Self Esteem & other self worth issues
Depression: What It Is and What To Do About It
Depression is a serious illness, not a harmless part of life. It is a complex disorder with a variety of causes. It is never caused by just one thing. It may be the result of a mix of factors, including genetic, chemical, physical, and sociological. It is also influenced by behavior patterns learned in the family and by cognitive distortions.
Depression affects millions of people in this country. It is always troubling, and for some people it can be disabling. Depression is more than just sadness or "the blues." It can have an impact on nearly every aspect of a person's life.
Depression is Pervasive
When a person suffers from depression, it can affect every part of his or her life, including one's physical body, one's behavior, thought processes, mood, ability to relate to others and general lifestyle.
Symptoms of Depression
People who are diagnosed with clinical depression have a combination of symptoms from the following list:
- Feelings of hopelessness, even when there is reason to be hopeful
- Fatigue or low energy
- Much less interest or pleasure in most regular activities
- Low self esteem
- Feeling worthless
- Excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Lessened ability to think or concentrate
- Weight gain or loss without dieting
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Recurrent thoughts of death
- Suicidal thoughts
- A specific plan for committing suicide
- A suicide attempt
If you or someone close to you suffers from depression, it is important to educate yourself about it and seek treatment from qualified mental health professionals.
Signs That Professional Treatment Is Needed
- Thinking about death or suicide. This is always dangerous and you should see a professional therapist immediately.
- When symptoms of depression continue for a long time, you may need professional help.
- Your ability to function is impaired by your depression. Seek help before your life situation deteriorates to a serious level.
- You have become so isolated that you have no one with whom to check reality. Seek out someone to share your thoughts and feelings with.
Anxiety
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Every human feels anxiety on occasion; it is a part of life. All of us know what it is like to feel worry, nervousness, fear an concern. We feel nervous when we have to give a speech, go for a job interview or walk into our boss's office for a performance appraisal. Most of us manage these kinds of anxious feelings well and are able to carry on with our lives without much difficulty. These feelings don't disrupt our lives.
But, millions of people suffer from devastating and constant anxiety that affects their lives, sometimes resulting in living in highly restricted ways. These people experience panic attacks, phobias, extreme shyness, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
- Social anxiety or Social Phobia is a fear of being around other people. People who suffer from this disorder always feel self-conscious around others. They have the feeling that everyone is watching them, staring at them, thinking critical thoughts about them. People who have social anxiety know that their thoughts and fears are not rational, but this knowledge does not make the feelings disappear.
- Panic Disorder is a condition where a person has panic attacks without warning. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, about 5% of the adult American population suffers from panic attacks. Common symptoms include:
Racing or pounding heart
Trembling
Sweaty palms
Feelings of terror
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Fear of dying
Fear of losing control
Tingling in the hands, arms, feet or
legs
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder is quite common, affecting an estimated 3 to 4% of the population. This disorder fills a person's life with worry, anxiety and fear. People who have this disorder are always thinking and dwelling on the "what ifs" of every situation. It feels like there is no way out of the vicious cycle of anxiety and worry. The person often becomes depressed about life and their inability to stop worrying.