Menu
Yes, Depression and Anxiety can be classified as separate problems, however a more holistic view is to look at, and perhaps rule-out, both together. Treatment at BSI does address them separately or together as needed.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how a person feels, thinks, and behaves, and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Depression can result in difficulty with normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes causes feelings of ‘life not worth living’.
More than an occasional case of ‘the blues’, depression isn’t a weakness per se, and rarely can a person simply ‘snap out of it’. Depression may require long-term treatment. At BSI, our first approach is with diagnosis of endocrine and environmental / physical causes, which are nearly always overlooked in main stream medicine or psychotherapy. We endeavor to explore and treat root causes, which in turn can make psychological therapies much more effective, if indeed they are needed after physical systems are in balance.
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. However, people with anxiety disorders frequently experience intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).
These feelings of anxiety and panic tend to interfere with daily activities, are difficult to control, are often out of proportion to the actual danger and can last a long time. People with high anxiety may find themselves avoiding places or situations to prevent these feelings. Symptoms may start during childhood or the teen years and continue into adulthood.
Examples of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder (social phobia), specific phobias and separation anxiety disorder. More than one anxiety disorder can occur. Sometimes anxiety results from a medical condition, or diet, or environmental anomalies that require change or treatment. High anxiety can often lead to depression.
And depression and / or anxiety can directly relate to high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, stresses of all types, rapid aging, and more.
Although depression may occur only once during life, multiple episodes are common. Symptoms may occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:
Â
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences. In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or low body weight.
In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
Depression symptoms in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of aging, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as:
Â
Causes of depression
As with both physical and many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved, such as:
Â
Risk factors and warning signs of suicide
To be diagnosed with major depression, a person’s symptoms must fit the criteria outlined in the DSM-5.6
These symptoms must cause the individual clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms must not be a result of substance abuse or another medical condition. Doctors must rule out other mental health conditions that can have a depression component but are not strictly a major depressive disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder).
To be diagnosed with major depression, a person must not have had a manic or hypomanic episode, which would then warrant a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Common anxiety signs and symptoms include
Several types of anxiety disorders exist
Causes of anxiety disorder
For some people, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue. In some cases, anxiety signs and symptoms are the first indicators of a medical illness.
Examples of medical problems that can be linked to anxiety include:
Sometimes anxiety can be a side effect of certain medications, sugar consumption, caffeine, bad diet, and more.
We can rule-out anxiety disorder as a results of a medical condition if:
Risk factors, that may increase risk of developing an anxiety disorder
Complications
Having an anxiety disorder does more than make you worry. It can also lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, such as:
Prevention
Take steps to reduce the impact of symptoms if you’re anxious:
Tests and Scales for Depression
First, interview about day-to-day life and their feelings. These feelings must also be accompanied by at least five other common symptoms of depression, including:
Second, talk about:
Third, ask about drugs and medication, antibiotics, vaccines, etc.
Fourth, perhaps ask the patient to answer the self-assessment test, links to pdf below.
Fifth, request blood and urine, and include, if needed, Thyroid / Pituitary, Lipids, Hormones.
Sixth, after analysis, make prescription based on interview and results, with integrative emphasis on mental well-being. Use the same prescription as usual, with added meds and therapies added as needed.
Key to diagnosis is to first rule out physical causes, beginning with full Level 2 Analysis, with emphasis placed on imbalances in the endocrine system, and body systems in general..
Feelings of sadness, low mood, and loss of interest in their usual activities must mark a change from a person’s previous level of functioning and have persisted for at least two weeks.
Common Depression Tests and Scales. May we suggest you take one or two of these tests, and print and bring along the results to your first appointment, if you want.
Modern drugs suppress depression or anxiety but do not usually cure. Natural remedies take time and require diligent participation by the patient. Constant monitoring of mood and attitude is required, as is full commitment to diet and medicines. Several days are needed for the program to work. Changes and improvements are generally observed daily. Once normalcy is observed, continued therapy is probably required. Perhaps for one or two months, with long-term dietary and lifestyle changes fully enacted.
The patient must be patient. Impact exercise is key, in order to stimulate endorphin activity.
Therapy
Â
