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There are times when
we feel anxious and moody. So what? We all go through the same things from
time to time, don’t we? Anxiety and depression are normal part of life. Who
has not studied for an exam without having test anxiety, and then scored
much higher for it? Anxiety can keep us alert. Depression, on the other
hand, can slow us down, giving us time to reflect and recollect ourselves.
In other words, anxiety and depression express moods that are familiar to
everybody.
But, when anxiety and
depression seem to come from nowhere, last for weeks without relief, and get
in the way of everyday activities, then we are not talking ordinary moods
anymore; they are now illnesses. Anxiety and depressions are one of the most
common mental illnesses in the world today.
People with anxiety
disorder may have several physical symptoms, like trembling, sweating,
muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, palpitation, dry mouth, cold and clammy
hands. Emotionally, they are apprehensive, irritable; they have the feeling
of impending doom, and they are self-conscious- feeling like being watched
and criticized, etc.
Obviously, people with anxiety disorder are often left
immobilized. Anxiety keeps them house-bound, away from people, not able to
do normal and simple for fear of this or that. People experiencing anxiety
symptoms should know that it is a common disorder and is very curable.
The anxiety symptoms
that you may experience include:
-
Palpitations
-
Increased
sweating
-
Shaking
-
Shortness of
breath
-
Chest pain
-
Nausea or stomach
discomfort
-
Feeling of
light-headedness
-
A feeling of
unreality
-
Feeling of being
detached from oneself
-
Fear of losing
control or going crazy
-
Fear of dying
-
Feeling of
impending doom
Depression, on the
other hand, is a serious medical condition that affects the body, mood, and
thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, one’s self concept,
and the way one thinks about things.
A depressive disorder is not the same
as passing blue mood. It is not an indication of personal weakness or a
state that can be willed or wished away. A person with depressive disorder
usually can’t pull themselves together and get better.
Without treatment,
symptoms can last for weeks to years. The treatment involves medications
and/or temporary psychotherapy, which can be more helpful with depression
sufferer. The symptoms of depressions may include:
o
Persistent sad,
anxious, or empty mood
o
Feelings of
hopelessness, pessimism
o
Loss of interest in
hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
o
Guilty feelings,
worthlessness, helplessness
o
Decreased energy,
fatigue
o
Difficulty
concentrating, remembering, making decisions
o
Appetite and/or
weight changes
o
Trouble sleeping or
oversleeping, early morning awakening
o
Thoughts of death
or suicide, or suicide attempts
o
Restlessness and
irritability
o
Persistent physical
symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain that does
not respond to routine treatment.
Anxiety and depression
are two different conditions, but they are the same in the sense of the
intensity of how serious these conditions can be. They are among the most
common and most treatable mental illnesses in the world.
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