How Eating Disorders And Depression Go Hand In Hand
Eating disorders and depression often go hand in hand. In order to recover, both need to be addressed.
Depression can often be caused by stress, and we call it situational depression. Loss and change create tremendous strain to our sense of equilibrium and well-being. A death in the family, an illness, a move, a financial downturn, even a positive loss such as a child going away to an out of town college all give rise to coping with food if you are an emotional eater. Bingeing, purging, or starving helps to detour sadness, anxiety, and depression. Who can think of worrying about your daughter living out of state if you have your head in a box of donuts? Emotional eating is a mood-altering drug to detour, derail, and divert your tension.
Depression can often be biological as well. Over the past thirty-five years, scientists have made great strides in understanding the enormous role that hormones, neurotransmitters, thyroid, blood sugar levels, physical pain, pregnancy, and menopause play in affecting our behavior.
Depression And Anxiety May Be Problems But They Are Entirely Solvable
Depression and anxiety should not be taken lightly.
These issues can severely impact a persons life and the lives of everyone around them. As serious as these problems may be, they are not unsolvable. If you or anyone you know suffer from depression and anxiety, then seek professional help.
Capital Choice Counseling has been serving Ottawa, Kanata, Orleans and surrounding areas since 2006. Bring yourself back to your best and consult with our experts.
Contact us today to make an appointment with an Ottawa counsellor whos highly trained and experienced in helping people with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
Anxiety And Depression: What Are The Possible Links
Although clearly not identical emotional states, mental health research suggests that depression and anxiety often coexist because they can be caused by the same or similar factors. According to an article published May 2020 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, those overlapping causes can include:
- Genetic Factors Genetic factors contribute to 40 percent of the predisposition to depressive and anxious symptoms, with 60 percent being attributed to environmental, noninherited factors. “Especially with anxiety, more so than depression, there often is some family history, and so therefore we think that there may be some genetic predisposition to this,” Connolly explains.
- Environmental Factors Also referred to as social factors, these include experiences like trauma or neglect in early childhood, and current stressors such as relationship difficulties, unemployment, social isolation, and physical illness. People who have post-traumatic stress disorder , an anxiety disorder, are particularly likely to also develop depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health .
- Pain Chronic pain, and particularly disabling pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome , low back pain, headaches, and nerve pain, are closely linked to psychological distress, including both anxiety and depression, notes Harvard Health. In fact, they say, research suggests that pain shares some biological mechanisms with anxiety and depression.
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Temporary Relief From Affected Hands
The key way to temporarily relieve any hand problems is to target the symptom directly. Sometimes, all you need to do is take a break – move your hands around so that they feel calmer. There is no immediate way to stop shaking hands without burning off adrenaline, but if they’re causing you anxiety then your best bet is to get up and move around so that you burn off some of the excess energy and improve blood flow to your extremities.
Those that are hyperventilating need to gain control of their breathing. Slow down your breathing dramatically. Don’t worry about expanding your chest or trying to get a deep breath – remember, even though hyperventilation may cause you to feel like you need more air, it’s actually a lack of carbon dioxide that leads to hyperventilation. So take slow breaths, hold at the peak, and help your body regain its carbon dioxide levels.
None of these are permanent treatment. If you want to truly treat your anxiety and along with it your related hand symptoms, then you also need to make sure that you learn to manage your anxiety in the long-term.
Summary:
Anxiety is known to affect the hands and fingers, often in different ways. Causes can vary from hyperventilation to adrenaline to muscle tension, but all can be linked back to anxiety. Controlled breathing can help with some of these issues, but the only way to eliminate them is by reducing anxiety.
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Genes Explain Why Anxiety And Depression Go Hand
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A massive genome-wide analysis of approximately 200,000 military veterans has identified six genetic variants linked to anxiety.
Some of the variants associated with anxiety had previously been implicated as risk factors for bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia.
The new study further contributes the first convincing molecular explanation for why anxiety and depression often coexist.
There has been no explanation for the comorbidity of anxiety and depression and other mental health disorders, but here we have found specific, shared genetic risks.
This is the richest set of results for the genetic basis of anxiety to date, says co-lead author Joel Gelernter, a professor of psychiatry, of genetics, and of neuroscience at Yale University.
There has been no explanation for the comorbidity of anxiety and depression and other mental health disorders, but here we have found specific, shared genetic risks.
Finding the genetic underpinnings of mental health disorders is the primary goal of the Million Veteran Program, a compilation of health and genetic data on US military veterans run by the US Veterans Administration. The research team analyzed the programs data and zeroed in on six variants linked to anxiety. Researchers found five in European Americans and one only in African Americans.
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Anxiety Attack Symptoms Include:
- Nausea or stomach cramps.
- Feeling detached or unreal.
Its important to seek help if youre starting to avoid certain situations because youre afraid of having a panic attack. The truth is that panic attacks are highly treatable. In fact, many people are panic free within just 5 to 8 treatment sessions.
Anxiety And Depression Treatment In Raleigh North Carolina
Greene Psychology Group in Raleigh, North Carolina provides therapy treatment using cognitive behavioral therapy and other therapeutic methods. We treat patients in our Raleigh office, as well as individuals throughout the state of North Carolina using teletherapy. Also, if you or someone you love suffer from any of the above-listed symptoms as part of daily life, stop struggling alone and schedule a visit today. Call Greene Psychology Group at .
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There Is Hope For Overcoming Anxiety And Depression
Many people have been successfully treated for anxiety and depression. Even beyond traditional therapy, there are many alternative treatments that can help alleviate or minimize symptoms too, such as acupuncture, meditation, mindfulness, breathwork, and more.
If you or a family member are struggling with anxiety or depression, dont be afraid to reach out for help from a medical provider or clinical psychologist.
You do not have to suffer, as there are effective techniques and therapies designed to help you live a happier and more peaceful life. Take your first step today toward a better life.
If you are looking for a licensed therapist, you can reach out to our affiliates at BetterHelp. Offering affordable, private therapy, they have over 24,000 licensed therapists who can offer advice, feedback and guidance.
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Disclaimer: As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.
What Is Samhsa’s National Helpline
SAMHSAs National Helpline, , or TTY: is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
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Why Are Depression And Anxiety Linked
No one knows exactly why depression and anxiety often occur together. In one study, 85% of those with major depression were also diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and 35% had symptoms of panic disorder. Other anxiety disorders include obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder . Because they so often go hand in hand, anxiety, and depression are considered the fraternal twins of mood disorders.
Believed to be caused in part by a malfunction of brain chemistry, generalized anxiety is not the normal apprehension one feels before taking a test or awaiting the outcome of a biopsy. A person with an anxiety disorder suffers from what President Franklin Roosevelt called “fear itself.” For a reason that is only partially known, the brain’s fight-or-flight mechanism becomes activated, even when no real threat exists. Being chronically anxious is like being stalked by an imaginary tiger. The feeling of being in danger never goes away.
The Same Emotions With Different Reactions
Some people suggest that depression and anxiety are two sides of the same coin.
Many emotions you might feel from both conditions are similar. Its how you react to them that could be different and trigger a specific diagnosis.
Consider the fight or flight responses within the brain. Most people have a basic idea of what they are, but which one you use can make it easier to understand the basics of anxiety vs. depression.
For example, if youre in a worrying situation and it triggers your fight response, your brain will go into a heightened state. You might feel more anxious and your sense of distress will rise.
If you go into a flight response, your mind and body may try to shut down as you bring the worry inward, creating a more depressed state.
Unfortunately, this way of thinking often creates a vicious cycle. Anxiety can lead to depression, and depression can lead to anxiety.
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The Link Between Social Anxiety Disorder And Depression
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Can depression cause social anxiety disorder? Or is the reverse true, and being socially anxious causes you to become depressed? Given the close relationship between these disorders, it is natural to ask questions about why you feel depressed if you are socially anxious, or why you may become socially anxious if you are depressed.
Feelings of anxiety and worry about being around others can evolve into feeling down in general, particularly if you isolate yourself or stop participating in activities. At the same time, certain symptoms of depression can also make you fear being around people for a myriad of reasons.
How Is Depression Treated
Most often depression is treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressant medications are often prescribed as soon as a person is diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Typically, they take two to four weeks before they impact the symptoms and many times it takes trying different medications in different dosages before the right combination is found. Even then, antidepressants may cause side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and thoughts of suicide.
Psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, are aimed at improving your relationships with yourself and other people. CBT is based on the idea that if you can change your negative view of yourself, your future and the world around you, you can relieve symptoms associated with depression. Focusing on helping patients identify and modify their thinking and behavior patterns also helps people manage their depression in both the short- and long-term. Interpersonal therapy takes aim at improving the quality of a persons relationship relationships with other people in an effort to eliminate depression symptoms.
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Anxiety And Depression: Are They Similar
Anxiety and depression are two different disorders that have their own diagnosis, causes, symptoms and prevalence. However, they are not exclusive disorders, since, although depression and anxiety have their own symptoms, they can occur at the same time.
Matching symptoms
- High level of negative affect. In both disorders, there is a high level of emotional pain. This is expressed through internal suffering, low mood, feelings of guilt, discomfort, irritability, bad mood or susceptibility.
- Low self-esteem and deep feelings of helplessness. Anxiety and depression also have in common that the one who suffers from them feels unable to face the circumstances and difficulties in their life, even those that are not particularly important challenges. The feeling of doubt, inability and denial overwhelm their mind.
- Food and sleep. It is possible that alterations appear in their sleeping patterns, either insomnia due to the difficulty to reconcile sleep it or lack of energy after rest. As for food, changes in appetite may occur implying increases or decreases in weight. Here you can read more about food anxiety.
Symptoms that do not match
The Relationship Between Anxiety And Depression
Helpful Links
While anxiety is generally considered a high-energy state and depression a low-energy state, anxiety and depression are more closely related than you might think. A person with depression often experiences a lot of anxiety, possibly even to the extent of having panic attacks.1
Anxiety disorders involve more than common nervousness and worry. They can cause terrifying fear about things other people wouldnt think twice about. Many people with anxiety disorders fully comprehend that their thoughts are irrational. But they still cant stop them. Feelings of losing inner control haunt them. This angst is one of the entry ways for depression.2
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Our Complex Inner Biochemistry Also Controls Our Eating Patterns And Our Perceptions Of Hunger And Fullness
Research now shows that almost three-quarters of all patients with anorexia and bulimia suffer from a depressive disorder. Clinicians also report that a significant number of compulsive eaters suffer from depression. Depression is different from the occasional sadness that we all experience from time to time. And to make matters more complicated, an emotional, situational depression can often actually trigger internal biological changes. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish what is biologically related without professional help.
Should Antioxidants Be Included In Your Anti
Anxiety is thought to be correlated with a lowered total antioxidant state. It stands to reason, therefore, that enhancing your diet with foods rich in antioxidants may help ease the symptoms of anxiety disorders. A 2010 study reviewed the antioxidant content of 3,100 foods, spices, herbs, beverages, and supplements. Foods designated as high in antioxidants by the USDA include:
- Beans: Dried small red, Pinto, black, red kidney
- Fruits: Apples , prunes, sweet cherries, plums, black plums
- Berries: Blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries
- Nuts: Walnuts, pecans
- Vegetables: Artichokes, kale, spinach, beets, broccoli
- Spices with both antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties include turmeric and ginger.
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Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression
According to the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States, anxiety and depression can share several common symptoms, including, but not limited to:
- Being easily fatigued
- Sleep disturbance
Other signs that a person may suffer from both anxiety disorder and depression include:
- Constant, irrational fear and worry
- Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, headaches, hot flashes, sweating, abdominal pain, and/or difficulty breathing
- Changes in eating, either too much or too little
- Persistent feelings of sadness or worthlessness
- Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
- Inability to relax
The Benefits Of Treating Anxiety And Depression
Digestive disorders, heart disease, obesity, and chronic pain are just a few of the possible physical ramifications of untreated anxiety and depressive disorders. Other conditions associated with anxiety and depression include sleep disorders, substance abuse disorders, respiratory illnesses, and thyroid problems.
Here at Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we know that anxiety and depression usually get worse without treatment. But we also know that both disorders are highly treatable. Psychotherapy, drug therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are just a few of the treatments that can help you toward full recovery. These solutions can help you reclaim your life and preserve your long-term physical health.
To learn more about the benefits you stand to gain by treating your anxiety or depression, call our office in Folsom, California, or schedule an appointment using our convenient online booking tool.
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How Do Antidepressants Work
The most common antidepressant medications for children are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors . These medications increase the level of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that can help increase feelings of happiness and well-being.
Use extra caution with antidepressants in children. Some children show no improvement with the medications, or may even feel more depressed. If a healthcare provider recommends antidepressants, watch your childs condition closely. Never allow your child to stop taking antidepressants suddenly. Doing so can cause serious side effects or make depression worse.
Emerging From Mixed Anxiety
Anxiety and depression are independent disorders with their own ways of healing. In the treatment of cases of mixed disorder, the therapist uses techniques and strategies selected from both treatments in order to improve the well-being and quality of life and end the patient’s feelings of anguish. If you find yourself in this situation, a health professional specialized in this area would be of great help.In this sense, online therapy can be really useful, since it allows you to face anxiety attacks and low moods from the tranquillity and comfort of your own house. It is in this safe space where the online therapist will provide solutions for both, situations of anxiety and to see life from a more productive point of view.Growing out of this disorder is possible: you will have the energy to do it, you will end negative thoughts, you will enjoy the results and you will lose the fear of trying. Goodbye, depression. Goodbye, anxiety.If you want to improve your level of well-being, in TherapyChat we can help you. We are international leaders in online psychology and we have the right therapist for you.
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