STRESS
Symptoms of Stress
Stress can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and also how you behave.
It's not always easy to recognise when stress is the reason you're feeling or acting differently.
Physical symptoms
Headaches or dizziness
Muscle tension or pain
Stomach problems
Chest pain or a faster heartbeat
Sexual problems
Mental symptoms
Difficulty concentrating
Struggling to make decisions
Feeling overwhelmed
Constantly worrying
Being forgetful
Changes in behaviour
being irritable and snappy
sleeping too much or too little
eating too much or too little
avoiding certain places or people
drinking or smoking more
Find out more information about stress on the NHS website
DEPRESSION
Overview of 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.
The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
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.
The symptoms persist for weeks or months and are bad enough to interfere with your work, social life and family life.
Psychological symptoms
The psychological symptoms of depression include:
continuous low mood or sadness
feeling hopeless and helpless
having low self-esteem
feeling tearful
feeling guilt-ridden
feeling irritable and intolerant of others
having no motivation or interest in things
finding it difficult to make decisions
not getting any enjoyment out of life
feeling anxious or worried
having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
Physical symptoms
The physical symptoms of depression include:
moving or speaking more slowly than usual
changes in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
constipation
unexplained aches and pains
lack of energy
low sex drive (loss of libido)
changes to your menstrual cycle
disturbed sleep – for example, finding it difficult to fall asleep at night or waking up very early in the morning
Social symptoms
The social symptoms of depression include:
avoiding contact with friends and taking part in fewer social activities
neglecting your hobbies and interests
having difficulties in your home, work or family life
Find out more information about depression and other types on the NHS website
GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)
Overview
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.
Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life. For example, you may feel worried and anxious about sitting an exam, or having a medical test or job interview.
During times like these, feeling anxious can be perfectly normal.
But some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.
Anxiety is the main symptom of several conditions, including:
panic disorder
phobias, such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
social anxiety disorder (social phobia)
GAD can cause both psychological (mental) and physical symptoms.
These vary from person to person, but can include:
feeling restless or worried
having trouble concentrating or sleeping
dizziness or heart palpitations
Find out more information about GAD on the NHS website
PANIC
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear.
Symptoms of panic disorder
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of unease. It can range from mild to severe, and can include feelings of worry and fear. Panic is the most severe form of anxiety.
Panic attacks
During a panic attack you get a rush of intense mental and physical symptoms. It can come on very quickly and for no apparent reason. A panic attack can be very frightening and distressing.
Symptoms include:
a racing heartbeat
feeling faint
sweating
nausea
chest pain
shortness of breath
trembling
hot flushes
chills
shaky limbs
a choking sensation
dizziness
numbness or pins and needles
dry mouth
a need to go to the toilet
ringing in your ears
a feeling of dread or a fear of dying
a churning stomach
a tingling in your fingers
feeling like you're not connected to your body
Most panic attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes. Some have been reported to last up to an hour.
The number of attacks you have will depend on how severe your condition is. Some people have attacks once or twice a month, while others have them several times a week.
Find out more information about Panic and Anxiety on the NHS website
INSOMNIA
Insomnia
Insomnia means you regularly have problems sleeping. It usually gets better by changing your sleeping habits.
Check if you have insomnia
You have insomnia if you regularly:
find it hard to go to sleep
wake up several times during the night
lie awake at night
wake up early and cannot go back to sleep
still feel tired after waking up
find it hard to nap during the day even though you're tired
feel tired and irritable during the day
find it difficult to concentrate during the day because you're tired
What causes Insomnia
The most common causes are:
stress, anxiety or depression
noise
a room that's too hot or cold
uncomfortable beds
alcohol, caffeine or nicotine
recreational drugs like cocaine or ecstasy
jet lag
shift work
Find out more information about Insomnia on the NHS website
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
Symptoms
Someone with PTSD often relives the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.
They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult.
These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person's day-to-day life.
Causes of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Any situation that a person finds traumatic can cause PTSD.
These can include:
serious road accidents
violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
serious health problems
childbirth experiences
PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event, or it can occur weeks, months or even years later.
Find out more information about PTSD on the NHS website
PHOBIAS
Phobias Overview
A phobia is an overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal.
If a phobia becomes very severe, a person may organise their life around avoiding the thing that's causing them anxiety. As well as restricting their day-to-day life, it can also cause a lot of distress.
Phobia symptoms
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. You may not experience any symptoms until you come into contact with the source of your phobia.
But in some cases, even thinking about the source of a phobia can make a person feel anxious or panicky. This is known as anticipatory anxiety.
Symptoms may include:
unsteadiness, dizziness and lightheadedness
nausea
sweating
increased heart rate or palpitations
shortness of breath
trembling or shaking
an upset stomach
If you do not come into contact with the source of your phobia very often, it may not affect your everyday life. But if you have a complex phobia, such as agoraphobia, leading a normal life may be very difficult.
Find out more information about Phobias on the NHS website
SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER
Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a long-term and overwhelming fear of social situations. It's a common problem that usually starts during the teenage years. It can be very distressing and have a big impact on your life. For some people it gets better as they get older. But for many people it does not go away on its own without treatment.
It's important to get help if you are having symptoms. There are treatments that can help you manage it.
Symptoms of social anxiety
Social anxiety is more than shyness. It's a fear that does not go away and affects everyday activities, self confidence, relationships and work or school life.
Many people occasionally worry about social situations, but someone with social anxiety feels overly worried before, during and after them.
You may have social anxiety if you:
worry about everyday activities, such as meeting strangers, starting conversations, speaking on the phone, working or shopping
avoid or worry a lot about social activities, such as group conversations, eating with company and parties
always worry about doing something you think is embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent
find it difficult to do things when others are watching – you may feel like you're being watched and judged all the time
fear being criticised, avoid eye contact or have low self-esteem
often have symptoms like feeling sick, sweating, trembling or a pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
have panic attacks, where you have an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, usually only for a few minutes
Find out more information about Social Phobia on the NHS website
OBESSESIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD)
Overview - Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
OCD can affect men, women and children. Some people start having symptoms early, often around puberty, but it usually starts during early adulthood.
OCD can be distressing and significantly interfere with your life, but treatment can help you keep it under control.
Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
If you have OCD, you'll usually experience frequent obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
An obsession is an unwanted and unpleasant thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters your mind, causing feelings of anxiety, disgust or unease.
A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act that you feel you need to do to temporarily relieve the unpleasant feelings brought on by the obsessive thought.
For example, someone with an obsessive fear of being burgled may feel they need to check all the windows and doors are locked several times before they can leave their house.
Women can sometimes have OCD during pregnancy or after their baby is born. Obsessions may include worrying about harming the baby or not sterilising feeding bottles properly. Compulsions could be things such as repeatedly checking the baby is breathing.
Getting help for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
People with OCD are often reluctant to seek help because they feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Find out more information about OCDs on the NHS website
AGORAPHOBIA
Overview - Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong.
Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it's actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of:
travelling on public transport
visiting a shopping centre
leaving home
If someone with agoraphobia finds themselves in a stressful situation, they'll usually experience the symptoms of a panic attack, such as:
rapid heartbeat
rapid breathing (hyperventilating)
feeling hot and sweaty
feeling sick
They'll avoid situations that cause anxiety and may only leave the house with a friend or partner.
They'll order groceries online rather than going to the supermarket. This change in behaviour is known as avoidance.
Find out more information about Agoraphobia on the NHS website
LONG TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS
A Long-Term Condition (or LTC) is a physical health condition for which there is currently no recognised cure. LTCs can be managed through life-style factors and through medical interventions and/or other forms of treatment.
The LTC Group workshops provide you with a toolbox of skills to help you cope better with a broad range of physical and psychological distress. The groups empower participants to pursue positive goals, develop greater acceptance of unchangeable aspects of health and improve quality of life.
People with LTCs often suffer with not only physical distress but also with psychological distress.
Physical distress:
Pain
Fatigue
Sleeplessness
Dizziness
Bloating
Tingling
Muscle aches
Indigestion
Other
Psychological distress:
Low mood
Pessimistic outlook
Anxiety
Anger
Guilt
Shame
Lack of interest/ pleasure
Hopelessness
