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Munk Kirkpatrick posted an update 6 months ago
How to Recognize a Depressive Anxiety Disorder
Many people feel depressed or sad from time to time However, depression and anxiety disorders keep you feeling low and anxious all the time. These conditions can be caused by a range of factors.
The symptoms of each disorder are distinct however, there are common signs. A therapist will be able to identify your symptoms and help you determine the best treatment.
1. Genetics
Researchers have observed for a long time that anxiety is prevalent in families. If you have a sibling, parent or a twin who is suffering from anxiety, your chances are higher than those with no family members. That’s because genes and DNA are involved in anxiety disorders.
One of the biggest studies on depression and anxiety found that they share many genes. The QIMR Berghofer-led research that was published in Nature Human Behaviour, identifies 509 genetic regions that contribute to both depression and anxiety. This is the highest number of genomic regions that are linked to the psychiatric disorder, and includes 71 regions previously not associated with depression or anxiety.
The internalizing disorders with the highest heritability or the proportion of symptoms that can be genetically determinable, are major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder. Other nongenetic risk factors include early life adversity and parenting style. Another important risk factor is neuroticism, which is a personality characteristic or temperament that is associated with some heritability and has been associated with both anxiety and depression.
A genetic contribution to schizophrenia On the other hand, is less well established because schizophrenics suffer from multiple causes of their symptoms. The most effective method to determine the genetic cause of schizophrenia is by studying twins. By comparing the prevalence of an identical twin disorder (monozygotic MZ) with that of their non-identical siblings (dizygotic, DZ) Researchers can establish how much of the phenotypic similarities are due to shared environmental factors and how much to the genetics of a person.
As the field of psychiatric genetics develops, more genetic factors that contribute to depression and anxiety are likely to be discovered. But it is equally important to keep in mind that individual variations will continue to exist within the supposedly strict mental health categories. People who suffer from depression or anxiety at different times of their lives will have different experiences and may respond to treatment differently.
Don’t ignore the signs of depression or anxiety. You wouldn’t ignore an arm broken, so it’s essential to seek assistance from a physician if you are experiencing difficulties.
2. Stress
Every person experiences stress at some point or another, but it is important to distinguish between normal stress and the more serious anxiety and depression disorders. If you feel depressed, sluggish or unmotivated, constantly it could be a sign of an illness of the mind that requires medical attention.
Depression is a state of low mood that makes it difficult to function or enjoy life. It can affect your sleep, appetite, concentration, and cause feelings of guilt or despair. In addition to seeking help from a mental health professional You can also take small steps to boost your mood. For instance, setting a goal to complete things that are small every day, like making your bed or taking out the dishwasher can help increase self-esteem and serve as an outlet.
Anxiety is excessive fear or worry, which can cause physical symptoms like muscle tension, restlessness, and trouble sleeping. People suffering from generalized anxiety suffer from excessive and persistent worry about the mundane such as work responsibilities, family issues, or financial concerns. They often feel anxious or easily fatigued and feel overwhelmed by these thoughts, even if they realize that their worries are not true.
Both depression and anxiety can be treated, but you need to find the right therapist for you. Psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are effective in treating anxiety disorders and can be used in conjunction with antidepressant medication. These treatments can take time to develop but are usually more effective than attempting to deal on your own.
Call 911 or the crisis and suicide hotline at 988 923-5772 if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or are in crisis. You can also seek help from family members and contact mental health professionals, or join an online support group.
It is essential to seek help immediately as anxiety and depression can become worse without it. Like you would go to an ER if you injured your arm or had an extensive cut it is important to seek treatment for anxiety and depression.
3. Personality
While some sadness is normal from time to time, persistent, extreme, or prolonged sadness may be an indication that you are suffering from an anxiety disorder . People with depression have difficulty being excited or enjoying their lives because they worry about what others might think or how things will come out. The good news is that depression and anxiety can be treated with medication or psychotherapy.
The personality is a significant factor in anxiety and depressive disorders. It affects the degree of a person’s symptoms develop and can also predict the response to treatment. People who have high levels of neuroticism, as an example are more likely to experience poorer treatment outcomes, both in depression and anxiety (Kennedy, et al. 2005). Personality traits can also help determine the type of therapy that is most effective for a specific person. People with less neuroticism are likely to benefit more from cognitive behavior therapy.
Depression and anxiety are both complex, however there are effective treatments available. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is important to seek out a physician. Your doctor can determine an underlying physical reason and prescribe medications if required.
Depression and anxiety can make it difficult to get out and interact with others. This can result in feeling isolated, which can intensify your symptoms. People with anxiety tend to be more critical of themselves and are more likely to be ruminating which makes difficult to get rid of depression.
The first step in addressing depression and anxiety comorbidly is to see an expert in mental health. Together, you can create an treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms. Most of the time, different forms of psychotherapy are recommended since the methods that reduce depression symptoms may not help anxiety symptoms and vice versa.
A common method is to use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications to treat both conditions. CBT assists you in replacing negative thoughts with more sensible and productive ones. It can also help you develop coping skills to manage stress in a more effective method. For example, you can learn to focus on the things that are within your control, such as acknowledging your emotions and reactions, and paying attention to the facts of the situation.
4. Infirmity
It’s normal to feel sad and anxious from time to time, but when these feelings are constant and intense, they could be signs of depression or anxiety. People suffering from anxiety disorders may experience overwhelming fear or worry about a variety of things, including money, work relationships, health or relationships. Someone suffering from depression feels sad and is less interested in pursuits. Depression may also cause people to feel tired or angry. These symptoms can last for more than two weeks and are not due to a recent event or medical condition such as an illness or infection.
While genetics, stress and personality are important factors in anxiety and depression, there isn’t one thing that causes these disorders. Co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety, or anxiety and a psychiatric disorder, such as post-traumatic disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are more common.
People suffering from anxiety disorders or depression can benefit from several types of psychotherapy. The most popular is cognitive behavioral therapy, which assists people change their thinking and behavior to lessen their anxiety. Certain medications, such as antidepressant and anxiety medication, can also help. You can ease your symptoms by getting enough rest and avoiding the use of recreational drugs and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and gaining support from friends.
Many people who suffer from depression and anxiety find that their symptoms are linked to each other. Depression can be a result of anxiety if a person avoids socializing or making new friends. Depression can worsen anxiety, and lead to feelings or feelings of loneliness.
A mental health professional can be capable of determining if the depression is due to an illness, such as thyroid problems or medications. If there is no medical reason for depression or anxiety, treatment plans may be similar. However they’ll likely involve talking therapy, as well as medication. Both depression and anxiety symptoms typically improve with time, but depression can take longer to go away than anxiety.