There has historically been a stigma that went along with mental illness. There is, however, still a long way to go before treating mental illness is accepted on par with physical ailments. It is estimated that approximately 45% of Australians suffer from some form of mental illness at some stage in their lives.
If mental or emotional problems are not treated, there can be some long-term problems. Treating conditions early can go a long way towards helping you avoid these consequences.
Stress
Stress can affect us all. No matter how healthy we are physically and mentally there are times in our lives when we are pressured. Stress can cause:
- Low energy
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- Insomnia
- Muscle pain and stiffness
Depression
We are all sad from time to time, but if this feeling is prolonged this can have huge consequences on your personal and work life as well as your physical health.
Sometimes depression is brought on by grief or a stressful event such as loss of a job, a relationship breakup, bullying, or trauma. Depression affects people differently and so the treatment for each person varies. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Moodiness, sadness or irritability
- Feeling helpless or powerless
- A feeling of self blame or guilt
- Apathy
- A lack of joy and being unable to enjoy the things in life that you normally do
You can be self critical and feel unable to cope. It may be difficult to make decisions and think clearly. Depression can affect your memory and concentration. Adelaide Counselling Practice offers depression counselling in Adelaide for short and long term depression.
Loneliness
Loneliness affects people in different ways. Some people can be lonely within a crowd or even when surrounded by family and friends. Many people now are isolated and spend more time in their own company which can lead to loneliness. Loneliness can bring you a feeling that no one understands you and can lead to a lack of connectedness. When you are lonely you may not have a deep connection with your friends and family, or you may feel isolated or have feelings of low self-esteem.
Particularly during COVID-19, many people are experiencing feelings of loneliness.
Anxiety
Anxiety is what happens in our bodies and minds when we are under pressure. This can be long term pressure or stress, or shorter term pressure such as a job interview, giving a speech, or having a long prolonged conversation with your spouse, child, or co-worker.
Anxiety, like depression, is different for everyone. When people have anxiety they may avoid certain situations such as school, work, or travelling, which can actually just make the anxiety worse. Some common signs of anxiety are:
- Sweaty palms
- Upset stomach
- Nausea
- Increased heartrate
- Obsessive thoughts or actions
- Nervous habits suck as nail biting
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders include binge eating and bulimia nervosa as well as anorexia. Eating disorders can affect men, women, teenagers, and younger children. If you or a loved one is focusing excessively on weight loss or dieting obsessively you may have an eating disorder. Our therapists in Adelaide can provide counselling for people of all ages with eating disorders.
What You Can Do
Always keep a positive attitude and accept the idea that not everything in life is in your control. Look after your body, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Just 30 minutes of walking each day creates endorphins that make you feel happier and more positive. Try doing a form of exercise that you love to keep you motivated – dancing, sport, yoga, or tai-chi for instance. Meditation is highly beneficial too.
Minimise alcohol, drugs, and caffeine, ensure that you get a good night’s sleep (7-9 hours) and spend some time doing some fun things.
Counselling can be particularly beneficial for those facing emotional and mental health challenges in Adelaide. Contact us for an appointment. We are open 7 days per week and provide appointments at Adelaide Counselling Practice locations, your home, your office, or by telephone or Skype.
