Anxiety and Depression

Suffering symptoms of depression or anxiety is unfortunately very common.

People can experience the symptoms of mild, moderate or severe depression, or anxiety, or a combination of both.

Depression is diagnosed if a person feels down, depressed or hopeless for more than 50% of the time and finds it very difficult to enjoy activities that they would normally find enjoyable.

People with anxiety often feel restless and on edge; they experience a sense of dread, irritability and have difficulty concentrating.

Anxiety causes high levels of adrenaline to be released which causes physical symptoms like dizziness, heart palpitations, muscle tension, shaking, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, insomnia, pins and needles and headaches.

Anxiety can affect people in different ways and in different areas of their lives.

Subtypes of Anxiety Conditions

Here are some links about the subtypes of anxiety conditions. (This list is not exhaustive)

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Health Anxiety

Panic Disorder

Low Mood, Sadness and Depression

Help for Recovery from Anxiety and Depressive Disorders

GP Referral to the Assessment and Treatment Service (ATS) is at Chapel Street in Chichester. Referral is needed when depression or anxiety is not responding to GP-based treatment or if the problem is more severe or complicated or where the illness is causing the person to be a risk to them selves or others.

 

Psychological Therapies - You can self-refer or your GP can refer you to NHS West Sussex Talking Therapies

 

Relaxation, Meditation and Mindfulness

Calm App

Headspace App

 

 

Depression in Adults

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.

Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Some people think depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong – it is a real illness with real symptoms. Depression is not a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people with depression can make a full recovery.

Further Support

Relationship Difficulities: Relationships Sussex

For people who have survived sexual violence: Lifecentre

For people who are bereaved: CRUSE

Mind: When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, access to the right information is vital.

Postnatal Depression

The video explains that there is help available for Mum's and families affected by postnatal depression. Please don't suffer in silence.

Please ask your midwife, health visitor or GP for help; they can refer you to the Sussex Perinatal Mental Health Service for an assessment if you would like.

Page last reviewed: 09 July 2025
Page created: 04 July 2025