Targeted Disease Management

Depression and Anxiety

Depression is a serious biologic disease that affects millions of people each year. An estimated 33 to 35 million U.S. adults are likely to experience depression at some point during their lifetime. The disease affects men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels. However, women are at a significantly greater risk than men to develop major depression. Studies show that episodes of depression occur twice as frequently in women as in men. Patients with Major Depressive Disorder often experience:

• Constant sadness
• Irritability
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Trouble sleeping
• Low energy or fatigue
• Feeling worthless or guilty for no reason
• Significant weight change
• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of interest in favorite activities

Anxiety is a serious disorder, affecting about 3% of U.S. adults in any given year. People with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), feel some anxiety or worry constantly. They often anticipate disaster or have exaggerated worries about a wide range of issues, from their health and their families, and to their daily responsibilities. Yet even when they recognize that the worrying is excessive, it is hard to control.

Symptoms of anxiety disorders include:

• Trembling, twitching, or shaking
• Feeling of fullness in the throat or chest
• Breathlessness or rapid heartbeat
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Sweating or cold, clammy hands
• Feeling jumpy
• Muscle tension, aches, or soreness (myalgias).
• Extreme tiredness
• Sleep problems, such as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, early waking, or restlessness (not feeling rested when you wake up)
• Restlessness, irritability, or feeling on edge or keyed up
• Worrying too much.
• Fearing that something bad is going to happen; feeling doomed
• Inability to concentrate; feeling like your mind goes blank

The symptoms associated with depression and anxiety increase the need for specific nutritional components that are essential for normal mood and behavior states. Many patients suffering from depression and/or anxiety lack sufficient amounts of the essential neurotransmitters needed to maintain restorative sleep and cognitive function. Patients with sleep disorders and impaired cognitive function due to depression or anxiety may have a relative deficiency of tryptophan, choline, and glutamate associated with inadequate levels of acetylcholine, and GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid) reduced blood levels of serotonin and 5-hydroxytryptophan. Physician Therapeutics medical food products address the increased nutritional requirements associated with depression and anxiety by restoring the balance among specific neurotransmitters to mitigate the debilitating effects of these disorders.