Depression & Anxiety

Though it’s normal to experience feelings of sadness, when those feelings become pronounced, last several weeks, or impact your daily life, they can indicate clinical depression. This depressive disorder can cause a variety of symptoms in adults, including:

• Guilt, anger, or irritability
• Inability to get out of bed and fatigue
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Disinterest in activities you used to enjoy
• Thoughts of suicide or death

Children and teenagers might also experience worry about their parents, separation anxiety, or cause trouble and refused to participate at school.

It’s also common for people with depression to engage in reckless behavior, like alcohol and drug abuse.

Having anxiety, fears, or worry are healthy responses to daily stress, but with anxiety disorders, these responses can be constant and even debilitating. There is a wide range of anxiety disorders that range from general anxiety and panic to extreme phobias.

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Dry mouth
• Panic, fear, and nervousness
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or nausea
• Inability to sit still or be calm
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep

When you have an anxiety disorder, you might also experience tingling, cold, numb, or sweaty feet or hands.

Depression and anxiety are types of common mental health disorders that are quite different but often occur together. In many cases, individuals with depression also have a history of anxiety.

Although depression and anxiety can have similar symptoms, like nervousness, sleep issues, difficulty concentrating, and irritability, they each require specialized treatment depending on their cause.

Your compassionate doctor at Cornerstone Medical Associates works closely with you in a safe and friendly environment to diagnose your condition for the purpose of creating a personalized approach to managing your symptoms.

During your appointment, Dr. Olawumi O. Ayo Akatue and Dr. Richmond A. Akatue perform a comprehensive physical exam, discuss your symptoms, and review your personal and medical history. They might also recommend lab tests to rule out underlying conditions.

Based on your diagnosis, your doctor might suggest a combination of treatments, such as prescription medications, lifestyle changes, or talk therapy with a mental health specialist.

To find help for depression and anxiety, call Cornerstone Medical Associates, or schedule an appointment online today.