Mental health includes our psychological, emotional and social wellbeing. It affects how we think feel and behave. It determines how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health problems cover a broad range of conditions but the common factor is that they all affect the persons personality, thought processes and social interactions.

Anxiety

Feeling tense, uncertain and, perhaps fearful at the thought of sitting an exam, going into hospital, attending an interview or starting a new job is perfectly natural. If everything goes well, your anxiety subsides.This type of short-term anxiety is useful at times, feeling a little nervous before  an exam can make you  more alert, and enhance your performance.

Depression

Everyone feels sad or a bit down from time to time. The struggles and setbacks of everyday life can be tough. Disappointments, stress, family, work, illness, loss and bereavement can cause us all to feel low or depressed at some point. However if strong feelings of despair and emptiness persist you may have clinical depression. Depression can make it difficult to function properly and enjoy life. Getting through each day can be a struggle.

Insomnia

Insomnia is defined as difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed the following morning. This happens even when you’ve had enough time to sleep through the night.

Many of us will know how it feels when you just can’t drop off. Often worrying over problems or chewing over the days events perhaps. Some people find it easy to fall asleep, but keep on waking throughout the night or maybe waking in the early hours and not being able to get back to sleep  only dropping off as it is time to get up. This lack of sleep can leave you feeling drained and stressed the next day. Those who suffer with insomnia will experience this feeling on a regular basis.

It is estimated that a third of people in the UK have episodes of insomnia during their lives. Interestingly women seem to be more susceptible and it is more likely to occur with age. Click here for more information on insomnia and sleep problems.