Depression and Anxiety

Suffering symptoms of depression or anxiety is unfortunately very common.

People can experience the symptoms of mild, moderate or severe depression or anxiety or a combination of both.

Depression is diagnosed if a person feels down, depressed or hopeless for more than 50% of the time and finds it very difficult to enjoy activities that they would normally find enjoyable.

People with anxiety often feel restless and on edge; they experience a sense of dread, irritability and have difficulty concentrating.

Anxiety causes high levels of adrenaline to be released which causes physical symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle tension, shaking, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, insomnia, pins and needles and headaches.

Anxiety can affect people in different ways and in different areas of their lives.

Subtypes of Anxiety Conditions

Here are some links about the subtypes of anxiety conditions. (This list is not exhaustive.)

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Health anxiety

Panic Disorder

Click here for further advice

Click here for explanations of therapies more self help resources 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have developed a smart phone app with masses of resources giving advice and information about mental health problems, how to underrstand them and the treatments strategies available. 

Help for recovery from depression and anxiety disorders 

Help for recovery from depression and anxiety disorders includes; 

• Click on the links to access self help resources Self Help; Get Self Help; Help with Insomnia
• Relaxation, Meditation and Mindfulness resources- Calm app; Headspace; Finding Peace in a Frantic World; Guided Meditations from Tara Brach
• You can self-refer or your GP can refer you for psychological therapies- Time to Talk
• GP Referral to the Assessment and Treatment Service (ATS) is at Chapel Street in Chichester. Referral to the ATS is needed when depression or anxiety is not responding to GP based treatment or if the problem is more severe or complicated or where the illness is causing the person to be a risk to them selves or others.
• Support for relationship difficulties RELATE
• Support for people who have survived sexual violence Lifecentre
• Support for people who are bereaved CRUSE
• Help with alcohol or substance misuse CGL
• Organisations that support people with mental health problems Richmond Fellowship; Coastal West Sussex MIND; CAPITAL Project Trust
• Support for Carers- Carers Support West Sussex  
• Ask at the practice if you are a Carer for someone and would like a Carer's Health Check 
• Samaritans phone what ever your going through any time any day for free support tel 116 123
• Recovery college courses are available to help you with your recovery.

Help for post natal depression 

Click on the link to this really helpful video explains that there is help available for Mum's and families affected by postnatal depression. Please don't suffer in silence-ask your midwife, health visitor or GP for help and they can refer you to the Sussex Perinatal Mental Health Service for an assessment. 

Sussex Mental Healthline

For telephone support and information from the Sussex Mental Healthline ring 0300 5000 101

Available 24 hours, seven days a week in West Sussex.

The Sussex Mental Healthline is a telephone service offering support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression.

The service is also available to carers and healthcare professionals. You do not need an appointment.

• They are a service available to anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend.
• They provide support for people experiencing distress.

Please note this is a limited service, if you are in urgent need of help see urgent help in a crisis.

LIGHTMind Study

We are taking part in a research project which aims to look at how helpful self-help books can be for people suffering with depression.

What the study involves

Participants will receive one of two different self-help books. They will also be invited to attend six support sessions with a trained practitioner to help them make most of the book.

Participants will also receive three £20 shopping vouchers as a thank you for taking part.

Who is eligible?

If you think you might be experiencing depression, you are invited to take part in the study. You must be at least 18 years old and living in West Sussex.

How to get involved

Please contact a member of the research team to apply:

Tel: 07391868694 

Email: spnt.lightmind.sussex@nhs.net

More info: https://universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9LbSHR0rpWSKBaR