esperanza Magazine for Anxiety & Depression Spring 2017

editor's note

There’s a reason relationship problems are one of the leading topics discussed in counseling. Those intimate connections generally lie at the center of our daily lives, both emotionally and on a practical basis. Research shows that when one partner in a relationship is depressed or anxious, both partners are more likely to say their marriage is unhappy. That’s why it’s in the interests of each partner to tackle the issue together, starting from a basis of mutual empathy and compassion. As Ryan Anderson told his wife, Marianne: “This is something that happened to us. It happened in your body, but it happened to us.” The Andersons and others share their secrets for successfully maintaining a healthy relationship while dealing with depression in “Coping as a Couple.”Dealing with depression also means keeping…

letters to the editor

WORK & STRESS‘COPING WITH WORK WOES’ (Winter 2017) summarizes the key “red flags” that I ignored for three years working for an executive who was a bully. I talked myself into the lie that I should remain “professional” while being yelled at and mistreated. Looking back, I regret not contacting human resources and standing up for myself. However, I know I will not be treated that way again. Great article! A very handy tool to put into action.  —Iris via hopetocope.comI’M CONVINCED THAT we workaholics have to learn the hard way that eventually our “badge of honor” takes its toll on us both physically and mentally —and no one is immune. Your article was a great reminder that overworking and increased job stress affects the very thing I’m trying to…

anxiety & depression

ANXIETYAnxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It helps one deal with a tense situation. But when it becomes an excessive, irrational dread of everyday situations, it has become a disabling disorder.Who is affected?Anxiety disorders affect approximately 12% of adults in a given year.Types of anxiety disordersGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): chronic anxiety, exaggerated worry, and tension, even when there is little or nothing to provoke it.Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): recurrent, unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors.Panic Disorder: unexpected and repeated episodes of intense fear.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): persistent frightening thoughts and memories of a terrifying ordeal.Social Phobia, or Social Anxiety Disorder: overwhelming anxiety and excessive self-consciousness in everyday social situations.Signs and symptomsAll symptoms cluster around excessive, irrational fear and dread, but each disorder has different symptoms.GAD: worries accompanied by fatigue, headaches, muscle…

nicole

AGE: 24  •  LOCATION: PITTSBURGH, PA  •  DIAGNOSIS: DEPRESSION / GENERAL ANXIETY DISORDER  •  OCCUPATION: FULL-TIME STUDENT IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND PRESENTER FOR NAMI SOUTHWESTERN PA  •  YEAR DIAGNOSED: 2008•  •  •  •  •FAVORITE BOOK: To Kill a Mockingbird, because it makes you consider the difference between “good” people and people who choose to be good and just.FAVORITE FOOD: Pollo con crema with chorizo, a Mexican dish.INSTRUMENTS I PLAY: Growing up I sang and played piano, clarinet and saxophone, but now I just sing.MOST TREASURED ITEM: My daily planner.TO DESTRESS I: Do mindfulness meditation or sing and dance to my favorite songs.IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW: I used to be nationally ranked in Tae Kwon Do and was on the Junior Olympics/ Olympics track before an injury.I WISH I…

mental health headlines

'Heartbreaking' conditions in MalaysiaApril 2, 2017, PETALING JAYA, Malaysia—A Malaysian psychiatrist who toured mental health clinics in this Asian nation said conditions are “heartbreaking and unfair” and stigma is often to blame. Dr. Philip George of International Medical University told the Star newspaper that patients are subject to ill-treatment at some facilities.Liberia expands mental health trainingMarch 18, 2017, KAKATA CITY, Liberia—This African nation is expanding access to mental health care through an innovative approach. Nurses, physician’s assistants and registered midwives are being trained in child and teen mental health through a partnership of the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program in partnership with government ministries.Refugees suffer in Greek campsMarch 16, 2017, ATHENS, Greece — The 14,000 refugees and migrants stuck in Greek camps are subject to deteriorating mental health, according to…

new research in mental health

Older adults with social activities are less depressedMay 1, 2017, KYOTO, Japan—Getting older adults involved in community activities, hobbies or other activities may help to ward off symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment, a new study suggests.Japanese researchers surveyed more than 5,000 seniors and found that depressive mood and cognitive impairment were significantly reduced by volunteer activity, community activity, visiting friends at home, pursuing hobbies, paid work, farm work and daily shopping.However, they also noted that cognitive impairment and depressive mood may lead to lower involvement in community activities.The study, which appeared in the journal Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, was entitled “The relationship of community activities with cognitive impairment and depressive mood independent of mobility disorder in Japanese older adults.”Depressive symptoms linked with heart failure in men and women April…