Do you sometimes find yourself in a quiet moment, perhaps at night when everyone else is asleep, and you start reflecting on your day, your week or your life in general? Perhaps certain thoughts come into your mind like: ‘Why does it feel like I’m acting a role instead of living my life?’ The more that thought takes hold, the more you might recognise performances that you’ve given without ever really deciding to. That might look like the easy smile that you wear like a mask, the calm exterior...

It’s possible to be in a room full of people and still feel a very specific kind of loneliness. Have you ever been to a social gathering like a party, a club or somewhere with lots of people you know, like and/or love and somehow still felt very alone? It’s a feeling that can be hard to explain or describe. How can you be lonely when you’re surrounded by people? Well, you can. This isn’t necessarily about not having anybody to turn to or support you. This is quieter. You may have friends,...

Do you ever get home from the shops or a social gathering feeling completely drained? Not just a bit tired, or even very tired, but drained. Do you feel as if every drop of energy has disappeared and your entire self – body, brain and emotions – needs to recover? This isn’t your imagination and it isn’t you being dramatic. You might have been told that this is an extreme reaction, or you might have suspected it yourself when you were feeling this way, especially if it seems like you’re the...