Depression And Anxiety: risk factors, diagnosis and treatements

 Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but they often occur together. And they have the same drugs.

Feeling down or having blues now is the norm. And everyone feels anxious at times - it is a common response to stressful situations. But severe or persistent feelings of depression and anxiety can be a symptom of subtle mental disorders.

Anxiety may occur as a symptom of (severe) clinical depression. It is also common to experience depression caused by anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder or seizure disorder. Most people have your experience with both anxiety disorders and clinical depression.

Symptoms of both conditions are usually best treated with psychotherapy, medications, such as antidepressants, or both. Lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep habits, increasing social support, using stress reduction techniques, or regular exercise, can also help. If you have any condition, avoid alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs. They can make both conditions worse and interfere with treatment.

Risk Factors

Although the emotional states are apparently not the same, mental health studies suggest that depression and anxiety are more likely to be caused by the same or similar factors.

              A variety of things can increase your chances of feeling anxious. These factors may be internal, including genetic, for example, or external, involving racial inequality or environmental concerns.

1. Genetic Factors

Genetics play a role in 40 percent of the tendency to develop symptoms of depression and anxiety, 60 percent of which are said to be genetic, inherited traits. ” "Especially with anxiety, in addition to depression, there is often some family history, so we think there may be a genetic predisposition to this," explains Connolly.

2. Environmental Factors

The 2020 review describes anxiety as "a future-oriented attitude that includes a complex, emotional, physical, and behavioral response system that is geared towards preparing for events or situations that are considered dangerous."
          

           A variety of things around you can increase the chances of having anxiety. For example, a person’s family structure, cultural and religious upbringing, and many other childhood experiences can affect levels of anxiety, according to the 2018 review.

              Some studies have confirmed the link between child abuse and the increased risk of developing anxiety symptoms later in life.

3. Pain

Chronic pain, and especially debilitating pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), low back pain, headaches, and nerve pain, are closely related to depression, which includes both anxiety and depression, notes Harvard Health. In fact, they say that research suggests that “pain is linked to certain biological processes and the stress and depression.”

Diagnosis

There are a number of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder. This is in contrast to the common sense of concern for its quantity, severity, and impact on quality of life.

Anxiety disorders can be difficult to distinguish from other mental health conditions. Before making a diagnosis, a mental health professional reviews a person's history and performs a detailed examination. 

Also, the doctor may perform a physical exam and arrange a lab test. This is to control other conditions that may cause symptoms.

No single test can diagnose depression or anxiety. Instead, your therapist will usually start by asking questions about your symptoms, including how long you have had them and how they affect your daily life, to gain a better understanding of what you are experiencing.

Keep in mind an open and honest description of your attitude can help them better understand your feelings, which can lead to a proper diagnosis.

A good therapist will not judge you or say you should not feel a certain way. They will listen sympathetically and provide support by identifying and addressing your symptoms.

Treatments

No one should suffer from anxiety disorders or depression, and certainly not both. People with anxiety disorders should talk to a psychiatrist, therapist, or other health professional about their symptoms and begin treatment as soon as possible. If you suspect that you have both anxiety and depression, Connolly recommends getting a thorough examination from a psychiatrist as a first step. "It is very important for people with both [anxiety and depression] to get tested properly to avoid mental disorders," he says.

           

            Many helpful antidepressants are available. Depression treatment can help reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of stress. Treatment may include receiving treatment and / or taking medication. Your doctor or qualified mental health professional can help you decide which treatment is best for you.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on teaching people to challenge their negative thoughts so that they can use relaxation techniques to reduce stress. CBT is often used to treat people with both problems. Fear, anxiety and depression tend to be controlled by seeking out its causes. Once exposed, patients learn to control their emotions and their health.

2. Interpersonal Psychotherapy

IPT focuses on the connection between onset of symptoms and current interpersonal problems, such as unresolved grief, relationship disputes, and social isolation or withdrawal.

3. Antidepressant Medications

Antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Celexa (citalopram), Prozac (fluoxetine), (Lexapro (ecitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline). ) . Treatotherapy for anxiety and depression. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which include Cymbalta (duloxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine), are other options.

4. Exercise

Research suggests exercise is a powerful weapon to fight depression to a lesser extent. Physical activity releases endorphins that can help improve mood. Regular exercise is associated with higher confidence, better sleep, less stress, and more energy. Any type of moderate activity, from swimming to housework, can help. Choose something you enjoy and aim for 20 to 30 minutes four or five times a week.

5. Phototherapy

Light therapy has shown promise as an effective treatment not only for SAD but also for other types of depression. It involves sitting in front of a specially designed light box that provides bright or dim light for a set amount of time each day. Light therapy can be used in combination with other therapies. Talk to your doctor about getting a light box and the recommended duration of use.

6. St. John's Wort for Depression

St. John's wort is an herbal ingredient that has been widely debated. There is some evidence that it can combat mild depression, but two large studies have shown that it does not work in dealing with moderate to severe depression. St. John's wort can interact with other medicines that you may be taking for medical reasons or for contraception. Talk to your doctor before taking this or any supplement.

7. Social Support

Because loneliness goes hand-in-hand with depression, developing a social support network can be an important part of treatment. This may include joining a support group, finding an online support community, or making a genuine effort to see friends and family more often. Even joining a book club or taking classes at your gym can help you connect with people on a regular basis.

8. Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can help patients with drug-resistant depression who do not progress with medication. A VNS is like a brain pacemaker. The surgical device sends electrical impulses to the brain through the vagus nerve in the neck. These pulses are believed to relieve stress by affecting areas of the brain.

9. Electroconvulsive Therapy

Another option for patients with treatment-resistant or severe melancholic depression is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment uses the cost of electricity to create a controlled hold. Patients know nothing about the procedure. ECT helps 80% to 90% of patients who receive it, giving new hope to those who do not progress with medication.

10. Relaxation Techniques

Careful meditation, how to train your mind to slow down thoughts of running, stop being indifferent, and calm your mind and body by staying calm and focused on your breath - can relieve your symptoms of both anxiety and depression and improve quality of life, according to a review of a large study published in March 2014 in -JAMA Internal Medicine.