The issue of whether or not anxiety and depression sufferers should take medication is a hot button issue that I love to press.  As many of you know I don’t take meds and I never have.  I will say that drugs like Paxil and Zoloft do help some people and I won’t and have not denied this.  However, I would like to point out that those of us who use these drugs and others like them should be more aware of their benefits and drawbacks than we currently are.  It just doesn’t make sense not to be as informed as humanly possible when it comes to this important topic.

photo credit: Pdro (GF)

This post comes from a new Anxietyguru.net contributor named Andy.  I hope you enjoy his perspectives on hypnosis and  his experience with this type of therapy. And don’t forget that if you have something to say that you feel may help others who are suffering from anxiety and depression contact me about becoming a contributor today.

photo credit: TheGirlsNY

Article Highlight:

• Although many rely on medications to help manage their anxiety, food can also play a large role in relieving anxiety.
• There are several types of foods that contain different types of vitamins and nutrients that are thought to reduce anxiety.
• Many of the so called anxiety reducing foods are inexpensive everyday foods like yogurt and almonds.
• We should not underestimate the power of food to help us manage stress and anxiety.

Anxiety disorders and depression are by their very nature serious things.  So serious in fact that they both tend to suck the fun and joy out of life for extended durations of time.  As a result I wanted to help some of you relax a little by sharing some jokes about anxiety and depression.  Yes it’s true, all this nuttiness can be funny.

Sadly for the past ten years I have pushed away many friends and potential friends.  Anxiety and depression just made me somewhat antisocial, self-isolated, and more focused on myself and my own worries.  This phenomenon is actually fairly typical amongst anxiety sufferers but it’s the complete opposite of this behavior that could be making us happier and less anxious people.

photo credit: Johnny Jet

Article Highlights:

• It was thought that a single gene determined susceptibility to depression.
• New study finds that single gene for depression is not the case.
• It’s thought that this new study will change future research in this field.
• Researchers found “no evidence of an association between the serotonin gene and the risk of depression”.
• This will stir great debate.

Before I dive into this topic I just wanted to point out that I decided to write this post because a reader asked me to (which is great).  His basic question was: Is therapy worth it? And what was your experience? Pretty basic on the face of it, but actually the events leading up to this and the subsequent therapy I underwent were rather profound, at least for me.

As we all know living an anxious and or depressed life is very hard.  As a result feelings and thoughts about the affects of anxiety and depression in our lives run wild at times.  In addition, we tend to grow resentful and isolated since many anxiety sufferers tend to think that they are suffering alone, but of course you’re not.

photo credit: vieux bandit

Article Highlights:

• Klonopin is an anti-anxiety drug similar to Valium.
• Klonopin is well known and widely prescribed.
• Small doses are ideal to avoid addiction.

Click the image or click here to read the full article.

photo credit: stevendepolo
photo credit: Torley

Unlike the common cold or the flu anxiety disorders follow a much slower progression.  It could all start with panic attacks, then hypochondria, racing thoughts, palpitations and then, well then depression becomes a real possibility.  After years of being anxious a person can and often will develop depression and I want to detail how one can tell the difference between anxiety and depression.  Let’s start by taking a look at the symptoms for both anxiety disorders and depression.