Anxiety and Depression Treatment Information

Depression, it is a line that slips off the tongue all too readily when we are bored or unhappy. But most of us, when we say that, do not mean we are clinically depressed, possibly wanting or needing treatment.

Depression - the blues can hit us all from time to time, as financial, emotional or work problems hang over like a dark cloud. In the long term, if the problems are not resolved, depression lowers the immune system, leaving you prone to a spiral of worstening mental and physical health.

Anxiety is a normal response to danger. Anxiety is abnormal when its severity is out of proportion to the threat of danger or when it outlasts the threat. Anxiety mood is closely coupled with somatic and autonomic components, and with psychological ones.

Depression is a normal response to loss or misfortune. Depression is abnormal when it is out of proportion to the misfortune or unduly prolonged. Depressive mood is closely coupled with other changes, notably a lowering of self-esteem, self-criticism, and pessimistic thinking.

While tending to the patient's psychological needs, don't forget her physical needs. If she's too depressed to take care of herself, help her with personal hygiene. Encourage her to eat. If she's constipated, add high-fiber foods to her diet; offer small, frequent meals; and encourage physical activity and fluid intake.