Daily Archives: April 2, 2014

You may use drugs to help you to deal with the symptoms of your illness, or you may use them because they make you feel good for a while. However, using drugs can have a long term negative effect on … Continue reading →

•Drugs can make the symptoms of mental illness worse. Also, some scientists think that certain drugs can make it more likely for you to develop a mental illness. For example, recent research has shown that using cannabis may be linked … Continue reading →

The first step to getting treatment is to see your GP. They should rule out any physical problems which might cause symptoms of depression. Common treatments for depression include: Talking therapies Talking therapy is available on the NHS, from private … Continue reading →

What causes depression? Nobody knows exactly what causes depression. This section looks at some of the things that might increase your risk. Your body Scientists think that if you have depression, some of the chemicals in your brain are out … Continue reading →

What are the different types of depression? You might have heard a number of terms used to describe depression. In this section, we explain what some of these terms mean. Clinical depression Clinical depression is a very common term but … Continue reading →

What are the symptoms of depression and how is it diagnosed? Doctors make decisions about diagnosis based on guidance. The main guidance used by NHS doctors is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). When you see a doctor, like your … Continue reading →

What is depression? Everyone has ups and downs – sometimes you might feel a bit low, or experience grief when you lose someone you love. It is common for people to say that they are ‘depressed’ when they are feeling … Continue reading →

Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder where you have an intense fear of certain situations, including: •Leaving your home •Being in public spaces •Using public transport •Being in crowded spaces You might find that these situations make you feel very … Continue reading →

How is psychosis treated? What treatment should I be offered? The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issues guidance on how the NHS should treat different health conditions. The NHS does not have to follow this guidance but … Continue reading →

Psychosis is a medical term. If you have psychosis, you might see or hear things, or hold unusual beliefs, that other people do not. Some people describe it as a “break from reality”. You may also hear terms such as … Continue reading →