Depression & Anxiety
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Facts About
Depression & Anxiety
It is important
to note that depression and anxiety disorders are not
the same, although many people find them very similar. Depression
patients feel emotions such as hopelessness, despair and anger.
Furthermore, their energy levels are very low and they are often
overwhelmed with their external environment. In particular, they
have difficulty expressing and handling their feelings, resulting in
a sense of worthlessness, leading to a feeling of rage.
Anxiety is
simply a normal reaction to stress, and many of us experience this
from time to time, whether it’s a tense situation in the office or
studying hard before an exam. However, a person suffering with
anxiety disorder consistently experiences a feeling of
uneasiness, discomfort or fear. The feeling can be so overwhelming
that it seriously impacts one’s life.
Many people are
mystified by the fact that depression and anxiety are often linked
together. In one study, 85 percent of those with major
depression were also diagnosed with generalized anxiety
disorder, while 35 percent had symptoms of a panic
disorder. Anxiety and depression are referred to as the “fraternal
twins” of mood disorders.
Sources:
HealthyPlace Depression Community:
http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/depression/related/depression_anxiety.asp
WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
Types of
Depression &
Anxiety
There are many types of Depression, but here are four main types:
1)
Major Depression,
also known as major depressive disorder, is a recurrent disorder
characterized by a depressed mood and/or diminished interest or
pleasure in nearly all activities, with symptoms that last at least
2 weeks. In children and adolescents, major depression is
characterized by an irritated mood rather than sadness.
2)
Chronic depression,
also known as dysthymic disorder or minor depression,
is a form of depression characterized by long-lasting, but mild
(depression) symptoms that last for at least 2 years for adults and
1 year for children or adolescents.
3)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
is a depressive disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of
depression - that occur during fall and winter months when the
sunlight is limited - that alternate with periods of normal or high
mood in the rest of the year.
4)
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
is a
severe form of depression that affects women after they give birth.
Usually, it occurs a few hours later or in the first 4 weeks after
birth, but there are cases when it begins one year later.
There are five main types of anxiety disorder:
1)
Panic
disorder
causes sudden and sometimes unpredictable feelings of extreme fear
and terror. This sudden onset of terror is referred to as a panic
attack or an anxiety attack. It is one of the most severe forms of
anxiety disorder and is often classified as its own illness.
Furthermore, it affects twice as many women as men and also accounts
for about 70% of all anxiety disorder cases.
2)
Social
phobia
causes extreme anxiety symptoms when one is in a social environment.
Sufferers of social phobia are afraid of being watched, stared at,
or judged by others. More than 5 million men and women are affected
by social phobia. This disorder usually occurs in childhood or early
adolescence and continues through adulthood. There is some evidence
that the disorder may be genetic.
3)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) causes chronic worrying and anxiety. GAD sufferers may worry about
their job, health or even something as minor as what they are going
to eat for dinner. These worries become so pervasive that it may
impact their daily activities. Currently, twice as many women as
men are affected. GAD rarely occurs alone. Instead, it is often
accompanied by another anxiety disorder.
4)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
usually happens after a particularly horrifying experience, and is
common in war veterans who have witnessed terrifying events or been
subject to torture. However, PTSD also affects everyday civilians
who may have been through particularly violent events such as rape,
kidnapping, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks.
5)
Specific phobias
are a type of anxiety disorder during which a person is anxious
about one specific thing that they should have no reason to fear.
For example, they may be afraid of tunnels, water, flying, spiders,
or heights. Specific phobias are usually developed during childhood,
after a particularly traumatic event associated with the phobia.
They tend to persist into adulthood, especially if the phobia is not
about an animal.
Sources:
WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
HelpGuide.org:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm
Epigee.org:
http://www.epigee.org/mental_health/anxiety.html
What are the symptoms
of
Depression &
Anxiety
There is a main difference between
feeling depressed and suffering from clinical depression. However,
the signs and symptoms of clinical depression vary from person to
person and may include the following:
* A consistent sad,
empty, or distressed mood
* Sleep and appetite disturbances
* Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
* Difficulty in remembering, focusing, and making decisions
* Irritability, excessive crying
* Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed,
including sex and sports
* Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
A person suffering from anxiety disorders may face the following
symptoms:
* Shortness of breath
* Palpitations or pounding heart
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Trembling or shaking
* Dizziness
* Nausea or stomach distress
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Hot or cold flashes
Sources:
WebMD:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-anxiety-disorders
HelpGuide.org:
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm
What are the causes of
Depression &
Anxiety
he direct causes of depression are unknown because there are many
interrelated factors that are likely to play a role. Furthermore,
they are likely to be biological, psychological and social factors.
Biological causes of depression include genetics and heredity, as
well as hormonal imbalances.
Cortisol,
a hormone the body produces as part of the stress response, has also
been found to be elevated in some depressed people. Social and
psychological factors are likely caused by loneliness and isolation,
stressful life events, childhood trauma and loss, and personality
traits such as pessimism and low self-esteem.
Similar to depression, there are a number of complex factors that
contribute to the development of anxiety disorders. In most
likelihood, the different anxiety risk factors are interrelated and
can interact with and impact one another. Furthermore, these
factors include the environment, personality, family dynamics, brain
chemistry, genetics and traumatic events all can play a role.
What treatments are available for Depression and Anxiety?
Medications.
Several types of medication are used in the treatment of depression,
including the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors),
tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs (monoamine oxidase
inhibitors), and atypical antidepressants. The medications
most often used to treat anxiety are a class of drugs known as
benzodiazepines (also called "minor tranquilizers"). These include
Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin.
Exercise.
A growing
volume of research shows that exercise can also help improve
symptoms of certain mental health conditions, including depression
and anxiety. Exercise may also help prevent a relapse after
treatment for depression or anxiety. Research suggests that it may
take at least 30 minutes of exercise a day for at least three to
five days a week to significantly improve depression symptoms. But
smaller amounts of activity — as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a
time — can improve mood in the short term.
Relaxation
techniques.
These include abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation
(relaxing the body's muscle groups) and biofeedback. Meditation is
also an excellent way to relieve depression and prevent its
recurrence.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts affect how one
feels. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, this
brief form of therapy is just as effective as antidepressants at
treating depression and more effective at preventing relapse. The
idea behind cognitive behavioral therapy is that our thoughts and
attitude affect our mood, not the other way around.
Diet and nutrition.
Stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine can aggravate anxiety and
leave one more prone to anxiety and panic attacks. Other dietary
factors such as sugar, certain food additives and food sensitivities
can cause some people to feel anxious.
HerbaCall Depression & Anxiety Testimonials
·
Jodie
Overson says, “Before Herbalife...I was an overweight...stressed
out... ’Insulin Dependent Diabetic‘ ... mother of two, who also
suffered from depression and panic/anxiety disorder.
Since Herbalife... I have cut my insulin dose in half. My sugars
have all been in the normal range... I am off all prescription drugs
for my depression and panic/anxiety ... the stress is gone! And best
of all... I've lost 30 Lbs!”
·
Deb
Blanchard tells Herbacall, “I can only tell you from my own
experience. I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression and Anxiety… I
take the
Ultimate Program,
Herbalifeline,
RoseOx,
Schizandra,
Joint Support (I also have arthritis in my shoulder from a fall
and surgery a few years ago), and a couple of others, and not one of
them affects my medication.”
·
Lisa
Breedt proudly said, “Herbalife found me when I was very stressed
and depressed, working long hours and having very bad eating habits.
I used to be ill every single month and spent thousands of rands on
medical bills. I needed to improve my health and tried the Herbalife
products (Protein
mix,
Fibre & Herb, Thermojetics beverage and
Herbal Complex). Within 2 weeks I was a completely different
person. I had so much energy and felt great. To my amazement my
depression started to lift.”
-
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