CAMHS - common difficulties
On this page, you will find information about some of the most common reasons why people reach out to the Children and Adolscent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
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Anxiety
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Anxiety definitionBack up
Anxiety may mean you feel fearful, panicky or nervous a lot of the time. General feelings of anxiety are normal, it is only when it starts to impact or affect your daily life that this can become a problem. Life situations may increase those feelings but should settle down once the situation has passed. If those feelings stay or grow stronger once the situation or problem has gone, this is when anxiety becomes a problem.
You may experience physical symptoms like:
- A dry mouth,
- Shaky or trembling
- A racing heart
- Tummy cramps or diarrhoea
You can also have difficulty sleeping or eating, irritable, generally feeling frightened all time. You may also find you start to avoid doing those things you used to enjoy. As many as 1 in 6 people experience anxiety, you are not alone. Here at CAMHS we have many different ways to support you to manage and understand your anxiety. We want to help you understand your anxiety and give you the tools to allow you to be the best version of you.
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Anxiety self helpBack up
It can be really hard living with anxiety, here are some options to consider that might help:
- Write down your worries and feelings, keep a diary. This may help with any identifying any triggers or what helps
- Talk to someone you trust
- School nurse
- Look after your physical health, ask yourself if you’re getting enough sleep, food and hydration, exercise
- Breathing exercises
You can find out more about helpful tools by visiting the CAMHS toolkit page.
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BullyingBack up
Bullying can happen in all types of forms, from being threatened or intimidated, left out/ignored, having your stuff taken off you, being physically hurt, called names, put down or teased. This can often happen through your phone or online. Bullying can be really difficulty to deal with and a very lonely time. It can be really upsetting for you. Please talk to someone you trust, like your teacher, parents, friends, school nurse to share how you are feeling.
The BBC website that has some helpful tips and videos, including some great tips on how to stay safe and what to do next. You can access The BBC's information about bullying by clicking here.
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DepressionBack up
Depression exists on a scale of severity, ranging from relatively low mood to severe.
The symptoms of low mood and depression can have a major impact on a child or young person’s quality of life. When symptoms have reached the severe end of the spectrum and requires professional treatment, it is typically referred to as clinical depression.
Depression can take many forms. Here are some of the main signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Sadness, feelings of emptiness
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, school, other activities
- Appetite changes, weight loss or gain
- Trouble sleeping (too much or too little)
- Feeling "slowed down" or being excessively agitated
- Tiredness, fatigue, lack of energy
- Physical symptoms and pain (such as body aches, stomach upset, headaches)
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Problems with concentration or focus
- Inability to make decisions or poor decision-making
- Thinking about death or engaging in self-harming activities.
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Gender and sexualityBack up
Here at CAMHS we have a Gender Identity and Sexuality pathway. We offer psychotherapeutic sessions to you and your family to explore any challenges in relation to gender including expression and identity.
We provide:
- non-judgemental support
- Therapeutic Interventions
- Referrals to Gender Identity Development Services (GIDS)
We also work alongside other agencies like GIDS, LGBTQ Youth Groups, Stonewall, Northampton LGBTQ Forum as well as Colleges and Schools to help raise awareness.
We are here to help you in addressing those difficulties associated with gender dysphoria and the stigma of any associated mental health presentation. Improving your body image and promoting resilience.
We can also advocate on your behalf which may include supporting others to understand and accommodate your social transitioning.
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Obsessive Compulsive DisorderBack up
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that affects how you think, feel and act. We all have set ways or habits in ways we like to do things but OCD makes you feel compelled to complete a certain action or rituals. The symptoms of OCD can get in the way of everyday life.
You may experience:
Obsessive thoughts that repeatedly enter your mind, making you feel anxious, unpleasant or uneasy.
Compulsions, repeating behaviours that have been brought on by obsessive thoughts. Such as excessive washing, or touching the same thing over and over, arranging things in a certain way or repeatedly checking you have locked a door or turned something off.
Experiencing symptoms like this can be really difficult for you to manage and it’s important to talk to someone you trust to help you get the right help. Here at CAMHS we want to help you and to support you in understanding OCD. We will help you develop a plan and how to manage these symptoms going forward.
In the meantime head over to our toolkit to find some distraction tips to help.
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PsychosisBack up
Psychosis is usually an indication of a serious mental health problems. It is a term that is used to describe a set of symptoms that affects your ability to think clearly about knowing the difference between what is real and what is not. During a Psychotic episode you can lose touch with reality. You may experience hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t really there, it can also make you feel really paranoid. Although this can be a really scary time for you and your family and friends around you, Psychosis is treatable.
Psychosis can be caused by trauma, extreme stresses, drug and alcohol miss use and/or long term mental health conditions. An episode of Psychosis can be brought on through a combination of all of these experiences.
Some of the early symptoms of Psychosis include:
- Loss of energy or any motivation
- Changes or problems with sleep
- Changes in appetite
- Unusual behaviours or thoughts
- Changes to your emotional response
- Withdrawal or loss of interest in your normal activities
- Problems with concentration or memory
Other Symptoms that can be really distressing include:
- Thinking or talking in a confused way
- Believing others can influence their thoughts or they influence the thoughts of others
- Believing you’re being watched or followed. Feeling your life is in danger
- Hallucinations – this can include hearing voices, seeing or feeling things that aren’t there or smelling /tasting things.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of Psychosis, speak to someone you trust to help you get the right support you need. This could be:
- Friends or family you trust
- School Nurse
- Councillor
- GP
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Self-harmBack up
Self-harm is when you cause pain or hurt yourself. It is often seen as a release or a way of coping when feelings become overwhelming. People self-harm for all types of reasons.
Some of these can be:
- Stress
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Feeling isolated
- To give a physical feeling to an emotional one
- Abuse
- Relationship difficulties
- Reliving tension
- Changes to your home life
- To gives you a sense of control
It’s important to talk to someone about self-harm, it can be dangerous. Everybody is different, think about how someone could help you. It could be really useful to share with people you trust. You may not even know the reason why you are self-harming, which can be really worrying for you. When someone is self-harming it is usually can be where overwhelming feelings build up and self-harming gives you a sense of release. Here are some tricks to try to help you with any urges in a less risky way:
- Go for a walk or run
- Physical exercise
- Writing down your feelings
- Ripping up those feelings you have written down
- Flicking an elastic band against your wrist
- Sticking plasters on the part of your body you like to hurt then rip it off
- Punching your pillow
- Having a cold shower
- Distractions like listening to music, reading a book or coloring
- Rubbing ice instead of cutting
- Breathing techniques
These tips are here to help you but they won’t take away the underlying factor. It is important to seek help and talk to people you trust.
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Tics and TourettesBack up
For information about Tics and Tourettes you can visit the Tourette's Action website by clicking here.
The website has helpful information for young people, parents and professionals for advice and support.
This includes videos about anxiety and Tourette’s or information about having your passport photo done.
Please see their website for up to date information on their helpdesk times and live chat.
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TraumaBack up
There are different types of trauma requiring different approaches from skilled and sensitive therapists, using a range of evidence-based treatments.
‘Simple’ post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) this is a collection of symptoms that often develop after an incident. This can be a road traffic accident, sexual assault or a natural disaster. PTSD can have a huge impact on your life and relationships with others. The symptoms can feel really strange but this is a really normal reaction to abnormal events. PTSD can be treated very effectively using either EMDR or trauma-focussed CBT.
Other forms of trauma can be described as ‘Complex PTSD’ or ‘Complex Trauma’ or ‘Developmental Trauma’. Complex PTSD often develops after you have suffered repeated, severe trauma such as sexual, emotional or physical abuse, neglect, repeated loss or abandonment or domestic abuse.
Complex PTSD has a serious and long-lasting impact on your wellbeing and devolvement as a person. Your mind and body automatically find ways to survive intimate trauma and everyone who experiencing repeated trauma will find ways to protect themselves from any further trauma. Repeated trauma of this kind can affect how your brain develops, making it really difficult to manage your relationships, emotions and behaviours.
If you are struggling with PTSD you might experience the following:
- Difficulties managing your feeling and actions – this can lead to emotional highs and lows to the extreme and self-destructive behaviours to help you cope with your daily life.
- Feeling like you deserved it and are responsible for the abuse that has taken place.
- Difficulties with your memory and making any sense of them. Leaving you feeling confused, having memory gaps or questioning your identity.
- Finding it really hard to trust other, feeling frightened. Struggling to understand and enjoy caring, stable relationships.
- Having long lasting negative self-image of shame, badness guilt, being ‘flawed’ beyond repair.
- Aches and pains without explanation – your body remembering the trauma which sometimes your mind istrying to forget.
Treatment can take time using a combination of approaches. From our experience with the right therapeutic support, you can move on from your difficult past and have a fulfilling and meaningful life. Better outcomes are achieved if you are not in an environment where you are exposed to on-going risks.
Contact us
If you are in Northamptonshire, you can contact these services:
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Live chat – talk to us on CAMHS live 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday
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Text a school nurse – for friendly, helpful advice. This service is designed for 11- to 19-year-olds: 07507 329 600 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
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Phone – the consultation line for parents, carers, young people and professionals is available 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday on 0800 170 7055
If you are in a crisis, at risk of self-harm or suicide – the CAMHS crisis team is open 24/7 and can be accessed by calling 0800 170 7055
Or:
- Text Shout to 85258 at any time day or night. You can find out more by accessing the Give a Shout website
- If your life is at imminent risk, call 999 for emergency help
Other useful contacts:
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 online and on social and mobile
Blurt it Out for information on how to cope in a crisis and complete a crisis plan
Sexual Health Service NHFT's sexual health team
Northamptonshire Rape Crisis for anyone affected by sexual violence or abuse
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