Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, can cause symptoms that resemble depression or anxiety. Also, certain medications and supplements can cause similar effects on mood.
Consult your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of depression or anxiety. Treatment is available. In some instances depression and anxiety that co-occur are treated together with the same treatment.
1. Feelings of hopelessness or despair
Someone suffering from depression may have a difficult time believing they are worthy or that they are able to be content. depression symptoms men might also believe that life is meaningless and that nothing can ever change for the better. In the most severe cases, people who suffer from depression might be prone to suicidal thoughts. In these instances, friends and family should seek immediate help.
Depression can lead to an inability to engage in the activities they once enjoyed. Some people may start to feel isolated from their family and friends. They may experience difficulty sleeping and eating less than usual. Depression can also trigger physical symptoms, such as back pain or joint pain as well as slowed speech and movements changes in appetite, weight changes, and issues with concentration or memory.
A person with depression may also feel guilty about something they said or did in the past. Many people suffering from depression experience ongoing feelings of guilt, or they might blame themselves for something a friend or relative did. If these feelings of sadness are not removed by psychotherapy or medication they may become more grave and can lead to someone having suicidal ideas.
If someone has been contemplating suicide, they should be seen by a doctor or therapist immediately. Depression and anxiety often be co-existent, and it's common to have symptoms of both disorders at the same time. Some people who have depression and anxiety find relief from medication, while others get relief from talking therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy.
Individuals suffering from depression and anxiety can learn to be aware of their symptoms and how they affect them and should be encouraged to seek assistance. If they are regular medical care they can refer them to a therapy. They can also suggest blood, urine, or other lab tests in order to screen for medical conditions that could be contributing to the mood changes.
People who suffer from anxiety and depression are also able to benefit by having coping strategies that are healthy in place. This includes getting enough rest, setting limits in their personal and professional lives, consuming an appropriate diet and implementing stress-reducing techniques such as mindfulness. You can also try out activities that have been shown to improve mood, like walking outdoors.
2. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness are a typical manifestation of depression however, they may be experienced when someone grieving. These feelings can be depressing in any case and cause problems with daily life. If you observe that a person you know or a loved one is struggling to feel better on themselves or feels guilty about something, try reaching out to them and attempt to talk through the issue. This can alleviate negative feelings and encourage the person to seek treatment.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health People who suffer from depression tend to lose interest in social and leisure activities. They also may not take pleasure in activities that they typically do to have fun like eating or sleeping. This inability to feel pleasure during activities is called anhedonia.
People with depression can feel like they are judging themselves or feeling guilty for a myriad of reasons, which include low self-esteem or challenging circumstances. They might be anxious about the future or feel that everything they do is not working. They might have trouble focusing and get easily distracted. These symptoms can cause people to avoid social events and to withdraw from their families.
If you are experiencing these feelings for more than two weeks it's important to speak with your doctor. Depression is different from sadness, and it can be hard to identify whether you're suffering from it.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders, like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder are often characterized by the same symptoms as depression however, they tend to be more focused on a specific event or situation. You might worry about having panic attacks in a large crowd or forgetting something important.
If you're experiencing these emotions, you can take small steps to boost your mood, like recording things that make you happy or trying to complete something that gives you a satisfaction. You can also talk to a therapist or counselor about how you're feeling, and you can ask for medication such as an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) or an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). By reducing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the body, medications can reduce anxiety and depression.
3. Feelings of helplessness or despair
Feeling helpless or hopeless is often a part of depression or anxiety. People suffering from depression might struggle to take actions to improve their condition. They might feel overwhelmed and helpless to make changes that are beyond their control, like problems at work or in their relationships. Being anxious can cause you to be tense and irritable, which can also create a feeling of helplessness or despair.
Everyone experiences sadness or depression occasionally, and this is normal. However, when you feel these emotions for a long period of time and they disrupt your daily routine, it is likely that you suffer from a condition that requires treatment. Depression is a mood disorder that can be caused by a variety of factors, such as biological, genetic and environmental changes. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) is used to diagnose depression. Ask your doctor to evaluate your symptoms against this list in order to determine if suffering from depression.
You are depressed or sad throughout the day, almost every day for at least two weeks. You are no longer engaged in or enjoying all activities. You may also have difficulty getting sleep or getting your attention. You feel depressed or hopeless, and have difficulty making decisions or thinking clearly. You have trouble with memory and concentration, or you have unexplained aches and pains.
This is a sign of depression or anxiety. This usually happens because you are focusing on and worrying about the possibilities for something negative to happen. If you are staying at home because you don't want to go out or socialize it could be a sign of depression or anxiety as well.
Feelings of fatigue and a sense of worthlessness can also cause problems with eating, sleeping and drinking. Some physical illnesses like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, can also cause these symptoms. Talk to your doctor or an experienced therapist about the symptoms you're experiencing.
4. Feelings of guilt, shame or deprivation
Feelings of being inadequate are a common depression symptom and can be difficult to differentiate from low self-esteem. The American Psychiatric Association notes that the feeling of being unhappy about yourself can be an indicator of depression, the two are not synonymous. Depression is characterized by distinct signs such as a persistently low mood that lasts for more than two weeks. In some cases the symptoms could be accompanied by irritability or lack of interest in things that you normally like.
Anxiety is characterised by a number of excessive, uncontrollable fears that can be overwhelming. People with anxiety can suffer from a range of symptoms, ranging from generalized anxiety disorder in which you are worried about a variety of things to social anxiety disorder in which you're worried about being judged by others. Sometimes anxiety and depression play off eachother and can make symptoms worse.
A therapist can help you find ways to deal with both anxiety and depression. Therapists can also provide suggestions for improving your mood naturally, like taking a good night's sleep and exercising. Getting regular physical activity can also help improve your mood by boosting the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain. Acupuncture is also a method to boost the production of feel-good chemicals and is often used in conjunction with therapy or medications.
A therapist will help you discover the root causes of your depression and anxiety. This is known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). You will learn to identify and deal with the root causes of anxiety and fears that cause your symptoms. You will also develop coping strategies to manage your depressed or anxious feelings. For example you can practice diaphragmatic breathing. You could also be prescribed antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs are effective in treating anxiety and depression. They are typically taken in combination with psychotherapy, like CBT. It is crucial to follow the exact dosage prescribed to reap the maximum benefits. If you are experiencing signs of anxiety or depression, you should consult your doctor and undergo an entire physical exam. This includes blood tests to confirm that your symptoms are not medical.