Category: Your health

Obsessive compulsive behaviour/disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity. Behaviours such as repetitive washing, cleaning, checking or mental rituals to deal with having the same uncontrollable recurring thought, can take up a lot of time and seriously affect work and quality of life.

It’s estimated around 12 in every 1,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition. This equates to almost 750,000 people (NHS UK). Within our survey, 1040 respondents had experienced obsessive or compulsive thoughts or behaviours and of these, 158 had been diagnosed with OCD.

It is important to get help because it is unlikely your symptoms will improve if left untreated, and they may get worse. According to NHS UK, the outlook for OCD sufferers is good if they have treatment. “Many people will eventually be cured of their OCD, or their symptoms will at least be reduced enough that they can enjoy a good quality of life”.

“Being treated and overcoming OCD has boosted my confidence and increased my empathy. I champion good mental health in the workplace.”

Sources of support

OCD UK

Types of OCD

OCD UK

Treatments for OCD

OCD Action

I Need Some Support

Exercise

Taking exercise can help with depression and relieve stress.

Physical activity or exercise is important for everyone but creative people need to maintain good levels of fitness. Apart from anything else, this helps develop and sustain the stamina needed to deliver at the levels we want to achieve. Exercise can improve health and reduce the risk of developing certain conditions or diseases, including depression and anxiety. In addition, putting in sufficient warm-up time is vital to help prevent injury and also helps put you in a good mental space for the performance ahead.

A number of studies have found that exercise helps combat depression. There are many views as to how it does this: exercise may block negative thoughts or distract people from daily worries, exercising with others provides an opportunity for increased social contact, increased fitness may lift your mood and improve sleep patterns. It may also change positively the levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, endorphins and stress hormones.

However, research shows that it is possible to develop an addiction to exercise so we have included information if you feel that is happening to you.

“A positive health and fitness regime helped me with getting better.”

Sources of support

NHS

Health and Fitness

Mental Health Foundation

Exercise and Mental Health

One Dance UK

Fitness and Strength

BAPAM

Don't Cramp Your Style: warm ups

Local Authorities

Find Your Local Authority and Links to Sports Facilities

BBC

Training Too Hard?

Healthline

Exercise Addiction

Eating

If you are feeling concerned about your relationship with food.

Food is fuel and we all need a balanced mix of nutrients in order to function properly – carbohydrates, fibre, protein, vitamins, fat and minerals, along with fluids.

But although we all need to eat, our survey showed that food can present challenges to members of our community, of all genders, who struggle with image pressures such as trying to stay younger-looking or striving for a certain type of body shape, along with public expectations, role and production pressures, hectic schedules which result in irregular eating, and other non-industry related issues.

Here are some sources of information and support.

“I developed anorexia aged 12, because I believed that in order to get in to Ballet School, I needed to be very thin. The obsession spiralled out of control, and is still an issue six years later”

“Eating disorder history - recovered but remain very body aware - have to really convince myself I don't look fat in some costumes - really want to cry but can prevent myself”

Sources of support

BAPAM

Sensible Eating for Performers

Equity

A Model's Guide to Healthy Eating

BEAT

About Eating Disorders

MIND

Eating Problems, Support Services and Peer Groups

BEAT

Do Men Get Eating Disorders?

Healthier Dancer

Guidelines for Professional Dance Companies on Healthy Nutrition (Dance/USA)

Dyslexia

Dyslexia is a common, life-long learning difficulty which can cause problems with some abilities such as reading, writing, short-term memory, organising and sequencing.

It is thought that up to one in every ten people in the UK has some degree of dyslexia. However, some drama schools say that up to 30% of their students are dyslexic.

For performers, dyslexia presents extra challenges such as reading scripts, text and music, sight reading, learning lines, filming scenes out of sequence and more. However, it is also true that some dyslexics have highly developed creative and oral skills, intuitive understanding and visual strengths. There are many successful actors and arts practitioners who have publicly talked about their dyslexia and see it is an important part of their creativity.

Dyslexia is recognised within the Equality Act 2010. This means that employers and educational institutions should ensure that dyslexic people are not treated unfavourably and are offered reasonable adjustments or support.

“The advantage is that my brain sees and puts information in my head differently, more interestingly than if I saw like everyone else”
Whoopi Goldberg

Sources of support

British Dyslexia Association

Offering dyslexia information, advice and services

Dyslexia Action

Assistive Technologies

Routledge Publishers, Deborah Levoroy

A Date with the Script: Exploring the learning strategies of actors who are dyslexic

Drugs

If you are worried about your usage – make sure you get the facts

The side-effects of drugs can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable and drug abuse can damage careers. 10% of respondents to our survey question about drug usage said they had experienced problems.

Drug problems are not just connected to recreational substances but also involve over-the-counter items such as painkillers and prescribed medications including sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs etc.

If you are worried about your usage or are thinking about trying a recreational drug – make sure you get the facts. If you are using drugs habitually and want to stop, you can get medical advice to support you through any withdrawal process.

“My drug habit about four years ago led to paranoia, sleeplessness, anxiety and low self-esteem.”

“I worry that many of my colleagues use drugs to get through the day. I mean the various mood drugs.”

Sources of support

Talk to Frank

Information and Confidential Advice

Equity

A Model’s Guide to Drugs, Alcohol & Cigarette Smoking

Narcotics Anonymous

Am I an Addict?

Help Guide

Overcoming Drug Addiction

Drug Addicts Anonymous

A Fellowship of People Who Have Recovered from Drug Addiction

Depression

In the ArtsMinds survey, 37% of respondents said they had suffered from depression in the past six months and 28% had been diagnosed. Clinical Depression is an illness that may be mild, moderate or severe but it is more than simply feeling in low spirits. It can last a long time and affect work, relationships, memory and daily life.

Often in our industry where people are expected to be consistently bright, engaging and “on”, depression sufferers develop a mask which makes it hard for them to ask for help and also hard for other people to realise there may be a problem.

If you are experiencing black, bleak moods and depression, we encourage you to talk about your situation and get professional help so that you are not dealing with it on your own.

“ Depression and general feelings of hopelessness prevent you from doing more to forward your career.”

“major episodes of depression over the last 25 years, ranging from a few months to about 4 years of functioning poorly… I have generally sought help, ranging from talking therapy to medication”