Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are emotional disorders. Persons affected by anxiety and depression show some specific symptoms. Victims of anxiety and depression often show suicidal tendencies. These disorders can even lead to a separation of the patient from his self.

Anxiety and depression disorders can be diagnosed by expert consultation; doctors rely on clinical tests for accurate diagnosis. Increased levels of homocysteine, and lowered levels of serum magnesium, zinc, potassium, essential vitamins such as folate, as well as over release of cortisol, imbalance of cofactors and unbalanced re-absorption of neurotransmitters are all indicative of the disease. Anxiety and depression can be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, genetic factors, psychological disposition, or physical factors and environmental factors. The brain biochemistry of the person is a major cause for the occurrence of the disease. The ratio of incidence of the disease in men and women are equal. However, anxiety and depression are more explicitly manifested in woman.

There are six types of anxieties, and they are further subdivided into twelve depending on the severity of symptoms. Depression also has many variations such as dysthymia, manic depression, and cyclothymia. Some seasonal affective disorders include premenstrual depression and postpartum depression, mood disorders due to medical conditions, medication-induced depression, and substance-induced mood disorder. Temporary depressions can be relieved through certain autosuggestion techniques. Proper diagnosis and treatment are required for anxiety and depression caused by physiological disorders since they can lead to many serious and degenerative diseases.

Medication is the common remedy resorted to by physicians. Medicines help reduce physical symptoms of the disease. Anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, and mood stabilizers are the commonly prescribed medicines. Psychotherapy is also found effective in many patients. In many cases, both therapy and medication are recommended. Behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy help calm the mind and reset the patient's thinking pattern.