Depression & Anxiety

What are the symptoms of depression?

If you suffer from depression, you likely understand the difference between being sad or depressed over a specific event or situation, and suffering from depression, which is an all-encompassing disorder that includes:

• Sadness, hopelessness, or anxiousness
• Fatigue brought on by insomnia or oversleeping
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy

Depression can also manifest itself physically, causing you headaches, pain, and digestive issues that don’t respond to medical treatment. In extreme cases, depression can lead you to have thoughts of death or suicide.

What are the types of depression?

Depression is typically divided into the following categories:

• Major depression: When you experience at least five symptoms of depression for more than two weeks
• Persistent depressive disorder: Depression that lasts for two years or more, with milder symptoms than those associated with major depression
• Bipolar disorder: Characterized by fluctuations in moods, from manic highs to severe lows

Dr. Ahad-Daman has considerable experience in diagnosing and treating depression and can help you enjoy your life again.

What is an anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorders are fairly common in the United States, with 18% of the adult population reporting one of the following:

• Generalized anxiety disorders: An overall feeling of anxiousness or worry for no reason
• Panic disorder: Sudden feelings of panic or terror, which may be accompanied by a racing heart (palpitations), sweating, and chest pains -- this is commonly mistaken for a heart attack
• Social anxiety disorder: Fear of being judged or ridiculed by others

If you have an anxiety disorder, you may also experience:

• Inability to sit still
• Sleep issues
• Irritability
• Shortness of breath
• Dry mouth

What are the treatments for anxiety and depression?

For too long, depression and anxiety disorders typically went untreated. In recent years, scientists and doctors have begun to focus on these debilitating conditions and understand them better, which has lead to effective treatment plans that include:

• Antidepressants
• Cognitive therapy and psychotherapy
• Lifestyle and behavior modifications
• Meditation and relaxation techniques
• Exercise regimes

Dr. Ahad-Daman will likely recommend a plan that will include several of these treatments to allow you the greatest success in combatting your anxiety and depression disorders.