Overcoming Anxiety and Depression (Real Strategies for Relief)


Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Wed Jul 08 2020)

Anxiety and depression are common disorders in today’s high-pressure society. However, there is still a stigma surrounding mental health issues. This often stems from a lack of understanding and knowledge.

Depression and anxiety affect people from all walks of life. All ethnicities, genders, and economic statuses are susceptible to these disorders. Sadly, these disorders often go untreated.

Today we will be looking at three ways to treat anxiety and depression. Often, the best treatment involves all three areas. These areas are:

  • Medication
  • Therapy
  • Natural Treatment

First, let’s take a look at what depression and anxiety are, and common symptoms associated with them.

What is Depression?

anxiety and depression

Everyone has instances of sadness and low mood. However, when these feelings linger it can indicate depression. For many people, depression is more the loss of emotion than a strong negative emotion. They feel apathetic, neither happy or sad.

Losing interest in activities that were once enjoyable is common as well. Hobbies that used to bring joy are no longer as fun as they once were. Loss of energy and motivation can play a factor in this as well. Often, a depressed person just doesn’t feel like doing anything.

Depression can also affect your ability to think clearly. People who suffer from depression often experience feelings of guilt or worthlessness. These are often magnified by difficulty concentrating and lack of motivation, creating a downward spiral.

Feelings of worthlessness + lack of motivation +difficulty concentrating= Reduced productivity. Reduced productivity= Stronger feelings of worthlessness and worsening depression
Worsening depression=greater lack of motivation + greater difficulty concentrating= greater reduction in productivity.

Other factors, including insomnia and lack of appetite, can also contribute to the downward spiral. The good news is that depression can be successfully treated, and the downward spiral can be avoided, or the severity greatly reduced.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety, fear, and stress are feelings that everyone experiences. However, when these feelings don’t go away, you may have an anxiety disorder. You may find that your reactions are disproportionate to the event.

For example, taking a test that should cause a small amount of stress causes you to lose a night of sleep due to anxiety.

Experts believe that anxiety disorders occur when your fight or flight response is activated even though there is no real threat. Anxiety can make it difficult for you to function normally.

It can cause physical symptoms as well, including:

  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremors or shaking
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Muscle tension
  • Nausea/diarrhea

Anxiety and Depression Together

Anxiety and depression are often co-occurring conditions. In fact, 50% of adults diagnosed with depression are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as well. While dealing with anxiety and depression can be challenging, there are many treatments that help both conditions.

How Common are Anxiety and Depression?

Anxiety and depression are both common disorders. 15% of people are expected to experience depression within their lifetime, and at least 18% of people struggle with anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders worldwide.

anxiety and depression

How Common is Treatment for Depression and Anxiety?

Depression and anxiety are highly treatable conditions. However, many people don’t seek out the treatment that they need. Only 36% of those with an anxiety disorder seek treatment, and less than 50% of those with depression receive treatment.

Are Treatments Effective

Antidepressants are effective 40-60% of the time in treating depression. It’s recommended to combine antidepressant medication with counseling.

Common antidepressant medications:

  • SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors)
  • SNRIs (Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors)
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants
  • MAOIs

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most commonly used form of therapy for treating depression today. This focuses on replacing negative thoughts and patterns with more positive or useful ones. Group therapy may be helpful as well. This can allow you to learn how others cope with their symptoms and reassure you that you aren’t alone.

Anxiety can also best be treated with a combination of medication and CBT therapy. Medication brings relief for 50% of people with anxiety disorders. CBT brings substantial symptom improvement for 60% of people.

Common Anti-Anxiety Medications include:

  • SSRIs
  • SNRIs
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antihistamines

Natural Treatments for Anxiety and Depression

Natural treatments for anxiety and depression fall into two different categories. These are:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Herbal remedies

There are many individual options within these categories, and most of them can be combined with medication and behavioral therapy.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes are an important part of treating depression and anxiety. Lifestyle changes include:

  • Exercise
  • Diet
  • Stress reduction
  • Relaxation

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to be just as effective as medication for depression symptoms, and it has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety symptoms as well.

One reason for this is that exercise releases your brains feel-good chemicals. It also improves blood flow and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

It’s believed it’s effective for anxiety because taking physical action can calm your body’s fight or flight response.

Diet

Diet is another important aspect of reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and fish can improve cognitive performance and give you the nutrients your body needs to function properly. It’s also important to avoid or limit caffeine, sugar, and alcohol, as these can make symptoms worse.

Stress Reduction

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to do things that you enjoy. Have at least one hobby and make time for it. It’s also important to prioritize your schedule and be comfortable saying no to things you don’t have the time for.

Relaxation

Meditation is a great form of relaxation. In fact, a Study conducted by John’s Hopkins suggested that 30 minutes of mindfulness meditation a day can improve depression symptoms and anxiety.

Another way to relax is to spend time in nature. Studies are showing that spending time in nature, or even looking through a window or at pictures of a nature scene, can reduce stress and anxiety.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies can be helpful for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, some herbs are dangerous when mixed with common medications for anxiety and depression. It is best to talk to your doctor before starting any herbal treatments.

The best herb for depression and anxiety is:

  • Turmeric

Common herbs for depression are:

  • John’s Wort
  • Saffron
  • SAM-e

Common herbs for anxiety are:

  • Magnolia Extract
  • Hops
  • Valerian

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that shown promise as an anti-inflammatory agent. Its active ingredient is curcumin. Studies have shown that turmeric is as effective as the SSRI Prozac for treating depression.

When it comes to anxiety, it’s believed that the anti-inflammatory action keeps the body from being stuck in fight or flight mode. It is most effective for anxiety in those with a chronic stress response.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is believed to increase dopamine and serotonin in the brain, similar to prescription anti-depressants. Study results vary, but the consensus is that it works at least as well as anti-depressants for treating mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.

Saffron

30 mg of Saffron has been shown to be as effective as Prozac for treating mild to moderate depression. Saffron is anti-inflammatory as well, so the mechanism of action may be similar to that of turmeric.

Sam-e

Sam-e has an advantage over prescription anti-depressants and St. John’s Wort in that it relieves depression symptoms within days instead of weeks or even months. Unlike St. John’s Wort, it can also be used along with prescription anti-depressants.

The mechanism of action isn’t known for certain, but it is believed that it boosts the number of neurotransmitters in your brain. Sam-e may be particularly effective for those who also suffer from chronic pain and those who anti-depressants alone don’t work well for.

It has been shown to worsen Mania, however, so it should not be used by anyone with bipolar disorder.

Magnolia Extract

Magnolia extract has been shown to be as effective as valium for treating anxiety. It seems to target the same areas of the brain as benzodiazepines, without the side effects. One way it does so is by regulating Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA promotes relaxation and helps regulate electrical activity in the brain.

Hops

The same hops that are used to flavor beer also have well-documented health benefits. Hops are believed to have a mild sedative effect that makes it helpful for treating anxiety disorders. Small studies have confirmed its effectiveness at reducing anxiety. The German Commission E has approved hops for the treatment of restlessness and anxiety disorders.

Valerian

Hops and Valerian are often used in combination, but they can be effective separately as well. Valerian is known as nature’s valium. Studies conducted on Valerian have been contradictory, with some finding it effective and others finding it no more effective than placebo.

Valerian is worth trying for anxiety, particularly because it combines well with Hops and St. John’s Wort.

The best treatments for anxiety and depression and anxiety are ultimately the ones that work for you. Unfortunately, everyone is different. What works for one person may not work for another. Trial and error is often needed to find the right treatments for you. However, the right treatments can significantly improve your life, making it well worth the effort.