Personal note from Donny

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Recent posts and quite a few of the earlier posts have focused on the very real topics of anxiety, depression, suffering, etc. There is a reason for this. In fact, it is the primary focus for this blog and what led me to create it. I personally suffer from “clinical (or major) depression” and “anxiety disorder” and take several medications to help combat the effects. It is a personal struggle each day but the best medication for me is my faith in Christ to help me through the day and whatever I may face.

Let me start with some facts about both conditions. Web MD states: Most people feel sad or low at some point in life. But clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning. In addition, according to the DSM-IV — a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions – you may have other symptoms with major depression. Those symptoms might include:

Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day
Impaired concentration, indecisiveness
Insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day (called anhedonia, this symptom can be indicated by reports from significant others.)
Psychomotor agitation or retardation (restlessness or being slowed down)
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death)
Significant weight loss or gain (a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month)

Overall, between 20% and 25% may suffer an episode of major depression at some point during their lifetime. Major depression affects adults, teens, children, and the elderly alike. Major depression frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated in children and the elderly.

Not everyone has a trigger for clinical depression. Some common triggers or causes, however, include:

Grief from losing a loved one through death, divorce, or separation
Interpersonal deficits that lead to social isolation or feelings of being deprived
Major life changes — moving, graduation, job change, retirement
Personal conflicts in relationships either with a significant other or a superior
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

Major or clinical depression is a serious but treatable illness. Your doctor will most likely give you a prescription antidepressant medication. He or she may also suggest that you receive a specialized form of talk therapy called psychotherapy. Sometimes, other medications are added to the antidepressant to boost its effectiveness.

There are many types of anxiety disorders that include panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress syndrome, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, and generalized anxiety disorder.

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences at times. Many people feel anxious, or nervous, when faced with a problem at work, or before taking a test or making an important decision. Anxiety disorders, however, are different. They can cause such distress that it interferes with a person’s ability to lead a normal life.

An anxiety disorder is a serious mental illness. For people with anxiety disorders, worry and fear are constant and overwhelming, and can be crippling.

Symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder, but general symptoms include:

Feelings of panic, fear and uneasiness
Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
Repeated thoughts or flashbacks of traumatic experiences
Nightmares
Ritualistic behaviors, such as repeated hand washing
Problems sleeping
Cold or sweaty hands and/or feet
Shortness of breath
Palpitations
An inability to be still and calm
Dry mouth
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Nausea
Muscle tension

The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown; but anxiety disorders — like other forms of mental illness — are not the result of personal weakness, a character flaw or poor upbringing. As scientists continue their research on mental illness, it is becoming clear that many of these disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including changes in the brain and environmental stresses. Like certain illnesses, such as diabetes, anxiety disorders may be caused by chemical imbalances in the body. Studies have shown that severe or long-lasting stress can change the balance of chemicals in the brain that control mood. Other studies have shown that people with certain anxiety disorders have changes in certain brain structures that control memory or mood.

Anxiety disorders affect about 19 million adult Americans. Most anxiety disorders begin in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. Fortunately, much progress has been made in the last two decades in the treatment of people with mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders. Although the exact treatment approach depends on the type of disorder, one or a combination of the following therapies may be used for most anxiety disorders:

Medication : Medicines used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders include anti-depressants and anxiety-reducing medications.
Psychotherapy : Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) addresses the emotional response to mental illness. It is a process in which trained mental health professionals help people by talking through strategies for understanding and dealing with their disorder.

OK, enough of the “technical” stuff for now. Tomorrow I will go further into my personal story. I think it will help me to share with others and I also want all of you out there that are experiencing these symptoms, whether you’ve been professionally diagnosed or not, to understand that you are certainly not alone. I encourage you to either post comments or email me personally. Thanks to all of you and God bless you!!!