Watch Out For Signs of Depression

Depression and related anxiety disorders affect between 9 and 25 percent of the population and can be as disabling as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Anxiety disorders associated with depression include panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As each of these disorders leaves its own mark on the patient and their families, when depression occurs at the same time they can be even more damaging.

Unfortunately, common as they are, depression and anxiety are often misdiagnosed.

Depression

Most people will suffer some form of depression at some stage in their lives. Some of these will go on to full blown major depression.

What are the signs of depression?

• Depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day

• Lack of interest in, or pleasure in, almost all activities every day or nearly every day

• Weight loss or gain of more than five percent without dieting, associated with an increased or decreased appetite

• Sleeping more or less each day

• An obvious increase or decrease in physical activity

• Lack of energy and tiredness every day

• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

• Lack of concentration

• Recurrent thoughts of death which may include ideas of suicide, either with or without a specific plan to commit suicide

Many will recognise some of these symptoms which may have occurred for short periods at some stage of their lives. A major depression results when at least five of the listed symptoms have been present over a two week period, and at least one of the symptoms is depressed mood or loss of interest.

A milder form of depression known as chronic dysthymia is characterised by feelings of depression most days for at least two years, along with at least two of the symptoms listed.

Anxiety

People with anxiety disorders typically present to their doctors with many different physical symptoms, but rarely admit to their anxiety or panic attacks, compulsions, obsessive thoughts or phobias.

Anxiety and depression are often linked and symptoms of both are commonly experienced. Some anxiety is normal in everyday life, but prolonged feelings of worry, fear or anticipated doom must be treated because they can lead to serious physical and psychological problems. Physical symptoms include the following: trembling, twitching or feeling shaky.

Muscle tension or Depression and related anxiety disorders affect between nine and 25 percent of the population and can be as disabling as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.

Anxiety disorders associated with depression include panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. As each of these disorders leaves its own mark on the patient and their families, when depression occurs at the same time they can be even more damaging.

Unfortunately, common as they are, depression and anxiety are often misdiagnosed.

Depression

Most people will suffer some form of depression at some stage in their lives. Some of these will go on to full blown major depression.

· What are the signs of depression?

· Depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day.

· Lack of interest in, or pleasure in, almost all activities every day or nearly every day...

· Weight loss or gain of more than five percent without dieting, associated with an increased or decreased appetite.

· Sleeping more or less each day.

· An obvious increase or decrease in physical activity

· Lack of energy and tiredness every day.

· Feelings of worthlessness and guilt.

· Lack of concentration.

· Recurrent thoughts of death which may include ideas of suicide, either with or without a specific plan to commit suicide.

Many will recognise some of these symptoms which may have occurred for short periods at some stage of their lives. A major depression results when at least five of the listed symptoms have been present over a two week period, and at least one of the symptoms is depressed mood or loss of interest. A milder form of depression known as chronic dysthymia is characterised by feelings of depression most days for at least two years, along with at least two of the symptoms listed.

Anxiety

People with anxiety disorders typically present to their doctors with many different physical symptoms, but rarely admit to their anxiety or panic attacks, compulsions, obsessive thoughts or phobias.

Anxiety and depression are often linked and symptoms of both are commonly experienced. Some anxiety is normal in everyday life, but prolonged feelings of worry, fear or anticipated doom must be treated because they can lead to serious physical and psychological problems. Physical symptoms include the following:

o Trembling, twitching or feeling shaky

o Muscle tension or aching

o Restlessness

o Fatigue

o Shortness of breath or the sensation of being smothered

o Palpitations or a fast heart beat

o Sweating or cold, clammy hands

o Dry mouth

o Dizziness or light-headedness

o Nausea or diarrhoea

o Flushes or chills

o Frequent urination

o An exaggerated startle response

o Difficulty concentrating

o Insomnia

o Irritability

There are several anxiety syndromes recognised which all tend to be chronic. Those which are most often seen with depression are generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Many patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder also suffer from depression.

Panic disorder is characterised by unexpected panic attacks in which the person feels that they are "going crazy," and experiences hyperventilation which can lead to chest pain, sweating and dizziness.

Since there is still stigma attached to any form of psychiatric illness patients are often reluctant to voice their real problems to their GPs and will present frequently with physical symptoms.

Treatment

As with most psychiatric illness a combination of drug therapy and counselling is most effective.

The older tricyclic antidepressants, while effective, have many side effects and have largely been replaced by the newer serotonin re-uptake inhibitors which have fewer side-effects

Homeopathic alternatives have the advantage of no side effects and thus the safety of their usage is guaranteed, says Dr Rene Anderson, a registered naturopath with more than 30 years practical experience in a range of medical fields. Dr. Anderson recommends homeopathic remedies for use in highly emotional situations and many related symptoms - nervous exhaustion and fatigue. These treatments are also effective in postpartum depression.

Most people will start to respond to treatment within two to four weeks, but some may take longer, or require higher doses of the antidepressant of choice, or may even need a different drug.

Depression and anxiety are often episodic, but many people find that even between episodes they have residual symptoms. Experts recommend that treatment is continued until the patient has had no symptoms for at least four to six months. Some people prefer to continue treatment for around 12 months, particularly if the patient has had a particularly severe depression.

Anxiety disorders often need life-long treatment. For accurate diagnosis and correct dosage requirements, please consult your physician or pharmacists.

o Restlessness

o Fatigue

o Shortness of breath or the sensation of being smothered

o Palpitations or a fast heart beat

o Sweating or cold, clammy hands

o Dry mouth

o Dizziness or light-headedness

o Nausea or diarrhoea

o Flushes or chills

o Frequent urination

o An exaggerated startle response

o Difficulty concentrating

o Insomnia

o Irritability

There are several anxiety syndromes recognised which all tend to be chronic. Those which are most often seen with depression are generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. Many patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder also suffer from depression.

Panic disorder is characterised by unexpected panic attacks in which the person feels that they are "going crazy", and experiences hyperventilation which can lead to chest pain, sweating and dizziness.

Since there is still stigma attached to any form of psychiatric illness patients are often reluctant to voice their real problems to their GPs and will present frequently with physical symptoms.

Treatment

As with most psychiatric illness a combination of drug therapy and counselling is most effective.

The older tricyclic antidepressants, while effective, have many side effects and have largely been replaced by the newer serotonin re-uptake inhibitors which have fewer side-effects

Homeopathic alternatives have the advantage of no side effects and thus the safety of their usage is guaranteed, says Dr Rene Anderson, a registered naturopath with more than 30 years practical experience in a range of medical fields. Dr Anderson recommends homeopathic remedies for use in highly emotional situations and many related symptoms - nervous exhaustion and fatigue. These treatments are also effective in postpartum depression.

Most people will start to respond to treatment within two to four weeks, but some may take longer, or require higher doses of the antidepressant of choice, or may even need a different drug.

Depression and anxiety are often episodic, but many people find that even between episodes they have residual symptoms. Experts recommend that treatment is continued until the patient has had no symptoms for at least four to six months. Some people prefer to continue treatment for around 12 months, particularly if the patient has had a particularly severe depression.

Anxiety disorders often need life-long treatment. For accurate diagnosis and correct dosage requirements, please consult your physician or pharmacists.