Depression & Anxiety Go Hand-In-Hand: Both Can Be Treated

Depression and anxiety are mood disorders that are unfortunately very common all over the world. Fortunately, though, awareness of depression and anxiety is on the rise, which is good news for anyone who suffers from these issues.

In a 2012-published survey, it was estimated that around 5% of Canadian adults admitted to having mood disorders.

That roughly equates to 1 in 20 people on average. Depression and anxiety are some of the most problematic mood disorders that people can have.

Depression and anxiety are closely related to each other and often go hand-in-hand. In fact, these disorders often manifest together. It is normal to have mood swings or emotional problems from time to time.

When these problems become more serious, however, then they will need to be addressed.

Signs of Depression & Anxiety to Watch For

Depression and anxiety are mental health issues that one should not take lightly.

Several signs may indicate the presence of these issues in a person.

Depression and anxiety share many of these signs. Some of the most shared signs to watch out for in a person are the following:

  • Mood and emotional problems: Examples of these are mood swings, extreme emotions, and outbursts that happen regularly, among others.
  • Being nervous or anxious: Anxiety and nerves can be rather severe for someone with a mood disorder to control.
  • Changes in sleeping patterns: These changes can include oversleeping or insomnia.
  • Physical manifestations: There are also other signs related to physical health. These include troubles with digestion, headaches, hair loss, and more.

 

 

Of course, since depression and anxiety are different disorders, these also have distinct signs. Some of the more distinct signs are the following:

  • Depression:
    • Emotions related to hopelessness
    • Loss of interest in activities
    • Being fixated on guilt and worthlessness
  • Anxiety:
    • Specific fears that are characteristic of phobias
    • Persistent worry
    • Fear of separation from loved ones
    • Fear and anxiety of social situations

Since depression and anxiety have potentially serious effects, proper action should be taken when the signs are recognized.

Doing so can prevent further adverse effects from occurring.

The Impact of Depression and Anxiety on Life

Depression and anxiety do not just impact a person’s mental and emotional state.

These problems can potentially creep into all aspects of a person’s life. In the worst cases, people close by can even feel the impact.

Some of the most notable impacts or implications of depression and anxiety are the following:

  • Emotions and mental state: Anxiety and depression can introduce a lot of negative emotions into a person’s life. These can take a severe toll on one’s emotional and mental state.
  • Physical health: Stress can also become a problem and may lead to poor physical health.
  • Professional and academic well-being: A person’s performance in work or school may suffer because of anxiety or depression.
  • Relationships: Relationships with family and friends are among the most impacted if depression and anxiety are not addressed.
  • Others: Other effects include lack of drive, altered consciousness and thinking, and many more.

Addressing Depression and Anxiety

There are many ways to address depression and anxiety. Naturally, one needs to prioritize healthier methods. Here are some healthy techniques to help address depression and anxiety.

1.     Identify and assess the problem

The first step is to attempt to identify what the problem is. You cannot come up with solutions if the problem is unknown. Unfortunately, denial is one of the biggest obstacles to addressing depression and anxiety properly.

2.     Address the triggers

Some people have factors that can trigger anxiety and panic attacks or depressive episodes. It is best to identify these triggers and find ways of managing them early on. Doing so can improve health significantly.

3.     Build your stress-management skills

Stress can aggravate the effects of anxiety. To reduce these effects, honing stress-management skills is a must. Good stress-management can even help with many other aspects of life.

4.     Set goals

The lack of drive in a person is one of the biggest problems that depression and anxiety can give. Goal-setting is one of the best ways of addressing these problems. Even better is to construct a list of things that you should strive to achieve and then track your progress.

5.     Communicate

Surround yourself with people that genuinely support you and care about your well-being. Reach out to family and friends. Make sure that you communicate with them properly so that they know what you are going through.

6.     Breathe

Life can be tough and overwhelming at times. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, it’s good to take a step back and breathe. This can impressively help you calm down.

7.     Find distractions

Finding new activities to enjoy is one of the best ways of staying healthy amidst anxiety and depression. Some ideal and healthy activities are crafts, reading, sports, and many more.

8.     Meditate

Activities like meditation and yoga are incredibly beneficial for many mood disorders. Anxiety and depression are among the disorders that may benefit from these activities.

9.     Adopt a positive mindset

Mood disorders can introduce a lot of negativity to a person’s life. The best way to counteract this negativity is to turn it actively into something positive. It may seem complicated, but adopting a positive mindset will enormously help you emotionally, mentally, and physically.

10.  See a professional

Anxiety and depression are serious problems that not everyone can get through alone. Seeking the help of a professional may be the best step. An experienced therapist can talk with you through depression and anxiety issues and help you get back on a more favourable path to lead a productive life.

Depression and anxiety may be problems, but they are entirely solvable.

Depression and anxiety should not be taken lightly.

These issues can severely impact a person’s life and the lives of everyone around them. As serious as these problems may be, they are not unsolvable. If you or anyone you know suffer from depression and anxiety, then seek professional help.

Capital Choice Counseling has been serving Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans and surrounding areas since 2006. Bring yourself back to your best and consult with our experts.

Contact us today to make an appointment with an Ottawa counsellor who’s highly trained and experienced in helping people with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.