The WHO (World Health Organisation) lists anxiety and depression as two of the most common mental health diseases. As mental health disorders are increasingly prevalent, an understanding of the disorders and symptoms can help people to manage the disease and get better.
The disease descriptions and symptoms listed should not lead to self-diagnosis but can signal a talk to your doctor for an informed diagnosis and appropriate medical support.
What is depression?
The CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) describes depression as more than just feeling down or having a bad day. When a sad mood lasts for some time and starts to interfere with normal, everyday functioning, you may be suffering from depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time.
- Not feeling like doing activities that were once fun.
- Irritability, restlessness or frustration.
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
- Waking too early or sleeping too long.
- Eating more or less than usual or losing appetite.
- Experiencing aches, pains, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment.
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions.
- Constant tiredness, even after a good sleep.
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness.
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
What is anxiety?
There are several types of anxiety but generally, the WHO (World Health Organisation) summarises anxiety as excessive fear or worry about a specific situation or several everyday situations. A person may experience anxiety over an extended period, often months.
Symptoms of anxiety are:
- Trouble concentrating, and difficulty making decisions.
- Feeling irritable, tense or restless.
- Nausea or abdominal stress.
- Heart palpitations.
- Sweating, trembling, shaking.
- Having trouble with sleeping.
- A sense of impending danger, panic or doom.
Anxiety disorders can increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Your Link pharmacists care about their communities and are there to encourage you and assist with medication management.
While all reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this article, information may change or become dated, as new developments occur. The Link group shall not be held liable or accountable for the accuracy, completeness or correctness of any information for any purpose. No content in this article, irrespective of the date or reference source, should be viewed as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, pharmacist or any other suitably qualified clinician.
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