Signs and Characteristics of Anxiety and Depression

• How are you affected by anxiety and depression
• The starting line
• Knowing when to get help

In the introduction we talked about how people will feel the emotions of sadness and anxiety. These types of emotions are a natural part of the life cycle. You cannot avoid the anxiety or emotions associated with bills, children, work, getting older, or your health. Did you shed a tear at Bambi or Old Yeller? That is normal.

If you begin to allow your anxiety to overcome performing your daily activities, this is not a normal reaction. This could be a sign you have a major problem with depression. Depression will change the way you think, interact, feel, or behave with others.  Once you know what depression is you can begin to fight back and make changes.

If you find that your symptoms are too severe or they impact too many areas of your life, seek immediate attention from your primary care physician or a mental health provider. These are the individuals that can diagnose the severity of your problem.

Thoughts that cause you to worry

Someone who is truly depressed will exhibit self-degradation by thinking they are a failure, that they have no future, which things are always getting worse, and their life is full of regrets.

Someone with anxiety manifests thoughts of varying degrees. These thoughts may include fear of speaking or meeting people out of potential embarrassment, unreal fears or phobias, and other random self-critical thoughts.

These thoughts, if left alone, can lead to darker thought processes that can only deepen your potential towards depression or in the case of anxiety lead to further thoughts of being hurt or judged by others. Many of us have anxiety or depression based thoughts daily.

Here is a quiz that will help you see if you suffer from the dark. Check mark any item that you believe is true.

Are you Negative?

❏	1.	I believe things get worse and  worse for me.
❏	2.	I worry about things all the time.
❏	3.	I’m worthless.
❏	4.	I never know what should be said.
❏	5.	Things would be better if I was dead.
❏	6.	There are lots of things that will make me sick..
❏	7.	I’m a failure.
❏	8.	I have racing thoughts and I obsess about many things.
❏	9.	I have nothing to look forward to.
❏	10.	I’m nervous around other people I don’t know.
❏	11.	Without me, the world would be better.
❏	12.	The mistakes of the past are always in my mind.
❏	13.	I can’t make decisions.
❏	14.	I don’t like being the center of attention.
❏	15.	I regret many things I have done.
❏	16.	I don’t like making mistakes.
❏	17.	Things won’t ever get better.
❏	18.	My health will never improve.
❏	19.	I am ashamed of what I do.
❏	20.	You can never prepare to much for what happens

Many of these thoughts are felt by people who are depressed or anxious. The even numbers will indicate anxious patterns and the odd numbers will be depressive patterns. This does not show a pass or fail, however, they may indicate reasons of concern, especially if you check more than eight or ten items. This would indicate you should take some action. The catch 22 is if you have too much anxiety or depression you may believe too strongly in the results obtained.

If you believe you would be better off dead or have total feelings of being out of control, seek immediate medical or mental health attention.

Are you wallowing in mud or quicksand?

Any person with anxiety or depression will show behavioral signs of their struggle. The inside struggles shows itself on the outside of that person. Typical signs appear as lethargy, being tired, socially withdrawing from friends and family, or problems speaking.

Review the next quiz to see if you are showing physical signs of depression or anxiety.

Physically Depressed or Anxious Quiz

❏	1.	I cry for no reason.
❏	2.	When I am worried, I pace or walk around.
❏	3.	I can’t get out of bed.
❏	4.	I hate crowds.
❏	5.	I lack motivation to exercise.
❏	6.	I avoid risks to avoid failure.
❏	7.	I don’t have fun.
❏	8.	I take the safe route every time.
❏	9.	I miss work because I lack motivation.
❏	10.	I’m fidgety.
❏	11.	I am doing things at a slower pace and don’t know why.
❏	12.	The past causes me to avoid certain places or thoughts.
❏	13.	My appearance does not matter to me.
❏	14.	I spend too much time to look good.
❏	15.	I don’t know how to laugh anymore.
❏	16.	When nervous, I shake or get trembles.
❏	17.	I let things go I shouldn’t.
❏	18.	I have to do things a specific way or constantly redo them.

Just like the last quiz, this also is not a pass or fail. The more you check the greater your potential concern. Odd numbers in this case show depression symptoms and even the anxiety based concerns.

Feeling Off

May people primary feel the physical rather than the mental components of depression or anxiety. Sleep, energy, appetite, and pain are some of the more common symptoms. While they affect your body, people may not observe these symptoms as easily as you would think.

Being Sad and Stressed Quiz

❏	1.	My appetite is gone..
❏	2.	I have sweaty palms constantly..
❏	3.	I can’t get back to sleep when I wake up to early..
❏	4.	I have constant nausea and diarrhea.
❏	5.	I sleep a lot.
❏	6.	I’m shaky.
❏	7.	I feel very achy and pain and I don’t know why.
❏	8.	My chest is tight when nervous.
❏	9.	I have no energy.
❏	10.	When tense, my hear races.
❏	11.	I am very constipated lately.
❏	12.	I can’t catch my breath.
❏	13.	I’m eating all the time.
❏	14.	My hands are cold and clammy.
❏	15.	Sex is not important.
❏	16.	I hyperventilate.
❏	17.	Moving takes more effort lately.
❏	18.	I get dizzy easily.

The various symptoms listed in Quiz 3 are the result of physical illnesses, food intake or the drugs you may take daily. Again, see a doctor or mental health professional if any of the symptoms are felt by you. Make sure to have a checkup yearly or more frequently if you see noticeable changes.

For Quiz 3, even numbers are related to anxiety and odd to depressions. The more you check the higher the level of concern.

Your relationships

The longer you are exhibiting signs of depression or anxiety, the more likely your relationships are being affected. Your symptoms leak over to your family, friends, spouse, co-workers, and anyone else you come into contact. The relationship Quiz will show this.

The Relationship Quiz

❏	1.	I don’t like being around anybody.
❏	2.	I am nervous when meeting new people.
❏	3.	I don’t like talking to anyone.
❏	4.	I’m very sensitive when criticized.
❏	5.	I am very irritable.
❏	6.	I worry I will say the wrong thing.
❏	7.	I am not connected to anyone.
❏	8.	People always leave me.
❏	9.	I don’t want to go out with anyone anymore.
❏	10.	I fear people I care about getting hurt.
❏	11.	I have withdrawn from everyone.
❏	12.	I feel uptight in crowds so I stay home.
❏	13.	I am numb around people.
❏	14.	I hate being in the spotlight.
❏	15.	I am not worthy of love or companionship.
❏	16.	I am uneasy with compliments.

Don’t bother to grade this. This will only help you to understand whether or not you are facing problems with your relationships. The higher the boxes checked the greater is your potential for damaged relationships. This time the odd numbers are depression based and even are anxiety.

Keep in mind those who are shy or introverted may answer questions more often than those who are not. Just be aware of yourself and know whether or not the feelings you are experiencing are not normal for your shyness.

Personal Profiles

There is a personal profile that will help you generate a very simple overview of what you are experiencing. The profile along with the quizzes will help identify how you will react to anxiety or depression.

A sample profile

Personal Problems Profile

1. I have no energy.  (D)
2. Moving takes more effort lately. (D)
3. Sex is not important. (D)
4. I eat all the time. (D)
5. I have nothing to look forward to. (D)
6. I don’t look forward to much of anything. (D)
7. I can’t make decisions. (D)
8. My health will never improve. (A)
9. I’m shaky. (A)
10. I can’t get out of bed. (D)

The symptoms this personal profile shows is a more depressed profile. Most of them are of a physical manifestation. The process of self-discovery helps you identify what you may not even know. The personal reflections of this sample profile suggest many signs of depression.

You can’t improve in life without some type of work. Exercising daily makes you stronger even if you miss one session of exercise, you will feel better the more you exercise. Taking the time to write down your reflections can only help you move through the process that much easily.

In the following personal profile, make sure to write down any of the items from the quizzes that seem to be more of a concern for you. Indicate whether they are anxiety or depression by marking an A or D behind each answer.

Personal Problems Profile

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Personal Reflections

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

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Challenges you will face

Let’s examine thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how you should choose what you should focus upon. It will be your decision on whether or not to choose those items that present the greatest obstacles in your life or you can go through them in chronological order.

What needs to happen is identifying your personal style. Take the time to complete the personal style questionnaire to help you choose.

Personal Style

Thinkers

❏   I like facts and numbers.

❏   I tend to be a very logical person.

❏ I’m a planner.

❏   I like to think through problems.

❏   I carefully weigh costs and benefits before I act.

Doers

❏   I can’t stand sitting around and thinking.

❏   I like to take action on problems.

❏   I like accomplishing things each day.

❏   I like plowing through obstacles.

❏   I act first and think later.

Feelers

❏ I’m a very sensuous person.

❏   I pay a lot of attention to how I feel.

❏   I love massages and hot baths.

❏ Music and art are very important to me.

❏ I’m very in touch with my feelings.

Relaters

❏ I’m a people person.

❏ I’d rather be with people than anything else.

❏   I care deeply about other people’s feelings.

❏  I’m very empathetic.

❏ Relationships are more important to me than accomplishments.

If you checked more of one area than another, you will find the following sections a better resource for you. Thinkers will use Part II; Doers Part III; Feelers Part IV; and Relaters Part V.

Seeking more help

Self-help tools are a great benefit to many. Using these tools can help overcome some of the simpler, minor problems. However, the more serious symptoms require you to seek professional help.  Use the Symptom Checklist to determine if you need additional help. In this list, one item checked off does require you to immediately to seek a professional consultation.

This list is only a guideline and does not include everything. If you are in doubt, seek professional help.

Serious Symptom

❏ I think about killing myself.

❏ Things are hopeless.

❏ I am sleeping too much or not enough for the last several weeks.

❏ My weight has fluctuated by more than a pound over the last few months.

❏ I’m ignoring things in my life that are major responsibilities including my bills or going to work.

❏ I hear voices.

❏ I see things that are not there.

❏ I use drugs or alcohol to an extent it interferes with my life.

❏ I have racing thoughts that won’t stop or slow down.

❏ I trust and care about someone who said I need help.

❏ There have been too many fights or arguments.

❏ I make really poor decisions such as making outlandish purchases or getting involved in questionable business schemes.

❏ I feel people are out to get me.

❏ I can’t get myself to leave the house except for absolute essentials.

❏ I take risks I shouldn’t.

❏ I feel like I’m a special person who’s capable of extraordinary things.

❏ I find myself performing and repeating specific actions such as hand washing, cleaning, arranging things, and checking/rechecking things.

❏ I have disturbing flashbacks or nightmares about past trauma that I can’t seem to forget about.

Call your primary care physician if you have checked one or more of these items. They can help you eliminate any physical cause and you think you need more help try:

• Call your local and state psychology, counseling, social work, or psychiatric associations
• Call your insurance company for their recommendations
• Talk with your friends and family members for advice
• Contact a local University that has a psychology, social work, counseling or psychiatry department for a referral.

During your first session, make sure you ask about receiving current and valid scientific treatment programs.  You should make sure the treatment provider you find has access and training on the newest scientific studies. They must also be licensed in the state you reside.