Current studies have shown that depression and anxiety has greatly increased over the past 5 years, not only for adults but for children and adolescents also.
Depression commonly manifests physically, through stomach pains, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and motor control difficulty. While the causes of depression are unknown, a predisposition for it may run in families and it can be triggered by trauma and adverse life circumstances. Depression is diagnosed more frequently in women and tends to display differently in women than in men.
People tend to suffer higher rates of depression after giving birth and in late fall (known as postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder). Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and conversations. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs or overeat as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems. Depressed people are also at increased risk for self-harm.
Depression can be characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including:
- Apathy
- Sadness
- Guilt
- Exhaustion
- Irritability
Treating depression may include:
- Medication
- Talk Therapies
- CBT
- Adopting a healthier lifestyle
Anxiety may present in several ways including
- physical tremors,
- ruminating and worrying
- pressured speech, and
- sleep disturbances.
Those with anxiety may also experience more extreme symptoms including:
1. agoraphobia,
2. phobias and
3. panic attacks.
There are multiple ways of treatment modalities for anxiety. Some of the treatment modalities commonly used include:
1. CBT,
2. EMDR,
3. Desensitization, relaxation,
4. hypnosis and
5. mindfulness.