Depression and anxiety are common mental health conditions that affect an individual’s behavior, mood, and perception, adversely impacting their emotional, physical, and social well-being. The condition is usually marked by a persistent feeling of sadness, while anxiety makes one feel overwhelmed by worry. Chronic anxiety can be classified into generalized disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and PTSD. With timely intervention, these conditions can be fully cured. Here are common symptoms, causes, and remedial measures.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety
Many symptoms of chronic anxiety disorder and depression overlap, while some are distinct.

• Persistent sadness
  Individuals with depression often experience an overwhelming and persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness.
• Loss of interest
  A person may feel a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, including hobbies, socializing, or personal goals.
• Fatigue and low energy
  Feelings of fatigue, even after adequate rest, are common in depression.
• Excessive worry
  Anxiety disorders are marked by persistent and uncontrollable worry about everyday situations or specific events.
• Restlessness
  Mood disorders can also make one feel edgy or restless, unable to relax.
• Rapid heartbeat
  Anxiety can lead to increased heart rate and physical symptoms of panic.
• Irrational fears
  Anxiety disorders may cause intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations.
• Sweating and muscular tension
  Chronic anxiety can result in physical discomfort, including sweating, trembling, or muscular tension.
• Sleep issues
  The disorders may create problems with one’s sleep-wake cycle, like insomnia, frequent waking, or excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Changes of appetite
  One may either lose appetite or eat excessive amounts of food to suppress anxiety or stress.
• Cognitive changes
  Concentration and decision-making capabilities may be hampered in these conditions.

Causes of depression and anxiety
Here are some common causes and risk factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions:

• Any imbalances in one’s brain chemistry that regulates one’s mood, behavior, and thought patterns
• Chronic health conditions like insomnia, Parkinson’s disease, or cancer
• Those with a family history of any mood disorder
• Individuals who experience certain trauma or emotional pain during their lifetime, especially in childhood
• Women facing hormonal changes during menstruation, postpartum period, or menopause
• Prolonged nutritional deficiencies, especially of vitamin D

Treatment options and remedies
Psychotherapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes can gradually help individuals overcome these disorders. Here are some common treatments and remedies used for treating depression and chronic anxiety:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  CBT helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones.
• Exposure therapy
  Particularly useful for anxiety disorders, this therapy helps individuals confront their fears gradually.
• Systemic therapy
  This analyzes an individual’s relationships with people and helps to improve communication with them.
• Mindfulness-based therapies
  Practices like mindfulness meditation can help individuals develop greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions, improving their response to stressors.
• Getting checked for deficiencies
  Nutritional deficiencies like vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids may worsen or trigger the onset of mental conditions. So it’s crucial to analyze one’s nutritional levels and get suitable oral treatments to meet the body’s needs.
• Social support
  It’s important to seek social support and open up about one’s issues to trusted family members, friends, or a therapist.
• Positive lifestyle habits
  Physical activity like walking, jogging, cycling, dancing, or practicing yoga is a powerful natural antidepressant and anxiety reducer. Engaging in regular exercise releases endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.