If you are asking yourself this question "How do I know if I have depression or anxiety?" It is probably because you feel that something is not right in your life and that you cannot achieve that emotional well-being that you want so much. It is important to stay informed about these types of conditions since by knowing them in greater depth we can find out if this is really what is happening to us and finally seek the right help to treat them.
That is why in this Psychology-Online article: how to know if i have depression or anxiety, we are going to let you know in detail what each of these pathologies consists of and finally give you some advice so you can know what to do when you have anxiety and depression.
Anxiety is the more common mental disorder in the general population, followed by the Depression, which unfortunately is increasingly on the rise. Both types of disorders can appear simultaneously and / or it is also common for one to be the trigger for the other, that is, a person suffering from anxiety is more likely to develop depression due to the degree of dissatisfaction generated by their trouble. So it is important that once we have identified one of them, we begin to treat it so that we do not have the risk of suffering from the other as well.
So that you can know if you suffer from any of these disorders, it is necessary that you pay attention to the main symptoms that characterize each of them.
Symptoms of anxiety
- Experience at certain times, sometimes without apparent cause, rapid heartbeat, tightness, or chest pain (this does not have to be due to any medical condition)
- Excessive sweating when the person is in a situation that generates anxiety
- Stomach pain that is sometimes accompanied by nausea and even vomiting.
- Muscular stiffness
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Fear due to constantly having a sense of danger
Symptoms of depression
- Exhausted
- Feeling worthless
- Lack of concentration and difficulty learning a new skill
- Lack of interest in doing activities that were previously enjoyable
- Sleeping problems
- Irritability
- Sensation of emotional emptiness and hopelessness
- Feeling sad most of the day
After you have informed yourself about the symptoms of anxiety and depression, the first thing you should do is analyze and reflect on symptoms that you are experiencing right now and determine if you identify more with one or the other. Once you have identified it, it is necessary to see a professional so that they can offer you the treatment that best suits your specific needs. Next I am going to mention to you what the psychological treatment that is most used in therapy to solve this problem consists of.
Psychological treatment for anxiety and depression
Psychotherapy is essential for the cure of both disorders, whether the person has only one of them or both, it will always be necessary to go to a professional to solve it.
The psychological treatment that will be used in these cases aims to relieve all annoying symptoms that present both disorders and that are preventing the person from leading the life that they so desire. First of all, the patient's situation will be analyzed and an accurate diagnosis of their condition will be made. After having determined the diagnosis, the patient is explained, through psychoeducation, how he is going to work according to his case in particular, what is your diagnosis and what it consists of, that is, what are the causes, symptoms, consequences and the most common treatment cash.
Normally, you also work with relaxation techniques, breathing and even with meditation. On the other hand, irrational ideas and beliefs are discussed with the patient that do not allow them to have a better perspective of life and it is possible to modify them so that he can think more assertively, objectively and above all positive. We work gradually with the patient so that little by little they achieve their personal goals and objectives that could not be carried out by the disease through physical activation and enjoyable activities, etc. Finally, the patient ends up feeling better because he has achieved a better balance between what he thinks, what he feels, and what he does.
If you are just beginning to experience symptoms of anxiety and / or depression or even if you are already undergoing a treatment and you would like to reinforce it and help you further, here are a series of tips that will be of great use to you utility.
- Although it is difficult to decide to do it and above all to start, it is advisable to exercise. Exercise releases some happiness hormones as they are serotonin and dopamine that help you feel a lot better after you've done it.
- Try to do different things and put aside the routine.
- Practice the meditationn.
- Whenever you find yourself having negative thoughts, try to modify them and make them more constructive and positive.
- Surround yourself with friends, family and / or people close and significant to you. Invite them home or go for a walk with them, try not to isolate yourself and live together.
- Carry out activities that you find relaxing and that are to your liking.
- Remember that you will not feel this way all your life, everything has a solution And the faster you seek help, the better you will feel in less time.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
