Unfriend Anxiety And Depression
Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health concerns in our society, affecting millions worldwide. They are often experienced as a complex set of emotional and functional challenges. Anxiety and depression are not the same, but they often occur together. It is not uncommon for people with depression to experience anxiety and people with anxiety to become depressed.
“I hate my life! I hate what I’ve become! I hate that I haven’t accomplished any of my goals…..I so desperately want to depart this world…I serve no purpose here……I thought that when I had a stroke a year and a half ago it would have done the job……maybe a second one will……this is not how I pictured my life but this is the reality, a total failure”.
Those were the words that screamed at me from a man’s profile on Facebook recently. His friends tried to comfort him with encouraging words, but his response below squeezed my heart so tight I had to pause and view his profile.
“I have basically lost all the fight in me……I have nothing left…..it’s not just the fact that life is hard but my constant failure to overcome its challenges……I am really appreciative of all the heart felt comments……but mentally I’m “boxed in”……and there’s no other way out of this mental prison but death……don’t get me wrong……I’m not suicidal……but with any luck my poor health will do the job”.
His profile highlights negative occurrences, failed endeavours and he has also lost most of his sense of smell. His previous posts indicated that he believed he has reached his limit in life, the will to live and that he serves no purpose on Earth. I am not a doctor or in a position to determine any mental illness, but I simply believe that this man is suffering from anxiety and depression. This man says he will not commit suicide but there are many other persons who may be experiencing similar thoughts and are suicidal. In light of the suicide case reported on the woman from Waterhouse recently, I am lead to do a brief overview on anxiety and depression
According to Dr. Carlo Carandang, MD, Psychiatrist (2008)
Depression is a disabling condition that adversely affects a person’s family, work, or school life; sleeping and eating habits; and general health.is typically characterized by low energy and mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Symptoms include:
- Sleep disorders (too much or too little)
- Shifts in appetite and weight (too much or too little)
- Irritability or anxiety
- Chronic physical symptoms, including pain,gastrointestinal disturbances, headaches, etc.
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Feelings of persistent sadness, guilt, hopelessness, or loss of self-worth
- Thinking difficulties, such as memory loss, challenges concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Anxiety may be a normal reaction to stress, and it can serve as a prompt to deal with difficult situations. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, it may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder.Anxiety disorder is characterized by emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms that create an unpleasant feeling that is typically described as uneasiness, fear, or worry.People suffering from anxiety often withdraw and seek to avoid people or certain places.The worry is frequently accompanied by physical symptoms of:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Muscle tension and aches
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trembling, twitching
- Irritability, sweating
- Hot flashes
Emotional symptoms include:
- Fear
- Racing thoughts
- Feeling of impending doom.
COMPARING ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
- Anxiety is the fear of some unknown or future threat, whereas depression is feeling blue and having low moods.
- Anxiety is worry about the future; depression is regret about the past.
- Anxiety makes you worry; depression makes you sad.
- Anxiety makes your fret over thing;depression makes you not care.
- Anxiety is nervous energy; depression is no energy.
- Anxiety is intense; depression is apathetic.
- Anxiety is the fear of loss;depression is the result of loss.
- Anxiety makes you think what could be; depression makes you think what should be.
- Anxiety overwhelms; depression under whelms.
- Anxiety is fearful; depression is hopeless.
- Anxiety is excessive expectations; depression is unmet expectations.
- Anxiety is anticipation; depression is delay.
- Anxiety is over preparation, depression is procrastination.
- Anxiety is hypervigilance; depression is dreadful waiting.
- Anxiety is not having enough; depression is losing it all.
- Anxiety is restlessness; depression is not getting out of bed.
The content of this article is intended to encourage someone who is suffering from symptoms of anxiety or depression to seek help in exploring and understand their behaviour and difficult feelings with trained professionals, trusted friend or family members for better ways of living.
Bible Verses for Encouragement:
John 16: 33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Isiah 44:10 – ‘So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – ‘The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”