Author: Contributor

When we feel anxious, it is a normal human emotion that is associated with some happenings in our lives. For instance, if you are given an arduous task to perform and submit within a short time, there is a good chance that you will feel anxious.

Sometimes, this feeling of anxiety can be advantageous because it helps us stay on our toes. Other times, it can be the reason why you would be more observant so that you don’t fall into danger.

When anxiety disorder is in the picture, it transcends the normal symptoms of anxiety that you may feel on a good day.

Here are some of the signs that someone has an anxiety disorder

Inability to function

One of the ways to know that a person is battling with an anxiety disorder is when they find it hard to function as they use to.

Such people might not be able to meet work-related deadlines, or their performance at school might not be up to par. This is because their mind is not at rest, and they may find it hard to concentrate properly on what they are doing.

Trouble having enough sleep

Another way to know when an anxiety disorder is at play is when you find it hard to sleep. Your mind could be fixated on many things at once, and you will find it hard to concentrate. When this happens to you regularly, then it might be an anxiety disorder.

Sense of looming danger

People with anxiety disorder usually feel that something bad is about to happen to them. This is why they find it hard to be at rest because they think that they will hear a piece of unpleasant news or a disfavorable event is going to happen to them.

Other signs of anxiety disorder may include sweating, trembling, feeling tired and weak, inability to stop worrying, etc. When you notice that some of these signs are recurrent, it is best to seek help from a mental health therapist.

Can depression be treated? Of course, it can. Depressed individuals can undergo treatment and completely overcome the condition with time.

Here are 5 treatment options available for depressed persons:

• Medications

Depressed individuals can be treated with medications as prescribed by one’s healthcare provider. These meds are particularly to deal with the pain, anxiety, worries, and all other things that may be contributing to the depressive state.

They may include antidepressants and antipsychotic medications, but most importantly is that they are medically recommended for use.

• Psychotherapy

Therapy sessions are another treatment option for persons going through major depressive disorder. Therapists can help identify and provide solutions to the root cause of the depressive state. They can also help depressed individuals develop new habits, skills, and thought processes to overcome depression.

• Alternative therapies

Asides from psychotherapy, there are other effective therapies for treating depression. One of such is light therapy, in which the depressed individual is exposed to doses of white light which relieves them of depressive signs. Acupuncture, meditation, and the use of herbal supplements are other alternative therapies for treating depression.

• Exercise

Engaging in exercises for at least 30 minutes every 3 to 5 days can help a person overcome the feeling of depression.

By exercising regularly, your body produces more endorphins, which is a mood-lifting hormone that drives away gloomy or despairing thoughts. Carrying out physical activity in the form of exercise is a free and productive treatment, for depression.

• Avoid alcohol and drugs

Depressed individuals resort to alcohol and drugs to help solve their problems, but they do just the opposite; they compound it. A simple but effective treatment for depression is to avoid alcohol and drugs and to face the problem head-on, instead of trying to forget it.

Depending on the nature and cause of depression, one may have to receive a particular treatment or combine two or more to achieve results. However, before any step is taken, it is important to consult a healthcare provider.

Depression has been recognized as one of the top diseases ravaging the world across all age groups and genders. If you have ever wondered how you can recognize someone suffering from depression, here are some signs to watch out for:

1. Loss of Interest and Energy

An individual who is going through depression tends to lose interest in things that they normally derive joy from. Such an individual also struggles to complete tasks because their energy tank feels empty always.

2. Insomnia

Insomnia is a form of sleeping disorder many depressed individuals suffer. Some may sleep away the entire day due to a lack of interest to engage in any activity and as a way of escaping from reality. Others may struggle to find sleep even when their body needs it.

3. Outburst of Emotions

A depressed individual would display unnecessary outbursts of emotions such as anger, tearfulness, sadness, etc. Such emotions can be triggered anytime by anyone or anything.

4. Changes in Appetite and Weight

When you observe that the eating routine of an individual has changed, it may be a sign of depression. Someone who usually eats moderately may begin to eat excessively and consume junk foods more than usual, leading to weight gain. Or you may notice that such an individual no longer eats as at when due and loses weight drastically.

5. Lack of Concentration/Withdrawal

People who are depressed or moving towards depression lose concentration on tasks they would normally do without stress and tend to suddenly forget things easily. A depressed individual also tends to retreat from people and stay self-isolated and secluded.

The best way to identify a depressed individual is through close observation. Also, relating with such a person involves patience and would require that you show support to gain their trust.

 A mental health counselor is a trained professional skilled in the act of psychotherapy that is also known as Mental Health Counseling.

A mental health counselor develops a relationship between himself or herself and the client. The basis for this relationship is strictly professional and targeted towards ensuring the individual achieves a clean bill of health.

In addition, a mental health counselor employs the use of clinical techniques and research in order to make it very effective.

People who have mental health problems usually find it difficult to accept the fact that they have a problem. So, they would necessarily shy away from it whenever related concepts are mentioned. There is a stigma that comes with having mental health problems and they do not want to be victims of it.

So, to help themselves, they would try to manage their problems without involving anyone. The only person that can help them in this case is a mental health counselor.

What makes a counselor different from any other person? It is the fact that they are professionals who put sentiments and prejudice aside when interacting with a patient.

Mental health counselors are aware of the rejection that people face whenever they face mental health issues. So, it is in their jurisdiction of work to help people deal with this rejection and channel the hate into something productive.

Also, a mental health counselor provides ample support even more than what you imagine. He or she is aware that you might not be getting the needed support from family and friends. So, what he does is fill in for them, till he or she is able to mend the gap between you and your family.

It would interest you to know that, a mental health counselor keeps in touch with you all through the period of your addiction treatment.

Even when you get out of therapy, the counselor still monitors you to ensure that you do not relapse. With the ample life skills that a counselor provides an individual, they would be able to care for their mental health on their own.

If only everyone knew how good exercising was, we would all live healthier lives and have stronger bodies. Exercise comes with lots of benefits that we can all tap into. So, no matter your age, it is great for you to exercise.

To start with, exercise helps you to watch your weight. For people who want to lose pounds by eating less, one profound way to augment your move is to exercise more.

Exercising effectively helps to control the rate at which you gain weight. You burn more calories when you exercise and it is much more beneficial than just sitting without undergoing any physical activity.

In addition to this, exercise assists in fighting health problems and diseases. A good number of people are not aware of this fact. For instance, if you are someone looking to effectively combat your high blood pressure, exercising is one profound way to do this.

When you exercise on a regular basis, it helps you to avert possible diseases that could spring up when you are sedentary.

In case you did not know, exercise helps your mood get better. If you are someone who is always sad and moody, one way to boost your emotions is by exercising.

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The chemicals in your brain responsible for happiness are triggered effectively when you exercise. You become more relaxed and happy.

Closely related to this, is the fact that your self-esteem receives a boost when you exercise. You will be proud of yourself and this brings confidence.

For people who do not have high energy levels, exercising is all you need to get back on track. People who have really stressful days will find exercising very useful.

This is because, your muscular strength receives fluid when you exercise. Your tissues also receive essential nutrients and oxygen when you exercise and this allows you to accomplish your set tasks.

Also, exercising is a fun activity. It is one way to make your social life better because you will meet other people like you who are exercising.