Anna, Andrew and Anish – “the three musketeers” of anxiety on Radio Harrow’s Thursday Harrow Team – bravely talk about anxiety on air.
Anish defines anxiety as a feeling of unease and a fear of worry, which can be mild or severe and which can start at any time and which can be temporary or permanent.
Andrew and Anish share the factors which have triggered their anxiety, such as uncertainty about the future, and remind us of some of the typical symptoms – a feeling of dizziness, unease and/or light-headedness, experiencing a shortness of breath or chest pains, and/or losing circulation in less essential areas such as the legs.
Panic attacks are one physical manifestation of anxiety and are a symptom with which Andrew and Anish are both familiar. They indicated that at first, panic attack sufferers might not be able to understand the symptoms and may feel as though they are suffocating or dying.
Both Andrew and Anish have seen therapist. Therapy is available both on the National Health Service (NHS) and privately. Therapy can either take the form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Counselling. CBT assists individuals in dealing with overwhelming problems in a positive way, by breaking them down into smaller parts and identifying ways to improve state of mind. However, Counselling enables patients to express their feelings and emotions. They will then assist in the process of finding solutions to the patients own problems. Prescription medications such as antidepressants are also available from Psychiatrists or General Practioniers (GPs) which can relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
However, both men identified other methods which they’ve used to control their anxiety. Andrew and Anish offered some helpful advice to sufferers to try for themselves. These include meditation, to assist in externalising fears about the future and internalising recognition of the here-and-now; listening to music; having a massage; distracting themselves with other things; and taking note of methods referenced within self-help guides.
Radio Harrow advise you talk to trusted ones and/or medical professionals should you begin to experience the symptoms of any mental health issue. Further information on typical symptoms of anxiety and depression are available on the NHS website.
Radio Harrow’s Louis is interrogated by Anna as he learns how to ride a bicycle having just turned 25. He talks about overcoming his unease about falling off. There’s always the occasional ‘ding’ of the bike to remind us that it’s all real.
Friday’s Harrow Today team interviewed Harrow resident Neeta Patel to discuss Kawasaki disease, a little heard-of strand of cancer which is more common than some types of meningitis. Pat Gill talks to Neeta about her son’s experiences and her efforts to raise awareness about the disease, in the hope of finding out the causes and solutions of the disease in the future.
In Mental Health Awareness week, Radio Harrow’s Anna Travers courageously shared her experiences on her depression. Describing depression as making her feeling overly-sensitive, vulnerable, isolated and secluded, she reminds us that, ultimately, depression is a mindset, and taking action to overcome negative feelings can help anyone to overcome the “sick, sinking feelings” which tend to dictate the actions of sufferers.
It’s always Time to Talk and Talk. The Harrow Today team reflect on depression being a cause of suicide, particularly in males aged 40 to 44, who are 3 to 5 times to take their own lives than women in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland respectively. Jonny Zucker, a Hemel Hempstead based children’s author, who has been described as cheerful and charismatic, lived with depression and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for two decades, and was one of many men who took their own lives as a result. His book ‘Striker Boy’ has since been re-released in a bid to raise money to charity for mental health charity Mind in a campaign which is given his wife Rachel hope, hoping that his words have inspired others.
Radio Harrow advise you talk to trusted ones and/or medical professionals should you begin to experience the symptoms of any mental health issue. Further information on typical symptoms of anxiety and depression are available on the NHS website.
The full list of nominations for the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) has now been published and we’ve been nominated for five categories (out of eight). The HBA is the national charity supporting and promoting hospital broadcasting within the UK. With members comprising hundreds of registered stations and thus thousands of volunteers, no doubt we will face some stiff competition at the 2018 awards ceremony, being held on 24th March 2018 in Windsor!
The categories for which Radio Harrow have been nominated are listed below. Click on the names to be directed to our Soundcloud page, where you can hear the submitted sound segments!
Best Speech Package – What is Hanukkah? By Brian Rose
Special Event – Local Radio Day
Best Newcomer – Anna Trevers
Best Programme with Multiple Presenters – Wednesday Night Patients’ Hour
Male Presenter of the Year – Tony McNab
Radio Harrow broadcast live from the Bubble Rush, at Kenton Recreation Ground, Harrow, a 5k fundraising event for St Luke’s Hospice, complete with strategically stationed bubble-blasters. Judging from the photos, it looks like fun!
St Luke’s Hospice is a charity focused on improving the quality of life for those with advanced progressive illnesses no longer responsive to cure for individuals who reside in the London Boroughs of Harrow or Brent. It provides support to patients and extends support to those people important to them whilst maintaining their dignity and respect. The services provided by the charity have been rated as safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, and relies on support from the local community to ensure it stays that way.
Gary Walker, the veteran presenter who fronts the Radio Harrow Breakfast show on weekdays between 7am and 9am, was joined by Anita and Nandita from Baby Sensory. Baby Sensory offer sessions to parents designed to help them become more confident at talking, singing, dancing and playing with their babies. It also enables babies to interact with other babies and to develop their muscles.
His interview can be found here: https://www.mixcloud.com/RadioHarrow/
Radio Harrow is proud to have worked with Harrow Council between 24th and 27th July 2017 in coordinating a summer scheme for young people in the borough. We provided training on radio production, which culminated in the production of a fantastic live show. Make sure you listen again!
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