Drug-Induced Psychotic Symptoms

18/08/2018

Schizophrenia is one of the most complex and least understood of all psychological disorders. But now scientists have found a switch of sorts that could chan...

22/07/2018

New Mental Health Act code of practice
Published 15 January 2015
Last updated 16 January 2015

A revised code of practice for the Mental Health Act 1983 provides guidance for professionals.

A revised code of practice for the Mental Health Act 1983 provides guidance for professionals.

22/07/2018

Helping others

The lack of insight associated with psychosis means people experiencing it aren't always able to recognise their strange behaviour.

They may be reluctant to visit their GP if they believe there's nothing wrong with them, and you may need to get help for them.

Someone who has had psychotic episodes in the past may have been assigned a mental health worker, who works in social services, so try to contact them to express your concerns.

Someone who is having a psychotic episode for the first time may need a friend, relative or someone else close to them to persuade them to visit their GP.

If they're having a psychotic episode that's rapidly getting worse, you should contact their crisis team or, if the team isn't available, the duty psychiatrist at their nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

If a person who is having a psychotic episode refuses to seek help and is believed to present a risk to themselves or others, their nearest relative can request a psychological assessment. Your local mental health trust can advise you about this.

If someone has very severe psychosis, they can be compulsorily detained at hospital for assessment and treatment under the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 2015. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/psychosis

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Referral

The evidence supporting the early treatment of psychosis means you're likely to be referred to a specialist urgently. This will either be during or after your first episode of psychosis.

Who you're referred to will depend on the services available in your area. You may be referred to:

a community mental health team – a team of different mental health professionals who provide support to people with complex mental health conditions
a crisis resolution team – a team of different mental health professionals who treat people currently experiencing a psychotic episode who would otherwise require hospitalisation
an early intervention team – a team of mental health professionals who work with people who have experienced their first episode of psychosis

These teams are likely to include some or all of the following healthcare professionals:

a psychologist – a healthcare professional who specialises in the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions
a psychiatrist – a qualified medical doctor who has received further training in treating mental health conditions
a community mental health nurse – a nurse with specialist training in mental health conditions

Your psychiatrist will carry out a full assessment to help identify and diagnose any underlying mental health condition that could be causing your symptoms. This will help when planning your treatment for psychosis. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/psychosis

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Initial assessment

There's no test to positively diagnose psychosis. However, your GP will look at your symptoms and rule out short-term causes, such as drug misuse.

Your GP may ask questions to determine the cause of your psychosis. For example, they may ask you:

whether you're taking any medication
whether you've been taking illegal substances
how your moods have been – for example, whether you've been depressed
how you've been functioning day-to-day – for example, whether you're still working
whether you have a family history of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia
about the details of your hallucinations, such as whether you've heard voices
about the details of your delusions, such as whether you feel people are controlling you
about any other symptoms you have

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another common complication of long-term antipsychotic use.

TD is a movement disorder where a person experiences involuntary movements, such as twitching, tics, grimaces, tremors, and spasms. It usually starts in the face and mouth before spreading to the rest of the body.

In some cases, stopping taking an antipsychotic will provide relief from TD symptoms, but in other cases it makes the symptoms worse.

However, stopping medication isn't always safe and has to be balanced against the risk of having a relapse.

In some cases, TD can be a permanent condition.

There are also a number of treatments that can sometimes improve the symptoms of TD, including:

clonazepam – a medication used to treat epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures or fits
vitamin E supplements – check with the doctor in charge of your care before taking vitamin supplements as they're not safe or suitable for everyone

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a term describing a number of related conditions linked to weight gain, such as:

high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
high cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
obesity

These health conditions can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, most seriously, heart attack or stroke.

Because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, you'll usually need to have regular blood tests and blood pressure tests while taking antipsychotics.

If your test results show you have an increased risk of developing a condition such as heart disease, a number of preventative treatments, such as statins, are available to help lower cholesterol levels.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Antipsychotics

Using antipsychotics on a medium- to long-term basis can cause a number of complications. Some of the more common complications are discussed below.
Weight gain

Weight gain is a complication of many commonly used antipsychotics. There are two main reasons why weight gain is thought to occur.

Antipsychotics can:

lead to an increase in appetite
make you less active

You'll probably be advised to take more exercise to help burn off the excess fat.

Read about getting started with exercise and how to lose weight safely.
Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a term describing a number of related conditions linked to weight gain, such as:

high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
high cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
obesity

These health conditions can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, most seriously, heart attack or stroke.

Because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, you'll usually need to have regular blood tests and blood pressure tests while taking antipsychotics.

If your test results show you have an increased risk of developing a condition such as heart disease, a number of preventative treatments, such as statins, are available to help lower cholesterol levels.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another common complication of long-term antipsychotic use.

TD is a movement disorder where a person experiences involuntary movements, such as twitching, tics, grimaces, tremors, and spasms. It usually starts in the face and mouth before spreading to the rest of the body.

In some cases, stopping taking an antipsychotic will provide relief from TD symptoms, but in other cases it makes the symptoms worse.

However, stopping medication isn't always safe and has to be balanced against the risk of having a relapse.

In some cases, TD can be a permanent condition.

There are also a number of treatments that can sometimes improve the symptoms of TD, including:

clonazepam – a medication used to treat epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures or fits
vitamin E supplements – check with the doctor in charge of your care before taking vitamin supplements as they're not safe or suitable for everyone

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Self-harm

Self-harming behaviour is a relatively common complication in people with psychosis. A study found 1 in 10 people with psychosis also had a history of self-harm.

The risk of self-harm is thought to be highest in people who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis but aren't receiving treatment.

See your GP if you're self-harming. You can also call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for support.

If you think a friend or relative is self-harming, look out for signs of unexplained cuts, bruises or cigarette burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, and chest. People who self-harm may keep themselves covered up at all times, even in hot weather.

A person who's self-harming may feel deep shame and guilt, or they may feel confused and worried by their own behaviour. It's important to approach them with care and understanding.

They may not want to discuss their self-harming behaviour with you, but you could suggest they speak to their GP or a counsellor on a support helpline.

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

This factsheet discusses how to recognise psychosis, and how individuals, their family and friends, can work together with health care professionals so that psychosis disrupts their life as little as possible.http://oxleas.nhs.uk/site-media/cms-downloads/Recognising_and_managing_psychosis.pdf

22/07/2018

If you are worried about someone's alcohol or drug use contact today on the free and confidential helpline. Available 9am-11pm Monday to Friday and as a call-back service on weekends.

22/07/2018

If you're concerned about someone you know, you could contact their GP. If they're receiving support from a mental health service, you could contact their mental health worker.

If you think the person's symptoms are placing them at possible risk of harm, you can:

take them to the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department, if they agree
call their GP or local out-of-hours GP
call 999 and ask for an ambulance

22/07/2018

Rejected referrals to child and adolescent mental health services: audit - APPAULING AUDIT!!

A qualitative and quantitative audit of rejected referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

22/07/2018

Audit of CAMHS rejected referrals - New taskforce and investment to shake-up provision.

Health Secretary designate Jeane Freeman has described the current system of rejecting referrals for child and adolescent mental health services as “completely unacceptable”.

22/07/2018

Here you’ll find a wide range of over 100 factsheets on topics from medication to the Mental Health Act, which have been created by experts at Rethink Mental Illness’ Advice and Information Service. All of them have achieved the Information Standard for their clarity and simplicity.

Many of our factsheets are available in large print

All of the information on our website is Information Standard accredited. Whatever you want to know about mental illness, you can trust us to get it right!

22/07/2018

Offering support to someone who's feeling suicidal

One of the best things you can do if you think someone may be feeling suicidal is to encourage them to talk about their feelings and to listen to what they say.

Talking about someone's problems is not always easy and it may be tempting to try to provide a solution. But often the most important thing you can do to help is listen to what they have to say.

If there is an immediate danger, make sure they are not left on their own.
Do not judge

It's also important not to make judgements about how a person is thinking and behaving. You may feel that certain aspects of their thinking and behaviour are making their problems worse. For example, they may be drinking too much alcohol.

However, pointing this out will not be particularly helpful to them. Reassurance, respect and support can help someone during these difficult periods.
Asking questions

Asking questions can be a useful way of letting a person remain in control while allowing them to talk about how they're feeling. Try not to influence what the person says, but give them the opportunity to talk honestly and openly.

Open ended questions such as "Where did that happen?" and "How did that feel?" will encourage them to talk. It's best to avoid statements that could possibly end the conversation, such as "I know how you feel" and "Try not to worry about it".
Getting professional help

Although talking to someone about their feelings can help them feel safe and secure, these feelings may not last. It will probably require long-term support to help someone overcome their suicidal thoughts.

This will most likely be easier with professional help. Not only can a professional help deal with the underlying issues behind someone's suicidal thoughts, they can also offer advice and support for yourself.

Find out more about getting help for suicidal thoughts.
More information

For more detailed information about helping someone with suicidal thoughts, the charity Rethink Mental Illness has a factsheet available about supporting someone with suicidal thoughts.
Help for someone with a mental illness

If someone who has previously been diagnosed with a mental illness has suicidal thoughts, contact a member of their care team or the centre or clinic where they were being treated.

If you don't have these details, contact your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and ask for the contact details of the nearest crisis resolution team (CRT).

CRTs are teams of mental healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, who work with people experiencing severe psychological and emotional distress.

Su***de is the act of intentionally ending your life. Learn about why someone may try to take their own life and where to find help and support for yourself or others.

22/07/2018

Warning signs of su***de

Sometimes there may be obvious signs that someone is at risk of attempting su***de. However, this is often not the case.
High-risk warning signs

A person may be at high risk of attempting su***de if they:

threaten to hurt or kill themselves
talk or write about death, dying or su***de
actively look for ways to kill themselves, such as stockpiling tablets

If the person has previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, contact a member of their care team or the centre or clinic where they were being treated.

If you don't have these details, contact your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and ask for the contact details of the nearest crisis resolution team (CRT). CRTs are teams of mental healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses, who work with people experiencing severe psychological and emotional distress.

While waiting for help to arrive, remove any possible means of su***de from the person's immediate environment, such as medication, knives or other sharp objects, household chemicals, such as bleach and ropes or belts.

For more information about CRTs, the charity Rethink Mental Illness has a crisis teams factsheet you can download.
Other warning signs

A person may also be at risk of attempting su***de if they:

complain of feelings of hopelessness
have episodes of sudden rage and anger
act recklessly and engage in risky activities with an apparent lack of concern about the consequences
talk about feeling trapped, such as saying they can't see any way out of their current situation
self-harm – including misusing drugs or alcohol, or using more than they usually do
noticeably gain or lose weight due to a change in their appetite
become increasingly withdrawn from friends, family and society in general
appear anxious and agitated
are unable to sleep or they sleep all the time
have sudden mood swings – a sudden lift in mood after a period of depression could indicate they have made the decision to attempt su***de
talk and act in a way that suggests their life has no sense of purpose
lose interest in most things, including their appearance
put their affairs in order, such as sorting out possessions or making a will

If you notice any of these warning signs in a friend, relative or loved one, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling.

Also share your concerns with your GP or a member of their care team, if they are being treated for a mental health condition.

Su***de is the act of intentionally ending your life. Learn about why someone may try to take their own life and where to find help and support for yourself or others.

22/07/2018

Complications

Someone experiencing a psychotic episode may self-harm. Suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of su***de are also common.
Self-harm

Self-harming behaviour is a relatively common complication in people with psychosis. A study found 1 in 10 people with psychosis also had a history of self-harm.

The risk of self-harm is thought to be highest in people who are experiencing their first episode of psychosis but aren't receiving treatment.

See your GP if you're self-harming. You can also call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for support.

If you think a friend or relative is self-harming, look out for signs of unexplained cuts, bruises or cigarette burns, usually on the wrists, arms, thighs, and chest. People who self-harm may keep themselves covered up at all times, even in hot weather.

A person who's self-harming may feel deep shame and guilt, or they may feel confused and worried by their own behaviour. It's important to approach them with care and understanding.

They may not want to discuss their self-harming behaviour with you, but you could suggest they speak to their GP or a counsellor on a support helpline.
Su***de

People with psychosis also have an increased risk of su***de. It's estimated 1 in 5 people with psychosis will attempt su***de at some point in their life, and 1 in 25 people with psychosis will kill themselves.

If you're feeling suicidal, you can:

call the Samaritans support service on 08457 90 90 90
go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you're feeling
contact the NHS 24 '111' service
speak to a friend, family member, or someone you trust
make an urgent appointment to see your GP, psychiatrist, or care team

Read more about getting help if you're feeling suicidal.

If you're worried that someone you know may be considering su***de, recommend that they contact one or more of the organisations above and encourage them, in a non-judgemental way, to talk about how they're feeling.

If the person has previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression, you can speak to a member of their care team for help and advice.

Read more about the warning signs of su***de and supporting someone who's feeling suicidal.
Antipsychotics

Using antipsychotics on a medium- to long-term basis can cause a number of complications. Some of the more common complications are discussed below.
Weight gain

Weight gain is a complication of many commonly used antipsychotics. There are two main reasons why weight gain is thought to occur.

Antipsychotics can:

lead to an increase in appetite
make you less active

You'll probably be advised to take more exercise to help burn off the excess fat.

Read about getting started with exercise and how to lose weight safely.
Metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a term describing a number of related conditions linked to weight gain, such as:

high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)
high cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
obesity

These health conditions can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and, most seriously, heart attack or stroke.

Because of the risk of metabolic syndrome, you'll usually need to have regular blood tests and blood pressure tests while taking antipsychotics.

If your test results show you have an increased risk of developing a condition such as heart disease, a number of preventative treatments, such as statins, are available to help lower cholesterol levels.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is another common complication of long-term antipsychotic use.

TD is a movement disorder where a person experiences involuntary movements, such as twitching, tics, grimaces, tremors, and spasms. It usually starts in the face and mouth before spreading to the rest of the body.

In some cases, stopping taking an antipsychotic will provide relief from TD symptoms, but in other cases it makes the symptoms worse.

However, stopping medication isn't always safe and has to be balanced against the risk of having a relapse.

In some cases, TD can be a permanent condition.

There are also a number of treatments that can sometimes improve the symptoms of TD, including:

clonazepam – a medication used to treat epilepsy, a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures or fits
vitamin E supplements – check with the doctor in charge of your care before taking vitamin supplements as they're not safe or suitable for everyone

Psychosis is a mental health problem that causes people to perceive or interpret things differently to those around them. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.

22/07/2018

Five steps to mental wellbeing

Overview
Connect for mental wellbeing
Learning for mental wellbeing
Get active for mental wellbeing
Mindfulness for mental wellbeing
Give for mental wellbeing

Mindfulness for mental wellbeing

It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much.

Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing.

Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. You can take steps to develop it in your own life.
What is mindfulness?

Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, says that mindfulness means knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment.

"It's easy to stop noticing the world around us. It's also easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to end up living 'in our heads' – caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour," he says.

"An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs.

"Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.

"It's about allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly. When we do that, it can positively change the way we see ourselves and our lives."
How mindfulness helps mental wellbeing

Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better.

When we become more aware of the present moment, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.

"Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience," says Professor Williams, "and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful.

"This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns. Gradually, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply 'mental events' that do not have to control us.

"Most of us have issues that we find hard to let go and mindfulness can help us deal with them more productively. We can ask: 'Is trying to solve this by brooding about it helpful, or am I just getting caught up in my thoughts?'

"Awareness of this kind also helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better."

Mindfulness is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a way to prevent depression in people who have had three or more bouts of depression in the past.

The Mental Health Foundation has more information on mindfulness.
How to be more mindful

Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness.
Notice the everyday

"Even as we go about our daily lives, we can notice the sensations of things, the food we eat, the air moving past the body as we walk," says Professor Williams. "All this may sound very small, but it has huge power to interrupt the 'autopilot' mode we often engage day to day, and to give us new perspectives on life."
Keep it regular

It can be helpful to pick a regular time – the morning journey to work or a walk at lunchtime – during which you decide to be aware of the sensations created by the world around you.
Try something new

Trying new things, such as sitting in a different seat in meetings or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way.
Watch your thoughts

"Some people find it very difficult to practice mindfulness. As soon as they stop what they're doing, lots of thoughts and worries crowd in," says Professor Williams.

"It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn't about making these thoughts go away, but rather about seeing them as mental events.

"Imagine standing at a bus station and seeing 'thought buses' coming and going without having to get on them and be taken away. This can be very hard at first, but with gentle persistence it is possible.

"Some people find that it is easier to cope with an over-busy mind if they are doing gentle yoga or walking."
Name thoughts and feelings

To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: "Here’s the thought that I might fail that exam". Or, "This is anxiety".
Free yourself from the past and future

You can practise mindfulness anywhere, but it can be especially helpful to take a mindful approach if you realise that, for several minutes, you have been "trapped" in reliving past problems or "pre-living" future worries.
Different mindfulness practices

As well as practising mindfulness in daily life, it can be helpful to set aside time for a more formal mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness meditation involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander

Yoga and tai-chi can also help with developing awareness of your breathing.

Visit the Mental Health Foundation’s website for an online mindfulness course or details of mindfulness teachers in your area.
Is mindfulness helpful for everyone?

"Mindfulness isn't the answer to everything, and it's important that our enthusiasm doesn't run ahead of the evidence," says Professor Williams.

"There's encouraging evidence for its use in health, education, prisons and workplaces, but it's important to realise that research is still going on in all of these fields. Once we have the results, we'll be able to see more clearly who mindfulness is most helpful for."
More tips for wellbeing

Learn about the other four steps for mental wellbeing here:

connect for mental wellbeing
get active for mental wellbing
give for mental wellbeing
learn for mental wellbeing

​Steps you can take to help you feel happier and more positive.

22/07/2018

Talking therapies explained

The term 'talking therapy' covers all the psychological therapies that involve a person talking to a therapist about their problems.

For some problems and conditions, one type of talking therapy may be better than another. Different talking therapies also suit different people.

Below is a brief explanation of some common talking treatments and how they can help. Your GP or mental health worker can help you decide which one could be best for you.
Counselling

Counselling is probably the best-known talking therapy and the one most likely to be available on the NHS at your GP surgery.

Counselling on the NHS usually consists of 6 to 12 sessions, each an hour long. You talk in confidence to a counsellor, who helps you to think about your situation.

Counselling is ideal for people who are basically healthy, but need help coping with a current crisis, such as:

anger
relationship issues
bereavement
redundancy
infertility
the onset of a serious illness

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

The aim of CBT is to help you think more positively about life and free yourself from unhelpful patterns of behaviour.

In CBT, you set goals with your therapist and may carry out tasks between sessions. A course typically involves around 6 to 15 sessions, which last about an hour each.

Like counselling, CBT deals with current situations more than events in your past or childhood.

CBT has been shown to work for a variety of mental health problems. This doesnt mean it's better than other therapies, just that the evidence base is more robust for CBT at this time.​

In particular, CBT can help with:

depression
anxiety
panic attacks
phobias
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
some eating disorders, especially bulimia

CBT is available on the NHS for people with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems that it has been proven to help.

There are also self-help books and computer courses based on CBT to help you overcome common problems like depression.
Psychotherapy

Unlike counselling and CBT, psychotherapy involves talking more about how your past influences what happens in the present and the choices you make. It tends to last longer than CBT and counselling. Sessions are an hour long and can continue for a year or more.

There are different types of psychotherapy, but they all aim to help you understand more about yourself, improve your relationships and get more out of life. Psychotherapy can be especially useful for people with long-term or recurring problems to find the cause of their difficulties.

There's some evidence that psychotherapy can help depression and some eating disorders.

NHS psychotherapists normally work in a hospital or clinic, where you'll see them as an outpatient. Private psychotherapists often work from home.
Family therapy

In family therapy, a therapist (or pair of therapists) works with the whole family. The therapist explores their views and relationships to understand the problems the family is having. It helps family members communicate better with each other.

Sessions can last from 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half, and usually take place several weeks apart.

You may be offered family therapy if the whole family is in difficulty. This may be because one member of the family has a serious problem that’s affecting the rest of the family. Family therapists deal with lots of different issues, including:

child and adolescent behavioural problems
mental health conditions, illness and disability in the family
separation, divorce and step-family life
domestic violence
drug addiction or alcohol addiction

Relationship counselling

Relationship counselling, or couples therapy, can help when a relationship is in crisis (after an affair, for example). Both partners talk in confidence to a counsellor or therapist to explore what has gone wrong in the relationship and how to change things for the better. It can help couples learn more about each other's needs and communicate better.

Ideally, both partners should attend the weekly hour-long sessions, but they can still help if just one person attends.
Group therapy

In group therapy, up to around 12 people meet, together with a therapist. It’s a useful way for people who share a common problem to get support and advice from each other. It can help you realise you’re not alone in your experiences, which is itself beneficial.

Some people prefer to be part of a group or find that it suits them better than individual therapy.
Interpersonal therapy

This is a talking treatment that helps people with depression to identify and address problems in their relationships with family, partners and friends.
Behavioural activation

Behavioural activation is a talking therapy that encourages people to develop more positive behaviour, such as planning activities and doing constructive things that they would usually avoid doing.
Mindfulness-based therapies

Mindfulness-based therapies help you focus on your thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. They can be used to help treat depression, stress, anxiety and addiction.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) incorporates techniques such as meditation, gentle yoga and mind-body exercises to help people learn how to cope with stress.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines mindfulness techniques like meditation and breathing exercises with cognitive therapy. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends MBCT to help people avoid repeated bouts of depression.

Read more about mindfulness.

Information on common types of talking therapies and how they can help certain conditions.