Schizophrenia
Key Facts:
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It is a disease of the brain
It affects 1% of the
population
Schizophrenia tends to
affect young adults
Those diagnosed may
experience anxiety,
agitation and
hallucinations.
May hear voices. These
voices are usually very
critical and distressing
It can be terrifying
Can experience paranoia
Some people smell things
that are not there
It often results in
depression
Thoughts become
muddled and confused
It affects one in every
hundred people
“When a doctor describes
schizophrenia as a psychotic
disorder, they mean that, in
their view, you can’t tell your
own intense thoughts, ideas,
perceptions and imaginings
from reality.” Mind website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.rethink.org
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Alzheimer's
Key Facts:
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It causes dementia
If affects both mood and
the memory
It tends to occur in old
age
It is caused by dying brain
cells and a lack of vital
chemicals
It develops and worsens
over time so support must
increase
People with Alzheimer’s
become increasingly
withdrawn and quiet
Smoking increases the risk
of developing the disease
Communicating with
others and concentration
becomes increasingly
difficult
There is no cure for
Alzheimer’s
“While there are some
common
symptoms
of
Alzheimer's disease, it is
important to remember that
everyone is unique. No two
people are likely to experience
Alzheimer's disease in the
same way.” Alzheimer’s Society website,
2014.
Useful links:
www.alzheimers.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Addiction
Key Facts:
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The largest number of
avoidable deaths in the
UK occur as a result of
addiction
2 Million people in the UK
are living with addiction
Common addictions are
drugs, alcohol and
gambling.
People are more likely to
become addicted if
someone else in their
family struggles with
addiction, if they have
issues with their mental
health, or if they
experienced abuse as a
child
Contacting a GP is an
advisable first step
Counselling may also help
“more than 2,000,000 now call
themselves members. People who once
drank to excess, they finally
acknowledged that they could not
handle alcohol, and now live a new way
of life without it.”
Alcoholics Anonymous website, 2014
Useful links:
www.nhs.uk
www.alcholics-anonymous.org.uk
(0845 769 7555)
www.actiononaddiction.org.uk
www.mispowysmind.org.uk
www.kaleidoscopeproject.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Art Therapy
Key Facts:
• It is delivered by qualified
art therapists
• It can be helpful in
exploring feelings
• Clients do not have to be
artists to partake of
therapy
• It can also be in the form
of making music , dance or
other performances
• People can feel safer
communicating through
art, rather than a
traditional talking therapy
• The therapist works
alongside the client,
reading meaning into
whatever is produced in
the session
• It can be helpful when
working with people with
metal health problems,
disabilities or brain-injuries
“The need for the arts is a
defining human characteristic.
They endure because they
have a unique power to help
us to feel and make sense of
experience.” BAAT website, 2014
Useful links:
www.baat.org
www.mind.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.ampt.org
www.badth.org.uk
www.admt.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Bipolar
Key Facts:
• It used to be called manic
depression
• People with Bipolar can
feel ecstatically high, or
extremely depressed
• There are four types of
Bipolar: Bipolar I, bipolar II,
rapid cycling and
cyclothymia.
• When a person is
depressed, it can affect
confidence, libido,
sleeping and eating, or
when manic, it can result
in excitement, hearing
voices, making lavish plans
and a lack of inhibition
• If affects one in every
hundred people
• People can learn to cope
through medication,
therapy and lifestyle
choices
“The key to coping with
bipolar is early diagnosis,
accepting the illness and
adapting your lifestyle to the
illness so you can control the
illness as much as possible.”
Bipolar UK website, 2014
Useful links:
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk
www.bipolar.org.uk
www.rpsych.ac.uk
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Dementia
Key Facts:
• Symptoms include
memory loss, confusion,
difficulty talking and
comprehending
information
• It will get worse over time
and usually affects the
elderly but can also impact
on younger people
• It is most likely to affect
those over 65
• 670,000 people
experience dementia in
the UK today
• Support can be through:
support groups, day
centres, social services and
charities such as Age UK
• People with dementia will
have less control over
their emotions
• An early diagnosis is
essential to obtain the
correct treatment
“Most types of dementia can't
be cured, but if it is detected
early there are ways you can
slow it down and maintain
mental function..” NHSwebsite, 2014
Useful links:
www.dementiauk.org
www.nhs.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk
www.alzheimers.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Depression
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Someone with depression
will feel severely
pessimistic
It can be accompanied by
the desire to self-harm
and anxiety
It can be triggered by life
events, such as the death
of a loved-one, illness, a
problem from childhood
or the reason can be
unknown
It can be mild or severe
Women can experience
post-natal depression
Lack of sunshine can
affect people during the
winter months and cause
Seasonal Affective
Disorder (SAD)
Depression is more than
sadness and can last for
an extended period of
time
“Depression is a common
mental disorder that causes
people
to
experience
depressed mood, loss of
interest or pleasure, feelings
of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep or appetite,
low
energy,
and
poor
concentration.”
Mentalhealth.org
website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.samaritans.org
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Dissociation
Key Facts:
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This is when the reality of
a person's identity, the
self-concept and
perception of the world
alter
It is a disconnection from
the world
People with dissociative
disorders can experience
memory loss, feel as if
they are outside of their
body, feel disconnected
from the real world, lose
their sense of self or act
like different people at
different time.
People’s experiences can
be mild, or frequent
enough to disrupt their
enjoyment of life
It can involve arriving at a
destination with no
recollection of the trip
“Many
mental
health
problems,
such
as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder
and borderline personality
disorder, have dissociative
features.” Mind website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.gosh.nhs.uk
www.mentalhealthy.co.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Eating Disorders
Key Facts:
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There are a few types of
eating disorder, including:
anorexia, bulimia, binge
eating disorder (BED) and
EDNOS, which is non
explicit
Eating disorders will last
over an extended period
of time
People with eating
disorders may become
obsessed with checking
calorie intake or overexercise
Those with bulimia will
induce vomiting
Food can turn into an
addiction and become the
focus of people’s lives
The subject of food can
become associated with
enormous pressure
“If you have anorexia, what you
eat, and if and when you eat it,
may feel like the only part of life
that you have under control:
putting on weight means losing
control. The act of eating can
come to represent everything
bad, including the feelings that
aren’t allowed to come to the
surface.” Mind website, 2014
Useful links:
www.b-eat.co.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.mind.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Exercise
Key Facts:
• Exercise has a positive
impact on mental health
• It releases chemicals that
improve a person’s mood
• Exercise can promote sleep,
release tension and be fun
• Five sessions of thirty
minutes a week are
recommended
• It can help reduce
depression and anxiety
• It may involve having to
overcome fears and barriers
to exercise
• It can create a natural high
• People with mental health
difficulties may find regular
exercise gives them a
greater sense of control
over their lives and their
body
• It can also prevent
depression from beginning
“Anyone with depression can
benefit from doing regular
exercise, but it's especially
useful for people with mild
depression. ”NHS website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.orguk
www.nhs.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Maintaining Mental
Health
Key Facts:
• Maintaining healthy social
relationships can aid
mental health
• Exercise can promote
physical and mental wellbeing
• Working towards goals
and learning new skills can
improve people’s mood
• Giving time, or random
acts of kindness can help
to lift a person ‘s state of
mind
• Mindfulness, or staying in
the present moment, can
help to reduce levels of
anxiety and enable a
positive attitude
• Seeking counselling as a
means of releasing
feelings can be of benefit
• Working on accepting and
liking oneself may also
help
“Mental health is about the
way you think and feel and
your ability to deal with ups
and downs. Making simple
changes to how you live
doesn't need to cost a fortune
or take up loads of time. .”
Mentalhealth.org.uk website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder
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It is a form of anxiety
It interrupts day-to-day
quality of life
It is extremely difficult for
those with OCD to control
their thoughts, urges,
anxieties and doubts
It can include compulsive
double-checking,
thinking, cleaning and
hoarding
It can involve the belief
that if an action is not
undertaken, someone
who is loved will be hurt
Seemingly uncontrollable
thoughts can be related
to blasphemy, sex and
hostility
Other behaviours can
include repetition, and
obsession with numbers
and putting objects into
order
“OCD symptoms can range
from mild to severe. For
example, some people with
OCD may spend an hour or so
a day engaged in obsessivecompulsive
thinking
and
behaviour. For others, the
condition can completely take
over their life. .” NHS website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.rcpsych.ac.uk
www.ocduk.org
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Phobias
Key Facts:
• A phobia is when a person
of terrified of something
that appears irrational to
others
• People tend to side-step
anything that triggers their
phobia
• The worry felt releases
adrenaline, nausea,
palpitations, shaking
sweating and dizziness
• The fight or flight
response or a panic attack
could occur, which can
leave the person feeling
embarrassed Counselling,
GPs, support groups selfhelp and relaxation
techniques can all help
• Phobias can be related to:
the body, animals,
situations, sex, or the
environment
“Avoiding the object or
situation that is making you
phobic, will make your fear
worse..” Mind website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.anxietyuk.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Positive Thinking
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Certain therapies can be
beneficial, such as CBT
counselling, or art therapy
Positive self-talk instead
of criticism can change
how people see
themselves
Reading self-help books,
or books on prescription
can also affect positive
change
Exercise can aid the
development of positive
thinking and lower stress
and depression
Research shows it can
benefit physical health as
well as the ability to cope
better and become more
resilient
It can be developed over
time
It improves mental health
“Positive thinking just means
that
you
approach
unpleasantness in a more
positive and productive way.
You think the best is going to
happen, not the worst..” Mayo
Clinic website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.mayoclinic.org
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder
Key Facts:
• PTSD is a form of intense
anxiety in response to
traumatic event such as: a
car crash; violent assault;
abuse, a hostage situation;
being a victim of a terrorist
attack; a natural disaster;
work in the military or
observing a vicious death
• Symptoms include:
flashbacks, and difficulty
with sleeping and focusing
• The doctor is the first port
of call, and CBT or
medication may be
prescribed
• Symptoms can occur
immediately after the
event, weeks or even
months later
• People with PTSD can
become over-alert ,
experience numbness and
nightmares
“…the diagnosis recognises
that there are events and
experiences that are beyond
our control, and which may fill
us with fear or horror, and can
cause extremely disturbing
psychological symptoms..” Mind
website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.rpsych.ac.uk
www.nhs.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Self-Harm
Key Facts:
• Self harm refers to
anything that can
deliberately damage a
person’s health, including:
cutting, burning, smoking
unprotected sex, using
drugs; abusing alcohol;
ingesting harmful
substances, over-eating;
deliberate bruising or
breaking and so forth
• It can be triggered by
abuse, trauma, mental
health difficulties or
relationship problems
• Talking therapies and
medication may help
• People may self-harm to
feel more in control or to
convert emotional pain
into more manageable
physical pain
• It’s more common than
people realise
“Self-harm is when somebody
intentionally damages or
injures their body. It is a way of
coping with or expressing
overwhelming emotional
distress..” NHS website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.rpsych.ac.uk
www.toungminds.org.uk
www.selfharm.co.uk
www.samaritans.org
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Self Help
Key Facts:
• This can take the form of
reading self-help books;
using self-help worksheets
or online support
• It is cheap and useful
• Resources are available in
libraries
• It can be helpful between
counselling sessions, or
when a client is waiting to
start their sessions
• Self-help is useful for
depression, fear, panic
attacks, anxiety and stress
• Books can be made
available on prescription
through a GP, as can some
online courses
• There are a variety of
online courses for people
with eating disorders, and
Obsessive Compulsive
Disorder
“Self-help therapy is generally
only suitable for people with
mild to moderate mental
health issues.” NHS website, 2014
Useful links:
www.getselfhelp.co.uk
www.self-help.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.samaritans.org
www.selfhelpservices.org.uk
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Stigma
Key Facts:
• Many people who
experience mental health
difficulties experience
discrimination
• 70% tends to come from
friends, 35% from siblings
and 57% from parents
• Poor treatment from
others can make mental
health worsen
• One in four people
experience mental health
difficulties in their life time
• Stigma can make finding
employment, starting a
relationship, socialising
and finding housing more
difficult
• When people with a
mental health problem are
denied access to the same
lifestyle as others, they
can become trapped in
negative phase
“Tragically, a quarter of young
people (26%) have said that
the stigma attached to their
mental illness has made them
want to give up on life.” Time to
Change website, 2014
Useful links:
www.time-to-change.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
www.samaritans.org
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Support
Key Facts:
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Support can be found
online, using email and
SMS (texts)
Many charities offer
telephone or face-to-face
work
GPs can refer most people
to free counselling
services or you can selfrefer directly to a
counselling provider
GPs can also, in some
instances, prescribe antidepressants
Speaking to family or
friends about worries can
help
Libraries and GPs have
access to self-help books
Local support groups can
also be helpful in talking
about worries or specific
mental health issues
“It doesn’t matter who you
are, how you feel, or what has
happened. If you feel that
things are getting to you, get
in touch..” Samaritans website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.sane.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.samaritans.org
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.xenzone.com
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle
Talking Therapies
Key Facts:
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This includes counselling
and psychotherapy
Talking through emotions
and thoughts can be
extremely beneficial and
relieve pressure
Talking therapies can also
help you to learn about
yourself in a confidential
environment
Free counselling is
available through the
college (Contact Jane
Jones on 0845 4086 257.
or e-mail her at
[email protected]
• There are different styles
of talking therapies. Some
of the main ones are:
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Cognitive behavioural
therapies (CBT)
Dialectic behaviour therapy
(DBT)
Psychodynamic therapies
Humanistic therapies
“Talking therapies can help
you work out how to deal with
negative thoughts and feelings
and make positive changes. .”
Mentalhealth.org website, 2014
Useful links:
www.mind.org.uk
www.nhs.uk
www.mentalhealth.org
www.bacp.co.uk
See our wellbeing section for
relevant books
For further information search the library’s eBooks on Moodle