Depression & Anxiety

Depression often shows up in the body, through stomach pain, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and difficulty with motor control. While the causes are not fully understood, a predisposition can run in families, and it can be triggered by trauma and hard life circumstances. Depression is diagnosed more often in women and tends to present differently in women than in men.

People tend to experience higher rates of depression after giving birth and in late fall. Depression and anxiety often feed each other, and people living with depression commonly find it hard to concentrate on tasks and conversations. Some turn to alcohol, drugs, or overeating to cope, which can create other medical problems. Depression also raises the risk of self-harm.

Depression is a mental illness marked by prolonged emotional symptoms, including:

• Apathy
• Sadness
• Guilt
• Exhaustion
• Irritability

Diagnosing depression involves an evaluation and physical tests to rule out other causes, and symptoms generally need to have been present for at least two weeks. Every case is unique and deserves individual attention, and there are a number of effective, complementary ways to treat depression, including:

• Talk therapy
• Medical care where appropriate
• A healthier lifestyle
• Prayer and spiritual support