Living With Depression and Anxiety

In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that one in four people will encounter a mental health disorder at some point in their life.

Among the most commonly experienced mental health disorders are depression and anxiety.

On a global scale, the World Health Organisation states that 246 million people suffer from depression. Meanwhile, generalised anxiety disorders impair the lives of 264 million people worldwide.

To help you understand how you can manage your depression and anxiety better, we have provided a wealth of information below.

Please remember that our team is on hand to support you at all times.  If you would like to discuss your depression or anxiety with us, please call us today.

 

The Difference Between Anxiety and Depression

Contrary to belief, anxiety and depression are somewhat different.  Although both are recognised as mental health disorders, the way they impair an individual’s life differs.

For example, depression is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a medical illness that negatively affects how an individual feels, thinks and acts.

In contrast, anxiety is defined by the NHS as a disorder that causes individuals to feel uneasy, worried and fearful on a day-to-day basis.

 

The Different Types Of Anxiety and Depression

Unbeknown to many, there are various types of anxiety and depression. While generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder are frequently discussed and treated, other forms of the disorders exist and require treatment.

When considering the different types of depression, individuals will typically encounter major depression, persistent depression, manic depression (otherwise known as bipolar disorder), seasonal affective disorder, psychotic depression and postpartum depression.

Anxiety also arises in various forms.  For example, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias are commonly encountered anxiety disorders.

If you are living with depression and anxiety but are yet to seek treatment, you may be unsure of which type of anxiety or depression you are struggling with.

If this resonates with you, our admissions team can help you determine this to ensure that you secure appropriate treatment.

 

Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression

While anxiety and depression are different, the signs and symptoms of the disorders are somewhat similar.

Below, we have listed some of the most common signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

• Pessimistic thoughts
• Feeling scared
• Feeling worried
• Over-thinking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feeling overwhelmed with emotion
• Experiencing frequent mood swings
• Suffering from insomnia
• Feeling low and sad
• Isolating yourself from your loved ones
• Low energy
• Suicidal thoughts

If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, please do not defer treatment.

 

Dealing With Anxiety and Depression

Although depression and anxiety are often crippling and may leave you feeling as though nothing can help you minimise the emotions you encounter, there are several ways that you can reduce the ramifications of your anxiety and depression.

To help you, we have outlined just a few of the ways that you can deal with anxiety and depression better below.

 

1. Journal

Journaling continues to be highly popular among those that experience depression and anxiety.  This is because journaling essentially offers an outlet for any worries, stress, or fears you encounter.

As you put pen to paper, you will find that you can manage and reflect on the feelings you experience at the height of your depression and anxiety.

While journaling will not treat your anxiety or depression entirely, journaling will help you manage your depression and anxiety better alongside treatment.

 

2. Exercise

Exercise has proven to be highly beneficial when dealing with the ramifications of depression and anxiety.  While participating in exercise will not entirely alleviate the disorders, it will help you navigate the emotions you experience.

Exercise will also ensure that those all-important feel-good endorphins are released, which will leave you feeling inspired and optimistic.

 

3. Talk To Someone

Sadly, many people suffering from depression and anxiety will choose to hide their disorders from loved ones, friends and even employers.  This is often a result of the various stigmas and taboos that surround mental health disorders.

However, by talking to someone you trust, you will have the opportunity to gradually relieve yourself of the symptoms and side effects you experience.  You will also be able to seek reassurance for any worries that you encounter.

 

4. Seek Professional Support

If you are living with depression and anxiety, seeking treatment may be in your best interest.  Rather than visiting your local GP, our network of rehabs across the United Kingdom and Spain can offer you treatment.

Focusing on alleviating the consequences of the two disorders, treatment will essentially help you understand the factors that contribute to your depression and anxiety.

In turn, you will have the ability to develop coping strategies that will assist you in the near and far future.

 

How To Help Someone Who Is Living With Depression and Anxiety

If you have come to realise that a loved one, friend or employee is living with depression and anxiety, you will likely want to do everything you can to support them.  However, you may be unaware of how best to do so.

In this instance, we would advise the following;

• Call our admissions team to uncover the support and treatment available for depression and anxiety
• Ensure that the individual in question knows that you are there for them
• Reassure the individual in question that there is help available to them
• Provide the individual living with depression and anxiety with information surrounding the treatment they can obtain for their disorder

 

Contact Rehab Clinics Group For Depression and Anxiety Treatment

If you are living with depression and anxiety and are yet to seek help, support or treatment, at Rehab Clinics Group, we welcome you to contact us.

Likewise, if you hope to help a loved one living with depression and anxiety, please call us today.

Our team can offer you guidance that will help you assist your loved one better.  If necessary, our team can also help you refer your loved one for treatment at one of our rehab centres.

 

Sources

https://www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/transparencyandgovernance/freedomofinformationfoi/depressionintheuk

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254610/WHO-MSD-MER-2017.2-eng.pdf

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/generalised-anxiety-disorder/overview/