Intrusive thoughts can be frightening, confusing and difficult to talk about. They often appear suddenly, feel unwanted and may focus on things that are completely out of character. For some people, intrusive thoughts are brief and easy to dismiss. For others, they can become repetitive, distressing and hard to ignore.…...
How Counselling Can Help With Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health difficulties people experience. They can affect how you think, feel and behave, and can have an impact on relationships, work, sleep, confidence and everyday life. For some people, anxiety may feel like constant worry, fear or overthinking. For others,…...
How to Cope With Panic Attacks
A panic attack can be frightening, overwhelming and difficult to understand, particularly when it happens unexpectedly. Your heart may race, your breathing may change, you might feel dizzy or shaky, and you may become convinced that something terrible is happening. Although panic attacks can feel extremely intense, there are practical…...
The Difference Between Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can feel very similar. Both may cause worry, tension, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating and uncomfortable physical sensations. Because their symptoms often overlap, it is not always easy to understand whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety or a combination of both. The main difference between stress and anxiety…...
Why Overthinking Is Difficult to Control
Overthinking happens when the mind repeatedly analyses a situation, problem or decision without reaching a helpful conclusion. It can involve replaying past conversations, imagining future problems, questioning decisions or searching for certainty that may never come. Most people overthink occasionally, particularly during periods of stress or uncertainty. However, for some…...
What Is High-Functioning Anxiety? Signs, Causes and Ways to Cope
High-functioning anxiety describes a pattern in which someone experiences significant anxiety while continuing to appear successful, organised and confident to other people. They may perform well at work, meet their responsibilities, maintain relationships and seem calm under pressure, while privately struggling with constant worry, self-doubt and exhaustion. Because people with…...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD, is a mental health condition involving unwanted thoughts, images or urges and repetitive actions or mental rituals. OCD is often misunderstood as simply liking things to be clean, organised or arranged correctly. In reality, it can cause intense anxiety, consume a significant amount of…...
Generalised Anxiety Disorder: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Most people feel anxious from time to time. Worry is a natural response to uncertainty, pressure or possible danger. It may appear before an interview, medical appointment, financial decision or important life event. Generalised anxiety disorder, commonly shortened to GAD, is different from occasional worry. It causes persistent anxiety about…...
Grieving Someone Who Is Still Alive
Grief is usually associated with death, but people can also grieve someone who is still alive. This can happen when a relationship changes completely, when someone develops dementia, when addiction affects their personality, when a loved one becomes seriously ill, or when contact ends through separation, estrangement or family breakdown.…...
Bereavement Support Services in the North East
Bereavement Support Services at Anxious Minds: You Do Not Have to Face Grief Alone Losing someone important can change every part of your life. Bereavement can affect your emotions, relationships, physical health, sleep, work and ability to cope with everyday responsibilities. Although grief is a natural response to loss, that…...
Bereavement support for veterans, veterans bereavement counselling North East
Bereavement Support for Veterans in the North East: You Do Not Have to Grieve Alone Bereavement can affect every part of a person’s life. The death of a family member, friend, former colleague or fellow service member can leave someone feeling overwhelmed, isolated and unsure where to turn. For veterans,…...
Important For Children to Build Self-Belief
Why It Is Important for Children to Build Self-Belief and Self-Confidence Every child deserves to grow up believing they are capable, valued and able to overcome challenges. Self-belief and self-confidence play a vital role in a child’s emotional wellbeing, relationships, education and future development. Children who believe in themselves are…...
How Talking Therapy Can Help with Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health difficulties people experience. They can affect how you think, feel, sleep, work, connect with others, and manage everyday life. For some people, anxiety feels like constant worry, panic, fear, tension, or being unable to switch off. For others, depression…...
