Anxiety

Anxiety can be very debilitating and becomes of great concern when it begins to interrupt a person's ability to function from day to day. Anxiety can be caused by a number of factors and can be seen in different forms. Commonly a person with an anxiety disorder will have a history of at least one panic attack, which is defined below. It can be very overwhelming and interfere with a person's daily functioning if it is not addressed with professional help.

Fear and worry are the primary symptoms of anxiety disorders. According to helpguide.org, additional emotional and physical symptoms include the following:

• Apprehension, uneasiness, and dread
• Impaired concentration or selective attention
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Avoidance
• Hyper vigilance
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Behavioral problems (especially in children and adolescents)
• Nervousness and jumpiness
• Self-consciousness and insecurity
• Fear that you are dying or going crazy
• Strong desire to escape

Some of the factors that can contribute to anxiety disorders are environmental factors, personality traits, brain chemistry, heredity, and/or trauma.

Experiencing intense anxiety or worry for 6 months or more could mean that a person is suffering from an anxiety disorder and further help should be sought out, especially if a person's daily functioning is disrupted.

As defined by the American Psychological Association, a panic attack is when 4 or more of the following symptoms develop abruptly and reach a peak within 10 minutes:

• Heart palpitations or racing heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling or shaking
• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering
• Feeling of choking
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
• Derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself)
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• Fear of dying
• Paresthesias (numbing or tingling sensations)
• Chills or hot flushes

Depression

Depression is becoming more prevalent among people in our culture. There are several types of depression, some caused by situational stressors and others by family history on top of life circumstances. Depression is often a melting pot of several factors. The information listed below will outline some of the common symptoms that accompany depression as well as different types of depression. There have also been some notable differences between depression seen in adults and depression seen in adolescents, which will be outlined as well.

Symptoms

According to the American Psychological Association, symptoms lasting for at least a two week period can include the following:

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
• Loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities
• Significant increase or decrease in appetite and/or weight
• Change in sleep---either inability to sleep or oversleeping
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation---either feeling overly restless or sluggish
• Chronic fatigue or loss of energy
• Excessive feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Inability to concentrate, make decisions, or remember things
• Irritability
• Increase in physical ailments, ie: headaches, back pain, stomach aches
• Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation

*Suicidal thoughts must be taken seriously. If someone you know is threatening suicide or talking about wanting to hurt him/herself, seek professional help right away by calling 911 or your local crisis line.

At least 5 of these symptoms must be present in order to be diagnosed with clinical depression.

Types

According to helpguide.org, there are several different types of depressive disorders including the following:

*Major Depression
This is defined as experiencing a sad mood and/or an inability to experience pleasure. These feelings are constant and interfere with normal functioning and the ability to lead a productive and enjoyable life. If untreated, a typical episode will last about six months. Typically major depression is a recurring disorder but some may only experience a single episode in their lifetime.

*Dysthymia
This is defined as a low-grade depression lasting for at least two years. The symptoms are mild to moderate but a person can have short periods of normal mood as well as episodes of major depression. The severity of dysthymia is less than major depression but the chronic symptoms limit the ability to live life to the fullest.

*Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This is defined as experiencing major depressive episodes with a seasonal pattern, occurring in the fall or winter when the amount of sunlight is limited and then going away when spring arrives. Common in northern climates.

*Postpartum Depression
This is commonly defined as the "baby blues" but longer lasting and more severe. It is thought to be triggered by hormonal changes associated with having a child. The onset of depression within six months of childbirth may be postpartum depression.

*Manic Depression
This is also called bipolar disorder which is when a person cycles between episodes of depression and episodes of mania. Often, the cycling from one mood to the other is gradual and lasts for several weeks. The common symptoms of depression are present when the person is experiencing an episode of depression. In the manic phase, symptoms can include hyperactivity, rapid speech, and impulsive behavior.

Risk Factors

According to helpguide.org, other risk factors for depression include the following:

• Loneliness
• Lack of social support
• Recent stressful life experiences
• Family history of depression
• Marital or relationship problems
• Financial strain
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Unemployment or underemployment
• Health problems or chronic pain

Teen Depression

According to helpguide.org, teen depression can look very different to depression seen in adults. The following symptoms are more commonly seen in teens than adults:

• Irritable or angry mood---Irritability instead of sadness is often the predominant mood in depressed teens.
• Unexplained aches and pains---Common complaints include headaches and stomachaches of depressed teens.
• Extreme sensitivity to criticism---Worthlessness is an overwhelming feeling of depressed teens making them more vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure, especially for "over-achievers."
• Withdrawing from some, but not all people---Depressed teens often maintain a few friendships whereas adults tend to fully isolate themselves when depressed.

With depressed teens, there will often be a change in their social behavior by limiting their social time, limiting contact with parents, or changing the group of people they are hanging out with.

Other Signs

As stated by helpguide.org, there are other changes that may be noted with a depressed teen including:

• Problems at school
• Running away from home
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Low self-esteem
• Eating disorders
• Internet addiction
• Self-injury
• Reckless behavior
• Violence
• Suicide

Tips for Parents

Tips for parents or adults when talking with teens about depression from helpguide.org include the following:

• Offer support---Be present unconditionally to support them. Limit questions.
• Be gentle but persistent---Don't stop trying if teen pushes you away with the first attempt. Continue to show your concern and support.
• Listen without lecturing---Try to just listen when teen is talking. Most importantly, your child is choosing to talk and communicate.
• Validate feelings---Don't tell teen how he or she 'should' be feeling. Instead acknowledge the pain and sadness they are feeling.

After talking with your teen, pay attention to your instincts. Even if your child denies feeling depressed or the severity of their feelings, it is important to seek professional help if you notice some of the warning signs or other changes in behavior that cause concern to you or others.