Treating Symptoms Of Depression In Teens
When treating symptoms of depression in teens. It is important to remember that depression mostly runs in the family and can very well be genetic. But one cannot disregard the presence of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse. Loss of a pet or death of a loved one, breakups, or parental abandonment. Whatever the cause may be, what is vital is that it be addressed as soon as possible. A trained professional may use medication as well as cognitive behavioral therapy to treat this issue.
What Are The Causes Of Depression And Anxiety
Weve seen that biology isnt the primary cause of depression for most people. In this part, well cover the major causes of depression and anxiety: the social, psychological, and environmental factors in our daily lives.
Hari calls these factors disconnections because they represent a fundamental disconnect between the realities of modern life and the healthy practices we need in order to stave off depression. Disconnections fall into three broad categories: disconnections from others, disconnections from your past and future, and disconnections from a meaningful life.
Well start our examination of the causes of depression and anxiety by first exploring forms of disconnections to others: namely disconnection from meaningful relationships and from positive social status.
When To Seek Help
If youre living with anxiety and you think its causing depression symptoms as well, you dont have to go through this alone. You may find it useful to work with a therapist who is familiar with anxiety, depression, and the overlap between the two.
There are many types of treatment options available, but Ely recommends Acceptance Commitment Therapy andcognitive behavioral therapy as a great place to start.
Ely adds these modalities can help you:
- identify unhelpful or distorted thoughts
- widen your comfort zone
- increase your self-esteem
In therapy, we focus on changing your negative narrative about yourself to one that is strength and value-focused, she says. By combining these methods, we see clients move from anxiety and depression, to self-confidence and more fulfilling lives.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
Feeling blue once in a blue moon is fine. But feeling blue and then not being able to shake off that feeling can safely be considered signs of depression. Sadness is brought on by a major incident in your life like the loss of a loved one, a breakup, divorce or separation, material loss, or failure in your career. Just about any such situation can make a normal person sad. But alarm bells need to go off when this period of mourning gets extended unnaturally, such as months or years. If you have been feeling listless and down for more than a month or so. Its time to seek help and find out if what you are experiencing is natural or are, the sneaky signs and symptoms of depression.
Since there are many types of depression. The symptoms of depression experienced by each individual determine what type they have. The most complicated and hard to treat is Major Depressive Disorder. Here is a list of conditions that can help determine if what you are experiencing is the real sign of depression or just an extended period of mourning.
To Cope With Anxiety And Depression Try These Tips:
Try diaphragmatic and square breathing techniques.
Diaphragmatic breathing involves taking a deep breath from your diaphragm. Your stomach should expand as you breathe in. Square breathing techniques involve taking a deep breath in for five counts, holding this deep breath for five counts, exhaling for five counts and finally holding for five counts before repeating. The entire time should be spent focusing on your breath versus the stressful event.
Challenge your thoughts.
This involves not judging situations good or bad and focusing on what you’re feeling and identifying what’s in your control. Your primary areas of control are acknowledgement of your emotions, feelings and your reaction to stressful situations. It is also important to focus on the facts of the situation. Sometimes your anxious and depressive thoughts are not always based in facts. Facts are 100% absolute not assumptions.
Ask yourself:
- How would I like the situation to turn out?
- What are the facts?
Then identify small, specific goals to get to your desired outcome. If you fail to acknowledge your emotions and feelings and attach a negative thought to a situation, the outcome of that situation will result in avoidance and increased anxiety and depression.
Focus on the facts.
Challenge yourself to find the facts in a situation and acknowledge whatever emotions and feelings the situation reveals. Doing so increases the likelihood you’ll be able to cope effectively with a stressful situation.
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Questions To Ask Yourself
Again, its very common to feel low or sad, stressed or anxious, or any combination of the above, on occasion.
All the same, youre the best person to recognize whats typical for you. If you start to experience new, uncomfortable feelings, changes in your energy and motivation, or any other unusual symptoms, it never hurts to connect with a mental health professional for more guidance.
You might wonder whether an online self-test for anxiety or depression could offer more insight about the changes youve noticed. Some people do find these a helpful place to start but a more personalized route might involve asking yourself a few questions:
- Do I spend a lot more time worrying than I have in the past?
- Do I feel sad, empty, or hopeless often?
- Have I lost interest in the things I used to enjoy?
- Have I started to avoid spending time with friends and loved ones?
- Do I worry about things I cant control to the point where I have a hard time thinking about anything else?
- Do I become irritable or annoyed more quickly than I have in the past?
- Do I often feel restless, on edge, or unable to relax?
- Do I cycle through dark, unwanted, or fearful thoughts I cant seem to stop?
- Is it difficult to fall asleep, get enough sleep, or wake up on time most days?
- Have I noticed unexplained pain, tension, or other physical symptoms?
- Do these changes affect my daily life or relationships?
If you answered yes to most of the questions above, it may be time to reach out to a therapist.
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Our mental health system has been stretched to the breaking point, Stearns said.
Westerberg, the Winnacunnet social worker, states it more emphatically: We should all be shouting from the rooftops about the experiences of our kids that are in a true mental health crisis and awaiting an inpatient psychiatric bed.
Schools are also an important mental health resource, able to provide doses of safety, Westerberg and other experts said.
School counselors and school social workers can help with referrals to community providers and can be a safe ear in school when academic or social pressure gets to be too much, Westerberg said.
Nadeau, the SAU 21 superintendent, urges all students to seek support if they are feeling troubled.
We have plans in place for people to gain access to supports right away, Nadeau said. We know people need access to them. I want to reiterate the message from Justice Broderick that seeking help is what strong people do. It helps them remain strong. It helps them grow and overcome some of the obstacles that they face and there are people who care about them and want to help and support them.
Addressing a mental health crisis can be difficult and painful, but Stearns of NAMI-NH reminds that the crisis is a detour, not a destination.
Treatment is not someones life, Stearns said. Its what allows them to live their life.
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Anxiety And Depression In Children
Find information and resources for parents on how to help children cope
Many children have fears and worries, and may feel sad and hopeless from time to time. Strong fears may appear at different times during development. For example, toddlers are often very distressed about being away from their parents, even if they are safe and cared for. Although fears and worries are typical in children, persistent or extreme forms of fear and sadness could be due to anxiety or depression. Because the symptoms primarily involve thoughts and feelings, they are sometimes called internalizing disorders.
Does Anxiety Cause Depression
It depends. If your anxiety is a temporary emotional response, its not likely it may lead to symptoms of depression.
But if you notice that your signs of anxiety become a recurring experience, you may be living with an anxiety disorder. In this case, suggests that its possible that anxiety leads to depression, or makes the existing symptoms of depression feel worse.
In that case, depression may be a side effect of anxiety.
Heres why and how the untreated effects of anxiety may cause depression symptoms to develop:
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Symptoms Of Social Anxiety Disorder
The difference between social anxiety disorder and the social stress many of us experience from time to time is that social anxiety tends to cause fear thats out of proportion to the situation youre worried about.
For instance, if you live with social anxiety, the thought of an upcoming work meeting might trigger strong physical anxiety symptoms, like nausea and dizziness.
According to the DSM-5, you might have social anxiety if you:
- fear social interaction, being watched, or performing in front of other people
- worry others will notice your anxiety symptoms and judge you for them
- feel stressed when thinking about upcoming social situations
- often worry about being rejected or looked down on by others
- avoid social situations due to your anxiety
- experience intense stress when you force yourself to socialize
Symptoms of social anxiety disorder typically last for at least 6 months, often longer.
A mental health professional may ask how these symptoms impact your day-to-day life, such as work and relationships, before confirming a diagnosis.
Social anxiety isnt technically a symptom of depression, but the two conditions can occur together.
According to a also linked social anxiety disorder to persistent depressive disorder , a milder but longer-lasting form of depression.
Still, more research tends to focus on how social anxiety causes depression and for people with those co-occurring conditions, the social anxiety starts first.
Caffeine Can Cause Sleep Issues
One of the most common side effects of caffeine is sleep issues. Caffeine can disrupt sleep patterns by causing an increase in energy levels and a rush of adrenaline. This increased energy can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Additionally, caffeine can cause changes in brain chemistry that lead to an increased level of anxiety during sleep.
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Your Sleep Is All Screwed Up
A person with anxiety might have a tough time falling asleep and/or staying asleep, or might have restless and unsatisfying sleep, according to the NIMH. Elevated levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline make it hard to get a good nights sleep, since your buzzing body may not be able to relax enough to rest. The racing thoughts that can come with anxiety are no recipe for great sleep, either.
Its not just that anxiety contributes to sleep problems. Sleep issues such as insomnia can make you more prone to anxiety too, the Mayo Clinic explains. What a great cycle.
Recognizing The Signs High
The signs of high-functioning anxiety and depression can get hidden within seemingly reasonable justifications. Even though one might be holding down a job, going to school, or in a healthy relationship, he or she experiences disruptions in life activities that may not be necessarily obvious. Some of these hidden disruptions can be seen in behaviors such as declining social invitations with the excuse that work has been busy or stressful, sleeping more or sleeping less, and an overreliance on coping mechanisms like excessive exercise, overeating, or overindulging in alcohol or illicit substances.
Other signs of high-functioning anxiety or depression are:
- Pervasive self-criticism
- Excessive worry or guilt over past or future decisions
- An Inability slow down or to feel real joy
The symptoms of high-functioning anxiety and depression, like other forms of anxiety and depression, only get worse over time when not treated.
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Mental Health Challenges Can Start Early
Mental health issues can start in a childs life . This can be a reaction to their environment, the death of a family member, academic struggles, bullying, and even traumatic events.
If an adult has a mental disorder, theres a good chance that an onset may have occurred early on in their lives. These mental health issues can develop well before the age of 25. Youll want to keep an eye out for any potential symptoms that may occur during your childs pre-adolescent years and beyond.
The sooner you are able to catch them, the better. A mental health professional with a specialization in helping children will provide them with a treatment plan and ways to help them manage their anxiety and depression as they get older.
The Most Common Anxiety Disorders Include:
- Specific phobias Phobias could be related to animals, like spiders, cats or dogs the natural environment, such as heights, storms or being in water blood injection injury, which is a fear of needles or invasive medical procedures or locations, like airplanes, elevators or enclosed places.
- Social anxiety disorder
- This is an abrupt surge of intense fear or discomfort.
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What Are Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
How do you know if you or your loved one may have depression? Does depression look different as you age? Depression in older adults may be difficult to recognize because older people may have different symptoms than younger people. For some older adults with depression, sadness is not their main symptom. They could instead be feeling more of a numbness or a lack of interest in activities. They may not be as willing to talk about their feelings.
The following is a list of common symptoms. Still, because people experience depression differently, there may be symptoms that are not on this list.
- Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability, restlessness, or having trouble sitting still
- Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, including sex
- Decreased energy or fatigue
- Moving or talking more slowly
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, waking up too early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Eating more or less than usual, usually with unplanned weight gain or loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
If you have several of these signs and symptoms and they last for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor. These could be signs of depression or another health condition. Dont ignore the warning signs. If left untreated, serious depression may lead to death by suicide.
Take Some Steps On Your Own
Get organized. “Less clutter in your physical surroundings, email inbox, and to-do bucket will help your mind be more at ease,” Braslow says. You donât have to tackle it all at once. Make a plan to work on one area at a time.
Make new goals. Is there something youâve always wanted to do, or a place you want to go? Create a step-by-step, realistic plan to make it happen.
Do something meaningful. Get involved in an activity that feels important to you. It may be athletic, political, spiritual, or a social cause where you can volunteer. Look for something that gives you a sense of purpose.
Be creative. Direct your focus into something constructive. Rediscover your strengths. If you have a long-lost talent or interest, dive back into it. Braslow suggests trying poetry, music, photography, or design.
Read a good book. It’s a great way to relax. Thereâs even research that shows that reading books on spirituality or psychology may boost your mood.
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How Are They Related
Both depression and anxiety are very common and often happen together. About 60% of people with anxiety also have symptoms of depression, and vice versa. Each condition can make symptoms of the other get worse or last longer.
The same genes may be behind both conditions. Anxiety and depression could also stem from the same structures or processes in the brain. Stress and trauma early in life can trigger both depression and anxiety.
If you have anxiety, you may be at greater risk for depression. Experts say avoiding the things you fear might lead to depression.
Disconnection From A Rewarding Work Life
For many people, an unfulfilling and unhappy work life leads to depression. Most people sleepwalk through their work day or actively dread going to work, often because they feel they have little control over their responsibilities and thus disengage from their work. In 2011 and 2012, a Gallup poll surveyed millions of people all over the world. Only 13% said they are enthusiastic about and committed to their work. The rest were not engaged or actively disengaged . At the same time, work hours are expandingthe nine to five is now more of a seven to sevenwhich means that many people spend more time working than doing things they actually enjoy.
It might seem obvious that spending most of your life in a job where you have little control and arent actively engaged could make you depressed, but scientists resisted recognizing unhappy work life as one of the causes of depression and anxiety for years. The tide began to change after a landmark study of British civil servants showed that the higher your status at work, the lower your risk of heart attacks and depression.
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