It is estimated that one in four Americans over the age of 18, deal with a diagnosable mental health disorder. For those under 18, the number drops slightly to one in five. Depression and anxiety are two of the most common forms of emotional difficulty. Depression and anxiety often co-exist with an eating disorder. Despite their prevalence, both depression and anxiety are highly responsive to treatment. Many individuals are unaware of the symptoms to look for, misinterpret the symptoms as signs of a physical problem, or resist seeking assistance due to embarrassment. Emotional difficulties are not the result of a weak or poor character. They are legitimate health conditions requiring effective treatment for an improved quality of life.
Depression
Depression can affect individuals of all ages, from childhood on. It can be felt in varying degrees, from mild to severe. Treatment may involve talk therapy, medications and specific lifestyle adjustments, depending upon the person and the severity. The following is a list of symptoms associated with a mood disorder:
- changes in sleeping patterns/habits, either increased or decreased
- changes in appetite and weight, either increased or decreased
- feelings of sadness
- loss of interest in people and actvities that used to bring pleasure
- irritability/agitation
- difficulty with concentration, focus and/or memory
- loss of energy and motivation
- feelings of helplessness and/or hopelessness
- feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- thoughts of death
Anxiety
Everyone lives with some degree of stress. For many, however, this stress becomes unmanagable, quickly overtaking their lives and diminshing its quality. Chronic feelings of dread, fear and tension are often tolerated with little thought for treatment. In small doses stress does serve as a motivator, enabling a person to perform certain tasks well, with peak efficiency. Excessive stress becomes anxiety and can begin to interfere with a person's ability to function and enjoy life. Anxiety frequently limits a person's freedom in the world. Work, school and social events are often missed, as a result. Below is a list of some common signs and symptoms of anxiety:
- chronic worry/sense of doom
- difficulty concentrating
- restlessness/inability to relax
- irritablity
- muscle tension
- sleep distrubances
- physical symptoms such as pounding heart, sweating, trembling, shaking, chest pain, shortness of breath
- excessive concern about losing control
- avoidance of certain places/situations
- impulses to escape or run away
- inability to slow down or "quiet" thoughts
The above lists are intended for educational purposes only and are not meant to replace a professional evaluation. Both depression and anxiety can be effectively reduced with proper treatment. If several of the listed symptoms above have been a part of your daily life for longer than two weeks, it is important to seek assistance. You can
contact me at
lamaul@sbcglobal.net or 714-524-0489.
