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Mental health

The main symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations, delusions and confused thinking and speaking.

Common causes of psychosis include mental health conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Common treatments for psychosis include antipsychotic medicines, talking therapies and social support.

Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include believing you're fat when you're a healthy weight or underweight, eating very little or missing meals.

Anorexia nervosa is usually treated with talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and specialist support with weight and nutrition.

Symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder vary from person to person, but include constant worrying, a sense of fear and difficulty concentrating.

Exercising more and talking to someone you trust can help with generalised anxiety disorder. Treatments include talking therapies and medicines.

Things like exercising more and talking to someone you trust can help with GAD. Treatments include talking therapies and medicines.

The main symptoms of bipolar disorder are episodes of extreme highs and lows, which can last for several weeks.

Treatments for bipolar disorder include medicines and talking therapies.

Symptoms of schizophrenia can include hearing voices or seeing things that are not real, unusual beliefs and confused thinking.

Schizophrenia is usually treated with a combination of talking therapies and medicine.

Symptoms of borderline personality include being emotionally unstable, having upsetting thoughts and acting without thinking.

The cause of borderline personality disorder is unclear. It's been linked to traumatic events during childhood, such as neglect or abuse.

The main treatment for borderline personality disorder is a type of talking therapy called psychotherapy.

Symptoms of depression include feeling unhappy or hopeless, low self-esteem and finding no pleasure in things you usually enjoy.

Many things can cause depression such as stressful events, personality, family history and giving birth.

Treatment for depression usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies and medicines.

There are things you can do to help with depression, such as exercise, cutting down on alcohol, reading a self-help book or joining a support group.

Common symptoms of a phobia are anxiety and panic when you come into contact with the cause of your phobia.

Treatments for phobias include talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and sometimes medicines.

Symptoms of postnatal depression include constant sadness, lack of energy and finding it difficult to look after yourself and your baby.

Talking to friends and family and taking time to relax may help with postnatal depression. Some people need talking therapy or medicines.

There are a number of things that can lead to postnatal depression including having mental health problems, such as depression, earlier in life.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having someone you can talk to and turn to for support can help you keep well during pregnancy.

Things you can do, such as resting and relaxing whenever you can, may help with postnatal depression. Some people need talking therapy or medicines.

The main symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder are unpleasant thoughts and repetitive behaviours that you cannot control.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is usually treated with talking therapies. Medicines may help if your symptoms are severe.

Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling very anxious and difficulty sleeping.

Any situation that a person finds traumatic can cause post-traumatic stress disorder. Examples include a road accident, an assault and childbirth.

The main treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are antidepressants and talking therapies.

Symptoms of an eating disorder include worrying about your weight, eating too little or making yourself sick after eating.

Treatment for an eating disorder depends on the type of condition you have. It usually involves talking therapy.

Anyone can get an eating disorder but things that make it more likely include family problems, depression or dealing with difficult things like death.

Eating disorders are a group of related conditions including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge eating disorder.

Page last reviewed: 01/01/1970
Next review due: 01/01/1970