Depression
Feeling sad once in a while is a normal human experience affected by various life circumstances. These feelings however tend to be short-termed. When the circumstance improves, the condition of depression tends to dissipate. However if you experience depression which interferes with your personal life, school life or work life, you will need professional attention. Depression is a common but serious illness.
Those with the lingering depression should seek psychological treatment to improve this condition which interfere with the quality of life. People who have a family history of depression especially should seek help. These treatments may include medications, psychotherapy, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.
Types of Depressive Disorders:
1. Major Depressive Disorder can be described by the experience of having a host of symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy pleasurable activities. Major Depressive Depression is disabling and prevents a person from daily normal function and responsibilities, such as housekeeping, home or work project. Some people may experience a single episode in their lives, however it is more common to experience multiple episodes. Especially, if you have a pattern of being responsible and you may see the contrast of experiencing depression which may be mistakenly viewed as being lazy.
2. Dysthymic Disorder, or dysthymia, is characterized by long-term (2 years or longer) symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but can prevent normal functioning or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes. Some clients would describe this experience as having a low grade fever. They can function but it takes much effort to go through their daily responsibilities.
3. Minor depression is characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.
4. Psychotic Depression occurs when a person experience severe depression with the condition of psychosis. Psychosis refers to experiencing disturbing false beliefs, delusions which refers to deviation from reality, or hearing or seeing things that are not there. These are called auditory or visual hallucinations.
5. Postpartum depression which is more than the "baby blues" that many new mothers experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. Women who have a past history of depression tends to suffer from post-partum depression.
6. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S. A. D.) is a seasonal mood disorder. Most patients report that they feel depressed during the cold winter months when there is not much natural sunlight. The symptoms of depression usually improves when the spring or summer arrives. If you suspect that you may experience S.A.D., we suggest that you keep a record of your mood disorder through the year and you can detect if you have a pattern of S.A.D. during the winter seasons.
7. Manic-Depressive Disorder or called Bipolar Disorder which is an older term. This condition can be described by a cycling mood changes. It is swing from extreme highs which is called manic phrase to extreme lows which is the depressive phrase. We suggest that keeping a personal mood record would help assist the accurate diagnosis of this disorder.
Those with the lingering depression should seek psychological treatment to improve this condition which interfere with the quality of life. People who have a family history of depression especially should seek help. These treatments may include medications, psychotherapy, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression.
Types of Depressive Disorders:
1. Major Depressive Disorder can be described by the experience of having a host of symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy pleasurable activities. Major Depressive Depression is disabling and prevents a person from daily normal function and responsibilities, such as housekeeping, home or work project. Some people may experience a single episode in their lives, however it is more common to experience multiple episodes. Especially, if you have a pattern of being responsible and you may see the contrast of experiencing depression which may be mistakenly viewed as being lazy.
2. Dysthymic Disorder, or dysthymia, is characterized by long-term (2 years or longer) symptoms that may not be severe enough to disable a person but can prevent normal functioning or feeling well. People with dysthymia may also experience one or more episodes of major depression during their lifetimes. Some clients would describe this experience as having a low grade fever. They can function but it takes much effort to go through their daily responsibilities.
3. Minor depression is characterized by having symptoms for 2 weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depressive disorder.
4. Psychotic Depression occurs when a person experience severe depression with the condition of psychosis. Psychosis refers to experiencing disturbing false beliefs, delusions which refers to deviation from reality, or hearing or seeing things that are not there. These are called auditory or visual hallucinations.
5. Postpartum depression which is more than the "baby blues" that many new mothers experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. Women who have a past history of depression tends to suffer from post-partum depression.
6. Seasonal Affective Disorder (S. A. D.) is a seasonal mood disorder. Most patients report that they feel depressed during the cold winter months when there is not much natural sunlight. The symptoms of depression usually improves when the spring or summer arrives. If you suspect that you may experience S.A.D., we suggest that you keep a record of your mood disorder through the year and you can detect if you have a pattern of S.A.D. during the winter seasons.
7. Manic-Depressive Disorder or called Bipolar Disorder which is an older term. This condition can be described by a cycling mood changes. It is swing from extreme highs which is called manic phrase to extreme lows which is the depressive phrase. We suggest that keeping a personal mood record would help assist the accurate diagnosis of this disorder.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and it can actually be beneficial in some situations. However it can be out of control which may dampen our normal ability to manage life. It is a common symptom accompanied by busy life. Many people are so accustomed to it and it becomes a default condition. They may not even realize that it is a problem. It can easily negatively affect their day-to-day life.
There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder to name a few.
Types of Anxiety disorders:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
All of us worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are extremely worried about these and many other things, even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. They are very anxious about just getting through the day. They think things will always go badly. At times, worrying keeps people with GAD from doing everyday tasks.
2. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you might double check to make sure the stove or iron is turned off before leaving the house. But people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feel the need to check things repeatedly, or have certain thoughts or perform routines and rituals over and over. The thoughts and rituals associated with OCD cause distress and get in the way of daily life.
The frequent upsetting thoughts are called obsessions. To try to control them, a person will feel an overwhelming urge to repeat certain rituals or behaviors called compulsions. People with OCD can't control these obsessions and compulsions. Most of the time, the rituals end up controlling them.
3. Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes. Sometimes symptoms may last longer. These are called panic attacks. Panic attacks are characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger. A person may also have a strong physical reaction during a panic attack. It may feel like having a heart attack. Panic attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder worry about and dread the possibility of having another attack.
A person with panic disorder may become discouraged and feel ashamed because he or she cannot carry out normal routines like going to the grocery store or driving. Having panic disorder can also interfere with school or work.
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.
PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.
PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
5. Social Phobia or called Social Anxiety Disorder
Social phobia is a strong fear of being judged by others and of being embarrassed. This fear can be so strong that it gets in the way of going to work or school or doing other everyday things.
Everyone has felt anxious or embarrassed at one time or another. For example, meeting new people or giving a public speech can make anyone nervous. But people with social phobia worry about these and other things for weeks before they happen.
People with social phobia are afraid of doing common things in front of other people. For example, they might be afraid to sign a check in front of a cashier at the grocery store, or they might be afraid to eat or drink in front of other people, or use a public restroom. Most people who have social phobia know that they shouldn't be as afraid as they are, but they can't control their fear. Sometimes, they end up staying away from places or events where they think they might have to do something that will embarrass them. For some people, social phobia is a problem only in certain situations, while others have symptoms in almost any social situation.
There are a wide variety of anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder to name a few.
Types of Anxiety disorders:
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
All of us worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are extremely worried about these and many other things, even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. They are very anxious about just getting through the day. They think things will always go badly. At times, worrying keeps people with GAD from doing everyday tasks.
2. Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you might double check to make sure the stove or iron is turned off before leaving the house. But people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) feel the need to check things repeatedly, or have certain thoughts or perform routines and rituals over and over. The thoughts and rituals associated with OCD cause distress and get in the way of daily life.
The frequent upsetting thoughts are called obsessions. To try to control them, a person will feel an overwhelming urge to repeat certain rituals or behaviors called compulsions. People with OCD can't control these obsessions and compulsions. Most of the time, the rituals end up controlling them.
3. Panic Disorder
People with panic disorder have sudden and repeated attacks of fear that last for several minutes. Sometimes symptoms may last longer. These are called panic attacks. Panic attacks are characterized by a fear of disaster or of losing control even when there is no real danger. A person may also have a strong physical reaction during a panic attack. It may feel like having a heart attack. Panic attacks can occur at any time, and many people with panic disorder worry about and dread the possibility of having another attack.
A person with panic disorder may become discouraged and feel ashamed because he or she cannot carry out normal routines like going to the grocery store or driving. Having panic disorder can also interfere with school or work.
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
When in danger, it’s natural to feel afraid. This fear triggers many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.
PTSD develops after a terrifying ordeal that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm. The person who develops PTSD may have been the one who was harmed, the harm may have happened to a loved one, or the person may have witnessed a harmful event that happened to loved ones or strangers.
PTSD was first brought to public attention in relation to war veterans, but it can result from a variety of traumatic incidents, such as mugging, rape, torture, being kidnapped or held captive, child abuse, car accidents, train wrecks, plane crashes, bombings, or natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes.
5. Social Phobia or called Social Anxiety Disorder
Social phobia is a strong fear of being judged by others and of being embarrassed. This fear can be so strong that it gets in the way of going to work or school or doing other everyday things.
Everyone has felt anxious or embarrassed at one time or another. For example, meeting new people or giving a public speech can make anyone nervous. But people with social phobia worry about these and other things for weeks before they happen.
People with social phobia are afraid of doing common things in front of other people. For example, they might be afraid to sign a check in front of a cashier at the grocery store, or they might be afraid to eat or drink in front of other people, or use a public restroom. Most people who have social phobia know that they shouldn't be as afraid as they are, but they can't control their fear. Sometimes, they end up staying away from places or events where they think they might have to do something that will embarrass them. For some people, social phobia is a problem only in certain situations, while others have symptoms in almost any social situation.