| Mental health problems including anxiety related | | | | what might be the best course of action and possible |
| disorders and depression, are extremely common but | | | | treatment options for you. |
| despite the fact that there are many people suffering | | | | Indeed, for many people, a visit to the doctor is the |
| there is still a lot stigma surrounding mental health | | | | only step they ever need to take. Your doctor will be |
| issues and as such it's not uncommon for an individual | | | | able to take into account your full medical history and |
| to try to battle it out on their own, keeping their | | | | your symptoms to rule out anything else that may be |
| thoughts and fears to themselves, in an attempt to | | | | responsible for causing those symptoms. He or she will |
| avoid facing up to the fact that they need help. | | | | also be able to prescribe medication if that is |
| This will not only delay recovery but can make the | | | | considered appropriate and advise you on what to |
| symptoms of a mental health problem much worse. | | | | expect by way of side effects, or may recommend |
| Being unable or unwilling to speak to ones family and | | | | some form of talking therapy. |
| friends about it can be an intensely isolating and | | | | If on the other hand your symptoms are more severe |
| frightening experience. Not only are you trying to | | | | then your doctor may consider it necessary to refer |
| struggle alone with everyday practical routines involving | | | | you to a psychiatrist or other mental health |
| work, home and relationships, you are also trying to | | | | professional for a more in depth assessment. Again, |
| deal with what's going on in your mind too. | | | | this is a positive step in the right direction as someone |
| The truth is, nearly all types of mental health problems | | | | who is more qualified in mental health disorders will be |
| are treatable and the recovery time may be much | | | | able to provide you with the sort of help and treatment |
| shorter than what you would imagine provided you get | | | | you need in order to get well again. |
| the right help. The first step though has to come from | | | | What worries most people is the fear of what will |
| you and that means accepting first of all that you have | | | | happen if others know they are suffering with a |
| a problem and secondly, that you need help. So what | | | | mental health problem so they try to hide it. Most |
| can you expect as a mental health patient? | | | | people who are suffering also have a lot of questions |
| How depression and other mental health problems are | | | | they would like answers to but have no one to ask. By |
| diagnosed? | | | | putting yourself in the care of the right people you give |
| In the first instance have a word with your doctor as | | | | yourself the best chance of making a full and |
| he or she is the best person to offer initial advice on | | | | complete recovery as quickly as possible. |