by stonelucifer

Anxiety, Depression and You

Research has suggested as much as up to 60 percent of anxiety sufferers also have depression.

Depression and anxiety are two common emotions, causing suffering and feelings of inferiority, hopelessness and worse. Modern society is experiencing an epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression. Some in the medical profession will say we all are experiencing some degree of post-traumatic stress disorder!

Imagine feeling drained of initiative and overwhelmed with constant feelings of dread, worry and concerns about the future. This can lead to physical ailments, lower quality of life, and generally intolerable life situations.

Depression, Anxiety, or Both?

Depression may cause an anxiety disorder, or having an anxiety order may cause depression. If you have both, you may need treatment, such as medication or counseling, or a combination of both.

Treatments for depression sometimes provide relief of anxiety also.

Some lifestyle changes you can make to help with depression and anxiety are:

Relaxation techniques such as hypnosis, meditation, or sound therapy.
Routine Physical Activity
Avoid caffeine, alcohol and drugs
Eat smaller healthy meals at regular times throughout the day to stabilize blood sugar levels (and don’t eat sweets)
About Anxiety

Anxiety is a general term, and anxiety disorders include a variety of specific disorders including panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias (spiders, needles, flying, etc), social fears, presentation anxiety, and more.

You know you have anxiety when you feel fear, helplessness, panic, think something bad may happen, and/or actual physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sudden sweating or flushing and other symptoms.

If you have recurring panic attacks, you may be have a “panic disorder.” There are more criteria beyond the physical/mental state known to you as a panic attack, in order to be diagnosed with panic disorder. Always check with a medical professional if you think you have a panic disorder.

About Depression
Depression may be indicated when a collection of the following (non-exhaustive) set of symptoms is present:

Always feeling sad
Tired all the time
Having a difficult time sleeping
Always being irritable
You are no longer interested in activities you used to enjoy
You think about death or suicide a lot
Natural Treatment for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
There is a much research concerning how individuals suffering from Anxiety and Depression can help themselves overcome these debilitating afflictions. Certain therapies have been written about that show you how you can manage your problem.

Many of these works pre-suppose that your problems come from feelings and thoughts, conscious and unconscious, that lead to behavior and actions and other thoughts that are unhealthy or unwanted.

If our thoughts and feelings affect our actions, can’t the formula work in the other direction? Can our actions affect our feelings, moods, and thoughts? Of course it can!

Try this – slump down in your chair, look down. How does your body feel, what are you thinking? After a moment, sit up, inhale through your nose fully, and exhale fully through your mouth, and look up a little bit. Do you notice a difference in your thoughts, or how your body feels? Which felt better?

Physical Activities Help Ease Depression
Did you know that exercise can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression? Even a few minutes of day!

“It’s not a magic bullet, but increasing physical activity is a positive and active strategy to help manage depression and anxiety,” says Kristin Vickers-Douglas, Ph.D., a psychologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Scientists don’t completely understand how exercise reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. There is evidence showing that exercise raises the amount of some mood-enhancing neurotransmitters, boosts “feel-good” endorphins (cause of runners high) and eases muscle tension. Regular exercise helps you sleep better, reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and has other calming effects.

In Summary

Depression and anxiety can be a challenge to manage. There is much help available, and there are others who have come before you and beat them both. Begin to help yourself, and you are sending a message to yourself that is a great confidence builder. Small successes can lead to bigger ones.

Exercise and diet, which you have control over, can be used to ease your symptoms of anxiety and depression. Ask your doctor, find a dietitian, read a book, and take some action. Explore the possibilities of what is available to you and begin. Doing something positive for yourself is a healthy strategy. Begin today!

This article is intended only to provide general information and is not intended as an exhaustive source of information for the topics discussed. This article does not replace your relationship with any health care professional you are consulting with or consult with in the future.