Where Depression Exists Anxiety May Also Exist

Anxiety and depression are far too common in our world today. Only depression is more prevalent than anxiety. When you consider the fact that wherever you find depression, you usually find a secondary diagnosis of anxiety disorder, it means one-fifth of the world is as anxious as it is depressed. Yes, it is true. Today one-fifth of the world is reported as having some form of depression.

Some of its symptoms are: *melancholia *helplessness *hopelessness *a general feeling of being overwhelmed (sometimes by even the smallest tasks) *generalized body aches (which are sometimes diagnosed as other physical ailments or diseases)

This is an incomplete list. If you have these symptoms and others for more than two weeks, it is time to see a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment. Today anxiety and depression are very treatable, and there is no reason for anyone to suffer more than is absolutely necessary. Talk therapy can sometimes do wonders for the suffering patient.

Medication is sometimes needed (short-term or long-term). Sometimes both are used. Only your doctor or other medical professional can help you to be sure exactly where the problem lies, and what are the best solutions. Depression and anxiety are sometimes situational and sometimes clinical. By situational, I mean, due to the circumstances surrounding the person and his life and loved ones. Everyone goes through times of sadness due to loss and pain. When it becomes more than grief or sorrow due to loss, grief, or short-term pain, it is time to see if you have situational depression or anxiety. There is help to get through these times of more than simple sadness or nervousness.

Clinical depression is very different. Usually beginning, not due to some event or circumstance, but somewhat "out of the blue" you might say. Sometimes beginning in childhood, some people have clinical depression for the whole of their lives. Having a clinical reason which is a chemical imbalance in the brain, most people respond well to medical therapy and/or medication. Anxiety can also be circumstantial or clinical, and the treatment for it must be considered by a medical professional. Anxiety is more than simple nervousness.

Sometimes the anxiety suffer may have anxiety attacks. Therapy, medication, or both may be needed. Great strides have been made in just the last five years in medications for the depressed and anxious. The need is there, the money is there, and the large drug companies have worked to fill that need. It takes time for producing, testing and getting a drug available to the general population.

Although to the sufferers of depression and anxiety, it could not have come soon enough. I have watched the progress in diagnosis and treatment for anxiety and depression for over forty years, and today it is so much better than it was even ten years ago. If you have not sought help in the last five years, you do not know what is available to you. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, see a medical professional, and find the help you need.