What are the signs of depression? What do you do if you suspect that you or someone you love might be depressed? Read on to find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about depression and anxiety, so that you can get the help you need.
What Is Mental Illness?
Mental illness is a broad term that refers to any illness that affects mood, thinking, or behavior. Examples of mental illnesses include depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), postpartum depression (PPD), panic attack, and agoraphobia.
Mental illnesses are treatable conditions. While these conditions are not curable—and may even be life-long—effective treatment options can greatly improve your quality of life. But how do you know if you need help? And what kind of help should you consider? Here’s a short list of common questions people have about dealing with mental illness
Can Mental Illness Be Cured?
Mental illness is often treated with drugs, behavioral therapy, or some combination of these therapies. Agoraphobia, which can cause anxiety attacks, is managed with medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
People suffering from major depression have improved outcomes if they undergo antidepressant treatment. In cases of severe depression or bipolar disorder, electroconvulsive therapy may be an option—but only after medications have failed to work.
There are also alternative treatments for mental illness, such as exercise therapy. Exercise therapy has been proven to relieve the symptoms of mental illness.
Can I Still Live A Happy Life If I Have Mental Illness?
It’s true that those with depression or anxiety often have a difficult time living happy lives. This is because their symptoms—such as sadness, panic attacks, and agoraphobia—make it difficult to engage in life-affirming activities like working, spending time with friends, or going to social events.
However, it is possible to still enjoy life even if you suffer from mental illness. Finding happiness when struggling with depression or anxiety can be challenging but there are things you can do that will help you on your way. For example, if you are sad or hopeless all of the time then try volunteering for a cause you care about or joining a support group for people who share your struggle.
What Are Some Types Of Mental Illnesses?
Depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance abuse disorders, and eating disorders are among some of the most common types of mental illnesses. It’s important to note that these illnesses often co-occur with each other.
For example, up to 85 percent of people with depression also have a diagnosable anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five Americans experiences an anxiety disorder during any given year. Anxiety often precedes depression or accompanies it; when left untreated can worsen both conditions.
Are Anxiety And Depression Related?
Depression is a mental illness. A mental illness is any health condition that affects your mood, thinking, or behavior. In many cases, depression also causes anxiety; however, anxiety can occur without depression. When someone has both conditions, it’s known as co-occurring or comorbid depression and anxiety.
Depression symptoms are not just feelings of sadness or low energy—they may include physical symptoms such as changes in appetite, trouble sleeping, or constant fatigue. On their own, these symptoms can be difficult to identify if you’re not looking for them—especially if they are mild.
How Common Are Mental Illnesses?
According to a recent study, around 1 in 5 people in America will experience a mental illness each year. That’s around 10 percent of men and women across all age groups. This is why it’s so important to educate yourself about your own mental health as well as that of others. If you or someone you know is suffering from an anxiety disorder or depression, there are many online resources that can help guide you towards professional help.
Is Exercise A Natural Remedy For Mental Illness?
Exercise is critical to managing mental illness. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that make you feel happier and less stressed. Getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet also help keep your mind at its best. If depression or anxiety is preventing you from leading a healthy lifestyle, it may be time to speak with a professional about treatment options.
Can Depression Make You Tired?
While both depression and fatigue are caused by chemical imbalances in your brain, they are two different conditions that can coexist with each other. Many people will experience fatigue as a symptom of their depression, though it can also be a side effect of their antidepressants.
If you experience extreme tiredness during depression, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to minimize these symptoms. Exercise regularly for about 30 minutes a day to help boost your endorphins—naturally-occurring chemicals in your brain that make you feel happier—and eat well.
Not only will these small steps help with your energy levels, but eating healthy foods will ensure you’re getting all of your vitamins and nutrients to fight off fatigue when it hits!
What Depression Feels Like
Depression makes you feel sad all of the time, but you might also experience a range of other symptoms including anger, anxiety, apathy, exhaustion, or physical pain. For some people, these feelings are severe enough to disrupt daily life. Everyone feels blue from time to time, but depression can last for months on end or even become chronic if left untreated.
- How do I know if I have depression?
- What treatment is best for me?
- Can depression be cured?
- What’s going on in my brain during an episode of depression?
- Am I depressed because I lost a loved one?
- Can you help me with my depression?
All of these questions are extremely important to think about for those dealing with the illness.
Will Depression Go Away?
While depression and anxiety can be treated, these mental health conditions often require long-term therapy. Some treatment methods that have been proven to work for people with depression include:
- Exercise therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
- Psychoanalysis
- Mindfulness training
- Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
There are also a number of lifestyle changes that may help you cope with your symptoms; including regular exercise, improved diet, or other nutritional supplements such as SAMe or St. John’s Wort. Whether medication is necessary or not depends on which symptoms you experience, how severe they are, and if they interfere with your daily functioning or ability to enjoy life.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going through a rough patch in your life, you should know that there are solutions to feeling better. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, even if you don’t feel like that right now. Exercise is a very potent medicine when dealing with mental health concerns, and that’s exactly why Exerpy started as a company.
Consider trying out their program today!
Quinn
Quinn is a professional, multi-faceted writer with a background and professional knowledge base that spans many industries. He goes above and beyond in everything he does and has an attitude and mindset of perseverance and dedication.
