Blue Tree intern Maddy Lykourgos describes the gloomier side of summertime Summer is well underway, with temperatures continuing to soar across the country and records being broken all over Europe. Whether you’re enjoying the weather abroad along the beachside or having a staycation on a budget, one...

For something that is so natural and certain, death is not a topic we generally deal with well. No two experiences of mourning are the same and while everybody goes through it, no one can prepare you for it or tell you how to overcome it. “Overcome”, as a word in itself, can’t truly reflect…...

Blue Tree intern Maddy Lykourgos explores the phenomenon of rising mental health problems Every now and again in the realm of mental health, it becomes publicised that today’s society suffers more with their mental health than at any other point in history. A common cynical explanation is that...

How do I talk about my depression? Statistically speaking, depression is one of the most common mental health problems in UK society. So, what makes it so difficult to talk about? In the UK we’re probably most recognisable for our “stiff upper lip” approach (as well as, the royals, afternoon tea and...

How to prepare for your first appointment at The Blue Tree Clinic Here at Blue Tree, we understand that your first appointment can be daunting. It’s important to remember that, even just by getting in contact with us, you will have already made it over the first hurdle. Here’s what to expect after...

Do I have an anxiety disorder? The term anxiety disorder covers a whole range of conditions including panic, phobias,  OCD, social anxiety and even PTSD. In the UK, an estimated 1 in 4 people each year will experience common mental health problems like anxiety. Unfortunately, few people report their...

Millennials and Mental Health: Blue Tree intern Maddy Lykourgos discusses the barrier between millennials and mental health services There has been an increasing amount of attention brought to how millennials deal with everyday life stressors, and they’re often labelled the most lonely, anxious and...

Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 (14th-20th May) Blue Tree intern Maddy Lykourgos promotes Mental Health Awareness Week... This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is stress and how we cope with it. Naturally, stress impacts our state of mind, mood, emotions and how we perceive the world...

Last summer, Heidi Scrimgeour joined the tens of thousands of Britons who are on anti-depressant medication. A combination of factors – family concerns, work, being given notice on a rented house unexpectedly – tipped the 41-year-old over an unexpected edge. “I’d never thought of myself as someone...

As a consultant psychiatrist I have received a tonne of emails and messages in the past week about the news relating to the Lancet’s publication of the meta-analysis of 522 randomised control trials into the effectiveness of anti-depressants. And people want to know what I think, seeing as I...