How to Overcome Anxiety and Depression

By Phillip A. Johansen

Depression is a serious mental disorder that can affect the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. It can be due to a combination of factors, including stressful life events, hormonal changes, genetics, and physical health problems. Some of the common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sadness or feeling of emptiness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to enjoy

• Changes in appetite and weight

• Trouble falling asleep or increased or decreased sleep time

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Difficulty achieving or making decisions

• Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is a very common disorder and it is treatable. If you suspect you might be experiencing symptoms of depression, it's important to talk to a mental health professional or doctor for help. This book will help you better understand the symptoms and causes of the disease, as well as provide advice on how to deal with it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Editorial Anuket
• Release date: Sep 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223623625

Book preview

Chapter 1

Depression

Causes and symptoms

Depression is a serious mental disorder that can affect the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. It can be due to a combination of factors, including stressful life events, hormonal changes, genetics, and physical health problems. Some of the common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent sadness or feeling of empty

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

• Changes in appetite and weight

• Trouble falling asleep or increased or decreased sleep time

• Fatigue or loss of energy

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Difficulty achieving or making decisions

• Thoughts of death or suicide

Depression is a very common disorder and it is treatable. If you suspect you might be experiencing symptoms of depression, it's important to talk to a mental health professional or doctor for help. In this book, we will address the problem of depression and anxiety in a global way, so that you can understand the consequences that these states of mind lead to, and the different ways to deal with them.

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There are different types of depression, including:

major depression: It is a serious mood disorder that can significantly affect daily life. Symptoms include profound sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to be enjoyed, changes in appetite and sleep pattern, fatigue, difficulty gaining weight, thoughts of death or suicide, and changes in activity pattern.

persistent depression: Also known as dysthymic disorder, it is characterized by a depressed mood for at least two years. The symptoms are similar to those of major depression, but are less severe and last longer.

psychotic depression: It is a type of severe depression that is characterized by psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions along with symptoms of depression.

atypical depression: It is characterized by symptoms of depression that do not fit into the other categories. For example, it may include an increase in appetite or sleep rather than a decrease.

Postpartum depression: It is a mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth. Symptoms include sadness, anxiety, fatigue, and difficulty caring for the baby or enjoying motherhood.

A chronic feeling of sadness and emptiness grips the new mother due to the physical stress of childbirth and an unclear sense of responsibility for the newborn.

Dysthymia: it is a slight resemblance to depression, although on this occasion the manifestations are not so serious, of course, it must be treated immediately.

Cyclothymia: the symptoms are somewhat similar to bipolar mania or depression, as people with this disorder can sometimes experience severe mood swings.

Seasonal affective disorder: when you fall into a routine only during certain seasons (for example, winter, spring, etc.) It is expressed in mood swings, where a person's emotions can change from happy to sad or angry in a short period of time. Indicators indicate that more people become routine in winter and autumn.

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Causes of depression

Countless studies have been done on depression and various theories have been put forward to explain why people end up depressed. The prevailing opinion in medical circles is that it has multiple origins and cannot be attributed to one specific factor.

Many doctors believe that depression may be caused by inherited genes. They hold that some traits are destined to reappear in future generations. Also, these genes can negatively affect the production of serotonin in the brain. Ultimately, the only conclusion you can draw is that depression is caused by multiple factors and that eliminating each of these causes can lead to successful treatment.

Many people put more pressure on themselves to complete the tasks they take on, which naturally creates stress. It not only stresses the body but also affects the mind; in severe cases, it can cause a nervous breakdown. There are also those who are hyperactive and feel the need to meet deadlines, which affects their physical and mental health. These people may seek help and benefit from treatment for anxiety and depression.

People who are stressed by a lot of activity show nervousness and erratic behavior: as stress increases, they indulge in mood swings. They need to relax more and take things easy to keep their sanity.

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childhood experience

Doctors often delve into a person's childhood and try to find out what factors might have hindered their present life. For example, if a person has had an unpleasant physical or sexual experience, this can directly affect their emotional well-being in the future, and this is because as a child they