DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY; HIDDEN DEADLY DISEASES
INTRODUCTION
Nobody wants to be associated with failure. The struggles for success have lured people to their early graves. Yes, it is commendable to have anticipated results and record applaudable successes. But, due to challenges that abound, some goals are unattained. People react differently to failures. While some people learn from the activities that hinder them from achieving their goals, some go unbothered, and others yield to depression and anxiety.
Accumulated stress and worries from depression and anxiety can trigger some psychological behaviors that are threatening to health, life, and properties. Self-realization and development, placing high self-esteem in oneself, and determining to take charge of every action of life is the best option to follow, when one is building anxiety or is depressed.
Furthermore, the level of disappointment from the government to their citizens in most countries has contributed to the high development of depression and anxiety among citizens. This is commonly experienced in developing countries of the world. Where the government does not ensure the availability of quality education, work, hospital care, power, security, and other primary amenities for the citizens. These, in turn, produce families without self-esteem but fighting to earn a daily living, and facing each life without purpose. These day-to-day challenges faced by people can easily yield to anxiety and depression.
WHAT THEN ARE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY?
Depression is a disorder in the feelings or mood of a person that is accompanied by persistent sadness, loss of appetite, change in mood of sleep, and hopelessness about things hoped for. While on the other hand, anxiety is a disorder characterized by excessive worry, fear, or uneasiness. Most times, people interchange these two words, or take one to mean the other, but they are distinct by closely observing their symptoms. Studies have shown that about 60% of patients with either of the two disorders can easily develop the other and when this occurs, agitation and restlessness are the most signs on the surface.
SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
The possible symptoms associated with depression include.
- sadness
- hopelessness
- loss of pleasure in activities
- irritability
- tiredness
- appetite changes
- thoughts of death or suicide
Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Tiredness
- Feeling on edge
- Difficulty in breathing
- Heart palpitations
- Difficulty in concentrating while performing tasks.
- Muscle tension, rigidity, or stiffness.
- Uneasy to sleep.
- Ache in the head, muscles, and stomach accompanied with unexplained pains.
The above and many more are the signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety. But these signs can also be associated with other health disorders. So, for a correct diagnosis of depression and anxiety, the patient must visit a specialist or doctor who will check for other possible health disorders that could result in the above signs and symptoms. In the absence of other medical challenges, as humans, it is normal to get depressed or anxious. But, when it persists for a very long time, that it now affects the health status of the individual, it can result in issues that will require medical attention.
FACTORS THAT AID THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
- Biological Factors: Imbalances in the release of neurotransmitters; chemicals released from the brain that is responsible for the transition of impulse or signals in the body, may contribute to the development of these disorders. Also genetically, people with a family history of these disorders can easily develop them.
- Psychological Factors: People’s exposure to past traumatic events, including abuse, or significant life changes can contribute to developing depression and anxiety. However, having negative thoughts or misconceptions about certain phenomena.
- Environmental Factors: Stressful life events, such as the loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, or relationship problems, can trigger depression or anxiety.
- Physical Health: People who are suffering from chronic illnesses, hormonal imbalances, or are exposed to certain medications can influence mental health leading to depression and anxiety.
- Personality Traits: Certain personality characteristics, such as low self-esteem or a tendency toward perfectionism, may be contributing factors to developing the disorders.
These factors singly can cause depression and anxiety but are more effective when they are in combination.
REMEDIES/TREATMENT OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY
For the diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety to be effective, patients should be eager to explain all the signs and changes in the physiology to the doctor. Most times, it is usually difficult to treat when the patient is having a combination of the two. Treatment for anxiety and depression involves talk therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
a. Talk therapy.
In talk therapy or counseling, a professional therapist can develop a plan to treat your anxiety, depression, or both. These are different kinds of talk therapy.
i. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): In this type of counseling or talk therapy, the professional therapist suggests to the patient, some positive ways to think and react to different issues. Hence, reducing the risk of developing anxiety and depression.
ii. Interpersonal therapy. Communication and interpersonal relationships are what humans cherish, and to fit in in this lean, you must be sound psychologically to understand the feelings and reasoning of others. This therapy teaches effective ways to relate and communicate with other people. Also, studies have shown that people with depression and anxiety develop more serious health problems when they stay on their own. So, creating good communication skills can help patients heal from these disorders.
iii. Problem-solving therapy: Sometimes people think that their problem is bigger than them or that no one else has the kind of problem they have. But that is not true. This kind of therapy suggests possible ways to tackle your problems. It possibly starts by telling them that you had/have the same problem and how you solved it or are solving it. Give them experiences with similar challenges, and if possible, introduce new skills to solving the problem. It also gives you skills on how to manage your symptoms.
b. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can also be employed in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Your doctor can prescribe an antidepressant drug to treat both depression and anxiety symptoms. such chemicals or drugs used in doing this include an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), or others such as bupropion and mirtazapine.
