Mood disorders are typically categorized by emotional disturbances involving long periods of excessive low mood (depression) and/or excessive periods of elation (mania). Depression is a common yet serious mental health issue whereby low mood and loss of interest in enjoyable activities are prolonged for a least 2 weeks or longer.

Bipolar disorder refers to cycles of extreme low and high mood. Variability in episodes is likely; some can last for 3-6 months to occurring every few years. The prevalence of the bipolar disorder in Australia is approximately 1.3% with symptoms detected in early adulthood.

Both depression and bipolar disorders interfere with daily life, work, study, relationships, and other functional activities.

Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, diminishes their ability to self-regulate, and causes intense feelings of helplessness. In our lifetime, we are likely to experience a potentially traumatic life event, although most do recover with time and social support. However, for some people, the experience of trauma, or repeated exposure to trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Traumatic events can include loss of control, betrayal, abuse of power, pain, and loss, exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, and sexual or physical violence. Emotional signs of PTSD are fear, anger, denial, or shame. Individuals affected also show symptoms of reliving the trauma, avoidance of reminders of the trauma, insomnia, nightmares, negative thoughts and low mood, agitation, and hypervigilance.

Addiction is a complex condition manifested by compulsive substance use and harmful behaviours leading to negative consequences such as losses to the relationship, employment, physical and mental health. Individuals can develop addictions to alcohol, recreation and stimulant drugs, prescription medication (e.g., opioids, sedatives), gambling and gaming.

They depend on these substances and compulsive behaviours in the short term to increase pleasure, relieve stress, enhance performance, or decrease emotional/physical pain. However, longer-term consequences include impaired control (increased craving), social and financial problems, risky behaviour, tolerance and comorbid mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder typified by a number of difficulties including paying attention, poor concentration for prolonged periods, hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, distraction, and restlessness. Both children and adults can have ADHD and the first symptoms start in childhood. Children and adolescents may find it difficult to pay attention and see tasks or activities through to the end or make careless mistakes with schoolwork or other tasks.

Children and adolescents with problems in the area of hyperactivity may talk excessively; have trouble staying still when it is appropriate or expected and act like they are always “on the go”. The prevalence of ADHD in children and adolescence in Australia is approximately 7.4% with males diagnosed twice as much as females. AHDH negatively impacts many areas of an individual’s life including work, study, and relationships.

We experience stress when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources to cope with those demands. The way stress is experienced depends a lot on an individual’s attitude and responses to a particular situation. An event that may be extremely stressful for one person can be a mere hiccup in another person’s life.

However, if stress is ongoing and chronic, the impact of stress can have deleterious effects on physical and mental health. Physical symptoms of chronic stress include fatigue, sleep disturbance, insomnia, heart palpitations, headaches, muscular aches and pains, high blood pressure, and heart palpitations. Psychological signs of chronic stress involve feeling overwhelmed, fear, anger, worry, irritability, anxiety, helplessness, poor concentration and decreased memory.

Without treatment, stress increases the risk of anxiety, depression, burnout, and physical health problems (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure). Other domains of life are also impacted such as performance at work, relationships, the ability to study and to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

There is great variation in an individual’s sleep quality determined by genetic, psychological, lifestyle, and environmental factors, so that what constitutes a ‘good night’s sleep’ may be different from one individual to another. However, one of the most common sleep disorders experienced is insomnia.

Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep (onset), staying asleep (maintenance), or waking too early, despite having the opportunity to sleep well. Common side effects are persistent fatigue, low energy, reduced attention/concentration/memory, difficulties in performance-based tasks, low mood, irritability, headaches, and worrying about sleep.

Whilst the causes of insomnia is still in their infancy, research studies show that triggers can include stress and worry, significant life events, changes in routine, lifestyle factors (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, medication, obesity, sedentary behaviors), other sleep disorders (such as restless legs and sleep apnoea) and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.