Antony Worrall Thompson has announced he is to seek counselling after he was caught shoplifting a variety of goods from supermarket chain Tesco.

Thompson, most famous for his long stint on Ready Steady Cook recently hit the headlines after stealing a small number of groceries from his local Tesco store on five separate occasions.

Thompson’s trivial actions were caught by the in-store security camera, which shows him on one particular occasion paying £180 for three crates of champagne but then stealing £4 worth of other groceries.

The 60-year-old has said that he is extremely embarrassed by his actions and can’t provide an explanation as to why he felt compelled to steal the goods, which in total amounted to around £100.

Speaking to The Express he said that his business and finances were not to blame, though he did report feeling very tired after working long hours.

“I don’t know what broke the camel’s back and sent me over the edge. Why did I do it? I’ve been racking my brains to think what was going through my mind but I just don’t know. There is absolutely no reason. I’m totally embarrassed, apologetic and gutted for my family and friends.”

He said.

Thompson has said he will now be seeking professional support in a bid to get to the centre of the problem.

Compulsive behaviours such as stealing can be caused by much deeper psychological issues. If you are concerned that you have developed compulsive behaviors as a result of other problems and you would like to discuss your options with a counsellor, please visit our homepage and use the search tool to locate a qualified professional in your local area.

View and comment on the original TNT magazine article.

According to a recent study, elderly people who take anti-depressant drugs are more likely to experiences falls.

The drugs in question are selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and are frequently prescribed to elderly patients who suffer from dementia.

The study, which was conducted by researchers from the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam – recorded the daily drug use and number of falls in 248 nursing home residents over a two-year period.

The results of the study suggested that 152 of the patients had suffered a total of 683 falls, some of which had extreme consequences. 220 falls resulted in injuries, including broken bones and hip fractures.

More research is needed in order to establish why the anti-depressant is having this effect on dementia patients, and the Alzheimer’s Society has also called for more research into alternative treatments.

The results of the study showed that the risk of falls was calculated to be three times higher for individuals taking SSRIs than for care home patients not taking the drug – a considerably higher risk especially considering that many of these patients are also on sedative drugs at the same time.

Until more research has been undertaken and a link has been uncovered between SSRIs and an increased risk of falls, experts are recommending that the increased risk be taken into account when the elderly are being assessed to see whether the anti-depressants need to be prescribed.

Researcher Dr Carolyn Sterke said “Physicians should be cautious in prescribing SSRIs to older people with dementia, even at low doses.”

Professor Clive Ballard, from the Alzheimer’s Society, added: “More research is now needed to understand why this anti-depressant is having this effect on people with dementia and if there is an alternative treatment for depression that they could be prescribed”.

Counselling is a natural and side effect free tool for treating depression. If you would like to find out more, please visit our fact-sheet on counselling for depression.

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Midwifery experts become growingly concerned about new ‘foetus party’ craze sweeping the UK.

The new trend sees pregnant women inviting family and friends to a view 3D and 4D scans of their unborn children. Some companies even offer a service allowing parents-to-be to have their scans printed on key-rings, magnets and coasters for party guests to take away.

Ultrasound scans are traditionally used as a way of identifying any serious defects or health problems in unborn babies. Now scan ‘packages’ are being sold across the country offering paying parents the opportunity to buy VIP celebration scans plus champagne for nearly £200.

Professor Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, has expressed her worry at this apparent commercialisation of pregnancy and birth.

From a psychological perspective, the public celebration of an unborn baby always has the potential to cause additional stress to the parents if anything were to go wrong.

Professor Warwick said: “A mother may need increased counselling after raising everyone’s expectations of her pregnancy at a ‘foetus party’, only to learn of complications later on.”

Ethical questions could also be raised regarding the rights of the unborn foetus itself. UK laws currently allow the mother to make decisions for the baby while in the womb. The increasing use of potentially life-saving technology for entertainment purposes could, however, throw this law into dispute.

Additionally, the idea of ‘VIP’ scans could potentially widen the class gulf and alienate lower earning parents, leading to a sense of inadequacy and inequality.

Is this ‘yummy mummy’ WAG culture transforming pregnancy into a fashion brand and objectifying vulnerable human life?

If you have experienced problems with pregnancy or childbirth, you may wish to see a counsellor. To find out more, please visit Pregnancy and Childbirth. 

View and comment on the original Independent article 

Workers are putting their mental and physical health at risk by spending too long sitting at their desks without interaction.  

The findings, based on interviews and surveys with over 1,000 people from a variety of jobs, showed that people were spending an average of five hours and 41 minutes sitting at their desks throughout the day.

Dr Myanna Duncan, of Loughborough University, said: “We’re looking at an ageing population, working later into their lives. To work later you need to be healthy.”

Participants claimed that they simply ‘forgot’ to stand up, after becoming absorbed in work or inundated with things to do.

The results also showed that people who spent a lot of time sitting at their desks at work were also more likely to sit around at home.

When workers spend nearly the same amount of time sitting in a stationary position as they do sleeping at night, obesity and health problems are bound to rise.

The findings are due to be presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Occupational Conference later on this year.

Dr Duncan advises office workers to make a conscious effort to get out of their chairs and move around throughout the day. She suggests talking to colleagues face to face rather than using email, or placing post-it notes on screens to act as reminders.

 Activity and social interaction are essential for a healthy mind. If you suffer from any mental health issues as a result of your daily habits, you could benefit from consulting a counsellor. To find out more about how counselling can help, please visit Types of Distress. Alternatively, you can use our simple search tool to find a counsellor near you. 

View and comment on the original BBC article. 

According to recent research, individuals considered to be addicted to the web experience changes in certain areas of the brain not dissimilar to those which occur in drug and alcohol addicts.

The experts based in China conducted brain scans of 17 young internet addicts and found that some significant changes occurred in their white matter.

White matter is the area of the brain that contains nerve fibers. According to the results, the scans which were taken indicated that there was evidence of disruption to connections in nerve fibres involved in decision-making, control and emotions.

Writing in Plos One, expert Dr Hao Lei said: “Overall, our findings indicate that IAD has abnormal white matter integrity in brain regions involving emotional generation and processing, executive attention, decision making and cognitive control.”

He went on to say that the results also suggest that web addiction may share certain psychological mechanisms with other forms of addiction such as substance abuse.

Chair in biological psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London, Professor Gunter Schumann, told the BBC that this is the first time a study has identified changes in the neuronal connections between brain areas as well as in brain function.

The researchers hope that with further research, these findings could eventually be used to develop new treatments for addictive behaviours.

If you believe that either yourself or someone you know may be addicted to using the web then please visit our internet addiction fact sheet to find out more.

View the original BBC News article.

A BBC one documentary see’s former cricket ace Freddie Flintoff investigate how mental health problems plague top-level sport.

Regardless of the fact there was no evidence suggesting that his death was related to depression, the recent suicide of Welsh manager Gary Speed sparked much interest into the connection between sportsmen and mental health.

Despite the front of bravado and confidence that many sportsmen exude, there is clearly a connection between their mental health and what they do. Freddie Flintoff investigated the link in the revealing BBC One documentary The Hidden Side of Sport, in which he explored the following high profile cases:

• Ricky Hatton, boxer - Suffered trauma after being knocked out in his fight with Manny Pacquia in 2009. It took him 4 months to pluck up the courage to replay the fight after falling into a spiral of depression and drinking.
• Neil Lennon, Celtic FC manager - Suffered from sweats, shakes and a loss of appetite when he used to be a player due to his depression.
• Graham Dott, snooker player – Now taking medication following a bout of depression that resulted in him often bursting into tears during matches.
• Vinnie Jones, footballer – Contemplated suicide and went as far as wandering into a wood’s near to his home with a gun after being harshly criticised in the press after a notoriously poor performance in Dublin.

Interestingly, Flintoff also spoke of his own experiences as a high profile sportsman. Although he was never technically diagnosed with depression, he did admit to veering of the rails slightly during the infamously bad 2006/7 Ashes performance, in which he captained England through to 5 consecutive defeats. In the documentary Flintoff reflected on that stage of his life, describing one time in particular as ‘rock bottom’ when on a tearful night out with his dad.

Flintoff described how as a pro cricketer, even during the early stages of his career he was encouraged to put on a front of confidence on the pitch even if he felt the opposite. He managed to do this so convincingly that it meant he couldn’t confess to his team mates that in actual fact he felt insecure or depressed because he feared that doing so would damage their confidence.

Though Flintoff didn’t manage to draw any concrete conclusions from his investigation, former cricket psychologist Steve Bull observed that modern sportsmen often become completely consumed and obsessed with their sport, so much so that it is fine when it is going well – but extremely damaging to the self-esteem when it isn’t.

If you are concerned that either yourself or a loved one may be suffering from depression then you may find talking about your experiences with a qualified counsellor to be of benefit. For more information about counselling for depression, please visit our fact-sheet to find out more or visit our homepage and use the search tool to locate a professional in your local area.

You can view The Hidden Side of Sport on BBC iPlayer.

View and comment on the original Arts Desk article.

According to a recent survey by the University of West England (UWE), a staggering four out of five British men are unhappy with their bodies.

Of the 384 British men studied for the survey, 35% of them said they would happily exchange a year of their life for the ideal body shape.

The survey showed that the biggest male body hang-up was muscularity, with 60% saying that they wished their arms, chests and stomach were more muscular.

This revelation goes some way to explaining why one in five men questioned was following a high protein diet, and almost one in three used a protein supplement.

Body image has traditionally been a female concern, with much controversy surrounding the portrayal of the female form in the media. With size 0 models setting an unachievable ideal for many young girls across the world, cases of depression and low-self esteem in recent years have soared. Now men are beginning to feel the pressure as they become increasingly preoccupied by their own body image issues.

Dr Phillippa Diedrichs, who led the study at UWE, said: “We need to take a collaborative approach to promoting an environment that values diversity in appearance and promotes healthy body image.”

Dr Diedrichs made it clear that whereas she does not promote obesity, trivialising male body issues could be just as unhealthy to society.

Negative body image is a major contributing factor to the rise in eating disorders. In light of the Dr Diedrichs’ study, there should now be more demand for support services helping men to overcome their body image issues.

If you are a man suffering with low self-esteem or an eating disorder, you may benefit from visiting a counsellor. A counsellor may be able to help you find the source of these issues and get you back on track towards reaching your goals. 

View and comment on the original BBC News article. 

Mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness have launched a media campaign designed to take away some of the fear and awkwardness that still surrounds the subject.

‘It’s Time to Talk, Time to Change’ will consist of three radio ads created by renowned advertising agency Dare.

Dare has an impressive resume, having worked successfully with Hovis, Virgin and EA Games among other prestigious brands. The radio adverts, one of which will star Sophie Chapman from the Peep Show, will be played across Kiss, Capital and Heart FM.

The campaign will also run in print form throughout The Sun and the Metro, featuring comic strips designed by The Times and Spectator illustrator Steven Collins.

A TV advert run in 2011 will also be circulated again this year.

Sue Baker, director at Time to Change, said: “Through the use of subtle humour in our advertising, we hope we can remove the awkwardness and fear that stops many people talking about mental health.”

Along with radio and paper adverts, the campaign has its own website featuring tips on how to breech the subject of mental health. It will also give the option to send an e-card to your loved one, showing them you are thinking of them during their illness.

“Time to Talk, Time to Change’ is funded by Comic Relief and the Department of Health. By reaching the public through humour, the charities aim to fully remove the stigma that currently surrounds mental health in the hope that it will encourage people to open up and accept their conditions.

If you are suffering from a mental health problem and would like to talk about it, you may benefit from counselling. To find out more about the services counsellors offer, please visit our Types of Distress page. To locate a counsellor near you, please use our search tool.

View and comment on the original Campaign Live article.

The girlfriend of a soldier found hanged in a quarry on New Years day has pleaded for more help for individuals who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

29-year-old Welsh Guardsman, L/Sgt Dan Collins, was found dead on New Year’s Day after taking his own life.

Girlfriend Vicky Roach has said that the soldier faced a “constant battle” after being shot twice and having lost two close friends in Afghanistan, and is calling for more help for charities helping soldiers with PTSD.

Roach explained to BBC Wales in an interview, that what happened on Sunday was not Collins first attempt to take his own life.

“If you lose a leg or an arm – don’t get me wrong, that’s horrendous – but you deal with it and you move on,”

“He couldn’t move on, there was no way of him moving on.

“It was a constant battle in his mind every day, and he was fighting this battle.” She said.

Toby Harnden, a journalist and author – met Collins and spent some time with him whilst conducting research for a book about the Welsh Guards.

He described the soldiers escapes from death as ‘miraculous’ and said that he believed that the way Dan had to cope with people who were dying or dead was something that had really eaten away at him.

Roach and Collins met back in February 2011 after he returned home from Afghanistan, and only shortly after Roach began to pick up on some unusual behaviour.

Roach described one particular incident in which Collins had dropped to the floor in a Tesco store after a loud noise spooked him, and also spoke of other incidents such as nightmares, screams and shouting.

After Roach encouraged Collins to seek help, he received regular counselling sessions through the army though still remained deeply troubled and unable to speak openly about his experiences to his family.

Roach is now calling for more help to be given to charities such as the Bridgend-based Healing the Wounds, which aims to help Welsh soldiers suffering from mental health issues.

“If we can just save one soldier in the future it will mean the world to us.” Said Roach.

If you are concerned that either yourself or a loved one may be suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder, please visit our fact-sheet for information about how counselling may be able to help.

View and comment on the original BBC News article.

For many, seeing in the New Year marks a fresh start and often brings about a readiness for change. Perhaps then, that is why January still remains the busiest month of the year for divorces.

If you are considering beginning divorce proceedings or are in the midst of separation, the following tips and advice may help you to cope with what is sure to be a very difficult period as amicably, fairly and simply as possible.

The first piece of advice for anyone thinking about filing for divorce is to seek professional advice and support from a family solicitor. Your solicitor will be able to advise you on all of the options available to you, and will only move on to discussing court proceedings at a later date if they are certain that a resolution cannot be reached another way.

If there are children involved, remember that your primary aim is that they do not find themselves in the centre of bitter divorce proceedings. Not only does that mean the emotional impact of the separation on the children will be minimised, but it also could help to keep legal costs down.

A divorce method that is currently experiencing a significant growth in popularity is that of mediation. The mediation process involves divorcing couples visiting a mediator who will provide them with advice and guidance about the best way to proceed. It is worth noting however, that this process will only work if both parties are committed to an amicable divorce and are prepared to be 100% open about their financial circumstances.

If you do not feel as though mediation is for you then there are other options. Your solicitor can help through meetings and negotiations between you, your spouse and their solicitor.

If you and your spouse can’t seem to reach an independent agreement about finances then it may be that the divorce has to go to the courts. If this is the case, try to reach a direct agreement with your spouse about childcare arrangements so as to keep your children out of the crossfire.

Whatever happens, divorces don’t have to be acrimonious and a source of yet more hurt for both yourself and the rest of your family. There are always ways to minimise conflict and ensure that the proceedings are dealt with as quickly and effectively as possible. Communication and co-operation are key.

If you are considering beginning divorce proceedings or are currently struggling through a difficult divorce, please visit our separation and divorce fact-sheet to find out how counselling may be able to help you.

View the original BBC News article.