February 08, 2010

Anxiety, Depression and Manic Depression

Anxiety and changing moods? So what?

Aren't they something we all go through?

Aren't they helpful in their own way?

After all, anxiety can spur us on to prepare for a task, and it can help us face danger. Depression can slow us down, offer us time to reflect and regroup. An energetic mood can help us accomplish necessary tasks. In everyday language, "anxiety" and "depression" describe moods that are familiar to all of us.

But when anxiety or depression ...
...seems to come out of nowhere ...
...persists for many weeks without relief ...
...or interferes with living a normal life ...
...we're not talking about ordinary moods anymore. We're talking about an illness.

What are Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety and depression are among the most common, most treatable forms of mental illness in Canada.

Anxiety

Anxiety sufferers may have a number of physical symptoms, including shakiness, muscle aches, sweating, cold and clammy hands, dizziness, fatigue, racing heart, and dry mouth. Emotionally, they may feel irritable and apprehensive, fearing that bad things are about to happen to them or their loved ones. But, possibly the most noticeable consequence of anxiety is the way it often leaves its victims virtually disabled.

Imagine what it must be like to be too frightened to get in an elevator. To go to your office. To attend parties. At its most debilitating, anxiety can keep sufferers trapped in their homes, too frightened to so much as open the door.

People experiencing symptoms of anxiety should realize that it is a common disorder that is very treatable. There are several types of anxiety.

Phobia

This term describes the kind of terror, dread or panic that overwhelms anxiety sufferers when they are faced with a feared object, situation or activity. Many common phobias are familiar to us, such as a fear of snakes, enclosed spaces, or airplanes; other phobias are less well known. Something as simple as a business lunch may turn into a nightmare for someone afraid of eating in front of others. Agoraphobia, the fear of being in a public space with no escape (such as a bus or crowded store) can leave its victim housebound.

Panic Disorder

Panic Disorder victims suddenly suffer intense overwhelming terror for no apparent reason. Their fear is accompanied by other symptoms, including sweating, heart palpitations, hot or cold flashes, choking or smothering, and feelings of unreality.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder sufferers try to cope with their anxieties with obsessions: repeated, unwanted thoughts, or compulsive behaviours or rituals that get out of control. For example, victims may deal with unwanted sexual thoughts by cleaning themselves so compulsively that their hands bleed.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

This can affect anyone who has survived a severe and unusual physical or mental trauma. Witnesses to a violent auto accident or survivors of a life-threatening crime may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This illness tends to be more severe the less the trauma was anticipated. Some victims re-experience the traumatic events though nightmares, night terrors or flashbacks. Others numb themselves emotionally; startle easily; are plagued by general anxiety, inability to sleep, poor memory, or difficulty concentrating or completing tasks; and feel guilty about their own survival.

Depression

One in four women and one in ten men can expect to develop depression at some point in their lives, though very often that's not what they'll call it. They may not realize that they are experiencing symptoms of a potentially treatable illness. That's too bad, because when depression is recognized and treated, the success rate is high.

Signs to look for are pervasive feelings of sadness, of helplessness, hopelessness and irritability. Other symptoms include:

• a noticeable change of appetite that brings about a significant weight gain or loss
• problems sleeping or waking
• sudden loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• fatigue
• feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• headache or stomach ache

People experiencing depression may have thoughts of suicide. In fact, many doctors believe that depression is the illness that underlies the majority of suicides in Canada. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people between the ages of 15 to 24.

Always remember: help is available for depressive illness.

Later in life, some symptoms of depression, including memory impairment, slowed speech and movement, can be mistaken for signs of senility or stroke.

Depression can strike at any age. Its emotional and physical symptoms are notable for their persistence. Many people experiencing depression find it hard to do anything at all, even to find enough energy to call a doctor. But taking that first step might start them on the road to recovery.

Major Depression

Sufferers of Major Depression lose interest in the things that once gave them pleasure. Habits of a lifetime may be placed to one side, replaced by an attitude of utter apathy.

Manic Depression

Manic depression is an illness found in about one percent of the population. People with manic depression experience periods of depression (see Depression above), as well as periods of mania. During an episode of mania, some or all of the following symptoms may be noticed: excessive energy; racing thoughts and flights of ideas; pressured speech; grandiose delusions or inflated self-esteem; overspending; decreased need for sleep; impaired judgement; extreme irritability or rapid unpredictable mood changes. There are a variety of effective treatments available for manic depression.

Theories About Causes

There is no single cause of anxiety or depression. Rather, physical and environmental triggers may combine to give rise to anxiety, depression, or manic depression in certain people. Some scientists believe that anxiety is a learned response, that people are taught to fear situations or objects. Some psychoanalytic theory suggests that anxiety stems from an unconscious conflict, or an illness, fright, or emotionally laden event that happened to the victim as a child.

Life events and the way you have learned to respond to them may make you more susceptible to depression. Some medications and some medical illnesses can cause depression or mania. Stress, such as the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or even a promotion at work, can trigger depression or mania in susceptible individuals.

Biochemical imbalances seem more and more to be a significant part of the problem; scientists are learning the importance of brain biochemistry in anxiety, depression and manic
depression.

Treatments

Anxiety, depression and manic depression are illnesses that can be treated very successfully with a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressants, mood stabilizers and other medications to alleviate symptoms are widely available through physicians. In cases of depression where other treatments have failed or are not possible, electroconvulsive therapy has been used with success. Self-help support groups can help sufferers feel less isolated when they hear others who have been through similar experiences.

Reclaiming Lives

Anxiety and changing moods are part of everyone's life. But that should help us understand those in need, not discourage them from seeking treatment. Anxiety keeps many Canadians feeling frightened and alone, and many doctors believe that depression is the underlying cause of most suicides in Canada.

With proper treatment, the suffering can end. There is more than just hope for success, there is abundant evidence of it. Lives can be reclaimed.

This brochure was produced through a health education grant from Eli Lilly Canada Inc., Pfizer Canada Inc., and SmithKline Beecham Inc.