Anxiety With Depression Can Be Serious

Anxiety, by definition, is a heightened state of fearful awareness with heart and thoughts racing. Depression, on the other hand, is a dulling of all interest and an inability to concentrate, a lack of energy, and a real sense of not being able to accomplish anything.

Due to these diverse mood descriptions many may be surprised to learn how often depression presents itself as a secondary disorder in an individual who is already suffering with chronic anxiety. Normal sleep patterns are seriously disrupted for the individual suffering with this combination of mental disorders aggravating the depressive lack of energy, and contributing to more confusing thought patterns.

Alcohol abuse can quickly become a factor in this combination of disorders, since the sufferer may initially feel they are receiving some relief from their discomfort by drinking to help induce sleep, etc. As in nearly any other instance you can think of, dependency on alcohol never helps a situation in the long run, quite conversely, it adds another dimension to the struggles to overcome.

Extreme anger is another symptom of this combined disorder, the person may be very quick to rage, and slow to calm down. Many people in both verbally and physically abusive relationships could be helped much sooner if they were able to convince their partner to be tested and then treated for a mental disorder.
The person with this combination of anxiety and depression is not processing information correctly, and may believe others are against them, and blame especially those closest for their feelings. Unexpected situations are a fact of daily life, but for the individual struggling to make sense out of their uncontrollable apprehensions, in combination with an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness, any change in a routine, or small disappointment may send them into a downward spiral of anger, and aggression with no sensitivity towards the damage they are causing those around them.

Being anxious and or depressed most of the time makes enjoying life and experiencing any consistent sense of satisfaction unattainable. The obsessive worry and fear, the inability to rationally address any issue at hand, combined with a body that is running at it's lowest level of productivity, all this magnifies the individual's feelings of helplessness.

The all consuming dread and general gloom and doom attitude eat away at any desire to cultivate friendships, appreciate a hobby, or even take a walk. `If only' can be a prevailing thought, as the unfortunate person struggles to make some sense out of their despair.

As troubling as these collective disorders are, there is help readily available for those who need it. It would be very wise for the loved one of an individual presenting these behavioral patterns to become as educated as possible in both of these two areas of related disorders.

Perhaps only then, when the anxious and depressed person is approached in love and concern from a caring person, will they be ready to seek help. If allowed to continue on in the self deprecating and negative life styles these disorders breed, the anguished individual will very possibly go on to add even more disturbing symptoms and phobias to their already distressing repertoire.

About the Author:

For more information on anxiety try visiting http://www.BestAnxietyRelief.com a website that specializes in providing anxiety related tips, advice and resources to include information on anxiety depression.

Depression - An Equal Opportunity Affliction

"What is this guy trying to say here?" I can just hear everyone thinking, "This guy must be completely off his rocker!" If you really take a step back and look at "Who" Depression hits, you will have a clearer understanding of what I mean by this statement.

Depression is:

No respecter of age: it hits young and old alike.

Does not recognize an individuals Social Position: Rich or Poor makes no difference

It recognizes no boundaries: Cases of one form or another are found world wide.

Not selective: It can affect anyone at any time.

The Mayo Clinic describes some signs and symptoms of Depression below:

* Loss of interest in normal daily activities. You lose interest in or pleasure from activities that you used to enjoy.

* Depressed mood. You feel sad, helpless or hopeless, and may have crying spells.

In addition, for a doctor or other health professional to diagnose depression, most of the following signs and symptoms also must be present for at least two weeks.

* Sleep disturbances. Sleeping too much or having problems sleeping can be a sign you're depressed. Waking in the middle of the night or early in the morning and not being able to get back to sleep are typical.

* Impaired thinking or concentration. You may have trouble concentrating or making decisions and have problems with memory.

* Changes in weight. An increased or reduced appetite and unexplained weight gain or loss may indicate depression.

* Agitation. You may seem restless, agitated, irritable and easily annoyed.

* Fatigue or slowing of body movements. You feel weariness and lack of energy nearly every day. You may feel as tired in the morning as you did when you went to bed the night before. You may feel like you're doing everything in slow motion, or you may speak in a slow, monotonous tone.

* Low self-esteem. You feel worthless and have excessive guilt." These are just a few of the examples found it the Mayo Clinic Website. While this is a fantastic informational site, you should by no means use what you find there to treat the symptoms of depression yourself. That's what the Professionals are there for.

For many, Many years this was a subject "No one wanted to talk about. Especially if it involved a family member." While there have been a great many advances in Psychiatry and Psychology in just the last century, there is still evidence of how these conditions used to be treated all over the world. While most of the older "Institutions" have been shut down and or demolished, some of the more "Infamous" ones have been turned into museums showing the sick, depraved methods being used in the name of "Medical Science".

Early treatments of Depression, often confused with Insanity, were nothing short of Barbaric, and in some cases, were Prosecuted as War Crimes in the last century. People with severe cases of Depression, often termed "Manic Depression," were often as not locked away in Asylums or "Institutions" and used for experimental surgery or as test subjects for military weapons as evidenced by the Nazi Party in World War II.

Thankfully we have come a very long way from what those "Early" treatments were. As the fields of Psychology and Psychiatry continue to grow and evolve, more humane and better forms of treatment are being discovered. One day Depression may even be totally eliminated.

Steven Reid has been on line for around three years now and has changed directions in his career by entering Internet Marketing. Under the business of Success Patrol he has found enthusiasm and instructive training, finding his niche in Blogging and helping others learn new blogging techniques.

Depression and Guilt for Caregivers

Being a new caregiver is hard and can lead to depression if you let it. Not everyone who becomes a caregiver will experience depression and the negative feelings that often go with depression. Don't look at caregiving as something that if you do you will end up depressed and on medication. The depression begins to show up when you shut yourself off from what is familiar to you and solely concentrate on caregiving.

In an effort to provide the best possible care to your loved one, the caregiver often sacrifices their own emotional and physical needs, and by doing this even the strongest, most capable person can feel the strain. The feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, isolation, exhaustion, and then the guilt that is often accompanied by these feeling is a heavy toll for anyone to take.

Depression and guilt often go hand-in-hand. When you get angry at the person you are caring for and begin to have negative feelings towards them, feelings of guilt occur, followed by feelings of depression for feeling that way. It is a cycle that continues until you seek help.

We all have negative feelings from time to time, but when these feelings become intense and leave a caregiver totally drained of energy, becoming angered at their loved one for no particular reason, and crying frequently, these may be warning signs of depression. You need to be concerned about depression if the sadness and crying are continuous and the negative feelings are unrelenting.

It is unfortunate that some still think of depression as a sign of weakness rather than what it is, a sign that something is out of balance. Ignoring the feelings you have will not make them go away, it is important that you seek out medical help.

Symptoms of Depression

Most people's experience with depression is different. Some people may be sad for months while others may have a more intense and sudden change in the way they look at things. The degree of symptoms and type of symptoms will vary from person to person.

If you experience any of the following for longer than 2 weeks you may want to go and talk to your doctor.

• Have your eating habits changed resulting in either a dramatic weight gain or weight loss.

• Have your sleep patterns changed - either sleeping too much or too little. • Do you fee tired all the time, even after just waking up.

• Do you become easily angered or agitated?

• Do you have the feelings that nothing you do is good enough?

• Are you having thoughts suicide or death?

• Are you experiencing headaches, chronic pain, and digestive disorders that are not responding to treatments?

The above symptoms are warning signs of depression so it is important to talk to your doctor so you can get help. If you don't feel comfortable using the word depression, inform your doctor that you are 'feeling down' or 'feeling blue'. Your doctor will understand the message you are trying to get across and get you the help you need.

Maria Sandella was the primary caregiver for her grandmother for 2 years until her passing. She also worked summers in a long-term care facility while attending college. She now works as an Application Specialist for IntercomsOnline.com, which provides wireless intercom systems that caregivers use for communications with the elderly and disabled. For more information about a caregiver intercom go to IntercomsOnline.com. Also read their article titled: Wireless Intercom for Elderly or Disabled