Anxiety and depression

Everyone feels sad, worried or fearful from time to time. This is quite normal. But if your feelings are so strong that they are affecting your life, you may need some help.

If you find that worry is stopping you from sleeping, or that normal activities make you so scared that you do not want to do them any more, you may be suffering from anxiety or depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a word that means a state of fear. There are some things that natually make all of us fearful, such as being in danger.

Many people can get scared when they are in social situations, such as meeting new people or giving a speech.

If you find that everyday situations, such as going to the shops, make you feel scared, you may be suffering from a type of anxiety called a phobia.

A phobia is a fear of everyday things, situations or places.

A lot of fears are very common. For example, many people are scared of being trapped in a small place.

If you find that your fears are stopping you from doing things you want to do, then you should ask for help from your doctor.

Depression

Depression means a state where you are feeling sad the whole time but there is no particular reason for you to feel so sad.

It is a real illness and it is very common. If you are depressed, you will probably be feeling other things as well.

You may:

• worry all the time
• blame yourself for things going wrong
• not be able to sleep properly
• not eat properly and lose weight
• find it difficult to do anything
• not enjoy yourself

Getting help

If you have a mental health problem you should see your doctor. If you have a family member or friend who you think needs help, you should encourage them to see theirs.

The help that can be given depends on the type of illness.

For anxiety or depression, the doctor may give you pills.

There are also 'talking treatments' that are very helpful. Your doctor can arrange for you to see someone who will help you to understand why you are feeling bad and help you to feel better.

For more serious conditions, your doctor may think that you should see a psychiatrist. These are doctors who specialise in mental health and they will make sure that you get the proper treatment.