UNDERSTANDING THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY BY STELLAH ACHIENG CHUMBE.
- infor245
- Apr 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 8, 2024
With the surge in the number of suicide cases lately,we stand to ask ourselves where exactly we as a society are going wrong.Some have drowned in booze and some are hiding in the walls of myriads of drug and substance abuse.Understanding the interplay between mental health, depression and anxiety is crucial for promoting holistic well-being and fostering a supportive environment for mental health care. Mental health encompasses various dimensions, including emotional, psychological, physical, social, financial and all the “als” you might think of. It is essential especially when it comes to decision making, goal realization and societal development. However, it remains a topic often shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding hence leading to various mental issues and illnesses acting as impediments in an individual's social, cultural and professional lives.
Depression is a disorder characterized by a prolonged state of dejection and loss of enthusiasm. Its main symptoms include lingering low, sadness, and hopelessness. It is centered around the idea that life is already bad, with little hope for the future. Individuals aged between eighteen to twenty-five, and sometimes even older, are susceptible to this disorder, with women being particularly vulnerable to its effects. Those grappling with depression often experience a profound decline in self-esteem and their confidence punctured and the only factor magnified before their eyes is how frustrated they are. Among the myriad causes of depression is abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional, stands as a dominant factor. A young lady, whose once vibrant personality was overshadowed by weight of depression following sexual abuse, raped twice precisely. Despite her outward success, she struggled to find joy in life's simplest pleasures, battling overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, shame, fear, and societal judgment. Women facing similar circumstances may develop a deep-seated fear of men and struggle to form meaningful relationships, leading to a sense of isolation and despair exacerbated by societal judgment.
Anxiety is marked by overwhelming feelings of worry, restlessness and fear, often accompanied by physical symptoms that manifest in various ways. Many young people battle everyday with social anxiety, which makes their daily interaction feel like insurmountable obstacles. The fear of judgment and rejection looms large, consuming individuals and leading to isolation from friends and missed opportunities for growth. In the throes of social anxiety, individuals may feel compelled to live a life of pretense, striving to meet societal expectations while inwardly struggling with profound internal turmoil. Despite outward appearance, internal conflict persists, gradually eroding one’s self.
Relationship between depression, anxiety and mental health
Depression, anxiety and mental health reflect interconnection of emotional well-being and physiological functioning. While each condition is distinct, they often coexist, exacerbating one another’s symptoms in a relentless cycle of despair. Depression is primarily related to dejection, while anxiety is characterized by agitation, they are closely related than you may think. Anxiety for example, often involves irritability and individuals with depression may feel more irritable than sad. The chronic feelings of sadness and lack of interest associated with depression can contribute to anxiety, worry about the future and possibly panic attacks. Similarly, fear and apprehension characteristics of anxiety disorders can contribute to feelings of despair and helplessness hence depression. Chances of being depressed is higher when an anxiety disorder already exists. Often, with nervous thoughts, significantly paying attention to situations that have happened in past alongside worries about what is going on in the present and the future. Vulnerability to depression and anxiety is influenced by various factors, including hormonal changes, gender socialization, and coping mechanisms in response to negative life events. Issues such as body shaming or societal pressures regarding appearance can profoundly impact individuals’ self esteem and self worth, contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation, or even extend to using hot lemon tea, skipping meals, using chemicals and drugs, regardless of the negative impact. When men are confronted with negative life events, the phrase “a man is to wallet” notion, the pessimistic individuals are much more inclined to generate a feeling of helplessness that would increase their like hood of developing hopelessness, which is a substantial cause of anxiety and depression. Most of the time the fight or flight center in our brains become activated, even when no real threat exists hence we fall victims of depression and anxiety without our knowledge, all because of what we choose to stick into our minds. One said, “train your mind to see the good in everything, positivity is a choice. The happiness in your life depends on the quality of your thought. Conflict with, unemployement, family problems, academic stress and relationships can exacerbate anxiety and depression, increasing the risk of suicidal ideation, especially among young people. Open conversations about mental health are crucial for fostering understanding and support, particularly since adolescent anxiety or depression can significantly predict the risk of depression in adulthood.
What might indicate that both anxiety and depression are present?
Persistent Feeling of Sadness: Individuals may experience a lingering sense of sadness and despair, accompanied by a pervasive feeling of hopelessness.
Excessive Worrying: Constant worrying about various aspects of life, including the future, relationships, and personal achievements, may dominate thoughts and lead to heightened anxiety.
Changes in Eating Habits: Fluctuations in appetite and eating patterns, such as overeating or loss of appetite, can signify disturbances in emotional regulation associated with both anxiety and depression.
Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or oversleeping (hypersomnia), can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.
Fatigue and Lack of Energy: Individuals may consistently feel tired, lethargic, and lacking in energy, despite adequate rest, impacting their ability to engage in daily activities.
Physical Symptoms: Headaches, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, and increased heart rate are common physical manifestations of anxiety and depression, reflecting heightened physiological arousal.
Panic Attacks: Sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and trembling, may indicate the presence of panic attacks, a hallmark feature of anxiety disorders.
Sense of Losing Control: Individuals may experience a sense of losing inner control or being overwhelmed by emotions, contributing to feelings of distress and helplessness.
Negative Thought Patterns: Persistent negative thinking, self-criticism, and rumination about past events or future outcomes may exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, perpetuating a cycle of emotional distress.
Excessive Concern: Excessive concern or worry about everyday occurrences, even minor events, can heighten anxiety levels and contribute to feelings of apprehension and unease.
One thing depression and anxiety have in common is that both can improve with support from a mental health professional. Some attempt to regain stamina are:
physiological therapy which helps one to embrace and re-interact with their original personality, strengths and abilities. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, helps individuals identify negative thought patterns and develop coping strategies to challenge and change them.
Social therapy which restores the essence of social relationship, taking the victim out of their introverted propensity. Building strong social support networks with friends, family members, support groups, and community resources can provide validation, encouragement, and a sense of belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Self-Care Practices, engaging in self-care activities that promote relaxation, creativity, and personal fulfillment, such as hobbies, journaling, or spending time in nature, can nurture emotional resilience and enhance overall well-being.
Lifestyle Modifications, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and limiting substance use, can promote physical and emotional resilience, enhancing mood and overall mental health.
By combining these therapeutic approaches and interventions, individuals can develop effective coping strategies, strengthen their resilience, and work towards achieving greater mental health and life satisfaction. It's essential for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety to reach out for professional help and explore the treatment options best suited to their unique needs and preferences.
references
NIMH: Depression Basics
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing
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