Contrary to popular belief, those with depression do not necessarily have anxiety and the same is true for those with anxiety. However, each disorder has very similar physiological states as well as environmental triggers, so it is no surprise that those diagnosed with anxiety often have depression as well.
Depression can be defined as harboring feelings of intense sadness as well as feeling hopeless, helpless, and worthless, for weeks or even months and years.
Typically, a person suffering from depression will experience the afore mentioned symptoms throughout the day, with the morning hours generally being the most intense. In addition to the earlier mentioned symptoms, a person who is depressed may also experience, fatigue, feelings of guilt and insomnia or hypersomnia. In addition, lack of concentration and indeciveness are also symptoms that may impair the affected person. In most cases, a depressed individual will stop participating in things they once found pleasurable and instead experience restlessness, irritability and thoughts of death or suicide. A significant weight loss or weight gain in a short period of time can also be endured by someone plagued with depression.
Scientists believe that mood disorders are a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. The brain contains neurotransmitters that secrete or receive chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin which regulate mood and emotions. Studies indicate that those with depression are lacking one or both of these chemicals or have a defective neurotransmitter. In either case, the fact still remains that there is a lack of something in the brain which then results in a mood disorder.
Depression can be triggered by many environmental factors such as stressful situations, drugs whether legal or illegal as well having a pessimistic personality.
An anxiety sufferer is highly susceptible to depression as their pessimistic attitude has their thoughts creating worry and unrealistic scenarios which are extremely negative. Many people experiencing both disorders are lonely and hard to understand which can then result in intense thoughts of suicide or death.
There is a bright side however, both disorders can be treated and are generally treatable with the same methods. Treatment for these disorders can include cognitive behavior therapy or psychotherapy as well as medications. These methods allow the patient to recognize symptoms and deal with them in a positive way as well as learning how to prevent them all together.
If you believe you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of either of these disorders, seek the assistance of your mental healthcare provider.
Funmi Salami is a featured health writer on Clivir.com. She has a virtual classroom there where she share her knowlege about Anxiety Attack Symptoms and Anxiety Disorder Exercising on Clivir.
