If you are suffering from Anxiety you may feel as though there is no way out, no end to the torment. You may feel, as though you cannot control your own body or mind. You may think no one cares. I am letting you know right now that you are not alone and there are people who care and people who can help.

Anxiety disorders and depression are more then just being ‘stressed’ or ‘down’-It is a SERIOUS illness.

If you know someone with an anxiety based disorder giving them an ear to talk to and a shoulder to lean on can do the world of good. Pain is real for everyone. No one is immune. We have to be understanding of others, otherwise how can we ask the same in return? Remember you never know why a person is the way they are. You never know what they have been through to make them feel this way.

Social phobia

The intense fear of being scrutinised or humiliated, evaluated negatively or being the centre of attention and consequent avoidance of situations where this may occur.

Generalised anxiety disorder (G.A.D)

The constant feeling of apprehension and a general tendency to be worried about many areas of life, sometimes to the point of being sick. It can be completely debilitating even causes muscle tension, insomnia as well as a range of other symptoms.

Specific phobia

Specific phobias cause a person to feel very fearful about particular objects or situations.

For example arachnophobia the fear of spiders is a specific phobia. This anxiety disorder can be very minor but in some cases the fears can cause constant worry

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (O.C.D)

The burden of repeated obsessions (thoughts) and compulsions (actions) that are time consuming and witch seriously interfere with daily living. Typical compulsions involve rituals such as hand washing, cleaning, showering or checking behaviours

Post traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D)

The reaction to a serious, traumatic event where the person was extremely horrified or seriously inured. It’s symptoms include nausea, vomiting, muscle tension, pain, panics attacks, flashbacks in which the traumatic event is re-experienced, an avoidance of associated situations, increased vigilance, a numbing of emotional responsiveness and constant worry/fear.

Panic disorder

Recurrent and unexpected panic attacks that begin abruptly and result in the person experiencing a range of symptoms including: sweating, palpitations, shaking, shortness of breath, chest pain, choking, dizziness, nausea, feeling light headed, abdominal pain and intense fear or loosing control or dying.

Anxiety and Depression usually go hand in hand.  ‘Depression’ means that feelings of sadness last longer than normal, affect most parts of your life, and stop you enjoying the things that you used to.
Major depression usually happens in episodes, when depressed feelings build up slowly over a few weeks. Young people often have mood swings and may be more irritable and sensitive than usual. This unfortuantly means major depression is sometimes hard to diagnose in teens, being mistaken for normal adolescent moods.

Depression and anxiety are conditions that no one has to go through alone. It is important to see someone, to talk about what you are going through.

There are people who can help, your local doctor being one of them.

Treatments for both Anxiety and depression usually require medication from your doctor as well as regular psychology sessions. Usually after a few weeks of seeing a psychologist, people start to notice a difference but please be aware that there is no over night fix for these illnesses

The only way to overcome it is to fight it.

If you know someone you believe has anxiety or depression, let the person know how much you care about him or her. Sometimes just spending some time talking about their experiences helps lift a lot of the immediate, overwhelming emotions. Letting them know you are there to listen, with out judgement and that you will be there for them to support them the whole way.

If possible see if they will go to a doctor, you could even offer to go along with them.

If you or anyone you love needs help on how to deal with these issues, please do not hesitate to write in.

I will do my best to help you through things.

Remember you are all beautiful!

Tayjsha