Addictions can develop from the overuse and/or dependency on a substance (e.g. alcohol, nicotine or drugs) or from compulsive behaviours (e.g. gambling, technology, shopping or internet pornography), whereby the addiction starts to cause significant distress or disruption in a person’s life. It may take increasing amounts of a substance to achieve the desirable “high” and there are often unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that arise from attempts to refrain from using the substance. The disruption can interfere with a person’s health, relationships, work performance, finances or overall quality of life.
Anxiety disorders are quite common and have been reported to affect approximately 25% of the population. There are several types of anxiety disorders including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, health anxiety, specific phobias and panic disorder.
The common symptoms of anxiety disorders include heart racing, trembling, sweating, difficulty breathing, nausea or needing to use the bathroom. A person with anxiety tends to have pervasive worries about the future or plays over past events in a rumination cycle in their head. These constant distressing thoughts often result in avoidance of any feared situation that could cause the unpleasant anxiety symptoms. Anxiety disorders can significantly interfere with normal living and cause depression if left untreated.
Body image issues and/or disorders arise from critical and/or distorted perceptions, attitudes, feelings or thoughts about the body and can be observed in all genders. Body issues can pertain to size, weight, shape, functioning or gender identity. The main type of body image disorders include, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which includes the subtype of Muscle Dysmorphia or Gender Dysphoria. Some of the common symptoms of having a body image disorder include excessive worry about appearance, holding the belief about having a physical abnormality or defect, frequent body checking in the mirror, feeling very insecure or self-conscious about appearances when out in public or in photographs and a persona making excessive negative comparisons of their body with others. Body image issues can significantly impact on a person’s quality of life and are implicated in the development of behaviours that can lead to eating disorders.
Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder are two common types of mood disorders that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function normally on a day-today basis. Depression can be mild, moderate, severe or extremely severe and can result in feelings of prolonged sadness or numbness for up to many consecutive weeks. The symptoms of depression often include low energy and motivation, losing interest in activities that are normally pleasurable, loss of concentration, memory or appetite or interrupted sleep patterns.
People who have bipolar disorder tend to have symptoms of depression for periods of time but also experience what is known as ‘mania’ or ‘hypomania’, which are periods of highs where a person may start to become very ambitious or overactive in their daily activities. When depression worsens, people may start to experience thoughts about suicide or start developing plans to hurt themselves. If a person is experiencing suicidal thinking, it’s important that they are regularly monitored and that there is a plan in place setting out steps for crisis support if suicide risks increase. People who struggle with more severe depression often take medication alongside therapy as part of their mood management plan.
Disordered eating is an umbrella term used to describe any type of disturbed or unhealthy eating pattern, of which dieting tends to be the most common. Dieting involves the restriction of food intake to reduce weight, however as the body tries to compensate for reductions in food intake, a person frequently experiences food cravings that can lead to over-eating or binge eating. Weight gain from over-eating or binge-eating can then set off a pattern of “yoyo dieting” whereby a person moves through different diets or forms of restriction and experiences difficulty maintaining weight loss.
This pattern causes people to feel guilt or shame as they blame themselves for not having enough “self-control” or “will power” to sustain weight loss, not realising that there are several other factors at play. Other types of disordered eating include ruling out food groups or unbalanced eating, chronic use of diet pills or meal replacements, frequently skipping meals or overusing laxatives, diuretics or performance supplements. Disordered eating can reduce a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence, lead to social withdrawal and depression as well as impact a person’s overall health and physical functioning. Disordered eating also considerably increases a person’s risk for developing more serious eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder or other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED).
Eating disorders are abnormal patterns of eating that cause significant distress and impairment to everyday life.
Perhaps the most significant predictor of developing an eating disorder is the presence of dieting and other forms of disordered eating.
Other factors that can increase the risk of development include genetic predispositions, having negative experiences or trauma particularly in childhood, pre-existing mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, depression or low self- esteem), having certain rigid beliefs about food and body shape, “black and white” thinking patterns, or even being involved in activities which focus on body image or body shape (e.g. competitive dancing, athletics or modelling). Eating disorders can affect anyone, of any age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background.
The most common disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED).
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is diagnosed when a person is persistently restricting their food intake, has an intense fear of gaining weight and also experiences distortions in how they see their body and weight. People who have AN may also engage in episodes of bingeing, purging or over-exercising. This can lead to rapid weight loss as well as significant physical, psychological and behavioural changes including iron deficiency, loss of menstruation and fertility issues, reduced immunity, digestive problems, osteoporosis and heart problems. The consequences of not treating AN are severe and life threatening and could lead to death as a result of starvation, medical issues or suicide.
Bulimia Nervosa (BN) is diagnosed when a person repeatedly engages in binge eating and then compensates for the binge in some way, including purging, misusing laxatives or diuretics or excessive exercise. A person with BN may often feel out of control with their eating and experience deep shame and disgust in the behaviours that follow the binge. With repeated compensatory behaviours, such as purging, a person with BN may experience severe physical repercussions such as indigestion, heartburn, rupturing od the oesophagus, stomach ulcers, irregular bowel movements, osteoporosis or slowed heartbeat.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is similar to BN in respect to the presence of regular binge episodes, however, those with BED will not use compensatory behaviours such as purging after a binge. Some common signs of BED include eating quite quickly or eating even when feeling full, to the point of discomfort, not wanting to eat in front of others or engaging in secretive eating (e.g. eating in your room or hiding food). The physical effects of BED can include high blood pressure or high cholesterol that can increase the risk of stroke, diabetes or heart disease.
Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED), is diagnosed when a person may be showing symptoms of many of the other eating disorders but may not be exhibiting these symptoms to the degree that meet the criteria for full diagnosis. For example, a person may be engaging in binge episodes but may not be doing it as frequently as someone with BED. OSFED is a very common eating disorder and can be just as serious as the other mentioned eating disorders and have similar physical risks. Regardless of eating disorder diagnosis, it is important for anyone struggling with their eating and/or body image to seek professional support.
Existential issues or “crises” can occur when a person starts to question their life’s meaning or purpose on a grander scale, and may often be in search of answers to life’s big questions- Who am I? What is the meaning of life? What is true happiness? How can I be happy when others are suffering? Unlike the common stereotype, existential crises can arise as early as adolescence or early adulthood, and not necessarily always in midlife. Questioning life’s meaning can come about from events, traumas or losses that elicit feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt or grief. Existential issues can also highlight areas of a person’s life where they feel unfulfilled or disconnected. Reflecting on these issues can help a person to accept certain circumstances, make significant life changes or find meaning and purpose again, perhaps in a different direction.
Family and relationship issues can be quite multi-faceted as families are. They can exist in a person’s family of origin or in the new relationships they form in life. Common signs of relational issues include poor communication, frequent arguments, unhealthy signs of anger, avoidance of issues or physical altercations. There may be different situations or events that can cause these issues to occur including pre-existing stress within the family (e.g. long-term health problem), sudden or unexpected stress (e.g. loss of job), changes in a relationship status or a family situation (e.g. separation or divorce), breaches of trust (e.g. one partner having an affair) or due to differences in personalities or belief systems. Relationship and family issues can lead to physical and mental health issues and breakdowns in the family system.
Low self-esteem often develops in childhood when a young person receives negative messages about themselves, or can evolve later in life following stress, difficult life events or significant life changes. When a person has low self- esteem or a low opinion of themselves, it leads to negative or self-critical thinking that can diminish self-confidence and cause further mental health issues. Low self-esteem and self-confidence can also get in the way of a person engaging in social situations, forming relationships or trying out new challenges for fear of failing or letting themselves or someone else down.
Parenting can be challenging even at the best of times! However significant parenting issues may arise as a result of feeling overwhelmed or unsupported in handling the physical, mental, emotional or financial demands of caring for children. These issues can vary according to the child’s temperament and stage of development and may be exacerbated by the presence of multiple stressors within the family, including illnesses, injuries or behavioural problems, sibling rivalry, excessive technology use, limited financial resources, losses or bereavement or unexpected changes in the family’s circumstances. Parenting issues can impair connection and communication between the parent and child and lead to long term relational issues if not addressed.
Perfectionism is a trait when at its best, can be motivating and drive one towards achievement and success. However excessive perfectionism can become unhealthy particularly when a person sets such unrealistically high standards to meet, and then becomes paralysed by a fear of failure. This can lead to procrastination, rigid all-or-nothing thinking and missing out on many life experiences or opportunities. Over time, unhealthy perfectionism can erode a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence and make them more susceptible to developing mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety disorders or eating disorders.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of what you went through. PTSD is a trauma disorder, however trauma may also arise in childhood or in response to any deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It can cause feelings of helplessness, diminish the person’s sense of self and reduce their ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. Events that may cause trauma responses typically involve the loss of control, betrayal, abuse of power, helplessness, pain, confusion and/or loss.
People can experience high stress when there is an unbalance between the demands on their energy and the resources available to meet these demands, although the degree of stress can be moderated by different factors such as thinking styles, personality and coping skills. Many people need some degree of stress or pressure to motivate them to get things done, however health and performance can be negatively impacted by chronic high stress. Consequences of chronic stress can be cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, fatigue, anxiety or depression.
Sleep problems or insomnia can arise due to stress, illness, physical pain, caffeine intake, technology use, shift work or some disruption in normal routine. Ongoing sleep disruptions may indicate the presence of a sleep or mental health disorder. Common symptoms include being unable to fall asleep, waking several times at night, or feeling drained and tired when it’s time to wake up. Sleep issues can lead to irritability, poor concentration, impaired memory, daytime napping, lethargy and low mood.
Many people spend a good deal of time in a workplace, so it’s not surprising that workplace issues can have detrimental impacts on a person’s overall health and well-being. Examples of workplace issues include communication or performance issues, accidents or poor safety regulations, bullying and harassment, discrimination or unfair dismissal. Many workplaces have a Human Resources department that can assist to resolve difficulties in line with the Law, however these resolution processes can sometimes be complicated and lengthy and can impact on a person’s capacity to work for a period of time. If a person becomes injured at work, either due to a physical or psychological injury, they may be eligible for workers compensation to cover them for any time they are not working in order to be treated for their injury. A key goal of workers compensation is to support the person to return to work.