November is Men’s Health Awareness Month. It's a good reminder to stop and think about your health – from both a physical and mental perspective - and is dedicated to bringing awareness to a broad range of men’s health issues. The Movember charity focuses on the three that affect men the most: mental health and suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.
Written by a member of our clinical team, based on her personal experience of ‘social infertility’. A relatively new term that describes women who are childless, but not by choice, and not due to any medical reason.
We all have restless nights now and again, but some people regularly have problems with their sleep, and this is known as insomnia. Not getting enough rest can have a significant impact on our mental health.
If we spot the signs that we’re experiencing stress, we can address it before it becomes a problem. That’s the theme of this year’s National Stress Awareness Day (2 November 2022).
In this blog, we’ll look at two strategies: getting the ‘what ifs?’ out of our heads, and problem solving where we can.
The winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects around two million people in the UK, and more than 12 million across northern Europe. Find out more about how we can build resilience through the winter.
Post-pandemic pressures and other world issues have led to a growing international mental health crisis. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is to make mental health for all a global priority.
The focus of this year’s National Work Life Week (10-14 October) is on increasing access to flexible working and finding the ‘flex’ in every role. Here are some ways you can achieve a better work/life balance.
Have you ever felt like your senses are on high alert or constantly in ‘survival’ mode, and you can’t relax into conversations with friends, for instance, focus properly on your work, or fully enjoy activities?
If you're experiencing stress at work, here are some steps you can take to address the causes - whether it's due to changes in where and how we work over the last couple of years or new responsibilities.
The loss of a key public figure can have a powerful impact on our feelings. We discuss useful starting points to cope with grief and manage feelings of uncertainty.
Suicide is never a comfortable subject to talk about - but by opening up, and allowing others to do the same, we can play a part in the global campaign to reduce suicide rates. Here's how you could help.
Placing extremely high demands on ourselves to do things ‘correctly’ may be a sign of perfectionismHere are some ways to reduce how much your self-esteem depends on your accomplishments.
Written by a member of our clinical team, based on her personal experience of ‘social infertility’. A relatively new term that describes women who are childless, but not by choice, and not due to any medical reason.
In this blog, we’ll look at two strategies: getting the ‘what ifs?’ out of our heads, and problem solving where we can.
We all get into unhelpful thinking patterns sometimes. There are a number of different types of thinking, the key to addressing the unhelpful thinking habit is to notice the emotional shift and catch it in the act.
Typed CBT is designed to equip you to become your own therapist once you’ve finished treatment, continuing with what you’ve learned for the rest of your life. It's vital to prepare properly for this.
CBT is a highly collaborative treatment, which makes the relationship you have with your therapist really important. But as with any human relationship, things don’t always go smoothly.
Receiving a diagnosis you don’t want, whether it’s physical or psychological, is likely to make you fearful. The uncertainty means your mind will probably play out numerous possible scenarios and ‘what ifs’.
If you’ve ever had CBT, you’ve experienced the life-changing work of Dr Aaron Beck, who has died at the age of 100.
Research shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can work well for people with learning disabilities. Online CBT, where you type conversations with your therapist, lets you take treatment at your own pace.
We often find there are things people hear or believe about CBT that don’t reflect reality such as 'I will be better after one session'. Here are some of the most common assumptions we come across – and the facts.
Did you know that CBT is recommended by the NHS and NICE as a way of helping to manage chronic pain? We explain how it works.
If we spot the signs that we’re experiencing stress, we can address it before it becomes a problem. That’s the theme of this year’s National Stress Awareness Day (2 November 2022).
According to a survey, 40% of parents and carers feel stress, anxiety or dread when thinking about the school summer holidays. These tips might help make the last few weeks of the break easier and more fun for all.
The terms ‘panic attack’ and ‘anxiety attack’ are sometimes used interchangeably, but the two things are not quite the same. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between them.
A ‘trigger’ is something that sets off an emotional response of some kind in the body. Understanding why this response happens can help us to make sense of and manage what's happening.
When you experience strong feelings such as stress or anxiety, do you find yourself binge eating, grazing constantly during the day or restricting what you eat? If so, then you could be an ‘emotional’ eater.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘confidence’ as “the quality of being certain of your abilities”. The good news is that it’s possible to learn and build confidence, much like we can with a skill like communication.
Racing or pounding heart, breathlessness, shaky legs, fluttery stomach, light-headedness…these are all symptoms we might experience if we have anxiety.
Coming out is often portrayed as a largely positive experience and, for many, it will be - but that doesn't mean you won't feel anxious about taking the step.
Feeling anxious about using public transport can be a problem if it’s something you need or want to do. Here are some ideas that might help reduce your fears, including some CBT techniques.
Have you ever suddenly jolted awake in the middle of the night with your heart pounding? Or do you wake in the morning feeling a sense of dread, or immediately overwhelmed by stress?
The winter blues or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects around two million people in the UK, and more than 12 million across northern Europe. Find out more about how we can build resilience through the winter.
The loss of a key public figure can have a powerful impact on our feelings. We discuss useful starting points to cope with grief and manage feelings of uncertainty.
It’s very easy to find ourselves stuck in survival mode – especially after the past couple of years. By paying attention to our mental wellbeing, even when we’re 'OK', we can move forward to a more fulfilling life.
Watching someone you love suffer from depression is upsetting; their pain can sometimes become your pain. The first step is to recognise the symptoms of depression and understand how it can be treated.
Many of us will have had thoughts like "I can’t take this any more", or "It would be better if I wasn’t here". Sometimes these thoughts pop into our minds, without warning.
The terms ‘low mood’ and ‘depression’ are sometimes used interchangeably. While depression is a form of low mood, the two do have slightly different symptoms, and might need treating in a different way.
We all know about the special bond that exists between humans and their pets. People can lose pets for a number of reasons – not only due to them dying. Find out some ways to
Going through a break-up can be difficult in a number of ways, and it's normal to feel a range of emotions, from grief to anger. There are some CBT principles and tools that might be useful...
Many of us have thoughts we find worrying, confusing and even distressing. In this blog, we explore the three main types of ‘troubling’ thought people have, what’s behind them, and how we can manage them.
Anyone can feel lonely - and this year we could find ourselves particularly susceptible. While we can't change the rules of lockdown, there are steps we can take to manage any feelings of isolation.
We all have restless nights now and again, but some people regularly have problems with their sleep, and this is known as insomnia. Not getting enough rest can have a significant impact on our mental health.
Getting enough sleep – and sufficient quality – is important for maintaining good mental health. If you're having sleep issues, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to work well as a treatment.
Have you ever woken after a good night’s sleep with a fresh perspective on a problem or tough decision? The impact quality sleep can have on our mental health is being highlighted on World Sleep Day (18 March 2022).
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We spend up to a third of our lives asleep! It’s really important for both our physical and psychological health, but we often don’t prioritise it as highly as we should.
We all have restless nights now and again. Things like stress, the temperature in our bedroom and something we’ve eaten or drunk can all have an effect on how well we sleep.
Following the pandemic, some people experienced a ‘brain fog' where they found it hard to concentrate and think straight. If you're still feeling tired, unmotivated, distracted, or just a bit fuzzy you're not alone.
The pandemic has put us under strain for two years now. Always wondering what's around the corner and trying to keep up with the latest information and rules, have created conditions where stress can really thrive.
The continuing unpredictability around Covid might cause some people to feel anxious, on edge, or down. While none of us can control what happens, we can control how we respond, and also build our resilience.
The prospect of returning to work after furlough or remote working is likely to prompt different thoughts and feelings. We have some tips for getting into the right mindset.
As we go back out into the world again, we'll all be at different stages of readiness in our minds. Tuning into how we - and others - are thinking and feeling will help us navigate life following the vaccine.
The prospect of lockdown easing will be making many of us feel a bit uncertain and nervous about going out again and mixing with others.
ieso's Clinical Partnership Manager, Emily Marshall outlines five things to consider about lockdown lifting and coping mechanisms if you feel anxious about the new pressures that come with this.
We’ve all had plans go astray in the last year. While none of us can control everything that affects the plans we make, we can control how we respond - and we can also work on building our resilience.
If you have a phobia of needles, the thought of being called for your coronavirus ‘jab’ might be making you a bit apprehensive. In this blog we share some techniques to help you manage your anxiety.
For people with OCD, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic may have made their symptoms worse, or caused them to return. It could also have triggered OCD symptoms in people who haven’t had them before.
Placing extremely high demands on ourselves to do things ‘correctly’ may be a sign of perfectionismHere are some ways to reduce how much your self-esteem depends on your accomplishments.
In this blog, we share a few ideas and CBT-based techniques that might help if you’re struggling with the impacts of your condition.
People who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes can find it affects them in different ways. Here are a few ideas and CBT-based techniques that might help if you’re struggling with the physical impacts of your condition.
Having diabetes can affect people both physically and psychologically. In this blog we share a few ideas and CBT-based techniques to help with managing the effect diabetes might be having on your mental health.
Being diagnosed with a long-term medical condition can have a significant psychological impact. In this blog, cognitive behavioural psychotherapist Daniella Doon-Joseph looks at how CBT can help.
Misconceptions about OCD are common - especially the one that it's all about being neat and clean! If we delve into the condition, however, we find there’s much more going on.
Being told by your doctor that you have diabetes can come as a shock. It might be hard to come to terms with the diagnosis, and what it means for you. Everyone will react to the news differently...
Movember is a good reminder to stop and think about your health – from a both a physical and mental perspective.
Post-pandemic pressures and other world issues have led to a growing international mental health crisis. The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is to make mental health for all a global priority.
The focus of this year’s National Work Life Week (10-14 October) is on increasing access to flexible working and finding the ‘flex’ in every role. Here are some ways you can achieve a better work/life balance.
If you're experiencing stress at work, here are some steps you can take to address the causes - whether it's due to changes in where and how we work over the last couple of years or new responsibilities.
Suicide is never a comfortable subject to talk about - but by opening up, and allowing others to do the same, we can play a part in the global campaign to reduce suicide rates. Here's how you could help.
Many people have some of the best times of their life at uni, but it can also be an overwhelming and stressful experience. If student life isn’t as enjoyable as you expected, we've got some practical tips to help.
The Samaritans runs its Talk to Us #WeListen awareness campaign on 24 July (24/7) each year – a reminder that its volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here are some facts you may not know.
If you feel physically and emotionally exhausted because of long-term stresses at work, you may be experiencing burnout. It’s important to address it - here are 5 tips to managing work-related stress.
Father’s Day can shine a light on painful emotions or memories that we’re able to handle the rest of the time. If you're likely to find the day hard, here are some tips for making it through.
Imposter syndrome is the feeling of not being ‘good enough' to do your job, and it’s only a matter of time before people notice! Here are some ideas for managing anxieties, doubts and negative thoughts...
Following the pandemic, some people experienced a ‘brain fog' where they found it hard to concentrate and think straight. If you're still feeling tired, unmotivated, distracted, or just a bit fuzzy you're not alone.
The pandemic has put us under strain for two years now. Always wondering what's around the corner and trying to keep up with the latest information and rules, have created conditions where stress can really thrive.
The continuing unpredictability around Covid might cause some people to feel anxious, on edge, or down. While none of us can control what happens, we can control how we respond, and also build our resilience.
The prospect of returning to work after furlough or remote working is likely to prompt different thoughts and feelings. We have some tips for getting into the right mindset.
As we go back out into the world again, we'll all be at different stages of readiness in our minds. Tuning into how we - and others - are thinking and feeling will help us navigate life following the vaccine.
The prospect of lockdown easing will be making many of us feel a bit uncertain and nervous about going out again and mixing with others.
ieso's Clinical Partnership Manager, Emily Marshall outlines five things to consider about lockdown lifting and coping mechanisms if you feel anxious about the new pressures that come with this.
We’ve all had plans go astray in the last year. While none of us can control everything that affects the plans we make, we can control how we respond - and we can also work on building our resilience.
If you have a phobia of needles, the thought of being called for your coronavirus ‘jab’ might be making you a bit apprehensive. In this blog we share some techniques to help you manage your anxiety.
For people with OCD, the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic may have made their symptoms worse, or caused them to return. It could also have triggered OCD symptoms in people who haven’t had them before.
