A healthy mental development is essential in these formative years.

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Regardless of how you were brought up,  as an adult one has to work at being of Healthy Mind in order to deal with lifes problems as they arrive.
Relationships with partners,  family,  friends, work colleagues and bosses are important in everyday life, and need time and effort.
A spiritual life really helps a lot of people, and being in touch with your soul can help you out through life's trials. Many people who were never in touch with their inner self have discovered a whole new self to help them make sense of this world.

It's all too easy to be overcome by the pressures of modern life. Paying bills. Spending more than one earns. Unrealistic expectations. But it's important to take a step back and spend some time with a self help book which might change your life, if you are open to it! Remember, being stressed not only makes for a miserable life, but also for blood pressure and heart disease!

Working at being well-balanced takes effort, time and an openness to changing negative ways of thinking. Anyone can do it, but not everybody can be bothered.

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Bereavement

This is a natural part of life. It is painful, very painful.  It is only because we care about someone that we miss them and feel sad. There are stages of 'normal' bereavement to go through when someone close dies. It is important that one allows oneself to go through these natural stages of grief.
Help  is available.  Sometimes problems occur when the proper stages are not gone through.
Sutton Bereavement Service is sometimes open to self-referral 8939 2537

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Though strictly not a mental health problem, Learning Disability and Memory problems (including Dementia) are dealt with below.

Memory Problems <50yrs
Often, people come to us worried that their memory is getting worse. Most of the time, they are just panicing. Memory for certain things does deteriorate. Sometimes fatigue or depression or recreational drugs or alcohol can cause memory problems temporarily. Do always come and see the doctor.
Memory, like muscles, needs exercise. Lots of people do Sukudo or crosswords. A good book about keeping memory exercised.

Memory Problems >50yrs
Again, mostly age-related. One needs to exercise one's memory. Reading and TV just won't do it! But do come and see the GP. Sometimes an underactive thyroid can be the cause. We can always refer you to Sutton hospital for an assessment if it is appropriate, to check for Early Dementia.

Memory Tests:  simple test   test         detailed test £7

Dementia
There is lots of help out there. It is stressful being a carer too.

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Depression can be defined as persisting sadness which begins to affect our everyday living and work and relationships.

Anxiety is a natural response to things that threaten us,  but when a person is getting anxious about things that an average person would not, then it is a problem and needs help.

There is certainly a place for use of medicines in both conditions, but getting the right kind of self-help and counselling is the most useful path to recovery.

DEPRESSION

We can all feel depressed sometimes.
Perhaps when a problem comes our way that depresses us, lowers our mood.
Perhaps, we can feel blue for a while, even if we have no particular new problems.
Perhaps, we just feel negative about certain things without actually being sad.

The question is, when does being depressed, miserable, negative, sad  turn into Depressive Illness.

It is difficult to diagnose sometimes, for patients and also for doctors, and even for expert psychiatrists. We are increasingly using a depression scoring system in General Practice.

I have been recommending Overcoming Depression for several years and patients bring back to me, underlining points for discussion. CBT

depression   more on depression

The truth of the matter is that if a happy person develops the disease of depression, whether for no particular reason or as a reaction to problems that come along in life, then that illness causes chemical imbalances in the brain which need to be re-balanced by taking AntiDepressant medications.  Self-help is important, with books. Support from friends and family. Friends that are not afraid to support you to be motivated and push you when necessary!  The problem with depressive illness is that lack of motivation is part of the problem, and one needs friends to motivate you.  Being signed off sick for too long can make the problem worse, as you will lose self esteem from not working. Work and feeling useful is essential to recovery, as long as you don't feel too much pressure.
Antidepressant medication doesnt usually kick-in for 2-3weeks, and is usually continued for 4-6months, then gradually reduced.

Unfortunately, lots of us have a Negative Personality. This means that we have been trained from childhood to look on the negative side of things. This isn't so much depression, but just negativity. It is harder to deal with, and needs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.     CBT (press on MoodGymn link)
Online CBT

There are unfortunately some people who expect us to 'sort it all out by referring them to a counsellor', with no effort on their side. They won't get better. Counselling is important, but self motivation and a true will to change and get better is vital. We will always be happy to help you to help yourself get better. Even if time seems short in surgery, we can see you more regularly, even every week, to ensure that you get back to being the positive person that you were.

Ask us about referral to the Primary Care Therapies counselling service.
There will be a telephone interview first, in which they will make suggestions for computer-aided counselling, work in groups, and occasionally individual counselling. Please, they will have expected you to look at the Directory at the top of the page, to see if there is anything appropriate that may help you. It is expected that you make an effort to help yourself, or to have those close to you to help motivate you to get help.
You can also self-refer by phoning 0800 032 4207. There may be a waiting list of a few months. Sutton Counselling is sometimes open to referrals  also.

Some patients find that an individual private counsellor is well worth the investment. counselling   therapists   psychologists

ANXIETY

useful book: Overcoming Anxiety
Info     More Info

MISCELLANEOUS

Debt         ObsessiveCompulsive  OCD         Panic           Anger  Anger2  

EatingDisorders         PostTraumatic            Stress          Bipolar  

Some people are affected by longterm (chronic) illnesses such as Manic Depression, Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia, which all need special support.     
Crisis Line for known local patients= 0800 028 8000

Local support groups.

Sutton Mental Health Foundation
Sutton Hearing Voices support 8770 0172      07526 781041
StGeorges

mental health trust    8296 4453