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Understanding the signs of depression and anxiety

You’re having a bad day. Again. You’re feeling anxious and nervous, or even sad and hopeless. Everyone has moments of anxiety or sadness, but how do you know what your intermittent feelings of anxiousness or despondency are more than just a series of bad days? How do you know when you’re facing a more serious health issue and should seek treatment? Read on to learn more about anxiety and depression and their symptoms, and then take our brief questionnaire to determine if you should speak to a health care professional.

Mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression impact men and women differently, and for some women, only appear during pregnancy or the postpartum period. Two of the most common issues that women face are anxiety disorder and depressive disorder.

Anxiety Disorder

There are a variety of diagnosable anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social phobia, or social anxiety disorder

It is believed that anxiety disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, the environment, psychological factors, and development factors. Unlike the mild levels of nervousness that many people experience when faced with a finite stressful experience, anxiety disorders typically last at least 6 months, with symptoms escalating if untreated. Each anxiety disorder has different symptoms, but all are predicated upon an excessive, irrational fear and dread

Depressive Disorders

Depressive disorders are a more extreme, and interruptive form of the sadness that individuals can experience from time to time. When an individual suffers from depressive disorder, it can interfere with day-to-day functioning. Like anxiety disorder, depressive disorder comes in many forms that span the severity continuum including:<

• Minor depression
• Dysthymic disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Psychotic depression
• Season affective disorder (SAD)
• Bipolar disorder

Scientists believe that depressive disorders are caused by genetic, biological, chemical, hormonal, environmental, psychological, and social factors. While signs and symptoms vary depending on the diagnosed condition, in general, symptoms of depressive disorder may include:

• Persistent sad, “empty” feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
• Fatigue or decreased energy
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Overeating or appetite loss
• Suicidal ideation or attempted suicide
• Physical pain in the form of persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems

If you feel that you are experiencing something more than occasional nervousness or despondency and that you may be suffering from anxiety or depressive disorder, complete the questionnaire below.

In the past month, have you (check all that apply):

 Experienced repeated feelings of hopelessness or emptiness?
 Experienced severe and unexplainable mood swings?
 Felt like you are constantly worried about things you cannot control?
 Worried about the amount of alcohol you consume on a daily or weekly basis?
 Felt more than twice a week like you have little interest in activities, hobbies, work, friends or family?
 Had difficulty sleeping more than twice per week?
 Felt like you have no energy on most days?
 Felt like you are worthless, a failure, or have let down your family, friends, or co-workers?
 Had trouble concentrating or remembering details on a daily basis?
 Felt like the world would be better off without you, or considered suicide?

If you checked 3 or more of the statements above, make an appointment to speak with your health care provider today. There are many available treatments for mental health disorders, and your physician can properly diagnose your condition and help you find a treatment plan that will work best for you.

Drs. Chouchani, Sayegh and Bagnarello are concerned for the overall health of our patients.  We can recommend options and specialists to help you overcome anxiety and/or depression.