Anxiety and Depression
Shared mechanism gone awry
Anxiety and Depression are expression of emotions client have difficulty coping with at the present moment and it is our hope we will be able to teach clients the tools needed to cope with these emotions when they arise in the future. The core of the anxiety and depression is some shared mechanism gone awry. Research points to over reactivity of the stress response system, which sends into overdrive emotional centers of the brain. Negative stimuli make a disproportionate impact and hijack response systems.
Anxiety defined as:
- Can’t seem to get rid of their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense than the situation warrants
- Can’t relax, startle easily, and have difficulty concentrating
- Often they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Physical symptoms include fatigue, headaches, muscle tension, muscle aches, difficulty swallowing, trembling, twitching, irritability, sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, having to go to the bathroom frequently, feeling out of breath, and hot flashes
- Develops slowly and it can often starts during the teen years or young adulthood.
- Symptoms can get better or worse at different times and often are worse during times of stress
Depression defined as:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
- Overeating, or appetite loss
- Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment.
