How do I Diagnose Anxiety & Depression?

Most people experience feelings of depression or anxiety as part of everyday life. Life and work are full of stress, tension, and disappointment. However, if you feel anxious or depressed for no apparent reason or for more than 2 weeks, you may have an anxiety disorder or clinical depression. It is common for individuals to have anxiety disorders and depression at the same time; however, the two illnesses are not necessarily related. Depression and anxiety disorders have multiple symptoms. Seek professional treatment if you or someone you care about manifests symptoms of depression or anxiety.

Instructions

Anxiety

• 1

  Pay attention to your energy level. People with anxiety disorders tend to feel tired all the time.

• 2

  Monitor your mood. General irritability and inability to relax are also symptoms of anxiety.

• 3

  Pay attention to unusual physical ailments. Physical symptoms of anxiety include headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, going to the bathroom excessively, and difficulty swallowing.

• 4

  Consider your sleeping patterns. Insomnia and sleeping difficulties are a sign of anxiety disorder. People with anxiety also have trouble relaxing.

Depression

• 5

  Keep track of how long feelings of sadness or depression linger. Everyone has the blues from time to time. Feeling sad or depressed over a death, failed romantic relationship, or other disappointment is common. However, feeling excessively sad for an extended period of time--2 weeks or longer--may indicate a more severe form of depression.

• 6

  Check your emotional outlook on life and work. If your feelings of depression cause you to feel unmotivated, disinterested, or hopeless, this is an indication that you are having a major depressive episode. People with depression tend to "see the glass as half empty." Inability to derive pleasure from most activities is a sign of depression.

• 7

  Evaluate your ability to get things done. If you are having trouble accomplishing tasks at work, school, or home it may be a symptom of depression. Depression interferes with the ability to accomplish tasks and goals.

• 8

  Reflect on your sleeping and eating habits. People with depression may have a poor appetite or overeat. Inability to fall asleep and excessive sleeping are also signs of depression.