Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are two different moods of a person. At first, it may seem both are similar. But we can say, anxiety and depression are fraternal twins of mood disorders.

Under depression, people become hopeless, despair and angry. They lose their self-confidence. Energy level becomes low.

Most of the time, same treatment is given to treat anxiety and depression. Generally antidepressants treatment is used for anxiety and behavioral therapy is used for depression.

Type of Anxiety Disorder

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder

People with anxiety, emotionally they may feel irritable and apprehensive. Some time they fear about bad things that can happen to themselves or to their loved ones.

People with an anxiety disorder may have a number of physical symptoms, including

• Shakiness
• Muscle aches
• Sweating
• Cold and clammy hands
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Racing heart
• Dry mouth

Treatment For Anxiety Disorder

Following are some techniques that are commonly used to treat anxiety.

• Medication Benzodiazepines also called "minor tranquilizers" are commonly used to treat anxiety. These include Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin. The main problem of this drug is that there is a chance of recurrence of panic and anxiety symptoms when the medication is stopped. Symptoms of anxiety often diminish, when the depression is healed. Some people use kava herbal treatment. Kava treatment has no side effect.
• Exercise and relaxation techniques One of the important parts of treatment is relaxing the body. These relaxation techniques include abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and biofeedback. Mental health professionals are expert in how to teach relaxation or stress reduction. You can learn these techniques from mental health professional. Exercise reduces metabolizes excess adrenaline and thyroxin in the bloodstream, skeletal muscle tension and discharges pent-up frustration and anger. Thus regular exercise reduces some anxiety.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy It is psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients to alter anxious self-talks and mistaken beliefs that give the body anxiety-producing messages. Avoid negative thinking. Try to speak positive like " sure, I can handle my anxiety".
• Monitoring diet and nutrition Caffeine and nicotine are one of the prone anxiety and panic disorders. Some people have allergy of some food like sugar, certain sensitive or additive food. Take guidance from some nutritionally oriented physician or therapist about diet.

The Benefit of Exercise for Anxiety and Depression

There are emotional and psychological benefits of exercise. These are

• Confidence
• Keep mind busy in doing some physical activity, which offers a sense of accomplish. Meeting challenges can increase self-confidence.
• Distraction
• Interaction
• Healthy coping

• Self Help for Depression
• End Depression Now
• Conquer Stress, Depression & Anxiety