We all feel anxious or uptight at times. For some people that feeling is constant. Chronic anxiety happens when our body responds as if constantly in danger. Anxiety can lead to sweating, nausea, difficulty breathing, pounding heart, and many other physical and emotional symptoms. 

It is common for children to experience anxiety, for their brain to perceive danger in the environment where no significant danger exists.

Bipolar disorder is a relatively common disorder, affecting about 2 people in every 100 in Australia. Despite this, most of us know little about it.

Depression refers to a prolonged period of lowered mood and loss of interest in life. It can present as low energy, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, a bleak view of the future, disturbed sleep, and thoughts that life is pointless.

For anyone who has experienced one, a panic attack is impossible to forget. Panic is unpleasant and can be associated with a range of physical sensations and a fear of dying, going insane or losing control.

A trauma is any significant and negative event very different from our normal experience, requiring resources beyond those usually required. Traumatic incidents involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Such incidents can occur in assaults, natural disasters, war, accidents, or being a victim of or witness to a crime. It is normal to have a range of physical and emotional reactions for some time after an event such as these.

Learning how to manage stress is a crucial life skill. There are two levels of managing stress: strategies to prevent the build up of stress & strategies to reduce pressure when in a stressful situation.