Depression and anxiety are two prevalent disorders. The word depression means “the feeling of unhappiness and sadness.” Anxiety is an emotion that arises due to the expectation of something bad or negative.
We often see people suffering from depression and anxiety. Sometimes they feel hopeless and sad that everything seems useless. So, what are depression and anxiety?
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What Are Depression And Anxiety?
We all encounter issues in our life, but most of the time, we don’t understand that these problems are actually depression and anxiety. So, let’s discuss in brief these two terms.
Depression and anxiety are very similar because both cause an unbearable level of distress and suffering to the patients. But in the case of depression, no treatment can cure it, and it causes an extreme mood change in the patient.
But when it comes to anxiety, you can find solutions to get rid of it quickly. Let’s discuss each term one by one.
What Is Depression?
Depression is an incredibly serious mental illness that occurs when a person feels sad or hopelessly depressed. It’s a kind of mood disorder that will significantly impact someone’s life.
If you’ve ever struggled with the feelings that make you feel so blue, you may have experienced depression. It’s normal to feel sad, especially if you experience something like a loss or grief.
These feelings will make you unable to perform daily activities and disturb your sleep.
Symptoms of depression include the following:
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
- Persistent sad & grief moods.
- Loss of interest in the things that used to make you happy.
- Thoughts of guilt, shame, and worthlessness
- Loss of energy, motivation, and fatigue.
- Excessive thoughts of lonely, failure, inadequacy, and helplessness
- Loss of appetite, irritability, and restlessness
- Problems in sleeping and eating.
- Physical symptoms of depression like headache and stomachache.
If you are encountering these signs, then you have depression. The condition of depression usually lasts for more than 2 weeks and affects your daily activities, and makes you feel so low.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a disorder of the brain which will cause excessive worry, panic, fear, and nervousness. The manifestations of anxiety can differ from person to person, and the cause of the anxiety can be different.
Anxiety is defined as excessive worrying or nervousness. Some people are affected by anxiety every day, while others experience the condition only under certain circumstances.
Anxiety disorders are classified into two main types: Generalized and Social Anxiety.
Generalized anxiety disorder is a widespread pattern of fear and worries about various things. The worry may be related to many situations, including academic, social, or financial concerns.
Social anxiety is a chronic feeling of anxiety and fear of being judged by people you interact with. It is very different from shyness.
You can think of it as an extreme form of shyness. The difference between social anxiety and shyness is that the person who experiences it fears being observed by people. They will experience intense fears about appearing silly, awkward, incompetent, and embarrassed in social settings.
Indeed, anxiety is not limited to the elderly. It can occur at any age. However, for the elderly, it can be a more serious issue.
Here are the most common anxiety symptoms:
- Feeling of impending doom.
- Dread of going insane.
- Intrusive thoughts.
- Feeling of tension and stress.
- Constant feeling of panic and fear.
- Excessive and constant worrying.
- Irrational thoughts like fear of hurting oneself or others.
- Persistent feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
- If you are feeling these symptoms, then you have anxiety.
Both of these disorders can be controlled and cured. You don’t need any treatment, but you need to recognize the problem as soon as possible.
Similarities & Comparison of Depression and Anxiety
- The preferably vital thing to note is that depression is not the same as being depressed. If you are depressed, you may suffer from insomnia, lack of appetite, and low self-esteem.
- The second thing is that when someone is suffering from anxiety, it is not always a sign of mental illness. Anxiety happens when a person is fearful of an upcoming situation. It is possible to feel anxious without having a mental disorder.
- Sometimes, we can also experience anxiety-like symptoms worrying about something and the inability to relax.
- Depression and anxiety disorders usually start in childhood or adolescence.
- There are many reasons for anxiety and depression. Still, most of them are linked to family history, genetics, and environmental factors.
- If a person is suffering from depression and/or anxiety, the first thing to do is consult a medical doctor. Suppose you are not sure about whether you are suffering from depression and anxiety or not. In that case, you should visit a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Depression and Anxiety Treatment: How Can You Overcome This?
As per the statistics, depression and anxiety disorder is one of the leading causes of disease among people. Depression is treated with various approaches, including psychotherapy, medication, and complementary therapy.
To overcome depression and anxiety, you must understand the root of the problem. The best way to deal with anxiety and depression is to address the real issue that causes them.
Follow these suggestions that might assist you in managing these feelings:
Change Your Thoughts About Anxiety And Depression
As soon as you have thoughts about negative or sad things, you can begin to change your thoughts. You can use your thoughts to think positively about life and the people around you.
This is important because your thoughts are what shape your emotions. If you have gloomy thoughts, you will likely experience negative emotions. The opposite is also true.
If you have positive and optimistic thoughts, you can experience a better mood. You can begin to notice that the negative feelings you used to have will disappear.
Learn to Take Time Out For Yourself
If you are in a relationship, spend time apart from your partner. You should avoid contact with your friends and family members.
In a relationship, it is best to make your partner your priority. If you can take a break from them, that will be beneficial. You can focus on yourself.
You can get out of your house, go shopping, visit the park, and even do some exercise. As long as you are in a mentally secure environment, you will enjoy the time and feel better.
Give Yourself A Break
Give yourself permission to get away from the worries of the day. You need to take time to just sit down and rest. You don’t need to overthink or overwork.
You don’t have to spend hours watching television. You can even go to the movies or have dinner with friends. Just take some time to relax. You don’t require to get too wrapped up in things.
Find a New Hobby
One of the best ways to get away from your daily anxieties is to develop a new hobby. You will have new things to do and new people to meet. You may find that the hobby will help you forget about the day’s problems.
Do you find yourself looking forward to the weekend and feeling that you will have an excellent time? That’s a good sign! You need to find a way to look forward to the weekends.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the talking cure where the therapist tries to understand the psychological situation of the client by listening to the thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that the client might have.
Psychotherapy works by providing the patient with a safe space to express his thoughts and feelings and helping him to overcome the negative thoughts that affect his emotional state.
Proper Medication
Many people also suffer from depression. They don’t get the proper treatment. And that is why they end up becoming depressed.
Suppose you suffer from depression and don’t find any relief from the therapies mentioned above. In this situation, consult with a doctor and get a prescription for medication.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a kind of treatment that teaches you skills to help you handle difficult emotions and thoughts and deal with stressful situations.
It is correspondingly significant to realize that it is normal to feel sad or angry at times and that it is okay to feel that way. The sooner you can recognize these negative thoughts, the better you will be able to control and change them.
Exercise
There is evidence that regular exercise can relieve stress and make you feel more alert. Exercise also boosts your self-esteem and provides you with a sense of well-being.
Social Support
Having a support system around you, especially in a difficult time, can help you get through the challenging moments. Family members, friends, and therapists can help you in various ways. Talk to them and let them know how you are feeling. They will understand and support you in any way they can.
Summary
Depression and anxiety are severe, life-altering mental health conditions that should be taken seriously. If you or somebody you know is sorrowing from either of these conditions, please seek help.
There is no disgrace in accepting that you need assistance, and there is no need to suffer in silence. Treatment is available, and it can help you get your life back on track. I hope now you know what are depression and anxiety and what to do with them.