| Do you know what it feels like to be anxious? | | | | * a change in sleeping patterns, such as |
| The nervousness, heart pounding and sweating | | | | difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, |
| before making a business call. The churning | | | | or sleeping too much |
| in your stomach before you ask the pretty | | | | |
| girl out on a date. The tension you feel when | | | | * restlessness or feeling slowed down |
| you speak in front of a group. | | | | |
| | | | * decreased ability to make decisions or |
| Anxiety for some of us is a good thing. It | | | | concentrate |
| gets us ready to take action. It makes you | | | | |
| study harder for an exam and keeps you alert | | | | * feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or |
| when your making a presentation. Basically it | | | | guilt |
| helps us be in a peak state of performance - | | | | |
| ready to go. | | | | * thoughts of suicide or death |
| | | | |
| That describes most of us. | | | | If you are experiencing any of these |
| | | | symptoms, we recommend you consult your |
| What about the 19.1 million people (13.3%) in | | | | doctor to determine if you are suffering from |
| the U.S. who have an anxiety disorder? | | | | depression. |
| Instead of being a helpful emotion, anxiety | | | | |
| can disrupt normal every day actions and make | | | | Another mood disorder is Dysthymia. People |
| a person afraid to leave their home. | | | | who suffer from it have been mildly depressed |
| | | | for two years or more. The symptoms are |
| An anxiety disorder is not just being | | | | similar to major depression except they are |
| nervous, it's an illness brought on | | | | less severe. |
| biologically or by past life experiences. | | | | |
| Anxiety disorders make people feel anxious | | | | People with Seasonal Affective Disorder have |
| most of the time for no apparent reason. | | | | the same symptoms as any form of depression. |
| These disorders can be debilitating and | | | | However, it's the recurrence of these |
| prevent the sufferer from performing | | | | symptoms during certain seasons that |
| seemingly common place and easy tasks. | | | | separates it from other forms of depression. |
| | | | |
| The common treatment for anxiety disorders is | | | | Postpartum Depression is a type of depression |
| generally drugs, therapy or a combination of | | | | that can occur in woman who have recently |
| both. However, drug therapy only works on 30 | | | | given birth. It typically occurs in the first |
| to 45% of the affected population and then | | | | couple of months after giving birth, however, |
| there are the side effects and the seemingly | | | | it can occur up to the first year. Woman with |
| dependence on the drugs. | | | | Postpartum Depression typically have |
| | | | difficulties bonding with their new born |
| And what about the rest of the population? | | | | child. |
| The ones the drugs won't help? What are they | | | | |
| to do, continue to suffer? | | | | Bipolar Disorder is a different type of |
| | | | depression. Some days the person who suffers |
| Everyone has their ups & downs, however, for | | | | from it may have a difficult time even |
| those with Depression the downs can outweigh | | | | getting out of bed. Then the next day they |
| the ups. This can cause problems with | | | | may feel really good (mania) and then become |
| everyday activities such as eating, sleeping, | | | | irritated and angry. |
| working, and getting along with friends. | | | | |
| Depression not only affects your emotions, | | | | The person with Bipolar Disorder will have |
| but can also change the way you think, how | | | | mood swings, sometimes going back and forth |
| you behave, and how you function physically. | | | | between depression and mania quickly in the |
| Symptoms of Depression include, but are not | | | | same day or in a short period of time. |
| limited to; | | | | |
| | | | The type of depression is important in how it |
| * constant feelings of sadness, irritability, | | | | is treated, so make sure if you are suffering |
| or tension | | | | from any of the symptoms we have described, |
| | | | get to your doctor, or if the immediate |
| * decreased interest or pleasure in usual | | | | situation seems serious, go directly to your |
| activities or hobbies | | | | hospital emergency room. |
| | | | |
| * loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack | | | | We believe there are alternatives to |
| of activity | | | | conventional treatment for anxiety disorders |
| | | | and depression. Help not just from drugs, but |
| * a change in appetite, with significant | | | | alternative methods that are proving to be |
| weight loss or weight gain | | | | very effective in the long term. |
| | | | |