Psychology

Understanding Depression

Most people experience sadness, low mood, or a lack of motivation from time to time.
Depression is different, these feelings persist for days, weeks, months, or even years, and can significantly affect daily life, relationships, school, or work.

Depression is more than just “feeling low.” It often involves ongoing feelings of sadness, emptiness, or a lack of motivation that make it difficult to engage in everyday activities.

Some symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sadness or emptiness

• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or excessive guilt

• Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities

• Low motivation to attend work or school

• Irritability or mood changes

• Sleep difficulties (too little or too much)

• Appetite or weight changes

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Restlessness or feeling slowed down

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Stress

Stress is a common part of life, and in small doses it can even help us stay motivated and alert. However, when stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can have a serious impact on both our personal and professional lives. 

Prolonged stress can affect daily functioning, strain relationships, and reduce overall wellbeing.

Some symptoms of Stress may include:

• Feeling lonely or isolated

• A sense of worthlessness

• Sleep issues

• Nausea

• Constant worry

• Anxiety or depression

• Elevated blood pressure

• Frequent headaches

Developing healthy ways to manage stress can make a significant difference in your overall quality of life. By building resilience and learning practical coping strategies, you may experience:

• Improved wellbeing – reduced anxiety, better sleep, and increased energy

• Stronger relationships – improved communication and reduced conflict with others

• Better focus and productivity – clearer thinking and greater efficiency at work or school

• Enhanced physical health – lower blood pressure, fewer headaches, and stronger immunity

• Greater sense of control – feeling more capable of handling life’s challenges and uncertainties

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are enduring patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and reacting in ways that cause problems.

These patterns are long-term and pervasive, often affecting relationships, emotions, and impulse control. They can cause significant distress and challenges in daily life, including work, family, and social settings.

Types of Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters based on common features:

Cluster A –

• Paranoid: Ongoing mistrust or suspicion of others

• Schizoid: Ongoing detachment in social relationships and a restricted capacity for emotional expression

• Schizotypal: Discomfort in close relationships, unusual thoughts or behaviours

Cluster B – 

• Antisocial: Disregard for others’ rights, lack of empathy, impulsivity

• Borderline: Instability in relationships, identity, mood, and behaviour

• Histrionic: Intense emotionality, attention-seeking, self-focused behaviours

• Narcissistic: Inflated self-image, strong need for admiration, lack of empathy

Cluster C – 

• Avoidant: Social withdrawal, hypersensitivity to criticism, feelings of inadequacy

• Dependent: Excessive reliance on others, difficulty making independent decisions

• Obsessive-Compulsive: Preoccupation with control, orderliness, and perfectionism

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Personality Disorders

Many people experience traumatic events during their lifetime. With the right support and understanding, some are able to recover and move forward. However, for others, the severity or ongoing nature of trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). When trauma occurs early in life, during critical developmental years, the impact can be particularly profound.

PTSD may develop after a wide range of experiences, including:

• Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event

• Sexual assault

• Domestic and family violence

• Being the victim of crime or witnessing crime

• Repeated exposure to traumatic environments, such as working in emergency services or frontline roles

The effects of PTSD can be far-reaching, influencing family life, relationships, work, and everyday functioning.

Some symptoms of PTSD may include:

• Repeated reliving of the traumatic event

• Persistent flashbacks

• Avoidance of people, places, or situations linked to the trauma

• Nightmares and sleep difficulties

• Negative thoughts and beliefs about themselves or others

• Feelings of anger, irritability, or hypervigilance

• Physical symptoms such as agitation, dizziness, or nausea

Complex PTSD

In some cases, particularly when trauma is prolonged or repeated, individuals may develop Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). In addition to the symptoms of PTSD, people may also experience:

• Ongoing difficulties regulating emotions

• Dissociation (feeling detached from thoughts, feelings, or surroundings)

• Deeply negative self-perception

• Loss of meaning, such as struggling with faith, trust, or belief in the world

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Sleep Issues

Most people have experienced periods where they have trouble sleeping. While this often is a temporary state, if the situation is persistent or chronic, you may be experiencing a sleep disorder.

Prolonged periods of disordered sleep can have significant effects on your overall well being, both physical and mental. 

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders may include:

•   Prolonged periods of insufficient or poor-quality sleep

•   Short total sleep time 

•   Prolonged sleep onset latency 

•   Delayed circadian rhythm 

•   Excessive daytime sleepiness

•   Difficulty concentrating

•   Memory problems

•   Irritability and sadness

•   Difficulty regulating emotions

•   Anxiety and depression

•   Low energy and motivation

•   Frequent health problems 

•   Psychosis

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem refers to the way we perceive and value ourselves. It reflects our overall sense of self-worth, confidence, and belief in our abilities. While it is normal for self-esteem to fluctuate at times, consistently low self-esteem can affect mental health, relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

Some signs of Low Self-Esteem may include:

• Persistent self-criticism or negative self-talk

• Difficulty accepting compliments

• Comparing themselves unfavourably to others

• Fear of failure or avoiding challenges

• Over-focusing on perceived flaws or mistakes

• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

Improving self-esteem is a gradual process and can help with both physical and mental health.

If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak to your GP or a mental health clinician.

Understanding Anger Management