Depression and Anxiety Treatment in Forney, TX
What is Depression?
The APA defines depression (major depressive disorder) as a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at homewhich is characterized by prolonged emotional symptoms including: apathy, Sadness, Guilt, Exhaustion, Irritability
People with depression are at a higher risk of developing chronic medical issues, abusing alcohol and drugs, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
What is Anxiety?
The APA describes anxiety as an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes like increased blood pressure. Depression and anxiety often exacerbate each other and people with depression commonly have difficulty concentrating on tasks and conversations. People with anxiety disorders usually have recurring intrusive thoughts or concerns. They may avoid certain situations out of worry. They may also have physical symptoms such as sweating, trembling, dizziness, or a rapid heartbeat.
Anxiety is not the same as fear, but they are often used interchangeably. Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.
Types of Anxiety Disorders:
Generalized Anxiety disorder, Panic Disorder, Specific Phobias, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder and Separation Anxiety Disorder
Diagnosis and Treatment for Depression and Anxiety:
Diagnosing depression and anxiety involves a psychiatric evaluation and physical tests to determine whether a person’s symptoms are actually being caused by a different disorder. Diagnostic criteria differs for each disorder and it is important to rule out medical causes. Treatment for depression includes talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management are common treatments for depression.
Treatment for anxiety might look similar to treatment for depression, but there are other options, such as exposure therapy or structured problem solving.