What is the Definition of Anxiety?

The definition of anxiety can be described as a feeling of fear, worry and stress which can affect anyone. Anxiety symptoms can include the following:

• A feeling of being “on edge” or restlessness
• A fast/racing heartbeat
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Sweating

Suffering from anxiety and having to cope with the symptoms listed above, can seriously and negatively impact your daily life more especially if you cannot stop worrying about things no matter how big or small they are, most of the time. If you are experiencing any anxiety symptoms, you should seek advice from your GP who would recognise the symptoms of anxiety and would be able to offer valuable help and advice on how you can overcome the fears and stress you are experiencing.

What is the Definition of Depression?

Studies have shown that around 1 in 5 people suffer from depression and it tends to affect a person later in their lives. Depression can manifest itself in various ways with each person experiencing different signs of being depressed. Symptoms of depression can include the following:

• Being unable to enjoy life as you would normally do and lacking interest in things that you typically enjoy
• A reluctance to leave home or engage in activities you normally like doing
• A feeling of tiredness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• A loss of appetite or consuming more food than normal
• A loss of weight or weight gain over a shorter period of time
• A loss of self-confidence and a lack of meaning in life
• A feeling of guilt and being very self-critical
• Suicidal thoughts

Studies have shown that older people who suffer from depression, typically show more in the way of physical symptoms which includes the following:

• A loss of weight
• A feeling of tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping

If you experience any of the symptoms above on a constant basis or for longer than 2 to 4 weeks, you should discuss things with your GP or another medical professional as early as possible before your symptoms get any worse which can end up making life harder for you to cope with.