Eating disorders are often misunderstood. Many people assume they are only about food or weight, but they are usually much more complex.

They don’t always look obvious, and they can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. You might notice changes in eating patterns, mood, or behaviour before anything else.

With this in mind, how can you recognise an eating disorder, and what kind of support is available?

Did you know that anxiety disorders affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making them the most common mental health issue?

Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for people with anxiety disorders, fear and worry can become overwhelming and constant. These intense feelings often come with physical tension and other symptoms that impact behaviour and thinking.

Anxiety is more than just a personal struggle; it can significantly influence the way one perceives, builds and maintains social connections. Whether the relationship is familial, romantic or platonic, anxiety can add many challenges to relationships.

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a common and serious mood disorder that negatively affects the way someone feels, thinks and behaves. While we all get a case of the blues or feel sad or moody from time to time, depression isn’t something that can be easily snapped out of. People with depression experience these feelings intensely, sometimes without apparent reason, for weeks, months or even years.

Experiencing persistent anxiety can feel scary, isolating and can negatively impact your life, however you don’t need to go through it alone. There are anxiety treatments available from professionals such as psychologists, and there are things that you can do in the comfort of your own home to cope with anxiety.

What is a mental health disorder?

A mental health disorder is a wide range of conditions that affect mood/emotions, thinking or behaviour to a significant clinical level.

Your physical and mental health are closely related in many ways. Both good and poor mental health can affect your physical health. Similarly, both good and poor physical health can affect your mental health.

“What does anxiety feel like?”

“How do I know that what I am experiencing is anxiety or something else?”

As psychologists, these are questions that we often hear.

Anxiety shows up in many ways.