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Depression       Depression Signs & Symptoms      Anxiety Disorders   (fears/ phobias/ hand washing/ panic)  Anxiety Signs & Symptoms

Depression  The most common disorder experienced by people is depression, which is one of the mood disorders. Depression has been described as the " common cold" of mental health . However, depression should not be taken lightly, as it can be incapacitating and can cause much mental suffering; also, depression is very treatable. There are varying degrees of depression and some people suffer from a chronic underlying depression and sadness all of the time (dysthymia). There can be a biological predisposition to depression, but sometimes a major event in one’s life (life change /marriage]/loss[job]/ divorce/death/health problem) can trigger a major depression.

About 11 million people per year suffer from depression and it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. This is unfortunate because depression is a treatable disorder. Some depressions require medication (e.g., Prozac, Paxil, etc.) and some can be helped very successfully by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and some by other therapeutic interventions of various kinds. Those with serious depressions should be evaluated for the need for  medication to essentially " jump start" the brain and alleviate the severity, so that therapy (if needed) can be of benefit. Also, keep in mind that depression may be the result of a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism or even a medication currently being taken. Often, a visit to a  health care practitioner is advisable to rule out the possibility of a medical cause for the depression. (Also, see Anxiety/Depression in Bibliotherapy)

Signs and Symptoms of Depression                  

• A feeling of sadness or emptiness
• A loss of interest in your usual things/activities; a lack of joy
• A feeling that life is not worth living anymore; feeling hopeless, guilty, worthless.
• A loss of appetite (weight loss) or an increase in appetite (weight gain)
• Unable to sleep or falling asleep but getting up early, and unable to fall back to sleep.
• A loss of sexual desire
• Feeling tired all or most of the time; irritability, crying
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Vague physical complaints ( stomach pains/ diarrhea/ constipation)—especially the elderly
• Feeling either revved up (agitated) or slowed down.
• Thoughts of suicide or a plan ( seek help now).

If you have several of the above symptoms and have had these for two or more weeks, you should seek further evaluation and help. Also be aware of alcohol abuse, which is often used to deal with the depression, but actually results in further depression, as alcohol is a depressant.

If you would like to contact  PsychOptions™ to ask a question about  depression , go to the Registration Site for further information on obtaining PsychOptions™ services.

Other mood disorders include Bipolar I (manic-depressive disorder) or Bipolar II (never quite reaches full mania) – and these require professional treatment and usually medications to keep the mood stable (e.g., lithium, Depakote, neurontin, etc.) In terms of mania, there may be a lack of discretion in the areas of sex, spending, alcohol consumption and eating, all of which may be excessive, involving binging. Substance abuse is frequently associated with bipolar disorder and may be an attempt to self-medicate and " quell the storms inside."       

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Anxiety Disorders

Another fairly common symptom is anxiety, which can cause everything from mild discomfort to incapacitation ( panic disorder). Anxiety can also appear in different ways –  social anxiety, test anxiety, fear of contamination (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and a fear of speaking (which is very common). There is also what is known as generalized anxiety, with an overall " nervousness," and " tenseness," not related to any one thing in particular.

There are specific fears (phobias) such as a fear of heights or even a fear of spiders!!! Those who cannot leave their house (agoraphobia) are often severely incapacitated as are those with panic disorder (who may experience terror unexpectedly). Again some people with anxiety disorders have a predisposition to these problems and are highly susceptible to stress in their environment. 

Stress in one's life can make one " anxious," and if prolonged, can actually result in illness because of the toll it takes on the immune system. Stress can result even when "positive" things happen, such as an engagement or marriage -- and too many stressors ( marriage, moving, a new job) that happen simultaneously can wreak emotional and physical havoc. This is one reason to make as few major life changes, at any one time, if at all possible. Otherwise, stress (especially cumulative) can result in stress-related disorders and illness. There are some stressors over which we have no control ( loss of a job) and there are others that are within our control. Taking charge of the latter can play an important part in our emotional well being over time. 

As with depression, the anxiety disorders are highly treatable with either/or medications (benzodiazepines/Paxil/Prozac) or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (again successful in treating the anxiety disorders). One will not successfully treat a fear of leaving the house or excessive hand washing with talk therapy. Steps must be taken to reduce the anxiety while gradually exposing a person to his or her fears.

• Restlessness
• Fatigue
• Problems with concentration or mind going blank
• Tension (muscular)
• Sleep disturbances, especially not being able to fall asleep
• Fear of contamination (dirty hands/excessive uncontrollable hand washing) (OCD)
• Checking – checking the door is locked over and over/ that the stove is shut off/ counting (OCD)
• Collecting and hoarding – cannot stop and consumes most of your time (OCD)
• Substance abuse – to reduce anxiety
• Avoiding places/avoidance behaviors (phobia)
• A fear of meeting people or having to carry on a conversation (social phobia)
• Fear of leaving your home, or never leaving your home (agoraphobia)
• Incapacitating (specific) fears – fear of elevators/bridges
• Intense fear of cancer; checking for signs of cancer (OCD)
• Intense sudden fear " out of the blue" with many physical symptoms: palpitations, chest pain, sweating, lightheadedness, fear of dying (panic disorder)

Although these are clustered together, they are various expressions of anxiety. These symptoms can cause varying degrees of distress and discomfort. You should not have to live with such distress and as with depression, there are treatments available to either rid of the symptoms or make them more manageable.

If you would like to further explore any of your concerns with PsychOptions™,  please go to the Registration Site and we'll be glad to respond to your concerns.

There are too many disorders to be able to list here but there are many wonderful sites on the internet to gain further information and many books available on the various topics (See Bibliotherapy.)

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