20 Myths About Depression And Anxiety Disorder: Dispelled
Understanding the Difference Between Anxiety and Depression
It is not uncommon to experience anxiety in conjunction with depression. It's crucial to get an accurate diagnosis from a therapist who will assist you in feeling more at ease.
Typically, treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), medications, and healthy lifestyle practices. Commonly, treatments include SSRIs such as escitalopram, SNRIs like duloxetine and TCAs such as venlafaxine.
Symptoms
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health issues in the world. Around 350 million people suffer from depression at any given moment. It's also the leading cause of anxiety disorders. The symptoms of both are often similar, which makes it difficult for people to differentiate between them. There are a few important differences between them that can aid.
Depression is marked by a deep sadness and a lack of interest in the world. The signs of depression are a persistently depressed mood or feelings of guilt or a sense of inadequacy, difficulties concentrating and extreme self-criticism or self-loathing. You may also feel more irritable, angry or achy than normal. If you notice these signs it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.
Depression and anxiety that lasts can result in serious consequences. They can affect your ability to sleep, eat and work. Your quality of life can be affected as well. In some instances they may cause suicidal thoughts or behaviours. The good news is, both of them can be treated by psychotherapy and medication.
The first step is to speak with your doctor about the symptoms. Typically, they'll ask you questions about how long you've experiencing them and how they affect your daily life. They might also suggest blood tests, urine tests, and other labs to rule out medical issues that could contribute to depression or anxiety.
In most cases, anxiety and depression are caused by a combination factors. Stressful events and genetics like financial instability, illness, childbirth and relationship conflicts can all play a part.
Sleeping enough eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular exercise can reduce your risk for anxiety and depression. Antidepressant medications and relaxation techniques can help. Your therapist will teach you healthy ways to deal with difficult emotions and stress reduction skills. It is important to remember that finding the best solution may take some time. Additionally, some individuals require a number of treatments before they find one that can help ease their symptoms.
Diagnosis
It's important to get treatment when you are suffering from depression or anxiety. If left untreated, these disorders can have serious consequences, such as depression, heart problems, and suicide. Both depression and anxiety can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you to change patterns of thinking and beliefs as well as behaviours that cause symptoms. These medications can include antidepressants benzodiazepines, or anti-anxiety medication. You may also try relaxation techniques and self-help groups.
Depression and anxiety share a variety of key symptoms, such as low mood and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. Depression can also affect energy levels, appetite and sleep. Some people with depression also experience physical symptoms such as a tightening in the chest and a feeling of weight in the legs and arms, or headaches. Depression can also affect school, work and relationships.
Anxiety disorders can cause constant and overwhelming feelings of fear, anxiety or apprehension that do not relate to specific events or objects. The most frequent type of anxiety disorder is known as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It causes you to worry all the time about a variety of issues on a daily basis for months. Unlike normal worries you aren't able to manage your GAD.
Panic disorder is a kind of anxiety disorder. It can cause flashy or abrupt attacks that are characterized by fear and apprehension. You may feel your heart beating or shaking, sweating and feeling weak or having trouble breathing. People suffering from panic disorder may also experience a sense of impending doom or a sense that they are going to die.
It's unclear what causes anxiety and depression. There is evidence that suggests genes play a part. A family member with a mental health condition can increase your risk for having it yourself. Anxiety and depression can be caused by a stressful life event or conflicts with others.
Anxiety and depression are often both present. Nearly half of those suffering from depression suffer from severe anxiety. It is essential to treat depression and anxiety at the same time if you have them. Combining treatments may help you get better faster.
Treatment
People who experience the symptoms of depression and anxiety need to see a physician. A doctor can diagnose the condition and offer treatment options. Some people can find relief from symptoms by taking medication and psychotherapy. Others may require additional treatments, such as lifestyle changes or support groups.
Depression is an illness of the mood that triggers feelings of sadness and hopelessness. It can affect someone's behavior and thinking as well as physical health. People with depression may experience difficulty concentrating or experiencing joy. They may also have difficulty sleeping, lack of energy as well as weight loss and suicidal feelings. Depression is the third leading cause of death around the world, and it can lead to suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and problems with relationships.
Anxiety is a feeling hard to control. It is normal to experience a little anxiety when you're under stress, but it's crucial to seek medical help if the anxiety is severe or persistent, whether it is recurring, or constant. The symptoms of anxiety are similar to depression, and can include fear of being a victim of a heart race, sweating, trembling, the feeling of being frightened or overwhelmed and feelings of being out of control.
People who suffer from comorbid depression and anxiety can benefit from psychotherapy, which is used in combination with antidepressant medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic talk therapies are good choices. CBT helps people understand their fears and alter their mindset while psychodynamic therapy allows them to openly discuss their past experiences. Treatment options for both depression and anxiety include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines. SSRIs boost the levels of serotonin, which improves mood and decreases anxiety and benzodiazepines inhibit the activity of the nerves that cause anxiety.
Other medicines that are sometimes used to treat depression and anxiety include beta-blockers that block the actions of adrenaline and noradrenaline, hormones involved in the fight or flight response, and monoamine oxidase inhibiters, which block an enzyme that breaks down the chemicals dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. These drugs can take a few weeks before they start working.
Prevention
Both anxiety and depression are treatable. People can get better by following a few simple steps:
It's not always certain what causes anxiety and depression, but there's good evidence that genes are a major factor. If you have a blood relative who suffers from an anxiety disorder or a depressive disorder may increase the risk of developing it. Stressful life events such as the onset of illness or unemployment or moving house or divorce, or retirement can cause anxiety and depression. Conflicts with other people, and a lack of social support can also trigger depression and anxiety.
Psychotherapy (also known as 'talk therapy,') and medications are the most popular treatments for anxiety disorders. The first step is to visit a counselor or doctor, who will assess your symptoms and devise an appropriate treatment plan. Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of therapy for talking that can help you learn how to think, react and behave differently and are less stressed. Medications, such as antidepressants and antianxiety medications, can reduce or completely eliminate symptoms of anxiety disorders. These drugs can be taken in tablets or as nasal aerosols. Certain people who take antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs might experience side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or stomach upset. They usually improve with time.
Other treatments include engaging in activities or hobbies that you enjoy, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet. Engaging in activities that you enjoy or that you find enjoyable can boost your mood and provide satisfaction. Regular exercise can improve your overall wellbeing and help to reduce depression or anxiety. It is crucial not to drink or use drugs to ease your symptoms - they can make your feelings worse and could lead to addiction.
Being proactive in seeking help can help prevent depression and anxiety from becoming more serious. It's difficult to get rid of without medical treatment as is the case with a severe cut or a broken bone.
Anxiety issues in older adults are often underdiagnosed and untreated in part because they are less likely to seek help and are less aware of effective treatment options. WHO has developed a stepped-care prevention program, which includes brief psychological interventions that can be delivered by non-specialists to tackle this issue.