Depression and Depressive symptoms also occur outside of our classic understanding of what depression is.

Dysthymia is a mild form of depression that is characterized by chronic mild depressive symptoms for most days over a period of two years.

Seasonal Affective Disorder has symptoms that are seen with any major depressive episode. It is the recurrence of the symptoms during certain seasons that is the hallmark of this type of depression.

Postpartum Depression occurs in women who have recently given birth and typically occurs in the first few months after delivery. Often, postpartum depression interferes with the mother's ability to bond with her newborn. It is very important to seek help if you are experiencing postpartum depression.

It is important to remember that Postpartum depression is different from the "Baby Blues", which tend to occur the first few days after delivery and resolve spontaneously.

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common forms of distress to our Mental Wellness. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 people are affected by high anxiety. Although anxiety is more prevalent among adult women, men and children are also challenged by anxiety. Anxiety is just like any other illnesses, it can be diagnosed and most importantly anxiety can be treated.

Anxiety for the most part is a necessary part of life, the Fight-or-Fight response is a powerful survival tool when one is confronted by a bear while hiking in the forest. However, if one is experiencing this same intense response while walking through a shopping mall their quality of life diminishes.

All too often, society views excessive anxiety as mental weakness or instability, and the resulting social stigma can discourage people with anxiety from seeking help. Realizing that excessive anxiety is shared by many others and that it can be treated helps to remove the stigma, and encourage people to explore treatment options and restore Mental Wellness.

It is common for people to suffer from more than one form of anxiety; and for an anxiety to be accompanied by depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse.

When Anxiety Becomes Too Much

Panic Attacks - Panic attacks occur without warning, accompanied by sudden feelings of terror. Physically, an attack may cause chest pain, rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, feelings of unreality and fear of dying. When a person avoids situations that he or she fears may cause a panic attack, his or her condition is described as panic disorder with agoraphobia.

Phobias - Phobias are divided into two categories:

Social Phobia - Fear of social situations

• People with social phobia feel a paralyzing self-consciousness about social situations even though they know it is irrational to feel this way. They have an intense fear that they are being watched or that they will do something wrong or embarrassing in front of others. These feelings are so extreme that people with social phobia tend to avoid objects or situations that might cause the fear, dramatically reducing their ability to lead a normal life.

Specific phobias - Fear of specific situations, objects, or animals

• People suffering from a specific phobia are overwhelmed by unreasonable fears, which they are unable to control. Exposure to feared situations can cause them extreme anxiety and panic, even if they recognize that their fears are illogical.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - A terrifying past experience where serious physical harm occurred or was threatened can cause post-traumatic stress disorder also known as PTSD.

Survivors of rape, child abuse, war or natural disasters may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Common symptoms include flashbacks, during which the person re-lives the terrifying experience, nightmares, depression and feelings of anger or irritability.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - Is a condition in which people experience:

Persistent unwanted thoughts (Obsessions)

• Typically, obsessions are about:
  • Contamination by germs or toxins
  • Doubts and concerns such as worrying that the iron has not been turned off or that the door has been left unlocked
  • Disturbing sexual or religious thoughts
• Persistent unwanted rituals (Compulsions)
  • Compulsions include washing, repetitive checking, organizing, and counting
  • Failure to engage in one's compulsions leads to increased discomfort and anxiety

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can go unchecked as the individual calms themselves by giving into their obsessions or compulsions until they can no longer cope with the extensive rituals they have created.

Generalized Anxiety - Characterized by repeated, exaggerated worry about routine life events and activities. This disorder lasts at least six months, during which time the person is affected by extreme worry more days than not.

An individual with Generalized Anxiety anticipates the worst, even if others would say they have no reason to expect it. Physical symptoms can include nausea, trembling fatigue, muscle tension, or headache. Just as in any other form of anxiety the effects can become cripple the individual as it prevents them from participating fully in their lives.

How can anxiety disorders be treated?

There are two main approaches to treating an anxiety disorder:

• Counselling therapies such as:
  • Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Rational Emotive Behavioural Thearpy (REBT)
  • EMDR
  • Systematic Desensitization
• Drug Therapy

Therapeutic strategies are effective in reducing symptoms in each of the anxiety disorders. Techniques used include:

• Cognitive restructuring helps the individual to identify irrational anxious thoughts, interpretations, and predictions. These are then replaced with productive interpretations of anxiety as well as self soothing techniques in order to help the individual move past feared stimuli.
• Controlled exposure and to feared objects or situations paired with calming and relaxation techniques to help the individual cope with panic situations. People with panic disorder, for instance, can benefit from breathing retraining, which shows them how to slow their breathing and use meditation when they're feeling anxious.

IF YOU ARE IN AN IMMEDIATE SERIOUS CRISIS PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR OR GO TO YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL OR EMERGENCY ROOM.