STRATEGIES TO MAKE TREATMENT OF ANXIETY DISORDERS AND DEPRESSION MORE EFFECTIVE
Ahmad Abdel Sater, Mohamed Salim Fakih
Kharkov State Medical University
Supervisor of studies Bragina K.R.
Approximately from 20 to 80 percent of the patients seen by a primary care physician have symptoms of depression. Depression often accompanies anxiety disorders and, when it does, it needs to be treated as well. Recognizing that these patients-particularly male patients-have depression may be difficult as they usually describe symptoms such as fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, unspecified pain, or other vague symptoms. Other medical conditions may also be present and have similar symptoms, thus contributing to the failure to treat depression. In addition, the rate of depression secondary to some other disorder is high. Not only can depression co-occur with substance abuse, anxiety disorders or personality disorders, but is also seen with heart disease, diabetes, and many other illnesses.
If you, or someone you know, has symptoms of anxiety or depression, a visit to the therapeutist is usually the best place to start. A physician can help determine whether the symptoms are due to an anxiety disorder and depression or some other medical condition, or both. Frequently, the next step in getting treatment for an anxiety disorder or depression is referral to a mental health professional.
Among the professionals who can help are psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and counselors. However, it''s best to look for a professional who has specialized training in therapy. It is psychiatrist. Psychologists, social workers, and counselors sometimes work closely with a psychiatrist or other physician, who will prescribe medications when they are required. It''s important that you feel comfortable with the therapy that the mental health professional suggests. If this is not the case, seek help elsewhere. However, if you''ve been taking medication, it''s important not to discontinue it abruptly, as stated before. Certain drugs have to be tapered off under the supervision of your physician. Remember, though, that when you find a health care professional that you''re satisfied with, the two of you are working together as a team. Together you will be able to develop a plan to treat your anxiety disorder or depression that may involve medications, cognitive-behavioral or other talk therapy, or both, as appropriate.
Many people with anxiety disorders or depression benefit from joining a self-help group and sharing their problems and achievements with others. Talking with trusted friends or a trusted member of the clergy can also be very helpful, although not a substitute for mental health care. Participating in an Internet chat room may also be of value in sharing concerns and decreasing a sense of isolation, but any advice received should be viewed with caution.
The family is of great importance in the recovery of a person with an anxiety disorder or depression. Ideally, the family should be supportive without helping to perpetuate the person''s symptoms. If the family tends to trivialize the disorder or demand improvement without treatment, the affected person will suffer.
Stress management techniques and meditation may help you to calm yourself and enhance the effects of therapy, although there is as yet no scientific evidence to support the value of these "wellness" approaches to recovery from anxiety disorders or depression. There is preliminary evidence that aerobic exercise may be of value, and it is known that caffeine, illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate the symptoms of an anxiety disorder or depression. Check with your physician or pharmacist before taking any additional medicines.
