Mental Health Issues & Difficulties

The most important aspect of our work is developing a positive, rewarding therapeutic relationship with you and any family members.

Issues we treat at Lifespan

ADHD

Lifespan Psychology offers gold-standard NICE approved ADHD diagnostic services for children from the age of 7, adolescents, and adults. The process begins with an initial consultation followed by a detailed diagnostic assessment.

Anxiety

Lifespan Psychology offers tailored anxiety treatments for children, adolescents and adults, beginning with a free 15-minute consultation to explore your needs.

Our approach centres on evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which focuses on modifying unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, and is delivered by experienced therapists either online or in-person.

Autism

Autism or Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) is a neurodevelopmental diagnosis which encompasses a broad range of experiences.

Bipolar Disorder

If you have a diagnosis of Bipolar disorder, you’ll be familiar with significant shifts in your mood, energy, activity levels and ability to function. You’ll cycle between these states, with periods of stability in your mood, in between cycles, lasting from weeks to months.

Child Development

Lifespan Psychology offers specialist support for children’s development, providing tailored assessment and therapy for the many ways young people grow and change.

Chronic Illness

Lifespan Psychology offers psychosocial treatment for individuals living with chronic illness, focusing on helping clients adjust to long‑term health conditions, build self‑management skills, and improve quality of life.

Chronic Pain

Recovering from surgery, physical trauma and injury or a painful health condition, can be very debilitating. Management of symptoms and pain relief are essential for your quality of life.

Depression

Our moods have natural rhythms and run in parallel to the levels of stress versus levels of happiness in our lives. At times we can feel extremely low in mood or literally elated, as though we’re walking on air. This is nicely illustrated on the subject of your Window of Tolerance, which you can find out more about here.

Eating Disorders

If you’re living with a diagnosis of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating disorder, you are someone who struggles with their relationship with food. It’s likely you use food to cope with difficult emotions, situations or mental health challenges.

Low Self-Esteem

Lifespan Psychology provides specialist therapy for low self‑esteem and confidence issues in both adolescents and adults. Their tailored approach helps clients identify and challenge persistent negative self‑beliefs, develop self‑compassion, strengthen assertiveness and decision‑making skills, and rebuild healthier self‑images. Therapists work one‑to‑one (online or in‑person) in a safe, supportive environment, using evidence‑based techniques to help you progress from self‑criticism to self‑acceptance.

Menopause

Menopause comes from the Greek words “men,” meaning month, and “pausos,” meaning stop or cessation.

Neurological Conditions

Living with a brain or spinal injury, an illness or accident that affects your brain and central nervous system, is often life-changing and can feel catastrophic. At Lifespan Psychology we have expertise in supporting you to recover and adjust to life after a neurological diagnosis such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

At Lifespan Psychology, we understand how overwhelming and exhausting living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can feel. Whether you’re struggling with unwanted thoughts, repetitive behaviours, or constant feelings of doubt and anxiety, you are not alone — and with the right support, things can get better.

Panic Attacks

Everyone has experienced panic before, the sudden feeling of stress or fear, caused by the fight, flight or freeze response. This feeling generally fades quickly, however for some they experience panic as an intense, prolonged and frightening physical experience. This is a panic attack.

Parenting

Everyone told us parenting was the most difficult job in the world and we didn’t believe them. We are cleaner, cook, nurse, taxi, nanny, nurturer, finance manager, creche facilitator, events organiser, confidant, peace-keeper, launderette and more!

Perinatal Depression

Perinatal depression is a mental health condition which is triggered in the months leading up to and after the birth of your baby. You’re told it is going to be one of the happiest moments in your life, yet you’re in pain and have a huge dip in hormones after giving birth called “the baby blues”. You miss your work colleagues, can’t sleep because baby had colic and struggles to settle, and you don’t know how to soothe them.

Psychosis

If you or a loved one is going through the earth-shattering and disorienting symptoms of psychosis, we’re here for you. We work alongside your multi-disciplinary team – usually in the NHS or a psychiatrist and offer you and your family psychological support.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD can occur when a life-threatening traumatic event, or several traumatic events happen. Your own life can be directly in danger, or you could have witnessed a near-death, or fatal experience.

Relationships

Relationships are a crucial part of being human. From birth they are the very essence of our survival and sustaining ourselves. No man (or woman!) is an island. Even the most introverted person needs others – even at a distance.

Sexuality

Mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of their background. However, some issues can be intensified within certain communities. For those who are LGBTQIA+, difficult experiences like stigma and discrimination can often lead to poor mental health; such as feelings of shame, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression or PTSD. You may also struggle to feel accepted and feel isolated as a result.

Sexual Assault

If you are a survivor of adult or childhood sexual assault, we can work alongside other professionals in the NHS and public services to safeguard you and keep you and others safe. It’s important to remember this incident or incidents are not your fault.

School Refusal

The sight of a child struggling to attend school can be distressing for any parent. At Lifespan Psychology, we recognize that school refusal (or school avoidance) is rarely a choice. It is usually a powerful signal of deeper distress, overwhelming anxiety, or underlying emotional challenges that the child cannot articulate or manage alone.

Shyness & Social Anxiety

Lifespan Psychology offers focused therapeutic support for shyness and social anxiety, helping both adolescents and adults build confidence and engage more comfortably in social situations.

Sleep Disorders

On average we spend at least a quarter of our life asleep. Given this, it’s clear just how important a good night’s rest is. At Lifespan Psychology, we regularly meet clients who are juggling busy, demanding lives yet quietly struggling with ongoing sleep difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are mental health issues?

Mental health issues refer to a wide range of emotional, psychological, and behavioural experiences that can affect how we think, feel, and relate to others. They may include conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related difficulties, and mood disorders, but can also present as ongoing stress, low motivation, or challenges in daily functioning.

At Lifespan Psychology, we recognise that mental health exists on a spectrum. Experiences can vary across cultures, life stages, and personal circumstances. Our approach is to understand each individual within their unique context, using evidence-based psychological therapies to support improved wellbeing and resilience over time.

Do I have mental health issues?

It is common to question your mental health, particularly during periods of stress, change, or uncertainty. You may be experiencing a mental health difficulty if your thoughts, feelings, or behaviours are persistently affecting your daily life, relationships, work, or sense of wellbeing.

However, having challenges does not necessarily mean you have a diagnosed condition. At Lifespan Psychology, we work collaboratively with you to explore your experiences in a supportive and culturally sensitive way. A professional assessment can help clarify what you are going through and identify practical, evidence-based ways to move forward.

How many people have mental health issues?

Mental health difficulties are more common than many people realise. Research consistently shows that a significant proportion of the population will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. In the UK, it is estimated that around 1 in 4 people experience mental health challenges each year.

These figures highlight that mental health concerns are a shared human experience, not something that affects only a small number of people. At Lifespan Psychology, we aim to reduce stigma by promoting understanding and providing accessible, culturally informed psychological support for individuals from all backgrounds.

What leads to mental health issues?

Mental health issues can arise from a combination of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. These may include life stressors, trauma, physical health conditions, family history, social inequalities, or significant life transitions such as loss, migration, or relationship changes.

We recognise that experiences are shaped by culture, identity, and lived experience. At Lifespan Psychology, we take an integrative and culturally adapted approach, working with you to understand the underlying factors influencing your mental health and to develop effective strategies for long-term wellbeing.

Is stress considered a mental health issue?

Stress is a natural response to challenging or demanding situations and is not, in itself, a mental health disorder. However, when stress becomes prolonged, overwhelming, or difficult to manage, it can significantly impact mental and physical health and may contribute to conditions such as anxiety, panic attacks or depression.

At Lifespan Psychology, we view stress as an important signal rather than a weakness. Through evidence-based therapeutic approaches, we support you in understanding your stress responses and developing practical tools to manage them effectively, improving both immediate wellbeing and longer-term resilience.