Community for Hope

Emergency

Information on Depression:

More than just temporary blue mood, the despondency of depression is unrelenting and overwhelming. Some people describe it as “living in a black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. They can't escape their unhappiness and despair. However, some people with depression don't feel depressed at all. Rather than sad, they feel lifeless and empty. In this apathetic state, they are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to enjoy, they feel as if they're just “going through the motions.” Depression and anxiety are often linked together.

Specific symptoms must include five of the following:

Problems with eating

Problems with sleeping

Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy

Increased irritability

Feeling very slowed down while at the same time feeling restless or agitated

Feeling very tired or fatigued

Feeling of worthlessness or major guilt

Not being able to concentrate very well, can’t make decisions

Recurrent thoughts of death

Feeling sad or depressed for most of the day for at least two weeks

Facts about depression:

1 in 10 American adults—or approximately 21 million people―suffer from a depressive illness each year.

Rates of depression in women are twice as high as they are in men. This is due to hormonal factors. When it comes to symptoms, women are more likely than men to experience pronounced feelings of guilt, sleep excessively, overeat, and gain weight. Women are also more likely to suffer from seasonal affective disorder.

Causes of depression:

Early life experiences, life events, genetic predisposition, hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, and certain personality traits all play a part in causing depression. Something that causes depression in one person may have no effect on another.

What helps depression?

Psychotherapy or talk therapy

Antidepressant medication

Taking a daily vitamin and eating well

Exercising on a regular basis

Information on Anxiety:

Symptoms of anxiety:

Rapid heart beat

Pounding heart or palpitations

Sweating

Visible shaking

Choking sensations or lump in throat

Feeling of being smothered or shortness of breath

Chest pain or discomfort

Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort

Dizziness or unsteadiness

Feeling light-headed

Derealization (feeling unreal or dreamy)

Depersonalization (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)

Fear of losing control or going crazy

Paresthesias(numbness or tingling sensations)
in face, extremities or body

Chills or hot flushes

Skin loses color or Blushing/skin blotches

Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

Aching muscles

General fatigue

Headaches/migraines/tenderness in head
                (pains in the muscular tissues of the
                neck and back can cause blood vessels
                and nerves to become restricted)

What causes anxiety?

An imbalance in the organ responsible for the anxiety response in the brain called the amygdala. This organ acts like an anxiety switch. Normally, the switch is in the OFF position and only gets activated when it's appropriate to feel anxious in anxiety disorders

What helps anxiety?

Medication

Talk therapy

Calming techniques especially those involved with massage, spirituality, guided imagery, visualization, music therapy, dance therapy, and aromatherapy