Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder and a serious mental health condition. People who suffer from anorexia try to keep their weight as low as possible and consume very restrictive quantities of food. They may also do lots of exercise to get rid of the food they had eaten, this then leads on to starvation. They often perceive their bodies as overweight and develop a deep fear of gaining weight, even though they are dangerously underweight and malnourished.
Anorexia usually occurs in people in their mid-teens, although men and women at any age can get anorexia.
People who have been criticised about their weight, body shape or eating habits are more likely to get an eating disorder.
Anorexia can sometime run in families, if a parent or relation has had an eating disorder in the past.
Social factors can also be a contributor to an eating disorder – people believing their life would be better if they were thinner, also being influenced by what they see in the media.
There are lots of signs of someone who is suffering from anorexia, these can be behavioural, psychological and physical signs.
- Avoiding eating around other people
- Missing daily meals, eating very little and avoiding eating any food you might perceive as fattening.
- Taking appetite suppressants to reduce their hunger.
- Wearing baggy clothes and trying to cover up their bodies.
- People suffering from anorexia can often withdraw and isolate themselves.
- Excessive focus on their body weight and very little confidence.
- Anorexia can lead to women having irregular periods or even stopping altogether.
- Tiredness and difficulty sleeping.
- Hair loss can occur due to anorexia.
- Feeling physically weak and periods of dizziness.
Long-term anorexia can lead to more severe health problems, this is mainly due to your body not getting the nutrients it needs. Some of these problems include problem with the heart and blood vessels – this includes poor circulation, an irregular heartbeat, heart valve disease and low blood pressure. Problems with fertility, kidney or bowel problems and having a weakened immune system can also be a cause of long-term anorexia.
Anorexia can put your life at risk and lead to death. This can be through physical health or mental health.
Treatment for anorexia must address both psychological and physical problems.
Treatments of anorexia, as well as all eating disorders, can be challenging. The most effective treatment addresses the underlying emotional and mental health issues. Talking therapy is the most common treatment offered to people suffering from anorexia.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the treatments for anorexia – this includes working with a therapist to help cope with your feelings, understanding the effect of starvation on your body and mental health and how best to make healthy food choices.
Like the children and young people suffering from bulimia, family therapy will be offered to them.
There are subtypes of anorexia: One type is linked to a different type of eating disorder called Bulimia
Bulimia
Bulimia is also an eating disorder and a mental health condition. People with bulimia are caught in a cycle of eating large quantity of foods in very short time (called bingeing). To then compensate for the overeating they make themselves sick, take laxatives, or do an excessive amount of exercise, or a combination of all of them.
Like anorexia, men and women at any age can suffer from it, although it is most common in young women and typically starts in mid to late teens.
People who suffer from bulimia show similar signs to those suffering from anorexia.
- Eating large amounts of food (bingeing)
- Disappearing during or soon after a meal, returning looking flushed.
- Mood swings – for example, very tense or anxious (especially around mealtimes)
- Feeling like you have no control over your eating and thinking about food a lot.
- Regular changes in weight, which may go up or down, though often remains “normal”, making bulimia harder to spot.
Bulimia can cause serious damage to the body. Long-term effects of bulimia can be damage to your vocal cords and throat, permanent damage to teeth, damage to the intestines and stomach and kidney damage.
Treatment for bulimia is slightly different for adults and those under the age of 18.
For adults one of the most common is therapy – this will help you learn about the triggers, identifying the underlying cause of the bulimia and finding other ways to cope with your feelings.
Like anorexia, cognitive behavioural therapy is also used as a treatment for bulimia.
Medication, such as antidepressants, can be offered along with the therapy.
Family therapy will often be offered to children and young people, this will involve the family taking part and encourages everyone within the family or relationship to work together to improve mental health.
Bullying
Bullying is if someone physically hurts you, or verbally abuses you. There are specific types of bullying, these can include – homophobic bullying, racist bullying, religious, sexist, cyberbullying, or bullying you for being different. Bullying can make you feel isolated, lonely, lacking in confidence and can also lead to depressing, anxiety and eating disorders.
Do not blame yourself – It is not your fault! No matter what the bully says, you should never be ashamed of who you are or how you feel.
Share your feelings about bullying – Talk to a parent, teacher, counsellor or a trusted friend.
Report threats of harm – If you have been threatened report this to the correct authorities, if there is evidence of this, keep it.
Don’t seek revenge – This will only make the situation worse.
Cyberbullying is any form of bullying which takes place online or through smartphone/tablets. Cyberbullying is very common, and mostly young people are affected by it. In the recent national bullying survey, 56% of young people have seen others being bullied online, and 42% of young people have said they have felt unsafe online.
Types of cyberbullying can include:
- Harassment – sending abuse, rude and offensive messages. Attempting to humiliate someone on social media or gaming sites.
- Denigration – this when someone may send false and damaging information about someone, which is fake and untrue.
- Impersonation – This is when someone will make up fake profiles or accounts pretending to be someone else.
- Exclusion – this is when someone is deliberately left out of a group such as group messaging, gaming sites or online apps. This is a form of cyberbullying and is very common.
Parents should monitor their child’s use of technology. They can do this by using parental control apps on tablets and smartphones, know who your child is communicating with online and encourage them to tell someone if they are being bullied or harassed online.
This will usually involve acts or verbal comments which will mentally hurt and isolate a person in the workplace. This can be between two individuals or a group of people.
Examples of this are being constantly picked on, being shouted at or humiliated in from of other colleagues, blamed for problems which were not caused by yourself, your opinions and views being ignored, being set impossible deadlines and tasks, or unfairly passed over for promotions.
Discuss the problem someone you can trust or feel comfortable with.
Attempt to resolve it informally – arrange to speak to the person who is bulling you.
Find out if your employer has a bullying policy and what their procedure is.
If you do not feel the issue is being resolved, you should raise a formal complaint.
Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is also known as manic depression. It can bring on mood swings which can be either very low or extremely high and can cause changes in the way we sleep, how we think and act and our energy levels.
Bipolar can cause people to be over excited and be full of energy and this can be followed by periods of extreme sadness, low mood and feeling sluggish all the time. Between these times, most people suffering from bipolar report to feeling normal. The name derives from the fact that there are two distinctive moods known as two ‘poles’ of mood hence the name ‘bi’ polar.
When in a manic state, we are excitable and over confident. Periods of irrationality and reckless behaviour can follow when we are experiencing the manic stage of bipolar. Half of those who reach this stage also report hallucinations and that they see things that are not really there.
“Hypomania” describes milder symptoms of mania, in which someone does not have delusions or hallucinations, and their high symptoms do not interfere with their everyday life.
The depressive state is when someone feels very sad and depressed. The symptoms are the same as those who would be classed as suffering from clinic depression. Most people who suffer from bipolar spend more time in the depressive stage than the manic.
There are no set patterns and someone may feel the same mood state several times before switching to the opposite mood. Episodes can happen over a period of weeks, months and sometimes years. Everyone experiences these moods at different degrees.
Bipolar is a condition that affects many. You may think you are alone but over 2.4million people suffer from this condition in the UK. There times when we feel incredibly low and below are some useful links for immediate support for you.
With the right attitude and following all health advice and guidelines, you can manage your symptoms, stay health and continue to live a normal Life.
- Becoming more impulsive
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
- Increased energy and less need for sleep
- Making grand and unrealistic plans
- Poor Judgement
- Rapid speech and poor concentration
- Restlessness
- Unusually high sex drive
- Appetite changes that make them lose or gain weight
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Lack or loss of energy
- Needing more sleep that usual
- Not enjoying things they once did
- Poor concentration
- Poor decision making
- Sadness
- Suicide Attempts
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Trouble Concentrating
- Uncontrollable crying
Those who experience bipolar usually have an in late adolescence or young adulthood.. Bipolar disorder can run in families. Bot sexes are equally likely to get bipolar. Women also tend to spend more time depressed than men with bipolar disorder.
Some who suffer from bipolar tend to abuse drugs and alcohol when in the manic stage. People who suffer from bipolar are more likely to have seasonal depression, PSTD or OCD.
There is no single cause. Genes, brain changes, and stress can all play a role.
Bipolar is diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Your first port of call should be your local family doctor who will give you advice on managing symptoms (if it is you) or how to deal with a loved one who you believe may be suffering from bipolar. Health professionals will ask a battery of questions and carry out a full mental health evaluation to ascertain if the individual has bipolar or another mental health condition.
Bipolar disorder can be treated. However, it is a long term condition that needs to have long term care.
Lithium
In the UK, lithium is the main medicine used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium is a long-term treatment for episodes of mania and depression. It’s usually prescribed for at least 6 months. If you’re prescribed lithium, stick to the prescribed dose and do not stop taking it suddenly unless told to by your doctor. For lithium to be effective, the dosage must be correct. If it’s incorrect, you may get side effects such as diarrhoea and getting sick. Tell your doctor immediately if you have side effects while taking lithium.
You’ll need regular blood tests at least every 3 months while taking lithium. This is to make sure your lithium levels are not too high or too low. Your kidney and thyroid function will also need to be checked every 2 to 3 months if the dose of lithium is being adjusted, and every 12 months in all other cases. People who are taking lithium should avoid anti inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
Other medications include antipsychotic medication such as Carbamazepine which is a mood stabiliser
Psychological treatment
Some people find psychological treatment helpful when used alongside medicine in between episodes of mania or depression.
This may include:
- psychoeducation – to find out more about bipolar disorder
- cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – this is most useful when treating depression
- family therapy – a type of talking therapy that focuses on family relationships (such as marriage) and encourages everyone within the family or relationship to work together to improve mental health
Psychological treatment usually consists of around 16 sessions. Each session lasts an hour and takes place over a period of 6 to 9 months.
Depression
Depression is a complex condition and varies from person to person. If you can imagine how unique we are as individuals including our circumstances, our body chemistry, and our life experiences, what affects one person may not necessarily affect another. Depression is a condition that varies in degrees and the longer it lasts, the worse it tends to affect you. If you imagine, depression is almost like greater a situation where you feel trapped and its often described as like walking through quick sand and no matter how hard you try, you cannot reach you feel you cannot reach your end goal.
Emotional / Mental / Physical
If someone suddenly begins to act differently around you then stop and ask yourself are they depressed. Or it might be you. You are suddenly feeling lonely, isolated, and unable to talk to people. The slightest things irritate and grate on you.
Recognising the signs of depression are the first key to resolving depression.
Common signs of depression include:
- Concentration issues
- Irrational behaviour
- Lonely empty days
- Poor motivation for life and activities
- Poor sleep pattern
- Suicidal tendencies
- Weight loss or gain
- Withdrawing from your friends, your family and society
Depression can hit anyone of us and there can be small or large triggers to this. Sometimes we can battle through but other times, we need to stop and seek help. Many factors can cause depression including:
- Addictions
- Bereavement
- Divorce
- Ill health
- Financial Worries
- Redundancy
- Unemployment
To effectively diagnose and treat depression, the doctor must hear about specific symptoms of depression. Some doctors use a series of questions to screen for depression or others simply ask the individual to open up and speak about what is going on in their lives.
This can include their daily mood, behaviour, actions, and lifestyle habits including a change in routine.
It can often be difficult to make a firm diagnosis of depression and this is due to the clinical manifestations of the condition. What this means in layman’s terms is that one person can manifest depression by withdrawing from society whereas someone else can be irritable, agitated and their behaviours can be exaggerated.
Depending on the severity of the depression, your GP may offer practical advice or more invasive treatment.
Practical advice may include a change in diet, lifestyle, and daily habits.
Invasive treatments can include medication, talking therapies such as CBT or face to face counselling.
The Wellington Wellness offers a wide range of mental health services and can help you not matter where you are in the UK. For further information email hello@wellingtonwellness.co.uk
Domestic Abuse
When people think of domestic abuse they often think of violence, but domestic abuse can also include emotional abuse. Domestic abuse most commonly occurs in relationships, but domestic abuse also covers abuse between family members.
Domestic abuse can often escalate from the threat of violence or verbal assault to actual violence. Although physical injury poses the most danger, emotional and psychological can also be severe to your mental health.
- Do you feel belittled, or constantly put down?
- Does a partner isolate you from your friends and family?
- Are you told what you can and cannot do, or even how to dress?
- Do you feel intimidated or threatened?
- Being blamed for the abuse or arguments?
- Do you feel constantly criticised?
- Feeling afraid of your partner?
Physical abuse occurs when someone hurts you in a way that injures or endangers you. Physical abuse is a crime, whether it occurs inside or outside the family.
Sexual abuse can happen to both male and female.
Any situation in which you are forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse you must report it.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ is run by Refuge and offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day to victims and those who are worried about friends and loved ones.
Contact: 0808 2000 247
Schizophrenia
If you suffer from schizophrenia, you will not that is a long-term condition and can cause you to experience a wide range of symptoms and emotions. Many GP’s describe schizophrenia as psychosis. To you and me that simply means that you may not be able to distinguish thoughts and ideas from reality.
- Becoming increasingly isolated
- Confused and delusional thoughts
- Hallucinations which include hearing and seeing things that do not exist
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Withdrawing from friends and family
Contrary to popular belief, people who suffer from schizophrenia do not have a split personality nor are they instinctively violent in nature.
To date, health professional still have no definite cause for schizophrenia. Health experts believe it is a combination of genetics and environmental factors and that some people are more susceptible than others of developing this condition. Sometimes there can be known triggers such as a catastrophic event in one’s life or drug misuse. Whatever the cause, help is out there and should be sought as soon as you feel able.
If you’re struggling and you feel you are experiencing any symptoms however slight then you should contact your GP in the first instance. There are a number of tests that can be performed to ensure a correct diagnosis is made. These tests usually form part of a full mental health assessment carried out by a Mental Health Professional or a Consultant in Psychiatry.
Schizophrenia is usually treated with a combination of medicine and therapy tailored to each individual.
- Anti-psychotic medication
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Cognitive behavioural therapies, or CBT, are a range of talking therapies based on the theory that thoughts, feelings, what we do and how our body feels are all connected. If we change one of these we can alter the others.
- Liaison with a Mental Health Professionals such as a Psychiatric nurse or advisor who will follow you on your journey to managing your condition.
Coping with Schizophrenia
If managed well, you can live a normal and happy life. Strategies for coping include the three R’s:
- Recognising when you feel an episode is coming.
- Remember to take medication as prescribed by your GP or Consultant.
- Responsive conversations and opening up to others.
It is important to remember that you can recover from schizophrenia. Yes, there may be times when there is a slight relapse, but with the right help and support, you can live a normal and fulfilling life.
We appreciate that the wealth of information out there is sometimes overwhelming and that’s why at the Wellness Centre, we only recommend approved and trusted partners in the field of health.
Suicide
Suicide is something that touches so many peoples lives.
In the UK, the suicide rate is 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people. That may not seem a lot but when you break this down to around 1 in every 20 people thinking about suicide at any one time and over 6500 suicides per year, there is a stark reality that suicide is affecting us all.
Its really important to remember that thinking about suicide does not mean you want to die – it truly is a cry for help. Many people think about suicide for lots of different reasons and because they are feeling overwhelmed, cannot go on and tell themselves everyone would be better off without them.
This is not true and if you were to ask any loved one or friend, they would tell you ‘I want you here, warts and all’. When you feel low, it is really important that you don’t act on your thoughts and that you get help, make sure you are in a safe place and above all talk to someone.
Sometimes, there is a sea of endless information and advice and you do not know who to turn to or who to trust. At the Wellness Centre we partner with organisations who we know and trust and are confident in the knowledge that you will be afforded the best possible service.
For those who cannot speak on the telephone and find it too difficult to get the words out.
Email hello@wellingtonwellness.co.uk Our trained counsellors will be on hand to help you work through your difficulties and give you appropriate advice.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
- Chat with others
- Don’t focus to much on the future, take each new day as a positive step to your recovery
- Take each day as it comes and try not to dwell on things
If you’re worried about someone, then try to open up a conversation with them. Don’t offer closed questions instead say things like “How do you feel about…?”.
Remember you won’t have all the answers but what you will have is the ability to help the person and they will have you.
