Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

Everyone experiences anxiety at times like when you're taking an exam or performing in the presence of an audience. If these feelings persist over several months, or are affecting your daily life, then you could be suffering from an anxiety disorder.

Fortunately, depression and anxiety are common disorders that can be treated using psychotherapy, medication or both.

Here are a few of ways to lower your risk:

The feelings of sadness, emptyness and hopelessness that are a sign of depression may appear like the constant worry that's commonly associated with anxiety. It isn't always easy to determine which condition is causing the symptoms. Depression is usually accompanied by extreme feelings of sadness or helplessness, irritability, changes in energy levels and sleep patterns, and unexplained pains and aches. It can also cause a loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities. In some instances the symptoms could cause thoughts of self-harming or suicide attempts. If anyone is contemplating hurting themselves, call 911 or the local emergency number in your area or text TALK to 741741 and contact a trained crisis counselor immediately.

Consult your doctor if you feel depressed over your symptoms and the way they affect your life. They might refer you to therapy that could help. If your symptoms are severe, your doctor might also recommend urine, blood, and other tests to determine if there is a medical condition that could trigger depression-like symptoms. This could include thyroid disorders or vitamin deficiencies.

Depression isn't something you can avoid completely There are ways to lower the risk. You can lower your depression risk by eating well and sleeping enough, staying physically active and doing something creative, or just relaxing often. Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking cigarettes is also important.

The symptoms of depression can be triggered by many things, including emotional or tragic losses like the loss warning signs of depression loved ones or divorce, as well as job loss. It could be a reaction to medical conditions, such as cancer or heart disease or to medications or supplements.

A person can improve with psychological counseling (therapy) or medication like antidepressants, or the combination of both. If the person is suffering from depression, they may also learn coping skills to manage their symptoms. To boost their sense accomplishment, they could attempt to be social, try relaxation techniques, or perform small tasks (such taking the dish washer off). They could also remind themselves that these emotions are temporary and not their fault, and they are working to improve their mood.

Anxiety

Anxiety can be as debilitating as depression, and many people suffer from both. Anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million adults in the U.S., and are the most common mental illness. Anxiety disorders can cause people to be concerned more than usual about everyday life events and activities. The fears and worries of someone suffering from anxiety disorder can be unrelated to the circumstances and may last for months.

There are many types of anxiety disorders, such as specific phobias, which involve fear of one thing like animals or insects or panic disorder, which is defined by frequent episodes signs of Depression Returning fear and anxiety that can last for a few minutes (panic attacks) and obsessive-compulsive disorder that is characterized by unintentional thoughts or impulses that cause the sufferer to repeat a certain action over and over again as a way of coping with them. Post traumatic stress disorder, which is the range of emotional reactions that occur following an event that is traumatizing, which can include disturbing memories, flashbacks, nightmares and difficulty sleeping.

While the exact reasons behind anxiety disorders are unidentified however, there is evidence that certain experiences in life could cause them in people who are predisposed. Lifestyle, genetics and the environment can also play a part. Sometimes feeling sad or depressed is part of everyone's life, but if it becomes persistent and affects your daily life you should seek assistance from a health care professional.

Anxiety symptoms may include a fast heartbeat, feelings of fear or skepticism difficulty concentration and focusing, muscle tension and headaches. Those with anxiety often suffer from insomnia and become irritable and angry easily. Children can become isolated or unable to connect with other children.

The major depressive symptoms of depression and anxiety can be improved with exercise and healthy eating habits, regular relaxation and sleep techniques, and medication. Therapy, such as psychotherapy and cognitive signs of depression behavior therapy, is a key element in treating depression and anxiety. People suffering from anxiety typically benefit from treatments that address their specific anxieties, like Systematic Desensitization and Exposure Therapy. This involves slowly exposing yourself you are afraid of in a safe environment.

Treatment

There are many ways to treat anxiety and depression, including psychotherapy (talk therapy) and medication. Talk therapy can help you control your emotions, and find the root cause of your emotions. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy, and exposure therapy are all examples of these. Other psychotherapies, including exposure therapy and interpersonal therapy can also be helpful. You can experience immediate relief from anxiety using medications. They can also help you understand how to better cope. Antidepressants can be prescribed to treat anxiety and depression. Other medications can also be efficient. Your doctor will consider your medical history, symptoms and any other treatments that you are taking to determine which medication is the best for you. Inform your doctor about any medications you're taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements, as these can affect your treatment.

For people with both anxiety and depression, it's important to identify which areas of their lives are causing stress and then work to reduce the effect that stress can have on your mood. Changes in eating and sleeping patterns, regular exercise spending time with family and friends avoidance of alcohol and other drugs, taking enough rest and altering your reaction to stressful situations can all help reduce depression and anxiety.

Depression can cause you to feel hopeless and depressed, making it hard to focus on the things that bring you joy or to believe that life is a mission. This is particularly true for young people. They may feel tired, irritable or angry but not recognize that they are depressed. Depression can also manifest as a feeling of fatigue, inability to think clearly, or concentrate, and suicidal thoughts.

Anxiety disorders are defined by fears and worries that go beyond the normal worries about everyday things like relationships, work or health. In addition to physical and emotional symptoms, anxiety disorders may cause other issues, such as tension in muscles, headaches, indigestion, sweating, nausea and difficulty breathing.

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about your thoughts and emotions. They may also recommend tests on your lab to check for underlying health problems that could be causing your symptoms, like low blood sugar or hypothyroidism.

Support

The symptoms of depression and anxiety often overlap and it is difficult to distinguish them. Both conditions are manifested by irritability, difficulties with concentration or recall, unrelated pains and aches, and changes in energy and sleep patterns. The negative, all-or-nothing thinking patterns that characterize depression also can cause or exacerbate anxiety. People who are depressed can also be anxious about the future and think that whatever happens will be bad. This is a typical combination of conditions known as comorbidity. It means that more than one illness or condition can coexist at the same time in the same person.

Both anxiety and depression are treatable. Both anxiety and depression can be treated using psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle modifications. Psychological therapies that concentrate on changing unhelpful thinking patterns and coping techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychodynamic talk therapy, may be utilized in conjunction with antidepressant medication. To combat depression and anxiety lifestyle changes are essential, such as getting enough rest, improving eating habits and cutting down on alcohol and drug consumption.

Be helpful if you know someone who appears to be suffering from depression or anxiety. Encourage them to get help and remind them that there are people who are concerned about them. Providing direct support, such as helping with chores, accompanying them to doctor appointments or going to social activities, can be helpful. Encourage them to try things that could help them feel better. Also, try to help them discover a their purpose by interacting with other people or by volunteering.

Being aware of anxiety and depression can help you recognize the symptoms. Being aware that these illnesses stem from biological vulnerability and that they're treatable can promote self-compassion and prevent feelings of shame and guilt. Visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for additional resources or ask your doctor to recommend you to a mental health specialist who is specialized in depression and anxiety disorders. You can also meet support groups in person or online. Remember that depression and anxiety aren't indicators of weakness They're a sign you need help!