What's worrying you?
Mental health issues can have a profound impact on our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We all have mental health, and what affects our daily lives varies between each of us. The important thing to remember is that support is available, and we’re not alone in our journey.
Here we explore some of the common types of mental health concerns, including general information, signs and symptoms, treatment options, self-care and how counselling can help.
Addiction(s)
Addiction refers to a difficulty in controlling certain repetitive behaviours to the extent that they have harmful consequences. They are the result of powerful compulsions to use... Read more
Anger management
Feeling angry is a natural response to certain life experiences. It’s a basic emotion; occurring at times when we come under attack, feel deceived, insulted or frustrated... Read more
Attachment disorder
From birth, we develop a close bond with our main caregivers (usually our parents). This attachment helps us to learn and develop in a trusting environment, even at such a young... Read more
Bereavement
If you have experienced the death of someone who was important to you, you might be finding it difficult to adjust to the changes happening in your life right now. Grief can shake... Read more
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (or BDD) is a condition that causes a person to have a distorted view of their appearance. Considered an anxiety disorder, BDD makes individuals believe... Read more
Career counselling
For many, the main goal in life is to pursue a career that is meaningful and fulfilling. It can be highly rewarding to be in a role that you are passionate about and that reflects... Read more
Carer support
Currently, in the UK there are 6.5 million carers - which equates to one in eight people. These are people who care for someone who is disabled, ill, older or suffering from a... Read more
Child counselling
Being a parent or carer can feel overwhelming at times. All you want is for your child to thrive and be happy, so it can be difficult to see them struggle. It's tough. But as much... Read more
Chronic fatigue syndrome/ME
If you have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), you will experience extreme tiredness that does not go away, no matter how much you rest. Along with fatigue, you may be affected by... Read more
Depression
Depression counselling is often recommended as a combination treatment plan. Talking therapy can help you identify, address and manage negative, self-defeating thoughts that may... Read more
Disabilities
The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes ‘disability’ as a term that refers to a huge spectrum of impairments, activity limitations and participation... Read more
Discrimination
Discrimination is the act of treating someone unfairly or differently because of who they are, due to certain beliefs or because they possess certain characteristics. There are... Read more
Dissociation
All of us have times when we feel 'disconnected'. It could be that we are having a conversation with someone but our mind is elsewhere, or we arrive at a destination with no... Read more
Eating disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that affect people emotionally, physically and socially. They centre on a person's relationship with food, eating and... Read more
Gender dysphoria
Gender dysphoria, also known as gender identity disorder (GID), is a term used to describe the distress a person feels when their gender does not match the sex they were assigned... Read more
Hearing voices
Hearing voices is not as rare as you might think. Many of us will have heard noises or voices that others haven’t heard at some point in our lives. It’s estimated that... Read more
High sensitivity
Do you often walk into rooms and know when there’s been an argument? Do TV shows and movies seem to affect you more deeply than others? Perhaps you feel like the only one... Read more
Infertility
From the moment we hit adolescence we begin to learn about reproduction, and not just the how, but also the why. We are taught about the worth and sense of fulfilment that can... Read more
Learning difficulties
A learning disability is described as: a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind significant impairment of intellectual functioning significant impairment of... Read more
LGBTQ+ counselling
Our sexuality and gender can form a big part of our identity and those who don’t fit society’s heteronormative ideal can come up against more challenges. Those who... Read more
Loneliness
Loneliness, a subjective, unwelcome feeling of lack of companionship is something we all may experience at some point in our lives. For many, it’s a feeling that only lasts... Read more
Low self-confidence
Self-confidence is about trusting your own judgement and feeling comfortable with your abilities and powers: it’s the means to realise your full potential and be the person... Read more
Low self-esteem
Self-esteem is the way we perceive and value. This can be influenced by lots of different things, from our childhoods to life events. When we have low self-esteem we can see both... Read more
Mental health
When we talk about mental health, there is often a misconception about what it is and who it affects. First and foremost, mental health is not the same as a mental health issue... Read more
Miscarriage
Miscarriage or early pregnancy loss is more common than most people imagine, with as many as one in every four pregnancies ending this way. It is a significant and very painful... Read more
Neurodiversity
Originally used by the autistic community who were keen to move away from the medical model of autism, neurodiversity has become the term that encompasses a wider range of... Read more
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) involves intrusive and obsessional thoughts, often followed by compulsive urges. These obsessions can be overwhelming, and the only way a... Read more
Passive aggressive behaviour
Commonly described as non-verbal aggression, passive aggressive behaviour is when you are angry or upset with someone, but do not or cannot tell them. It is the inability to... Read more
Personality disorders
We recognise that the system of personality disorder diagnosis can be considered controversial. It is completely your choice which term, if any, you want to use, knowing that... Read more
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Avoidant personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Dependent personality disorder
- Histrionic personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizoid personality disorder
- Schizotypal personality disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that some people develop after being involved in (or witnessing) something traumatic. The condition was... Read more
Pregnancy and birth
Pregnancy and having a baby can be an exciting time. But, it can also be a time of immense pressure. There are so many changes happening to your body and the very nature of... Read more
Redundancy
The dictionary defines redundancy as the state of being no longer needed or useful, and whether that description applies to machinery or human beings - the implications can be... Read more
Relationship problems
Relationships are a key part of our lives. They bring happiness and support, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy. Whether you’re having problems in your... Read more
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects the sufferer’s ability to think clearly and decipher fantasy from reality. As a result of this, the individual can start to... Read more
Sex problems
Experiencing sexual problems at some point during your life can be perfectly normal. While everyone’s problems and sexual experiences can be different, it’s important... Read more
Spirituality
Spirituality involves experiences of a deeper sense of meaning and purpose, and a sense of belonging and a connection with the universe. Spirituality can help to achieve inner... Read more
Suicidal thoughts
If you need immediate help and are worried you can’t keep yourself safe, please: Go to your nearest A&E department Call 999 if you can’t get to a hospital Ask... Read more
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania, also known as trich or hair-pulling disorder, is when someone can’t resist the urge to pull out their own hair. They may pull out hair from their head or... Read more
Work-related stress
We will all experience stress at some point in our lives, for a number of different reasons. In small doses, stress can be a motivator - but it can also be unpleasant. When stress... Read more