Anger
Anger is a natural emotional response to perceived threats, injustice, or frustration. It often arises when an individual feels wronged, blocked from achieving a goal, or treated unfairly. Anger can range from mild irritation to intense rage and may accompany physical responses such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, or adrenaline rush.
While anger is normal, excessive or poorly managed anger can lead to negative consequences in relationships, health, and decision-making.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a natural emotional response characterised by feelings of fear, worry, or unease, often about an uncertain or stressful situation. It is a normal stress reaction and can help individuals prepare for challenges.
However, when anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, or disproportionate to the problem, it may interfere with daily life and indicate an anxiety disorder. Symptoms include restlessness, rapid heartbeat, difficulty concentrating, and physical tension.
Bereavement, Grief and Loss
Bereavement, grief, and loss refer to the emotional experiences associated with the death of a loved one or significant change in life.
- Bereavement is the period of mourning and adjustment after a loss, particularly the death of someone close.
- Grief is the emotional response to loss, characterised by feelings such as sadness, anger, guilt, or numbness.
- Loss can encompass various forms of separation or change, including the end of relationships, loss of health, or significant life transitions.
These experiences are deeply personal and can affect emotional, physical, and social well-being. Healing involves time, support, and coping strategies tailored to the individual.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress, often related to work or caregiving responsibilities. It occurs when an individual feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Symptoms of burnout can include fatigue, irritability, detachment, reduced performance, and a sense of helplessness.
Over time, burnout can affect physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Addressing burnout may involve rest, setting boundaries, seeking support, and making changes to reduce stress and improve balance in life.
Carer Support
Being a carer involves providing support and assistance to someone unable to fully care for themselves due to illness, disability, age, or other challenges. This role may include helping with daily tasks such as personal care, household chores, medication management, emotional support, or coordinating medical appointments.
While being a carer can be rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding, requiring patience, compassion, and resilience. Carers often need to balance their needs with those of the person they support and may benefit from external resources and support networks.
Childhood Experiences
Childhood experiences refer to the events, interactions, and environments that shape a person’s development during their early years—these experiences, whether positive or negative, influence emotional, social, cognitive, and physical growth. Positive experiences, such as nurturing relationships, safe environments, and supportive education, foster healthy development.
Conversely, adverse experiences, such as neglect, abuse, or instability, can impact mental health and behaviour, sometimes lasting into adulthood. Childhood experiences play a critical role in shaping personality, coping mechanisms, and overall well-being, highlighting the importance of a supportive and stable environment during these formative years.
Depression
Depression is a common mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It can also include physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
Depression affects how a person thinks, feels, and functions in daily life, and its severity can range from mild to debilitating.
Jealousy
Jealousy is an emotional response that arises when someone perceives a threat to a valued relationship or possession. It often involves feelings of insecurity, fear, or resentment. Jealousy is typically triggered by the belief that another person might take away something important, such as a partner’s affection, attention, or trust.
While jealousy is expected in certain situations, excessive or poorly managed jealousy can strain relationships and lead to negative behaviours. Understanding and addressing the underlying insecurities or fears can help manage and reduce feelings of jealousy.
Relationship/ Family Issues
Relationship or family issues refer to conflicts, challenges, or difficulties in personal relationships or family dynamics. These may include problems such as poor communication, lack of trust, differing expectations, financial disagreements, parenting conflicts, or struggles with roles and responsibilities. Such issues can impact emotional well-being, create tension, and disrupt harmony within the relationship or family unit.
Addressing these challenges may require understanding, open communication, and sometimes professional support to improve connections and resolve conflicts.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem is a person's overall sense of confidence and value. It reflects how much individuals appreciate and accept who they are, including their abilities, qualities, and worth. Healthy self-esteem involves a balanced view of oneself, recognising strengths while accepting imperfections.
Low self-esteem may result in self-doubt or negative self-perception, while overly high self-esteem can lead to arrogance. Building self-esteem may involve self-reflection, positive self-talk, and supportive relationships.
Self-worth
Self-worth is the understanding that one's value goes beyond one's perceptions of oneself. It is the feeling of being inherently valuable, lovable, and worthy.
Self-worth is shaped by how we believe others perceive us, our interactions in personal and professional relationships, and our self-perception.
Stress
Stress is the body’s natural response to pressure or demands, often triggered by challenging situations, changes, or perceived threats. It can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally, with symptoms such as tension, fatigue, irritability, or difficulty concentrating.
While some stress can motivate or help in facing challenges, excessive or prolonged stress can impact health and well-being. Managing stress often involves relaxation techniques, time management, and seeking support when needed.
Trauma
Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leaving a lasting impact on their emotional, mental, and sometimes physical well-being. It can result from events such as abuse, violence, accidents, natural disasters, or the loss of a loved one.
Trauma often triggers intense feelings of fear, helplessness, or horror and may lead to long-term effects, such as flashbacks, anxiety, difficulty trusting others, or changes in self-perception. Healing from trauma often involves seeking support, processing emotions, and developing strategies to rebuild a sense of safety and resilience.
Work-related
Work-related issues refer to challenges or difficulties encountered in the workplace that can affect performance, job satisfaction, or well-being. These may include excessive workload, poor communication, conflicts with colleagues or management, lack of recognition, job insecurity, or workplace harassment.
Such issues can lead to stress, reduced productivity, and emotional strain. Addressing work-related problems may involve open communication, setting boundaries, and seeking support from supervisors or human resources.
