The most common mental health conditions – and where to get help
Awareness and initiatives around mental health have taken leaps and bounds in recent years, with more people than ever talking about how important it is to take care of our mental wellbeing.
But while this is a step in the right direction, struggling with your mental health – or worrying about a loved one – can still feel overwhelming.
As well as your GP, a range of help is at hand from specialist charities. Here we outline three of the UK’s most common mental health conditions and the best sources of support and information.
Anxiety
Anxiety is the UK’s most common mental health problem, with 49% of people suffering from anxiety in the last five years, according to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Feeling anxious is a normal emotion, but it becomes an issue when someone finds they are feeling this way most or all of the time. If you do, you might have generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), a condition that can be managed with the right support and treatment.
Symptoms can include feeling restless or often worried, having trouble concentrating or sleeping, as well as dizziness and heart palpitations.
Where to get help for anxiety
As well as seeing your GP, you can visit Anxietyuk.org.uk for information, support and access to affordable private therapy services
You can also contact Mind for information and support on 0300 123 3393 or email the charity at info@mind.org.uk. Further resources can be found at the UK charity Sane.org.uk
For more urgent help call Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258
Depression
According to Mentalhealth.org, 4-10% of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime.
The charity Mind describes depression as a low mood that lasts for several weeks (or months) and affects your everyday life. Depression symptoms can range from mild to severe, but in some cases, depression can be life-threatening because it can make you feel suicidal.
Symptoms include feeling down, upset or tearful; feeling isolated and unable to relate to other people; lacking confidence, having low self-esteem and feeling hopeless about the future, according to Mind.
There are also some specific forms of depression, outlined by the charity, including:
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – depression that occurs at a particular time of year
Dysthymia – continuous mild depression that lasts for two years or more. It is also referred to as persistent depressive disorder or chronic depression
Prenatal depression – depression that occurs during pregnancy
Postnatal depression (PND) – depression that occurs in the weeks and months after becoming a parent. Though postnatal depression is usually diagnosed in women, it can also affect men
Where to get help for depression
As well as making an appointment with your GP, you can contact Mind for information and support on 0300 123 3393 or email them at info@mind.org.uk. Further resources can be found at the UK charity Sane.org.uk
For more urgent help call Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder, where someone experiences extreme highs and lows.
Bipolar is the fourth most common mental health problem worldwide after depression, anxiety and schizophrenia with statistics showing one in every 100 people will be diagnosed with the condition at some point in their life.
While all of us will have variations in our mood, for those living with bipolar disorder the changes can be very distressing and have a major impact on their life.
High or 'manic' periods can involve feeling euphoric, excited, over-confident, ambitious or adventurous, a feeling of being invincible, but can also include not feeling like eating or sleeping.
Meanwhile, low periods typically involve symptoms of depression.
Where to get help for bipolar disorder
Contact your GP for a referral to NHS mental health services
You can visit the specialist charity Bipolaruk.org for information and peer support, either one-to-one or in groups
The charity Rethink.org helps people who are severely affected by mental illness too, with a network of local groups and advice lines
You can also contact Mind for information and support on 0300 123 3393 or email the charity at info@mind.org.uk.Further resources and support can be found at the UK charity Sane.org.uk
For more urgent help call Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258
Watch: How can I improve my mental health?
Read more about mental health:
Therapists Say These 6 Common Habits Are Fueling Your Anxiety (Huffpost, 8-min read)
6 ways to calm an anxious mind, as Inside Out 2 introduces Anxiety (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
Healthy lifestyle ‘key for preventing depression – regardless of genetic risk’ (PA Media, 2-min read)
