Are These Myths Fuelling Your Anxiety and Depression?

Recovering quickly from anxiety and depression can be hindered because sufferers believe in one or more myths surrounding these problems. Many of these myths do nothing other than maintain anxiety and depression so here are some of the more common ones to avoid so you get better quickly.

Most people who suffer from anxiety and depression believe that once you have anxiety or depression, you have it for life. I promise you, as someone who suffered terribly with anxiety and depression and who overcame them, that this is completely untrue. Both of these problems can be successfully treated using a variety of techniques that address the root cause - destructive modes of thinking - and that also improve overall well-being. Anxiety and depression certainly aren't incurable that's for sure.

In today's modern society, the food police are continually advocating their belief that a poor diet is at the root of all of our ills. Indeed, obesity is a major health problem and increases your risk of heart attack and strokes. But can food cause and cure stress, depression and anxiety? No it cannot. A poor diet has no bearing whatsoever on anxiety or depression and this is easily proven by asking a simple question: Does everyone who eats a poor diet suffer from anxiety and depression and does everyone who eats a healthy diet never suffer from them? In both cases the answer is no! Your diet will not cause anxiety or depression and it won't cure them. However, eating a healthy diet will boost your overall health and healthy eating should be a part of your treatment to address anxiety and depression. Feeling good physically will help you feel better mentally.

Anxiety and depression are all in the mind. This is another huge myth, mainly believed by people who have never suffered from these problems. There are many other symptoms that are part of anxiety and depression: back ache, muscle cramps, exhaustion, loss of appetite or increase in appetite, sleeplessness, hyper-tension, and loss of sex drive to name but a few. Dismissing anxiety and depression as being "all in the mind" simplifies them and shows a complete lack of understanding about them. All of these symptoms combined make it so very hard for sufferers to do even the simplest of daily tasks and cause so much anguish. If anyone tells you it's "all in your mind" ignore them, they don't know what they're talking about.

Another common myth regarding anxiety and depression is the theory that both have their roots in past events, even going back as far as childhood. Repeatedly going over events from the past is a major part of depression, and of course, the past can be a very cruel place to live. But replaying past events is again just one of the symptoms. Therapy that solely focuses on addressing events from the past in a misguided search to attribute the cause of your depression is flawed in two ways: First, one single event from the past will not cause depression or anxiety. Yes, certain events from the past - especially abuse - can cause problems but these problems are not part of anxiety or depression and need specialist counselling. Secondly, replaying events from the past will do nothing whatsoever to help you deal with the problems and circumstances you face here and now. Instead of concentrating on the past, concentrate instead on coping with and solving, the problems and issues you are confronted with at the moment. This will help you far more than digging up the past.

When it comes to treating anxiety and depression, most sufferers believe antidepressant drugs such as Effexor, Prozac, Zoloft, and Celexa for example - are the most effective treatment. The problem with using drugs to treat anxiety and depression is that they only treat one of the symptoms - reduced levels of serotonin, a "happy chemical" in the brain. As soon as a person stops taking the drug, the root cause will surface and another episode of suffering results. Drugs may help you feel better in the short term, but they cannot offer you a cure.

You're now aware of what doesn't work when it comes to treating anxiety and depression. In avoiding these myths and choosing more effective methods, you'll take a significant step towards recovery.

For more articles, tips and information to help you relieve anxiety and depression, please check out the resources we’ve put together for you over on the Conquering Stress website.

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