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