Mood and Anxiety

Through the mid 1990’s, depression was considered the “common cold” of mental health. We now know that twice as many people experience anxiety, but together, anxiety and depression affect sixty million adults in the United States.

Anxiety States are generally experienced as increased emotional tension, relentless thoughts that can’t be turned off, social discomfort, and cognition (thinking) focused on fear and worry. They may manifest as obsessive-compulsive disorder (ritualized thought-behavior patterns that are difficult to control or stop) or panic (episodes of terror that recur). Sleep is often affected, mood may be irritable, and communication and relationships are strained. Anxiety is hard on the body and may effect blood pressure and cardiovascular health, gastro-intestinal health (peptic ulcer, irritable bowel), sexual disorders, and relaxation is difficult or impossible.

Mood disorders, primarily major depression (fifteen million adults in the US) are similarly destructive to quality of life. Depression presents as despondent or apathetic mood, loss of interest in work, relationship and previously enjoyed activities, difficulty with concentration, feeling tired all the time, and sleep and eating disturbance or change. Thoughts are helpless, hopeless, and often guilty. Thoughts about self crash, and hopeless / helpless thinking may lead to self-destructive behaviors or suicide.

The good news is that anxiety and mood disorders respond very well to a cognitive-behavioral approach and prognosis for a full recovery of quality of life with a qualified professional is very high. Treatment consists of assessment, psychoeducation, strategy planning to modify distorted thinking, strategies for monitoring and maintaining physical health, and relationship enhancement. Moderate and severe anxiety and mood states may require a psychotropic medication for effective management.