sad or irritable

- Feeling less able to do things

- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy

- Becoming tired easily, losing concentration

- Sleeping and eating less or more

- Low self-esteem, feeling guilty or worthless

- Losing interest in sex

- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

TREATMENT

Self-help methods enable many people to outcome or manage low moods.

There are many talking therapy options too,including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy or counselling. You may also be offered antidepressant medication.

If you have any symptoms described above, it's a good idea talk to your GP.

Fact: Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Depression is a low mood disorder. we all feel down at times, but if these feelings last and get in the way of your life, you could have depression.

STRESS

SEE THE SIGNS

Here are some of the common symptoms:

-Irritability

- Racing or obsessive thoughts

-Being forgetful, not concentrating

- Feeling overwhelmed

-Sweating and dizziness

- Headaches or muscle pain

- Bowel or bladder problems

- Dry mouth, shortness of breath

- Fast heartbeat

TREATMENT

There are lots of ways to help yourself, including exercise, medication or stress management courses. But if you still find it hard to cope, your GP can offer advice, along with access to talking therapy and medication.

If you have any of the symptoms described above and they are causing you long-term problems, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.

FACT- Alcohol doesn't reduce stress, it actually stimulates release of the stress hormone cortisol.

Stress makes you feel like you're under too much mental or emotional pressure. It affects us all, but if you're under stress for long periods, it can damage your mental health.

There are many causes, such as money and relationship problems, being unemployed, physical illness or going through a big life event - such as moving house.

ANXIETY DISORDERS

SEE THE SIGNS

There are different types of anxiety - including panic attack, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. But here are some common symptoms for them all:

- Racing thoughts

- Difficulty concentrating

- Feeling of dread

- Irritability

- Sleep and appetite problems

- Fast breathing and heartbeat

- Hot flushes of blushing

- Dry mouth

- Shaking

- Extreme tiredness or lack of energy

- Dizziness and fainting

- Stomachaches and sickness

Treatment

Many people use self-help methods,. Talking therapy can really help too, either 1:2:1 or in a group. You can also tackle anxiety with medication, and both of these options are available on the NHS.

If you have any symptoms described above, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.

Anxiety disorders affect 1 in 10 of us in the UK.

Anxiety means feeling worried, fearful or nervous. It's natural t be anxious - but if the feelings don't go away, get worse or have no particular cause, they can become a problem.

FACT - Exercise is a great way to improve your mental well-being and manage anxiety symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder

SEE THE SIGNS

Bipolar can make your mood change dramatically - from feeling very depressed, to being over-active (also called mania).

The symptoms of depression can include:

- Feeling sad or irritable

- Lack of energy or interest in life

- Sleeping and eating more or less

- Low self-esteem

-Losing interest in sex

- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

The symptoms of mania can include:

- Feeling energetic or restless

- Irritability

- Talking quickly

- Making impulse decisions

- Being sexually promiscuous

-Being argumentative or aggressive

TREATMENT

You can be prescribed antidepressants or mood stabilisers. You might also benefit from cognitive behavioural therapy, or psycho-education to help you learn about managing the symptoms.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.

FACT- Bipolar disorder is more than just normal mood swings. It can cause extreme, often distressing, changes in mood.

Bipolar can be severe, affecting all aspects of life. Each mood can last a short time,or for weeks and months.

Psychosis and Schizophrenia

SEE THE SIGNS

People with psychosis can lose tough with reality, showing symptoms that include:

- Hallucinations: Seeing things and hearing voices that aren't real.

- Delusions: Believing things that aren't true, like imagining that you're being followed.

- Disturbing and confusing thoughts

- Not realising something is wrong

People with schizophrenia also experience these symptoms, along with others such as:

- Lack of motivation and interest

- Slow movement

- Sleep disruption

- Low sex drive

- Less interest in socialising

TREATMENT

Schizophrenia and psychosis can be life-long conditions, but you can manage your symptoms and live a full life. Some people even find that their symptoms disappear completely . They can be treated by anti-psychotic drugs and cognitive behavioural therapy, along with psycho-education and family therapy. A specialist mental health team can provide additional support.

If you have any of the symptoms described above, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.

Psychosis can lead to disturbing thoughts, or hearing and seeing things that aren't there- Schizophrenia also severely affects the way you think - but it does not mean having a split personality.

There are no clear causes but family issues, drug ad alcohol abuse, genes and stress are all thought to play a part.

FACT- People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Personality Disorder

SEE THE SIGNS

There are many types of the condition, but the most common is borderline personality disorder. Here are the main symptoms:

- Highly changeable mood

- Extreme reactions to feeling abandoned

- Unstable relationships

-Confused feeling about who you are.

- Being impulsive and reckless

- Self-harming, suicidal behaviour

- Anger

- Paranoid thoughts

TREATMENT

There are many kinds of therapy- most long term- to help you recognise the causes, manage the symptoms and control your emotions and behaviour. There's no recommended medication, but your GP may prescribe something to deal with symptoms such as anxiety or depression.

If you have any symptoms described above, it's a good idea to talk to your GP.

FACT- You can have a personality disorder alongside other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.

A personality disorder can make you feel, think and behave differently to most people. And when your feelings are irrational and distressing, it can become a serious problem.

Worried about you mental health?

SEE YOU GP

You might find it hard to talk about how you feel, but every GP has mental health training. They're ready to offer the right support.

What will happen?

Your GP might prescribe medication,offer talking therapy or suggest a lifestyle changes. They can also refer you to specialist team if they think you're affected by a more serious condition.

Make the most of your visit:

- See if there is a GP in the practice with a mental health interest.

- Ask for a double appointment if you think you'll need more time.

- Write down your feelings and symptoms.

- Write down any questions.

- Take someone you trust with you.

You have the right to see any GP in the practice

If you're away from home and need to see a GP, you can get emergency treatment or register as a temporary resident with one nearby.

FACT- 1 in 3 GP appointments relate to mental health issues.

See how you can help yourself

There is always treatment and support available from the NHS. But you also have the power to help yourself.

Talk about it

Being open about your mental health may seem scary, but a friend or relative should happy to listen.

You can also call a support line and talk to a skilled listener,or meet other people at a support group who have similar issues and will understand.

Other things you can do:

- Exercise or get outdoors even, if it's just for a walk.

- Breathing exercises

- Learning ways to relax, such as meditation

- Yoga

- Eating healthy foods regularly

- Follow a daily routine to give your life more structure

- Get enough sleep

- Keep a mood diary to be more aware of your symptoms

-Do something creative like writing, art or music

- Meet people at your local club or society

- Volunteering

Looking for more information?

If you need more information and advice, visit them online at:

mentalhealth-uk.org

Charities that can help

Mental health UK brings together four national mental health charities working across the UK, who can offer more information and support.

In England

Rethink Mental Health

rethink.org

Call: 0300 5000 927

(Monday- Friday 9:30am - 4pm, excluding bank holidays)

Email: advice@rethink.org

In Wales

Hafal

hafal.org

Call: 01792 816 600/ 832 400

(Monday- Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holiday)

Email: hafal@hafal.org

In Northern Ireland

MindWise

mindwisenv.org

Call: 02890 402323

(Monday- Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays)

Email: info@mindwisenv.org

In Scotland

Support in Mind Scotland

supportinmindscotland.org.uk

Call: 0131 662 4359

(Monday- Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays)

Email: info@supportinmindacotland.org.uk

Thank you guys for reading and Remember I love you all and I'm always here x