Life can be stressful at the best of times, but sometimes that level of stress increases to such a level we find it hard to cope with, we then become anxious and worry about things so much it begins to effect our normal day to day life. Stress can creep up silently on even the most strongest of us, catching us totally unawares.

Think of stress as a bowl in your kitchen sink, that old leaking tap has been dripping away in to it for years, on a good day some of the water may evaporate and the level go down, on a bad day it may drip a little faster... It may take a very long time, but one day the level will reach the top and suddenly overflow, and this maybe the first time we become fully aware of it!

Anxiety & Depression can have a tremendous effect on our health; mental health and well-being, triggering other illnesses that can at times even hide the true cause. It can take over our thoughts and become the only thing we are able to think about, causing not just problems for ourselves but also to those close around us.

Below are a few typical signs which may alert you to depression, they are just a guide and not a full list as everyone is affected differently. If you have some or all of these symptoms then get medical help immediately from your Doctor, he can also arrange counselling and outside help from the many agencies who specialise in this field and who will help you find new ways to cope and try to help you reduce the causes.