generalised anxiety

Generalized anxiety disorder (or GAD) is characterized by an excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events. Although lots of people experience anxiety, if you are feeling anxious most days, finding it hard to control your worries and your feelings of anxiety are affecting your daily life then it may be time to seek help . Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I feel overwhelmed and unable to cope at work 

I have difficulty switching off or falling and staying asleep

I catastrophise and have excessive, ongoing worry and tension

social anxiety

Social anxiety disorder, otherwise known as a social phobia, is an intense, long-lasting and overwhelming fear of social situations that affects everyday activities. Sufferers typically experience excessive feelings of nervousness or dread in relation to some social situations and can be self-conscious, ruminate over past social incidents and experience chronic insecurity about their relationships.  Do any of these statements resonate with you? 

I dread social situations on a regular basis

I experience physical symptoms such as feeling sick, sweating, trembling, a pounding heartbeat (palpitations) or get panic attacks when in public

I worry about everyday activities that involve meeting strangers, starting conversations, speaking on the phone, working or shopping

clinical depression

The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. If you're depressed, you may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in things you used to enjoy.  You may have Clinical Depression if the symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I regularly feel overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

I have lost motivation or interest in work or recreational activities that you used to enjoy

I feel a lack of energy and are moving or speaking more slowly than usual 

trauma

Trauma such as PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is the emotional  response to an experience that exceeds your ability to cope, or process emotions.  While trauma is a normal reaction to a horrible event, the effects can be so severe that they interfere with your emotional well being and ability to live a normal life. Some common causes of trauma are sexual abuse, childhood trauma, bullying, domestic violence, birth trauma, car accidents. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I have experienced trauma such as a traumatic birth experience which has left me experiencing flashbacks and or a sense of heightened anxiety

I am avoiding certain people or places that remind me of the trauma

I feel disconnected or numb

chronic pain

Chronic pain that lasts for longer than 12 weeks despite medication or treatment. We expect pain to subside with time but sometimes the brain continues to send out pain signals. Although chronic pain often can’t be cured, it can be managed. Physical pain is strongly linked to emotional pain, so chronic pain can affect your mental health. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

My pain affects my mood and causes me to feel low, anxious or irritable

Chronic pain makes me feel guilty or frustrated about not being able to participate in activities that most people take for granted like socialising, working and exercising.

I am struggling to cope and feeling overwhelmed with the pain you are experiencing

PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN

Pelvic girdle pain or PGP occurs during pregnancy and results in pain, instability and limitation of mobility and functioning in any of the three pelvic joints. Pain is usually felt low down over the symphyseal joint, and can be extremely tender to the touch. It can also occur in the hips, groin and lower abdomen. Pelvic girdle pain, similar to other chronic pain can have big impacts on your mental health. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I have pain over the pubic bone, roughly level with my hips and in other places around my groin

I am in emotional distress and struggling to cope with the pain and looking for ways to manage it

Stress makes my Pelvic Girdle Pain flare up?

Maternal Health

Around one in five women will experience a mental health problem during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth. This could be a new mental health problem or it could be an extension of a previous mental health problem. Difficulties include depression, anxiety and birth trauma. Challenges with adjusting to motherhood are also very common. Maternal mental health covers prenatal (before pregnancy), Perinatal (during pregnancy and up to year after)  and Post-natal (after birth) stages of motherhood. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I feel intense anxiety or fear about childbirth resulting in physical symptoms or feelings of dread

I experience distressing intrusive thoughts and images about the birth experience

Having difficulty bonding with your baby, feeling indifferent and feeling no sense of enjoyment in their company

Infant loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has resulted in trauma that is having a big effect on my mental health

low self-esteem

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves and is based on personal opinions and beliefs.  Having low self esteem can impact whether you are able to make decisions and assert yourself, can impact you recognising your strengths, and how much you value yourself as a person. It often comes hand in hand with other mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I experience regular feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness

Low self confidence is affecting my day to day life activities such as work or relationships

I struggle to assert yourself

Chronic over-achieving

If you are a chronic over achiever, you may feel under immense pressure to outperform, go above and beyond what is expected of you and hold yourself to high standards. This means that you may not give yourself time to rest as well as getting trapped in negative thought cycles. Often over-achieving can be linked to anxiety and low self-esteem. Do any of these statements resonate with you?

I constantly hold yourself up to a standard that is impossible to reach

I reprimand myself when I perceive myself as ‘failing’ and not excelling at a task 

I have experienced burnout as a result of pushing yourself too hard to achieve

I want to understand and improve relationships with my partner, children and/or family members

I have a negative relationship with a family member that results in arguing or upset

I excessively rely on my partner for approval and a sense of identity