Depression and anxiety are two different disorders that often occur at the same time. The symptoms and cure for depression and anxiety are the same, although the two conditions have different causes. It is normal for everyone to feel anxious or have the blues now and then caused by stressful circumstances. However, an underlying mental health condition can be linked to the unrelenting feelings of depression and anxiety. This article will help you understand what are the signs of depression, as well as the best treatment for depression and anxiety.
What are the signs of depression?
Anxiety may come as a symptom of clinical depression. It is also common for depression to be triggered by anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Depression may vary from one person to another, but there are common symptoms. Below are some of the physical, behavioral, and emotional signs and symptoms of depression.
- Feeling hopeless and helpless. People with depression tend to think that nothing will ever improve, and there is nothing they can do to better the situation.
- Losing interest in your everyday activities. In this case, the ability to feel pleasure or joy is lost. You no longer care about recent social activities, pastimes, sex, or hobbies.
- Changes in appetite or weight. There is a significant weight gain or loss. There can be a monthly change in your body weight of up to 5 percent.
- Irritability or anger. Often people lose their temper and tolerance level and become restless, agitated, or even violent. Everyone and everything gets on your nerves.
- Changes in your sleep pattern. You may either oversleep or suffer insomnia, regularly waking up in early morning hours.
- Energy loss. Sometimes you may feel physically drained, sluggish, or fatigued. Your body feels heavy and exhausted after small tasks.
- Self-loathing feeling. The feeling brings guilt and worthlessness, which may make you scold yourself for perceived mistakes or faults.
- Reckless activities. You may start to engage yourself in distracting behavior such as risky sports, reckless driving, compulsive gambling, or substance abuse.
- Concentration challenges. Remembering things, decision making, and focusing becomes a problem when one is depressed.
- Unexplained aches and pains. Stomach pain, muscle aches, back pain, headaches, and other physical complaints may increase.
- Having suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. The thoughts of taking your own life come from the deep despair and hopelessness that comes with depression.
What are the Causes of Depression?
Tension and stress, unresolved emotional issues, chronic illness or pan, alcohol and recreational drug use, food sensitivities (hidden and delayed), nutritional deficiencies, low vitamin D, heavy metal toxicity, fungal overgrowth, sleep disturbances, preexisting conditions, hormonal imbalance and others.
What is the best treatment for depression and anxiety?
There are a number of methods for treating depression. A naturopathic doctor can help in providing a thorough assessment of your health and needs in order to develop a personalized treatment plan that would work best for your mind and body. Some treatment options may include a combination of the following:
- Aromatherapy Massage Aromatherapy is regularly used by physicians to treat anxiety, depression, stress-related conditions, and insomnia. Studies have shown that the essential oils used for aromatherapy massage have some pharmacological effects.
- Dietary Changes Some of the dietary recommendations to cure for depression and anxiety include meals rich in vitamins B and D, magnesium, omega3 fatty acids, and the antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E.
- Exercise According to research, exercise is mostly the underused treatment mode, yet effective for mild to moderate depression with no side effects. Doing exercise helps to boost endorphin, a chemical produced by the body to ease stress.
- Natural Medicines Some herbs such as St John’s Wort have shown to have some significant effects on depressions, anxiety, lack of concentration, and insomnia.
- Sleep Changes Getting quality sleep goes a long way to treat depression. It can be achieved by making some lifestyle changes, such as going to bed early and at the same time.
Depression and anxiety have a reputation of ruining people’s lives. Don’t let it get there. There is a lot you can do to fight back on your own along with therapy. Contact the Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center and schedule your FREE 15 Minute phone consultation!