Stress, anxiety and Depression

We often hear people using these terms in today’s world. They have a bit similar symptoms, but are yet so different. All the three terms have different meanings.

• Stress

Stress is a result of day to day life activities. It’s your body’s reaction to the problems you face like completing a deadline, loss in business, etc.
It goes away when the problems you face are over.
It may be harmful to your body if stress lasts long.There are two main types of stress:

1. Acute stress
The stress that you feel when you have a fight with your partner/ family or do activities that are new and exciting is called acute stress. It goes away in a short span of time. Everyone experiences acute stress in their day to day life.

2. Chronic Stress
The stress that goes on for days, weeks or even months is called Chronic stress. It occurs when you face problems like unhappy marriage, financial problems, work problems or family problems. You might become so used to chronic stress that you might not realise that it is a serious problem.

Secretion of hormones takes place when your body reacts to stress. This alerts your body at the time of danger and is in a way good as it helps you to handle stressful situations.When you suffer from chronic stress, your body stays alert even though there is no danger.

This may lead to health problems if not managed on time like:
• Heart problems
• High blood pressure
• Depression or anxiety
• Skin problems like acne
• Menstrual problems
• Diabetes

Symptoms include tiredness, trouble in sleeping or sleeping too much, use of alcohol or drugs, upset stomach, weight loss or gain, etc.•

Anxiety disorder

The worry or fear of the future, about what’s going to come is called anxiety.
The nervous feeling that you get before a job interview or at the first day of the school is called being anxious.

When such feeling continues for a long period like six months are so severe that they start to cause effect on your life, it’s called anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorder can occur at any age and to anyone. When it gets severe it stops you from doing things you love or from doing normal things like riding a bike, crossing a road, etc.
The feeling of constant fear clings to you and affects your life. If left untreated, it gets worse and may lead to deadly outcomes.

According to a study, females are more likely to suffer from it that the males.

Anxiety disorders consist of various types. They are as follows:

• Phobia– It is the extreme fear of an activity, a thing or a situation.

• Panic disorder- the occurrence of panic attacks at any time of the day, makes the person suffering from it be in constant fear about the occurrence of next panic attack at an unexpected time.

• Post Traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)- this type of disorder occurs after going through a traumatic event like death of a loved one, an accident, etc.

• Separation anxiety disorder- this disorder occurs when you live in constant fear of being away from your family or a loved one.

• Obsessive- compulsive disorder– It’s the constant irrational thoughts that lead you to perform specific repeated action or behaviour.

• Symptoms

Symptoms are different from person to person as the situations people face also differs.
Some people might feel there heart beating fast while some might feel out control as if have no control over their thoughts.People might suffer from nightmares, panic attacks or flashbacks of painful moments. The feeling of fear of a specific place or event consumes you.

Other symptoms include:
• increased heart rate
• rapid breathing
• restlessness
• trouble concentrating
• difficulty falling asleep

• Depression

The mood disorder that causes constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest in the activities you love is called depression.

Events that cause a major impact on your life like death of a loved one, being betrayed or loss of a job can lead to depression.It may last for several weeks or years.

Symptoms are as follows:
• a depressed mood
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
• Change in sleeping cycle like sleeping too much or too little
• Feeling worthless or guilty
• Constant thoughts of death or suicide, or a suicide attempt.

According to a study, depression is more common in females than in males and the symptoms might differ as follows:

• Feeling irritated
• Anxiety
• Constant Mood swings
• Fatigue
• Holding on to negative thoughts

Some gender based symptoms are also observed in males which are as follows:
• Avoiding contact family and friends
• Taking too much work load
• Abusive and controlling behaviour in relationship

• Teenagers might experience difficulty in adjusting to a new environment, peer pressure or inferiority complex. These can lead to depression.

Depression can occur at any stage of life and can make people take drastic steps like suicide.

Maybe All of us don’t have the power to treat such conditions but the least we can do is be kind to one another. You never know what someone might be going through. There maybe some hidden battles that they might be facing but plastering them all with a smiling face.
Whenever someone tells you that you have hurt them, don’t shut them out. You don’t get to decide if you hurt them or not. Don’t make them feel like a fool for expressing their feelings. Don’t always be self righteous and think that you can never make a mistake. If your actions are bothering or hurting someone, STOP!
If unknowingly or knowingly your actions hurt someone, then avoid doing it. The means of your fun and entertainment might affect someone’s mental health.Be careful with the words that you use. You never know what impact they might have.
You can save someone just by being kind and being there for them. May it be your family or friends, always ask them how they are.