Anxiety Depression

Scientific investigations have suggested that up to 60 percent of anxiety sufferers also have depression.

Depression and anxiety are two common emotions, causing suffering and feelings of inferiority, hopelessness and worse. Our society today 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 can lead to physical ailments, lower quality of life, and generally intolerable life situations.

Which Came First-Anxiety or Depression?

Depression may cause an anxiety disorder, or having an anxiety order may cause depression. If you have both, you may need care, such as medication or counseling, or a combination of both. Treatments for depression sometimes provide relief of anxiety also.

Some activities or changes to help with depression and anxiety are:

• Relaxation techniques such as hypnosis, meditation, or sound therapy.
  
• Routine Physical Activity
  
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and drugs
  
• Eat smaller healthy meals at regular times throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar levels (and avoid sweets)
  

About Anxiety

Everyone experiences anxiety during their lifetime. It's when a person has ongoing anxiety that they may be diagnosed with an "anxiety disorder." Anxiety disorders include panic attacks, phobias, PTSD and more.

The common symptoms of anxiety include panic attacks, feeling helpless, rapid heartbeat, sudden sweating, thinking that something bad may happen at any moment.

If you have repeated panic attacks, you may be have a "panic disorder." There are more criteria beyond the physical/mental state known to you as a panic attack, in order to be diagnosed with panic disorder. Always check with a medical professional if you think you have a panic disorder.

About Depression

Depression may be indicated when a collection of the following (non-exhaustive) set of symptoms is present:

• Constant feelings of sadness
  
• feeling tired
  
• Having a difficult time sleeping
  
• Always being irritable
  
• Lower than usual interest in enjoyable activities
  
• You think about death or suicide a lot
  

Some Ways to Manage Depression and Anxiety

There is much research about how individuals suffering from Anxiety and Depression can help themselves overcome these debilitating afflictions. Behavioral therapies have been written about that "walk you through" activates and exercises designed to lead you to a solution to your problem, at your pace and in your way.

Much of this new research assumes that your problems come from feelings and thoughts, conscious and unconscious, that lead to behavior and actions and other thoughts that are unhealthy or unwanted.

If our thoughts and feelings affect our behavior, can't the formula work in the other direction? Can our behavior affect our feelings, moods, and thoughts? Of course it can!

Try this - sitting in a chair, slump over, 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?

Physical Activities Help Ease Depression

Did you know that exercise can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression? Even a few minutes of day!

"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.

The relationship between exercise and reduction of the symptoms of depression is not fully understood by the medical profession. There is evidence showing that exercise raises levels of some mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, can increase "feel-good" endorphins (cause of runners high) and releases muscle tension. Regular exercise helps you sleep better, reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and has other calming effects.

In Summary

Anxiety and depression, when they occur together, are difficult to cope with. Remember that you are not alone, and help is available. Begin to help yourself, and you are sending a message to yourself that is a great confidence builder. Small successes can lead to bigger ones.

Exercise and diet, which have been shown to help, can be used to ease your symptoms of anxiety and depression. Ask 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!

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This article 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.