Greater Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorders - Research Paper Example

Introduction Mental health disorders vary depending on their complications and causes. However, many of them can be classified together with the same disorders that can aid in describing the disorders to the public in general. One of the categories of disorders are mood disorders and through detailed studies, it has been suggested that individuals with a combination of disorders are at a greater risk of developing anxiety disorders. A lot of people that live with mood disorders usually have undiagnosed disorders pertaining to anxiety and the anxiety disorder may be curtailing the treatment of the mood disorder. It should be highlighted that anxiety is responsible for affecting mood however it is responsible for causing several emotions such as fear and hopelessness but should not in itself be considered as a mood disorder because even if anxiety impacts on the mood it is not correlated with mood. Essentially, mood problems as a result of anxiety are only secondary to the condition. Mood disorders Mood disorders are a category of mental health problems that are inclusive of all forms of depression and bipolar disorder. The causation agents of mood disorders are not definitively known but are attributed to endorphins which are chemicals in the brain responsible for positive moods and neurotransmitters which regulate the endorphins secretes in the brain. It is widely held that an imbalance in the endorphin and neurotransmitters level causes depression and a variety of other mood disorders. However, other unwanted life changes could also contribute to depression and other mood disorders (Gamez 67). Mood disorders are characterized by the following conditions-mania(inflated ego, hyperactivity, euphoria and unrealistic optimism)seasonal affective disorder, major depression and cyclothymia which is a mild form of bipolar disorder .Depression is considered as a separate condition even though it is associated with a variety of psychiatric disorders. It needs to be treated on its own. Recent studies that mood disorders are highly correlated with anxiety disorders and a poll conducted by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance revealed that close to 90% of people living with mood disorders suffered from depression too and a big majority of them were undiagnosed. In any given month in the US, an estimated 20% of the population is reported to exhibit a symptom of depression and around 12% exhibit multiple symptoms of depression in a year. In 1992, a survey was conducted with an aim of finding prevalence rates of depression in the population and major depression cases were reported to be close to 5% in the last 30 days and shot to 17% when the time frame was in their lifetime. Bipolar disorder is not as common and was reported to be at just 1% proportion of the population. However, in some quarters it is believed that the diagnosis is not closely monitored and as a result manic elation is classified wrongfully as an illness. Anxiety and depression Regardless of its nature and origin, depression is a common component of mental illness as can be evidenced by the fact that an individual with a history of adverse psychiatric disorder(s) of any kind is at a high risk of developing depression as much as an individual that suffers from depression. A variety of drug dependence including alcoholism are linked with depression. In some instances there is dual diagnosis where there is a combination of mood disorder and substance abuse, is cause for serious concern. It is worth noting that even if drug abuse is responsible for depression or depression is responsible for drug abuse, or in other instances where both of them are caused by a similar factor, it is a vicious cycle which is established when drug abusers and addicts use drugs for the aim of relieving the symptoms of the drugs. Stimulants such as cocaine activate the brain’s neurotransmitters located in the brain’s pleasure center which causes elation that is accompanied by depression when the effects of the stimulation wear off. In other cases depression may present itself but after abstinence from the stimulants, the mind becomes depression free. In one study it was reported that people with adverse mood disorders have two times more likelihood on average of having a nicotine addiction and when they try to quit smoking, most of them become depressed. People who are withdrawn, impulsive, very self-critical, hypersensitive to loss and irritable have a higher probability of being demoralized due to depression. Many people with intensive depression also exhibit signs of anxiety within estimates 25% of the m experiencing panic attacks Anxiety develops the need for protection which may lead to despair in case the need is not met as a biological coping mechanism to deal with danger. People who experience frequent anxiety attacks are prone to self-medication through the use of drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism to depression. Depression is also attributed to physical illness. Around 5% of patients suffering from depression and a quarter of the same patient exhibit noticeable symptoms of depression. Examples of chronic medical conditions linked with depression include, cancer, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, heart disease, malaria and hepatitis. In other cases, depression is a chronic effect of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s illnesses, brain tumors, stroke and multiple sclerosis. Symptoms of moderate depression also point to a correlation to high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and heart attacks. People suffering from depression tend to be harder hit by illnesses than those not suffering from depression and depression itself can ape medical illnesses. Depression is evidenced by a person feeling unmotivated, sad, discouraged and generally feeling disinterested in life. When experienced in short periods of time ,it is referred to as having “the blues” but in cases when the feelings of depression last for long periods of time and begin interfering with daily activities like spending time with the family or going to work then it begins to be more of a depressive episode. There are three main types of depressive disorders namely-bipolar disorder which can occur with a number of anxiety disorders, major depression and dysthymia. Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression is exhibited by a mood cycle that changes from mania which are severe highs to hypomania also known as mild highs to very adverse lows known as depression (Levin 143). In the manic stage, a person experiences very high bouts of elation ,decreased desire for sleep, irritability, talkativeness, grandiose proclamations and gestures, increased sexual appetite, racing thoughts, a spike in the energy levels, inappropriate social behavior and poor judgment. In the depression phase, an individual experiences exact symptoms that could be experienced by a person suffering from depression .It is characterized by mood swings fluctuating from manic state to depressive state slowly but in some cases, the transitions can occur very quickly. Major depression on the other hand involves five symptoms in a two week period. A major depression episode disables and interferes with a person’s ability to eat, work, study and sleep. In a lifetime, major depression episodes can be experienced usually once or twice although it may be experienced frequently. The episodes can also occur spontaneously in cases where there is death of a family member, a medical illness, a romantic break up or any other significant life event. People experiencing major depression episodes may have feelings of worthlessness and suicidal tendencies. Persistent depressive disorder which was initially referred to as dysthymia is another form of depression which persists for period of two years or more. It is less adverse than major depression but is characterized by the exact symptoms like major depression (Binder 27). The symptoms include low appetite for food, overeating, oversleeping, insomnia and low energy levels. It is exhibited as stress, mild anhedonia and irritability. It is suggested that people with persistent depressive disorder are perceived as seeing the glass as half empty. Risk factors for anxiety disorders There are a number of reasons that explain why mood disorders can lead to anxiety. In other studies, sleep deprivation was attributed as a major cause of mood disorders coupled with difficulty in social interactions. Depression is also believed to be responsible for causing fear and stress both of which are linked to the development of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders can be caused by a number of factors such as genetics. Individuals with family members suffering from anxiety disorders have a very high probability of developing the mood disorder themselves. This means that children having parents with an anxiety disorder have high risk factor. Anxiety is also caused by psychological factors such as a person’s tendency to overestimate the likelihood of danger. Commentators argue that anxiety and depression have also been as a result of shared experiences. In instances where home life is stressful or rough, anxiety and mood disorders have been recorded. This is an indication that the two developed together as two distinct disorders that were experienced simultaneously. In many cases, mood disorders become more highlighted and as a result the anxiety disorder goes undiagnosed and untreated. Also, anxiety disorders can cause mood disorders. Severe anxiety in the form of panic attacks has been linked to the establishment of depression and a majority of the people diagnosed with a general anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post -traumatic stress disorder begin to suffer from bouts of depression as well. Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Children and Teenagers Mood disorders and anxiety are one of the most prevalent mental health issue affecting teenagers and children. Even though mood disorders and anxiety are very treatable, a large proportion of children suffering from depression do not get the desired treatment they need. It is harder to diagnose mood disorders among children because children are not always able to express their emotions and in current times, researchers are of the opinion that mood disorders in adolescents and children contribute to a very big margin of the cases of under diagnosis of mental health issues. Anxiety disorders are experienced in many forms and their exhibitions vary depending on the age of the child. Examples of anxiety disorders include social anxiety, separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, panic disorder, selective mutism and oppositional disruptive behavior. It is noted that children and teenagers who are depressed have decreased levels of enjoyment and may become moody, complain of boredom, lesser interest in sports and being irritable. Treatment There are two specific treatment modalities for mood disorders and anxiety which are medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).CBT is a form of psychotherapy that has been documented to have success in treating adolescent and children mood disorders and anxiety. The treatment involves educating both parents and teachers regarding the specific trouble that a child is experiencing and are taught on a couple of coping mechanisms in order to facilitate them to be able to deal with emotional distress, negative thoughts, problematic behavior and physical symptoms that are brought as a result of the emotional distress. Children are also given access to therapists who meet with them individually. Additionally, the whole family is offered therapy and the parents coached on ways to deal with problematic behavior. Medications are availed to aid in soothing the child by calming the anxiety and lifting the depressed child or teenager’s mood. Recent research suggests that combining CBT and medication is the most effective way of treating anxiety and mood orders. However, in other situations, psychotherapy has been less effective. Conclusion Since mood disorders and anxiety are two distinct issues, a person diagnosed with either or both needs to seek mental health treatment from a health professional regarding both issues and not just focusing on one. Mood disorders and depression require instant intervention by adopting a policy of worrying less and generally having positive emotions in order to overcome the condition which means addressing the issue of anxiety as well. A person that is diagnosed is required to discuss strategies of coping and treating the disorder with his/her health care provider because anxiety and mood disorders can be treated but in most cases, finding the right medication for treatment is what proves difficult as one treatment has varying results on different patients. Works Cited Binder, Elisabeth B. "The Genetic Basis of Mood and Anxiety Disorders – Changing Paradigms." Biology of Mood & Anxiety Disorders: 17. Print. Gamez, Wakiza, David Watson, and Bradley N. Doebbeling. "Abnormal Personality and the Mood and Anxiety Disorders: Implications for Structural Models of Anxiety and Depression." Journal of Anxiety Disorders: 526-39. Print. Levin, Judith. Depression and Mood Disorders. New York: Rosen Pub., 2009. Print. Read More