Many Of Those Who Suffer Do So In Silence


Because The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health Is Still Alive In Our Communities.

The Truth about Mental Health

1 in 4 people are affected by a mental disorder in their lifetime.

By 2030 depression will be the leading cause of disease burden globally.

Over 900,000 people commit suicide each year. Suicide the second most common death cause of death among young people.

3 out of 4 people with severe mental disorders receive no treatment.

These Are All Facts Laid Out By The World Health Organization In The Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020.

These Sobering Statements Bring To Life The

Need For Open Communications Surrounding Mental Health Awareness And Care.

what is an anxiety disorder?

Most of us are intimately familiar with anxiety. We experience it as we walk towards the room to where our job interview is held, when we stand up to give a speech at our best friend’s wedding, or when we find ourselves in conversation with someone we want to impress.
Anxiety is experienced physically as butterflies in the stomach, facial flushing, or trembling hands. It may affect your behaviour – for instance, when you find yourself looking at everything in the room except the person you want to communicate with. You may also recognise the voice of anxiety in your thoughts, when you say things to yourself such as “this is impossible”, “I can’t do this”, or “she/he will think I’m stupid, I won’t be able to think of anything to say”.

Anxiety Can Be Uncomfortable, But It’s Also An Important Motivator. A Level Of Anxiety Is Important For Performance, And It Assists Us By Focusing Our Attention On The Things That We Need To Achieve. When Preparing For An Examination Or To Compete In A Sport, Anxiety Motivates Us To Study Or To Practise.


Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Occurs After A Traumatic Experience Such As Experiencing Or Witnessing An Assault Or Serious Injury. For Some People, The Experience Is Vividly And Repeatedly “Relived”. People With PTSD Generally Avoid Places, People, And Topics That Remind Them Of The Trauma. They Often Experience A Sense Of Emotional Numbing And Feel Detached From Their Close Friends And Family.

While There Are Important Differences Between These Conditions, What They Have In Common Is The Experience Of Excessive Anxiety That Causes Serious Distress And Problems In Important Areas Of Life, Including Work, Study, And Relationships

Many Factors Influence Whether A Particular Person Will Experience An Anxiety Disorder. These Include Genetics, Personality Traits, Exposure To Trauma And Current Stressors, Such As Problems With Work,

Different types of anxiety disorders

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Refers To Chronic, Persistent Worry That Is Seen As Excessive Compared To The Level Of Danger Or Threat Involved. Many People Worry When They Know That Their Job Is Under Threat Because Of Organizational Restructuring, But A Person With GAD May Worry About Their Job Security, Their Own Or Their Children’s Safety, Or Their Financial Situation, Without Being Able To Identify Any Reason For Their Worry.

Panic disorder is characterised by fear of having an unexpected panic attack that may cause people to avoid places where panic attacks have occurred in the past. A panic attack is a sudden, intense feeling of fear and discomfort associated with physical sensations such as sweating, trembling, numbness, nausea and a racing heart that seems to come from nowhere. These symptoms are severe and frightening, and many people experiencing a panic attack think they’re having a heart attack or dying.

Social anxiety disorder occurs in social or performance situations where a person fears they will be evaluated. These fears, and associated difficulties with communication coupled with feelings of inferiority, create problems for people achieving their potential in educational and work settings, and in developing supportive social

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Is A Condition Where People Experience Intrusive And Distressing Thoughts And Images That They Often Respond To With Ritualized Behaviors Aimed At Reducing Distress. A Person With OCD May Have Recurrent Thoughts About Illness And Contamination From Contact With Other People Through Minor Occurrences, Such As Shaking Hands Or Bumping Into Someone In A Crowd. These Events Create Intense Anxiety Relieved By Compulsive Washing Of Their Hands, Body, Clothing, Or Cleaning Their Home. Apart From The Severe Distress That Those With OCD Experience, Compulsive Behaviours Are Very Time Consuming.