Psychological disorder | Explanation |
(Psychological) stress | State of emotional turmoil in response to a real or perceived stimulus. Most people experience stress when what they perceive they ‘must do’ exceeds their perception of their ability to do it. |
Anxiety | State of apprehension or unease driven by fear (eg, of disease, death). https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/anxiety-disorder-signs/ |
Somatic anxiety | Physical symptoms of anxiety such as headaches, muscle tension, discomfort in chest, abdomen or other body parts. Autonomic manifestations of anxiety include palpitations, sweating, tremor, dizziness, sexual dysfunction. |
Depression | Prolonged period of low mood, low energy and loss of interest/pleasure (‘anhedonia’). https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/clinical-depression/overview/ |
Functional symptoms | Persistent physical symptoms in an organ or system where there is no identifiable structural or metabolic abnormality. Example is irritable bowel syndrome. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/ |
Eating disorders | A group of mental disorders characterised by abnormal food intake, with or without preoccupations with low weight, body image and food restriction.65 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/eating-disorders/overview/ |
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | Talking therapy. Based on theory that thoughts, emotions, behaviour and physiology interact, and the strong evidence that making changes in one of these areas alters the others.66 Aims to identify and understand problematic thinking styles, and to modify these in order to improve mood and relieve anxiety. Usually delivered in five - 20 individual or group sessions with a therapist to identify problem areas and where to apply changes in daily life. In England, accessed by self-referral to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). https://babcp.com/ |
Mindfulness | Aims to reduce stress by paying attention to a patient’s experience in the moment, with a non-judgemental and curious attitude, and the flexibility to consciously direct their attention towards other aspects of their experience.67 Taught in stress reduction programmes and in various apps. It is a key component of acceptance and commitment therapy and can be combined with CBT. |
Acceptance and commitment therapy | Talking therapy that combines CBT strategies with mindfulness skills to increase psychological flexibility and ability to handle painful thoughts and feelings effectively. Aims to help create rich, meaningful lives while accepting the pain that life inevitably brings. Newer treatment, with limited evidence base.57 |
Hypnotherapy | Uses intentional induction of a deeply relaxed or trance-like state (hypnosis), to try to treat conditions or change habits. Hypnosis occurs without loss of will or consciousness. |