Supporting Articles.

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common psychiatric illnesses; they frequently coexist and are referred to as “first cousins.” While anxiety and depression share many symptoms, those with anxiety are more likely to experience panic attacks and obsessive thoughts about what makes them anxious, whereas those with depression may experience a persistent low mood, low self-esteem, and low energy.

This quiz is NOT intended to be used as a diagnostic tool. Only licenced healthcare professionals are qualified to diagnose mental health disorders. Many people put off seeking help because they are afraid that their problems aren’t serious enough to warrant counselling. However, these assessments can be an essential first step towards receiving treatment for anxiety issues.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety disorders. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, and it has been referred to as a “silent epidemic.” According to the World Health Organization, one in every six people will suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety each year, and this figure is steadily rising. In addition, anxiety and panic attacks are becoming more common, with many people going undiagnosed and untreated.

Anxiety can assist us in avoiding danger by providing us with the energy and alertness necessary to escape. Anxiety is part of the body’s natural reaction to stress, so it can be helpful at times, making you more alert and ready for action. However, some people experience constant anxiety without a specific trigger. As a result, they perceive situations as significantly worse than they actually are, and their anxiety impairs their ability to concentrate, sleep, and carry out ordinary tasks.

We often think that happiness is something we achieve, but as Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us, happiness is something that happens when we do everything else right. Over the last few weeks, we have spoken about how to achieve happiness, but we want to reiterate that happiness is not a goal; it’s a by-product of the things we do. It’s a reminder that if your goal is just to be happy, you might want to think about what it takes to get there.

According to research, the most significant factor in determining overall happiness is the quality of one’s relationships. Having healthy social connections is the most reliable predictor of living a happy and content life. Satisfying relationships are linked to better health, greater happiness, and even longer life. A person’s happiness isn’t solely dependent on romantic relationships. Close friendships and social ties with your family and community can also play a part.

“How to Be Happy?” With over 6 billion search results, it is one of Google’s most popular questions. Every person has their own idea of what makes them happy. However, extensive research on happiness has revealed that certain needs must be met in order to achieve this emotional state. When we discuss achieving happiness, we are referring to long-term happiness rather than the short-term feelings of joy we experience in our daily lives. Over the next three weeks, we will talk about what you can do to feel happier.

For the first time, antidepressants have become one of Australia’s most commonly prescribed drugs. Antidepressants were the third most commonly prescribed drug by people of all ages around the world, and the most commonly used by those aged 18 to 44. According to research, the global rate of antidepressant use increased nearly 400% between 2005 and 2021. So why are people so unhappy?

Is happiness a feeling or a state of mind? Philosophers, psychologists, spiritual leaders, and others have debated the definition for thousands of years. Even the Dalai Lama has said, “The very purpose of life is to seek happiness”. But what is this elusive thing we’re looking for, exactly? Happiness is linked to safety, contentment, and success, but what makes one person happy may not make another happy. Though we may never have a definitive answer to the nature of happiness, its significance cannot be denied.

For people who struggle with addiction, negative emotions such as guilt, shame, and self-criticism come more naturally to them than compassion. As a result, people recovering from addiction issues are usually much harder on themselves than they would ever be on other people, often internalising the criticism they received as children from parents, teachers, and peers. Paradoxically, this criticism does not help people suffering from addictions change their behaviour, but rather adds to their misery.

Over the last decade, research has consistently shown a positive correlation between self-compassion and psychological well-being. Research has shown people who have self-compassion also have greater social connectedness, emotional intelligence, happiness, and overall life satisfaction. Self-compassion has been shown to correlate with less anxiety, depression, shame, and fear of failure. According to studies, self-compassion improves not only our feelings towards ourselves, but also our relationships with others.

It’s important to develop self-compassion when you live with anxiety. Anxiety can be an incredibly uncomfortable experience. The pressure and high expectations from the people around us as well as our own perfectionist ideals can make this experience even worse. Anxiety can feel so unpleasant that our tendency is to try to get rid of it. And one way we try to get rid of it is by criticising ourselves for feeling it. Unfortunately, this leads to inner conflict. One part of yourself feels anxious; the other part judges the part that feels anxious. This only amplifies your anxiety.