Do You Know The Signs Of Anxiety, Depression or Panic Attacks?

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I had no intention of posting this article on mylot but I received so many comments from people who were or had suffered from depression and/or anxiety that I felt it may be helpful. This is part of my personal story. I hope that it will help someone else to know that they are not alone. I originally wrote this for gather and did submit it there. I received so very many comments there also. I live my life with chronic pain and have since 1986. It is not fun and it has changed my life very much over the years. My pain never goes away. It varies in the rating of the pain. I have found that chronic pain brings a lot of other problems to my life as well. Problems that I was not equipped to deal with on my own. I have tried to ignore the added problems but that has only made it worse. It has not only changed my life but also the lives of those whom I love. They had to adjust their lives as well. It has been difficult to deal with but I am dealing with it. I would now like to share with you, in hopes that if you are having these problems, the things that can come unexpectedly into our lives. I am talking about mental health. A subject that has not been receiving the respect and attention that it deserves. Often we just hear about the people who have mental health problems who are in the news. These people did not seek help with their problems and many times have taken other people’s and/or their own life. This is not always the case with mental illness. If we were to admit it to ourselves and to others, we would find that many people have mental health problems. I would like to take this opportunity to tell of some of the people who have seeked help. They are coping with life and getting their own life back. Your mental health involves a balance of every aspect of your life: physical, emotional, social and even your spiritual. When a any person is mentally ill, the problem can range from minor to severe. Statistics show that one in four people will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year. Depression is very common in today’s society. Depression can affect anyone regardless of his or her age, gender or even race. Everyone feels sad once in a while but when those feelings start interfering with everyday life, this person may need to seek help. There is evidence that depression is related to changes in certain brain chemicals that affect our thoughts and mood. It is something that we cannot control without help. Every living person feels anxious from time to time. You know the signs, their palms sweat, their hearts pound, or they may feel out of breath and uncomfortable. We have all seen these signs before. It usually passes fairly quickly and most people can cope with it. For some people though, these feelings are a part of everyday life. These people may suffer from an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders ranging from simple fears to panic disorders. These disorders should not be ignored. There are effective medications that can help with anxiety disorders. Studies show that depression affects roughly one in ten Americans. That is a lot of people and chances are that you know someone who is affected by depression. If you are a woman, your chances are two to three times that of a man. Scary isn’t it? The fact is that men and women experience depression differently. Women seem to suffer from sleep and appetite problems more than men. Some studies even suggest that depression could be higher in girls because they are more likely to dislike the way they look, starting at puberty. Do you think that society is putting too much emphasis on being the perfect size or height? Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks are the most common mental illnesses in the United States. They affect more than 19 million people. Again, women are much more likely than men to suffer from an anxiety disorder. Women are also more likely to experience panic attacks. There are many prescription medications available today to help with anxiety disorders. Nobody should be embarrassed if they have anxiety disorders or any other kind of mental disorder. It is a medical problem and as such, you will need to seek medical help. Are you or someone you care about having the symptoms of anxiety attacks? There are many wonderful books that can be checked out at your local library that can help you to understand these problems. Don’t suffer in silence. There are people who care and will be there to help you but you must let them know that you need their help. The first thing we all need to know is how to Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental illness. It is very important for the recovery process. Remember that being a woman puts you at greater risk for certain mental disorders. Know the warning signs and always look for them in yourself and those close to you. If you think that you have a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or stress disorders, talk to your doctor right away so you can get the help that you need to get your life back. Nobody needs to feel alone when mental illness is present. Your family and friends will support you and they will help you but you must seek medical help first.