Anxiety and Stress Disorders

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterised by persistent, excessive worry about various life aspects such as health, work, and personal relationships. Unlike normal occasional anxiety, individuals with GAD experience chronic worry even in the absence of a clear reason to be concerned. These worries can feel uncontrollable, making it difficult for individuals to focus on daily activities. People with GAD often anticipate disaster, and physical symptoms like restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and difficulty sleeping are common. GAD can interfere with one’s ability to function normally at work, school, and in social situations. Treatments typically involve psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder is marked by recurring and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear. These attacks often trigger physical symptoms, such as chest pain, a racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a feeling of impending doom. Panic attacks can be so severe that individuals may feel as though they are having a heart attack or losing control. The fear of having future attacks often leads to avoidance behaviours, where individuals may avoid situations they associate with previous panic attacks. Over time, untreated panic disorder can severely impact quality of life. Cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure therapy, and medications such as antidepressants or benzodiazepines are common treatments.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) involves an overwhelming fear of being judged, criticised, or embarrassed in social or performance situations. This fear often leads to avoidance of social interactions, such as speaking in public, attending gatherings, or meeting new people. When faced with such situations, individuals with social anxiety experience symptoms like trembling, sweating, blushing, and a racing heart. Even routine activities, such as eating or drinking in front of others, can cause significant distress. If left untreated, SAD can interfere with education, career, and personal relationships. Treatments often include CBT, social skills training, and medications such as SSRIs or beta-blockers to manage anxiety symptoms.

Specific Phobias

Specific Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities. Common phobias include fear of heights (acrophobia), flying (aviophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), or enclosed spaces (claustrophobia). These fears lead to avoidance behaviours, where individuals go to great lengths to avoid the feared object or situation. For example, someone with a fear of flying may avoid air travel entirely, which can restrict personal and professional opportunities. Specific phobias can develop during childhood or adulthood and often persist if untreated. Exposure therapy, where individuals are gradually exposed to the feared object or situation, is highly effective in reducing phobic reactions.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where individuals experience unwanted, persistent thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety. To alleviate this anxiety, individuals engage in repetitive behaviours (compulsions), such as handwashing, checking, counting, or cleaning. For example, a person might repeatedly check whether they locked a door or washed their hands to prevent contamination. Although individuals with OCD recognise that their compulsions are irrational or excessive, they often feel powerless to stop them. This disorder can interfere with daily functioning and relationships. Treatments typically include CBT, specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), and medications such as SSRIs to help manage symptoms.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a serious accident, natural disaster, assault, or military combat. People with PTSD often relive the traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. Other symptoms include hyperarousal (being easily startled), emotional numbness, and avoiding situations or reminders of the trauma. PTSD can severely impact mental health and well-being, leading to issues like depression, substance abuse, or difficulty maintaining relationships. Treatments for PTSD often involve trauma-focused psychotherapy, such as CBT or eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), as well as medications like antidepressants to help manage symptoms.

• 30 En-Suite Bedrooms: Ensuring privacy and comfort for every patient.

• Three Specialist Wards:

• King Ward: A 15-bed acute ward for males.

• Castle Ward: A 10-bed acute ward for females.

• Swithland Ward: A 5-bed flexible ward for individuals requiring specialised care.

• Communal Areas: Designed to encourage social interaction and reduce isolation.

• Therapy Rooms: For individual and group therapy sessions.

• Outdoor Spaces: Providing opportunities for relaxation and exercise.

Our hospital environment has been carefully designed to balance safety with comfort, creating a space where patients feel secure and supported.