Anxiety and Depression
Research has suggested that up to 60 percent of depression sufferers also experience an anxiety disorder.
Learn What Anxiety Is and Treat Anxiety Right Now
Depression and anxiety are two common emotions, causing distress and feelings of inferiority, hopelessness and worse. Modern society is experiencing an epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression. Some in the medical profession will say we all are experiencing some degree of post-traumatic stress disorder!
Imagine feeling drained of initiative and overwhelmed with constant feelings of dread, worry and concerns about the future. This intolerable state of mind can paralyze an otherwise healthy individual, leading to physical ailments and loss of quality of life.
Which Came First? Anxiety or Depression?
Depression may cause an anxiety disorder, or vice-versa. If you have both, you may need treatment, such as medication or counseling, or a combination of both. Treatments for depression sometimes provide relief of anxiety also.
Some lifestyle changes you can make to help with depression and anxiety are:
- Relaxation techniques such as hypnosis, meditation, or sound therapy.
- Regular Exercise.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and drugs.
- Eat smaller healthy meals at regular times throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar levels (and avoid sweet foods).
About Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety is a general term, and anxiety disorders include a variety of specific disorders including panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias (spiders, needles, flying, etc), social fears, presentation anxiety, and more. There is more about anxiety on this website.
You know you have anxiety when you feel fear, helplessness, panic, think something bad may happen, and/or actual physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sudden sweating or flushing and other symptoms.
If you have recurring panic attacks, you may be diagnosed with “panic disorder.” There are additional specific sets of symptoms and criteria beyond the physical/mental state known to you as a panic attack, in order to be diagnosed with panic disorder. See your doctor if you think you have this.
About Depression
Depression may be indicated when a combination of the following (non-exhaustive) set of symptoms is present:
- Constant feelings of sadness
- Feeling tired
- Being irritable
- Difficulty sleeping
- Lower than usual interest in enjoyable activities
- Thoughts of death including suicide
(ed. Note: this article, and this website, are not meant to replace consultation with your medical care provider. This article is presented as informational only, and we do not diagnose or treat any disease. If you believe you suffer from anxiety or depression, we recommend you consult with your doctor.)
Natural Treatment for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
There is a large body of work concerning how individuals suffering from Anxiety and Depression can help themselves overcome these debilitating afflictions. Behavioral therapies have been developed and published that “walk you through” activities and exercises designed to lead you to a solution to your problem, at your pace and in your way.
Many of these works pre-suppose that your problems come from feelings and thoughts, conscious and unconscious, that lead to behavior and actions that are unhealthy or unwanted.
If our thoughts and feelings affect our behavior, can’t the formula work backwards? Can our behavior affect our feelings, moods, and thoughts? Of course it can! Have you ever heard of, or experienced the “runners high?” During and just after a long run, runners experience a “high.”
Try this – slump down in your chair, look at the floor for a moment. Notice how your body feels, what your thoughts are. Now, sit up straight, take a deep full breath in through your nose, exhale through your mouth, and look straight ahead, or even up a little bit. Do you notice a difference in your thoughts, or how your body feels? Which felt better?
Exercise and Anxiety and Depression
It’s been shown that exercise can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, even a little exercise.
“It’s not a magic bullet, but increasing physical activity is a positive and active strategy to help manage depression and anxiety,” says Kristin Vickers-Douglas, Ph.D., a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Scientists don’t completely understand how exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is evidence showing that exercise raises levels of some mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, boosts “feel-good” endorphins (cause of runners high) and eases muscle tension. Exercise helps you sleep better, reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and has other calming effects.
In Conclusion
Depression and anxiety can be a challenge to manage. Remember that you are not alone, and help is available. Taking those first steps to helping yourself in and of itself can be a great confidence booster. Small successes can lead to bigger ones.
Exercise and diet, which you have control over, can be used to ease your symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cosult with your doctor, find a nutritionist, read a book, and take some action. Explore the possibilities of what is available to you and begin. Doing something positive for yourself is a healthy strategy. Begin today!
This website cannot, and should not, stand alone as the sole medical or psychological intervention for any disorder. Any individual with a medical or psychological problem should first consult a qualified health care provider for diagnosis and professional advice. This website is intended only to provide general information and is not intended as an exhaustive source of information for the topics discussed. This website and these articles do not replace your relationship with any health care professional you are consulting with or consult with in the future.
