Depression and Anxiety

Just a warning before we start, we are not qualified to diagnose and give treatments for either anxiety or depression. We will be discussing the more common symptoms of anxiety and depression and will supply some steps to take next. We understand this is a sensitive topic for some people and if you want a more professional, expertise opinion try going to your doctors or some of the suggest websites.

There is no physical test for depression so the first step in diagnosing is talking to your GP.
Your GP might take any health tests such as blood or urine tests to ensure there is no underlying health conditions causing similar symptoms.
Any and all conversations with your GP will stay confidential and cannot be spoken of unless your life is in danger.
These will refer people to talking treatments through organisations like the NHS. However, there are other options to self refer if you would like to find a psychologist yourself.
During these sessions your psychologist may prescribe you antidepressants to take or may continue to have routinely sessions.

Physical symptoms of Depression:

Psychological symptoms of Depression:

Diagnosing and Treating Depression:

Physical symptoms of Anxiety:

Psychological symptoms of Anxiety:

Diagnosing and Treating Anxiety:

Depression:

Anxiety:

Constant episodes of sadness, numbness or general low mood
Losing motivation to do activities
Lack of interest towards things that would usually be enjoyable
Low self-esteem
Feeling indecisive, easily irritated, paranoid, anxious, guilty

Unexplainable aches and pains
Disturbed sleep - hard to fall asleep/waking up in the middle of the night
Change in weight - loss or gain
Loss of energy throughout the day
Speaking or moving slower than normal

Insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
Feeling sick/dizzy/nauseous
Muscle/head/stomach aches
Irregular heartbeat often
Excessive sweating
Shortness of breath and difficulty to breathe

Feeling restlessness and unable to relax
Constant sense of being "on edge"
Difficulty concentrating or focusing
Being easily irritable or annoyed
Having a sense of dread or foreboding bad situations

If you notice these symptoms daily and are affecting or disrupting your life, try going to your GP.
Talking to your GP about your worries or emotions or fears can sometimes be hard but opening up can give better help for them to recognise symptoms and diagnose correctly.
Similar to Depression, some physical tests may be conducted to ensure there are no other underlying health conditions adding to these feelings.
As this is a long term condition, you and your GP might make a plan over some months on how to learn how to cope with your anxiety.
You will be prescribed psychological therapy, which includes more mental activity before any medication will be given.

Expert Links:

Here are some authorised, qualified and professional organisations or experts who can help with your further steps if it becomes more serious: