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Bridge Medical

Shiremoor Resource Centre, Earsdon Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE27 0HJ. Tel: 0191 253 25 78

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Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression, are the reason for one-in-five visits to a GP.

If you’ve tried self-help techniques and they aren’t working, you should go to see your GP. They may suggest other coping techniques for you to try or recommend conselling or cognitive behavioural therapy. They may also recommend a service known as social prescribing.

Primary Care Psychological Therapies (Talking Therapies) help people through talking to a therapist. There are different kinds of talking therapies which use different kinds of approaches. You can be referred to Talking Therapies via your GP or self-refer by phoning 0191 295 2775. You can also visit their website here.

Social prescribing is a way for your GP to refer you to a ‘link worker’. Link workers give people time, focusing on ‘what matters to me’ and taking a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. You can also self- refer to the local social prescribing service by phoning 0191 432 4829, emailing fcc.ntsps@nhs.net or visiting their website. To find out more, read a leaflet about social prescribing here.

Stress

Most people feel stressed sometimes and some people find stress helpful or even motivating. But if stress is affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.

Support is also available if you’re finding it hard to cope with stress.

Stress can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and also how you behave.

It’s not always easy to recognise when stress is the reason you’re feeling or acting differently.

Physical symptoms
  • headaches or dizziness
  • muscle tension or pain
  • stomach problems
  • chest pain or a faster heartbeat
  • sexual problems
Mental symptoms
  • difficulty concentrating
  • struggling to make decisions
  • feeling overwhelmed
  • constantly worrying
  • being forgetful
Changes in behaviour
  • being irritable and snappy
  • sleeping too much or too little
  • eating too much or too little
  • avoiding certain places or people
  • drinking or smoking more

If you’re not sure how you feel, try our mood self-assessment.

Things you can try to help with stress

Do

  • try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member or health professional. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
  • find out more about 10 stress busters – including getting started with exercise and setting aside time for yourself
  • use easy time-management techniques to help you take control
  • use calming breathing exercises
  • plan ahead for stressful days or events – planning long journeys or making a list of things to remember can really help
  • consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
  • listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides
  • search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS apps library

Don’t

  • do not try to do everything at once – set small targets you can easily achieve
  • do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
  • try not to tell yourself that you’re alone – most people feel stressed at some point in their life and support is available
  • try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve stress – these can all contribute to poor mental health

Anxiety, fear and panic

Most people feel anxious or scared sometimes, but if it’s affecting your life there are things you can try that may help.

Support is also available if you’re finding it hard to cope with anxiety, fear or panic.

Information:

Symptoms of anxiety

Anxiety can cause many different symptoms. It might affect how you feel physically, mentally and how you behave.

It’s not always easy to recognise when anxiety is the reason you’re feeling or acting differently.

Physical symptoms
  • faster, irregular or more noticeable heartbeat
  • feeling lightheaded and dizzy
  • headaches
  • chest pains
  • loss of appetite
Mental symptoms
  • feeling tense or nervous
  • being unable to relax
  • worrying about the past or future
  • feeling tearful
  • not being able to sleep
Changes in behaviour
  • not being able to enjoy your leisure time
  • difficulty looking after yourself
  • problems concentrating at work
  • struggling to form or maintain relationships
  • worried about trying new things

Symptoms of a panic attack

If you experience sudden, intense anxiety and fear, it might be the symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms may include:

  • feeling that you’re losing control
  • sweating, trembling or shaking
  • shortness of breath or breathing very quickly
  • feeling sick (nausea)

A panic attack usually lasts 5 to 30 minutes. They can be very frightening, but they’re not dangerous and should not harm you.

Information:If you’re not sure how you feel, try our mood self-assessment.

Things you can try to help with anxiety, fear and panic

Do

  • try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
  • use calming breathing exercises
  • exercise – activities such as running, walking, swimming and yoga can help you relax
  • find out how to get to sleep if you’re struggling to sleep
  • eat a healthy diet with regular meals to keep your energy levels stable
  • consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
  • listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides
  • search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS apps library

Don’t

  • do not try to do everything at once – set small targets that you can easily achieve
  • do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
  • do not avoid situations that make you anxious – try slowly building up time spent in worrying situations to gradually reduce anxiety
  • try not to tell yourself that you’re alone; most people experience anxiety or fear at some point in their life
  • try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve anxiety as these can all contribute to poor mental health

Low mood, sadness and depression

Most people feel low sometimes, but if it’s affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.

Support is also available if you’re finding it hard to cope with low mood, sadness or depression.

Symptoms of a low mood

Symptoms of a general low mood may include feeling:

  • sad
  • anxious or panicky
  • more tired than usual or being unable to sleep
  • angry or frustrated
  • low on confidence or self-esteem

A low mood often gets better after a few days or weeks.

It’s usually possible to improve a low mood by making small changes in your life. For example, resolving something that’s bothering you or getting more sleep.

Symptoms of depression

If you have a low mood that lasts 2 weeks or more, it could be a sign of depression.

Other symptoms of depression may include:

  • not getting any enjoyment out of life
  • feeling hopeless
  • not being able to concentrate on everyday things
  • having suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming yourself

Information:If you’re not sure how you feel, try our mood self-assessment.

Things you can try to help with a low mood

Do

  • try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor. You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to
  • try the 6 ways to feel happier, which are simple lifestyle changes to help you feel more in control and able to cope
  • find out how to raise your self-esteem
  • consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
  • try mindfulness, where you focus on the present moment
  • listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides
  • search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS apps library

Don’t

  • do not try to do everything at once; set small targets that you can easily achieve
  • do not focus on the things you cannot change – focus your time and energy into helping yourself feel better
  • try not to tell yourself that you’re alone – most people feel low sometimes and support is available
  • try not to use alcohol, cigarettes, gambling or drugs to relieve a low mood. These can all contribute to poor mental health

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Opening Times

Monday: 8.00am to 6.00pm
Tuesday: 8.00am to 6.00pm
Wednesday: 8.00am to 6.00pm
Thursday: 8.00am to 6.00pm
Friday: 8.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
For surgery closure days click here

Updates

  • Some of our normal operations have changed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for more details.
  • We are offering online services. This allows you to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view your medical record online. Click here for more details.
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