Types of Distress

In most relationships one person may be dominant or more forceful. But when the needs of one partner cannot be considered the relationship may become abusive. Abusive relationships can develop gradually and can usually be identified by patterns of behaviour featuring control and lack of respect... more »

Addictions can allow people a temporary escape from their problems, and can develop from many activities; alcohol, drugs, eating, gambling, shopping, sex and use of the internet. Stigma surrounds the word 'addiction' which is an inability to stop repetitive behaviour in spite of the harmful... more »

Anger is a basic emotion which has allowed us to survive as a species. When a baby screams because it is hungry, too hot or too cold, it is displaying its raw anger. Anger is the emotion of not having our needs met. We are programmed with the ability to express our anger from birth – and then it... more »

It is normal and healthy to feel sad or worried about life and its problems and pressures. But when worry casts a cloud over everyday life you may be suffering from anxiety or depression or a mixture of the two. A quarter of the population will suffer from anxiety at some time in their lives -... more »

Everyone’s experience of grief and loss is unique. It is normal to feel sad and even angry when a person close to us dies or leaves. People can experience similar feelings when a relationship ends. Mourning is a ‘cycle of loss’ which often includes denial, fear, loneliness, grief, anger and... more »

Bullying occurs when a person or group is able to overpower a victim, causing pain and distress. It is not restricted to the playground, and operates at all levels of society and within all age groups. It is endemic in many workplaces and families. Within families, where bullying often... more »

Career counselling is sought when an individual needs confidential guidance and help about areas of study and possible career movements or changes. If an individual experiences a personal issue about their future and wants to discuss or discover opportunities about their career plans, they can do... more »

Sometimes children and young people (and their families) may need extra support if they are finding it difficult to deal with or understand their emotions and/or behaviour. Schools often provide professionals to help young people and their families, such as learning or behaviour mentors, family... more »

Financial problems often cause stress, anxiety and depression, and when these problems become severe it's natural for the individual to feel that debt is taking over their life. Unmanageable debt can lead to breakdown of relationships and affect all areas of an individuals life. Repaying debts may... more »

Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction that gradually leads to an increased restraint of daily activities. It is not a specific disease and there are many disorders that can cause dementia. The most familiar types are Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. These disorders are caused by... more »

Depression is a common condition that will affect one in three people at some time in their life. It is a complicated illness with many different symptoms and causes. Changes in eating habits and sleeping patterns and overwhelming feelings of despair are often the first signs of... more »

Eating disorders are extremely common, however can be serious and even life threatening if not treated appropriately. Millions of people are affected by eating disorders every year and unfortunately thousands of sufferers die because their disorder has gone unrecognised for too long. Approximately... more »

Self-confidence can be defined as ‘being self-assured and feeling or showing self-reliance’ or 'faith in one's own abilities'. Self-confidence is often considered to be made up of a variety of factors, including physical presence, social confidence, status confidence, stage presence and peer... more »

Most people assume self-esteem is the same as self-confidence, and although self-confidence is related, it’s not the same. Self-confident people may also suffer from low self-esteem, for example, actors, celebrities and public figures in our society today that appear to be totally self-confident... more »

A mental illness is a brain disorder that causes an individual to think, act and feel differently to other people. It is quite common for the disorder to disrupt a person's whole life and prevent them from going about their day normally without thinking these disturbing thoughts. Unfortunately... more »

People whose lives are dominated by compulsive hand-washing or having to re-check the locks in their home often suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It usually involves obsessions (intrusive thoughts or impulses) and compulsions (repeated behaviours) such as washing, checking or counting to... more »

Personality is described by a set of traits, behaviours and patterns that build character and individuality. Thoughts, attitudes, feelings and perceptions of the world all define someone's personality. Those with healthy personalities are able to cope with stresses of everyday life and have no... more »

When terrible things happen like accidents and natural disasters, individuals react in different ways and have diverse perceptions of the incident and events. Responses can change as their symptoms heighten or the impact lessens. PTSD, and related symptoms, is one of the responses that happen to... more »

Relationship Counselling can help improve the way we relate to the people around us and break free of old patterns to realise our potential. It is usually an integral part of personal or individual work. To address problems in our intimate relationship it may be appropriate to consider Couple... more »

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder, affecting the sufferer's ability to think clearly and decipher fantasy from reality. The disorder may develop gradually and it may therefore take a while for the individual, or their family, to realise anything is wrong. Coping with the symptoms of this... more »

Relationship problems can arise from sexual difficulties, but sexual problems may also be an indication of deeper problems in the relationship. Sexual difficulties can emerge at any time, but especially in times of stress and change. Sex essentially is fun and can be one of the great rewards of... more »

Sexual orientation indicates whom an individual is sexually and emotionally attracted to. This can mean males or females of the same or opposite sex. A person's sexual orientation is not the same as a person's sexual actions because not everyone expresses the way they are feeling in their actions.... more »

Stress is the pressure under which you are placed by daily life. It can be positive and spur you into action to meet a deadline; but too much stress can put your health at risk and leave you unable to function. It is the second major cause of illness at work, after back problems. Anxiety and... more »

An abortion is the medical or surgical ending of a pregnancy, although an early natural termination is often called a 'spontaneous abortion'. Abortion has been practised since earliest times and has been legal since 1967 in Britain. In some cultures it is considered a form of birth control and... more »

Tourettes Syndrome is a neurological illness, which usually begins during childhood. This disorder is distinctive due to quick, sudden movements that an individual makes but is unable to control. The earliest signs of Tourettes Syndrome are small, recurrent movements known as tics, which most... more »

Psychological trauma occurs as the result of a traumatic event. Traumatic experiences make us question our beliefs about safety and destroy our assumptions of trust. A traumatic event involves an experience or enduring event(s) that completely overwhelm our ability to cope or understand the ideas... more »

On average we spend almost a quarter of our adult life at work. It can give us a sense of purpose, structure and satisfaction – and enables us to finance our daily living. Sometimes however, work can cause stress and frustration and our health and self-esteem suffers. Work-related stress... more »