Going through stress, depression and anxiety (by human beings) cannot be said to be something new. However, in the present times, it definitely has become more ubiquitous in people’s life. The reasons for it? These could be many and varied. No matter what is the reason behind experiencing anxiety and depression, in each case, the patient is bound to feel unhappy, helpless and lonely. Depression is a disorder that can seriously affect the body, mood and thought pattern of a person. If it is accompanied by anxiety also, the problem becomes all the more worse.
Depression and anxiety can affect each and every aspect of a person's life, disturbing his/her ability to function, eat, think and even sleep well. A prominent trait of anxiety and depression is that they can affect anyone, irrespective of age and gender. The nature of the two mental problems can be both short-term as well as continuous. The way to understand whether one is suffering from anxiety and depression or not is by looking for certain specific symptoms. In the following lines, we have listed the known symptoms of anxiety and depression, including the physical ones.
Anxiety Depression Signs & Symptoms
- Constantly being in a sad and gloomy mood
- Having though of death or suicide often
- Predominance of negative thoughts and feelings
- A loss of interest in doing anything fruitful
- Experiencing constant mood swings
- Suffering from loss of concentration
- Problems encountered in making decisions
- Constantly feeling restless
- Facing insomnia or sleeplessness
- Marked loss or gain in appetite and weight
- Getting irritated for no reason at all (increased irritability)
- Avoidance of family members and friends
- Experiencing general loss of energy levels
- Having serious motivation problems
- Feeling exhausted, even when there has been no strenuous activity
- Trembling hands (a noticeable, physical and uncontrollable symptom)
- Worrying all the time, even when there is no reason for the same
- Retreating into a solitary, lonely world
- Getting panicky at the most trivial of problems
- Feeling guilty about things done or not done
- Suffering from stress/ tension headaches
- Muscle pain, in the form of backache or cramps
- Inexplicable rise in the heartbeat
- Having no interest in sex
- Loss of any sense of self worth
Causes & Treatment
Some common situations that are known to give rise to anxiety and depression are hectic lifestyle, failure in career or relationship, examinations, physical illness and heredity factors. Apart from that, it may also result if people are unable to find an outlet for their feelings in personal relationships. Depending upon the nature, the patient can be subjected to different forms of psychological therapies and medication for treatment. However, in almost all the cases, family plays a very important role in helping a person get over the problem. The love and care of near and dear ones make more difference than they realize.