Depression
WHAT IS IT?
Depression is a mood disorder where a person has a persistent feeling of sadness, emptiness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Those with depression tend to believe that nothing will get better and can help them get better. It can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. Some examples of depression disorders are postpartum depression, psychotic depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
● Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism
● Easily irritable
● Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
● Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
● Decreased energy or fatigue
● Anxiety
● Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
● Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
● Appetite/weight changes
● Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
● Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
RISKS
● Personal or family history of depression
● Physical change in brain
● Hormones
● Major life changes, trauma, or stress
○ Physical/sexual abuse
○ Death/loss of loved one
○ Difficult relationship
○ Financial problems
● Certain physical illnesses and medications
● Drugs/alcohol
TREATMENT
● Medication
● Psychotherapy
● Being active and exercise
STATISTICS
● Between 4-8% of adolescents experience depression
● Leading cause of disability in the US for ages 15-44
● Affects more than 16.1 (6.7%) million Americans
● More common in women than men
Anxiety
WHAT IS IT?
Anxiety disorder is when a person has intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. It can be disabling and interfere with any daily activities. Sometimes, anxiety disorders even include a repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety, also known as panic or anxiety attacks. The feelings of anxiety are usually difficult to control. There are different forms of anxiety disorders in which some are generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Anxiety can affect personal health, work, social interactions, and everyday life routines:
● Feeling nervous, restless, or on-edge
● Easily tired, irritable
● Having difficulty concentrating, mind going blank
● Overthinking
● Difficulty controlling feelings of worry
● Having sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep, restlessness, or unsatisfying sleep
RISKS
● Trauma
● Stress
● Exposure to negative/environment events
● Personality
● Other mental health disorders (depression)
● Having biological relatives with an anxiety disorder
● Drugs/alcohol
TREATMENT
● Psychotherapy
● Medication
● Support groups
● Research suggests that aerobic exercise can help manage anxiety
STATISTICS
● 40 million people (18%) in the US have anxiety
● Only 1⁄3 of those suffering from anxiety reeive treatment