Depression and Anxiety
In last weeks issue we spoke about drug addictions and what steps you can take to break the cycle. We had a flood of e-mails from people who benefitted from our advice to which he are humbled by. Keep up the good work! Our next topic of discussion effects a lot more people than you may think, so even if it doesn't concern you, take a read and see if you can help out someone else in your life.
Depression is a serious issue that effects 350 million people worldwide, with about 1 person per million committing suicide annually. And these figures have been steadily rising over the past few years and are predicted to continue to rise. Worldwide anxiety is known as the number 1 most common mental illness effecting teens and adults. Chances are if you don't suffer from one of these then someone you care about does. And it's not always easy to spot, you could be suffering from one and not even know about it. Here are some common symptoms :
Signs of anxiety:
- hot and cold flushes
- racing heart
- tightening of the chest
- snowballing worries
- obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviour
- felt restless or on edge
- felt easily tired
- had difficulty concentrating
- felt irritable
- had muscle pain (e.g. sore jaw or back)
- had trouble sleeping
Does any of this sound familiar?
If so we strongly recommend to contact your local GP or contact either:
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Sometimes a person suffering from a mood disorder may not want to seek help. In this case, it is helpful to explain why you’re concerned and provide specific examples of their actions or behaviour that have caused concern. Providing them with some information such as a book, Fact Sheets or helpful pamphlets from various organisations might also help.
You could offer to assist them in seeking professional help such as:
• finding someone that they feel comfortable talking to
• making an appointment for them on their behalf