Introduction: Depression and anxiety are two of the most prominent and often discussed struggles in our current culture. Many people at one time or another will feel the effects of depression and anxiety in their own lives. Due to the varying intensities of these struggles, some people may just take time and move beyond them naturally, others will seek help for a short time, where others may seek more serious medical treatment. This is why it is crucial to understand the levels of depression and anxiety as well as how to help determine the severity of the case so as best to assist a patient. Defining Depression and Anxiety: Anxiety is defined as “a negative mood state characterized by bodily symptoms of physical tension, and apprehension …show more content…
The physical symptoms can range from muscle tension, increased heart rate, rapid and difficult breathing that leads to chest pains, sweating and dizziness. These same symptoms can be found after running a difficult race which is why it is tremendously important to assess the patient’s circumstances when assessing the physical symptoms. The more distinctive physical effects are things such as ulcers, fatigue, loss of appetite, a change in the patient’s blood pressure and increased muscle tension. The psychological symptoms include agitation, difficulty concentrating, lack of sleep, and the most pertinent: overwhelming sensitivity to problems, whether real or perceived, that leads to excessive worrying and possibly even panic attacks. It is clear that anxiety can severely effect a patient’s ability to be a productive member of society and enjoy life. Not all anxiety is negative. The Dalai Lama once said, "Once you 've been bitten by a snake, you are very cautious even of a coiled rope." This is a great example of the manner in which anxiety can serve a person to be careful, cautious, and considerate when moving through what can be perceived as dangerous terrain. Anxiety also provides fuel for humanity to take actions in planning and developing for the future. In this way, a counselor must understand what is a healthy sense of awareness of danger and future expectations and …show more content…
The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 350 million people in world who struggle with depression. It is also the leading cause of disability worldwide. Similar to anxiety, depression effects people of all races, ages, and genders however it has been shown that women are more likely to be effected than men. Depression is growing problem. Specifically in America, approximately 17% of adults will suffer through a season of depression at some time in their lives. This rate has been increasing since 1915 and the trend shows that it will continue to do
Depression is a mental disorder in which a patient might feel intense, prolonged, negative emotions (Beyond Blue, 2014). This can have severe impact on a person's mental and physical health, thus affecting a person's quality of life. Severe cases can even lead to suicide. It is estimated that one in six Australians will experience depression in their lifetime (Beyond Blue, 2014). The burden of disease gives an indication of of the loss of health and well being of Australians due to each disease (ABS, 2010). Depression and anxiety is the leading cause of burden among females, accounting for 10% of burden while it is the third leading cause for men, accounting for 4.8% (AIHW, 2003) (This was the most recent information found). Depression can affect all age groups but generally first starts to appear in adolescence and early adulthood (National Youth Mental Health Foundation, 2013).
Anxiety is defined as a diffuse, internal, loose floating tension that doesn’t have a real danger or an external object. There is also a significant difference from the notion of fear. Fear usually has an outer object (a real fear of a snake, height or an unreal fear, when the danger is just imagined). Anxiety does not have an external object or external danger but has an internal danger. Internal danger can be some intrapsychic conflict, impulse unacceptable to the ego, suppressed thoughts, etc.
Anxiety is common mental illness in the US, which Kim Krisberg talks about in her article “Anxiety: A Normal Response That Can Feel Overwhelming. The cause of anxiety is brought up in Peter Crostas’ article “What Causes Anxiety?” Crosta also explains the treatments for anxiety in his article, “What Are Treatments For Anxiety?”
What anxiety is. Like fear, anxiety causes nervousness and happens in reaction to danger; however, anxiety is a state of distress that can be drawn out for a long time and puts the body on alert for impending danger. It comes from the visions of possible dangers in the brain. Authors Kaplan and Sadock explained it as being “a diffuse, unpleasant, vague sense of apprehension…” (Ankrom). They are saying that it is a sense of nervousness, and that it makes people be on alert. It can also be described as butterflies in the stomach or a sense of
The Beck Anxiety Inventory was designed by Aaron T. Beck and is self report scale that consists of 21 items. The items are short and straightforward, making it easy to read and comprehend. All items are related to anxiety and describe a symptom of anxiety that is rate on a four point likert scale according to severity. The answers range from 0-3 and the responses range from “not at all” to “severely; I could barely stand it” and all items are added for a total score. The instructions on the test ask for the respondent to “indicate how much you have been bothered by each symptom during the past week, including today, by placing an X in the corresponding space in the column next to each symptom” (Dowd, 2008). The assessment is intended for adolescents and adults and can be administered individually or in a group setting. An additional copy of the inventory test is also available in Spanish. It was originally created from a sample of 810 outpatients of that were predominately affected by mood and anxiety disorders and research on the original development is described as informative and thorough.
Anxiety is a term for several disorders that causes the body to feel fear, nervousness, apprehension, and worrying, "Anxiety is a word we use for some types of fear that are consequently to do with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, rather than right now" (Mental Health Foundation). Many people suffer from anxiety every day, consequently most people can not pinpoint what exactly their anxiety originates from. No one likes to experience stress and anxiety, but it is just a phase of life that most humans have to overcome and become stronger. Anxiety disorders are one of the most inferior mental illnesses that affects teens and adults in the United States. Anxiety negatively affects the body and
Clinical depression is very common. Over nine million Americans are diagnosed with clinical depression at some point in their lives. Many more people suffer from clinical depression because they do not seek treatment. They may feel that depression is a personal weakness, or try to cope with their symptoms alone. On the other hand, some people are comfortable with admitting their symptoms and seeking help. Such a discrepancy may account for the differences in reported cases of depression between men and women, which indicate that more than twice the numbers of women than men are clinically depressed. According to the numbers of reported cases of depression, 25% of women and 10% of men will have one or more episodes of clinical depression during their lifetimes.
If you have ever been tense before an exam, a date, or a job interview, you have some idea of what anxiety feels like. Increased heart rate, sweating, rapid breathing, a dry mouth, and a sense of dread are common components of anxiety. But episodes of modern anxiety are a normal part of the life for most people. But what anxiety is so intense and long lasting that it impairs a person’s daily functioning is called an anxiety disorder. It is a general term for several disorders that cause apprehension, nervousness, fear, and worrying. These disorders affect how we feel and behave, and they can manifest real physical symptoms. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating, having a serious impact on daily life.
Anxiety occurs in all stages and walks of life. Anxiety is a naturally occurring feeling that is nothing to worry about unless the individual is experiencing that anxiety in the presence of no apparent danger. When anxiety exceeds the normal amount there is not only danger to the individual but also to the people that are surrounding that individual. Anxiety is a growing problem for young adults in today’s society.
There is a fine line between anxiety and depression. A line that is often times blurred. Although there are differences between the two, they also share many similarities, which can lead to false diagnoses for patients. It only gets more complicated when both illnesses are present. For example, The National Institute of Mental Health (2009) did a study of anxiety disorders and found that 53.7% of people reported they also experienced major depression as a secondary condition. These researchers also stated that people who are severely depressed do become anxious. In order to have a better understanding of anxiety and depression one must first clearly define the two conditions, understand the causes, look at the symptoms involved, and review the different treatment options available.
Anxiety is a state of mental and/or physical panic. Mild anxiety is uncomfortable while severe anxiety can be disabling. Some people believe that anxiety is a bigger problem in society than expected. One example that demonstrates how serious of a problem anxiety is is discussed in the book, Anxiety Disorders by J. Paul Caldwell, MD, CCFP, the author asserts, “...it becomes extreme and exaggerated in its response, a destructive rather than helpful force, impairing performance and producing marked emotional distress. Excess anxiety robs the lives of those who suffer from it of peace, strains their relationships with family and friends, and causes significant suffering and unhappiness” (8). The fact that anxiety has such a significant impact on quality of life proves that it’s a bigger issue than society thinks it is. This piece of evidence presents important information because it describes just how manipulative and sinister anxiety can be. A question this raises is, “How much do victims of anxiety really suffer?” Anxiety is not credited for all the harm it does. The fact that it is a ...
What is Anxiety? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the definition of anxiety is “an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it”. (CITE THIS).
The silent killer that takes lives without warning, punishment, or any sympathy; depression is truly one of the most prominent mental illnesses in the world. Depression is defined as a mental illness inducing a severe and staunch feeling of sadness. The term depressed is coined in English as a temporary sadness that everyone experiences in their life. Despite that depression is more active in women, it is still one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. It affects anybody, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standing. Regardless of all these facts, surprisingly little is known about depression, however, scientists have been able to hypothesize major causes, effects, and treatments for the disability affecting over
One may get anxiety when they are about to give a speech, one may when they are in a crowded area, or maybe it could happen to one every morning when they wake up, or even when they are reminded of their childhood. Anxiety is when a….. It can really affect people’s lives and make
Depression is one of the most common psychological problems. Each year over 17 million Americans experience a period of clinical depression. Thus, depression affects nearly everyone through personal experiences or through depression in a family member or friend.