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Understanding Depression and the Paths to Recovery

Sadness is a perfectly normal reaction to life’s struggles, setbacks, and disappointments. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but the symptoms of depression are much more than just sadness. Depression is the overwhelming feeling of sadness when everything in your life seems to be going right. However, some depressed people don’t feel sad at all, they may feel lifeless, empty, and apathetic, or some may even feel angry, aggressive, and restless. Whatever the symptoms, depression is different from normal or ecological sadness in that it takes over your daily life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness are intense and unrelenting, with little, if any, relief.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3. MDD affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5 years old.
More prevalent in women than in men.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION

Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness – A feeling that nothing will ever get better and there’s nothing you can do to change it.
Overwhelming and uncontrollable negative thoughts.
Increase in irritability, aggression or anger – This occurs in higher frequency in men.
Loss of interest in daily activities – No interest in former hobbies, pastimes and social life. You’ve lost your ability to feel joy and pleasure.
Loss of or increased appetite or weight changes – Significant weight loss or weight gain – a change of more than 5% of body weight in one month.
Sleep changes – Either insomnia, especially waking in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping.
Loss of energy – Feeling fatigued, sluggish, and physically drained. Your whole body may feel heavy, and even small tasks are exhausting or take longer to complete.
Anger or irritability – Feeling agitated, restless, or even violent. Your tolerance level is low, your temper short, and everything and everyone gets on your nerves.
Self-loathing – Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. You harshly criticize yourself for perceived faults and mistakes.
Reckless behavior – You engage in escapist behavior such as substance abuse, increase in alcohol consumption compulsive gambling, reckless driving, or dangerous sports, etc.
Difficulty Concentrating / Concentration problems – Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things.
Unexplained aches and pains – An increase in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles, and stomach pain.
Thoughts that your life is too difficult and not worth living or thoughts like, what’s the point.

Seek help immediately if this is the case,
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment.
Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
GAD often co-occurs with major depression.

Panic Disorder(PD)

PD affects 6 million adults, or 2.7% of the U.S. population.
Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

SAD affects 15 million adults, or 6.8% of the U.S. population.
SAD is equally common among men and women and typically begins around age 13.
According to a 2007 ADAA survey, 36% of people with social anxiety disorder report experiencing symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help.

Specific Phobias

Specific phobias affect 19 million adults, or 8.7% of the U.S. population.
Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
Symptoms typically begin in childhood; the average age-of-onset is 7 years old.

Treatment For Anxiety

Psychotherapy or “talk therapy” can help people with anxiety disorders. To be effective, psychotherapy must be directed at the person’s specific anxieties and tailored to his or her needs.