Understanding Anxiety, Depression, and Eating Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

This article provides an in-depth understanding of anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. It explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for these mental illnesses and discusses their impact on daily life and relationships.

Psychopathology
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Introduction
Mental illness refers to a wide range of mental complications and mental health conditions that
often affects one's thinking capacity as well as their behavior and mood. In the initial stages, they
are referred to as mental health concerns but upon persistence and unending signs and symptoms,
that's when they are diagnosed as mental illnesses (Abuse, 2013 p.46).
Mental health illnesses comprise of complications like depression, eating disorders, anxiety
disorders, various addictive behaviors, and schizophrenia.
Mental illnesses often have the ability to make one’s life miserable as they do cause problems in
one’s daily life especially at school and also in relationships (Westerhof & Keyes, 2010 p.111).
This write-up seeks to understand and determine some of the causes, symptoms as well as the
treatment for three mental illnesses that is; anxiety depression and eating disorders.
1. Anxiety
Anxiety experiencing anxiety occasionally is a normal thing for every human being. However,
there are certain extreme cases where individuals tend to experience extremely intense and
persistent worry as well as fear about certain situations or things (Kazdin & Blase, 2011 p.34). In
such cases, these people are said to be experiencing anxiety disorders. In most cases, anxiety
disorders are accompanied by repeated episodes of intense feelings of fear as well as extreme
terror that often reach a peak for short periods of time. Panic attacks.
Usually, such feelings of anxiety, as well as the constant panic attacks, tend to interfere with
one's ability to undertake their daily activities in a normal way. Statistics indicate that when such

panic attacks persist for the long term they become tend to pose an actual danger and can even
last for long periods of time (Corrigan et al, 2012 p.71).
There are various types of anxiety disorders, some of these are outlined below;
a) Specific phobias-This refers to an intense fear over a specific situation or an object.
Examples of such could be heights or flying. The fear of such situations and/or objects is
often intense and in most cases, one tends to avoid getting into such situations.
b) Social anxiety disorder-This referrers to the feeling of constant and overwhelming worry
over certain and everyday social situations (Livingston & Boyd, 2010 p.68). In most
cases, people often feel that others are judging and thus feelings of embarrassment are
often a common thing with this kind of anxiety disorder.
c) Panic disorder-This refers to the terror that often strikes randomly. It is characterized by
effects such as chest pains, irregular heartbeats that brings about constant palpitations and
sometimes sweating.
d) Generalized anxiety disorders-As the name suggests this anxiety disorder is often
characterized by feelings of unrealistic worry and tension with no reason at all (Angell,
2011 p.59).
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
Anxiety disorder often has various unique signs and symptoms. Some of the signs and symptoms
are outlined below;
Excessive Worrying-Anxiety has often associated with high degrees of worry and in most cases,
it is often as a result of the thing that triggers the panic attacks (Vigo, Thornicroft, Atun, 2016
p.49).

Feelings of agitation-This characterized by sweaty palms, a dry mouth, racing pulse, and shaky
hands.
Restlessness- Feelings of uncomfortable and wanting to move at all times (Corrigan, Druss,
Perlick, 2014 p.23).
Irritability- Signs of excessive irritability especially when the disorder is at its worst.
Tense muscles and concentration difficulties.
Treatment for Anxiety
a) Exercise-Exercises are a very efficient way of burning down extra anxiety especially
those caused by stressful situations and circumstances.
b) Meditation-Meditation is a very important technique that is used in the treatment of
almost all kinds of anxieties. It helps to slow down racing thoughts and therefore
reducing anxiety as well as stress.
c) Writing-Writing is an appropriate way in which one expresses their anxiety, research
suggests that different forms of writing such as journal writings play a very crucial role in
the treatment of anxiety.
d) Aromatherapy-This refers to smelling of soothing plants, oils, and perfumes with certain
aromas that induce feelings of comfort and relaxation (Thornicroft, 2011 p.107).
e) Medication-Different types of medications have been used in the treatment of therapy.
Medications that are often used consist of tricyclics, benzodiazepines, and anti-
depressants (O'Hara & Wisner, 2014 p.62).
Causes of Anxiety

 Genetic Causes of Anxiety
Genetics play a very crucial role in determining whether or not an individual is likely to develop
anxiety or not. Researches have examined the role of one's genes in anxiety and despite them
being at the preliminary stages, there is still circumstantial prove that a person is likely to
develop anxiety because of their genes (Corrigan & Rao, 2012 p.44). This is especially if their
family members had an anxiety disorder.
Treatment-Use of medication
Advantages of medication
Most effective in cases where disorder is at its initial stages
Disadvantages of medication
Medications could have some serious side effects
Treatment for genetic causes of anxiety
Treatment for genetic cause of anxiety is medication. Medications that are often used consist of
tricyclics, benzodiazepines, and anti-depressants
 Psychodynamic causes of Anxiety
The psychodynamic theory of psychology dictates that anxiety is brought about by unconscious
motivations within an individual clash with various constraints in the conscious mind
(Schomerus et al, 2012 p.33). This is often dominant in people with generalized anxiety disorder.

Various psychodynamic causes of anxiety could comprise of issues such as;
-Conflict in one mind between the need for independence as well as the extreme fear for
rejection
-A conflict between ones need to achieve success and their fear of failure
-Fear for not being good enough and not being in a position to make a good impression towards
someone important or people you care about.
Treatment for psychodynamic causes of anxiety
Treatment of psychodynamic causes of anxiety is the psychodynamic approach
Advantage of psychodynamic therapy
This therapy facilitates training in psychodynamic therapy as well as transfer of research in a
clinical practice.
Most effective especially when administered at an early stage
Increases confidence especially in a person’s abilities
Boosts a person’s self esteem
Disadvantages of psychodynamic therapy
It’s a long process that often delays immediate need for medication especially for patients with
serious complications.

 Cognitive causes of Anxiety
These cases often involve a certain way in which individuals twist and distort information from
their immediate environment and thus triggering cases of anxiety and/or panic (Bögels et al,
2010 p.90).
Some of the cognitive causes of anxiety are enumerated below;
-Selective Abstraction, this often arises when one makes judgments based on only some
information and disregards other information.
-Overgeneralization, this involves making conclusions over limited occurrences.
-Labeling, this involves putting a label on oneself after a certain negative experience
-Arbitrary inference, this usually happens when one makes judgments about something even
without any supporting information.
Treatment-Cognitive behavioral therapy
Advantages of Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of anxiety
Can be completed in relatively short periods of time in comparison to other techniques
Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs (Schomerus et al, 2012 p.56).
Disadvantages of Cognitive therapy for treatment of anxiety
Not suitable for patients with complex cases of anxiety

Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
Needs commitment which is always not the case with many patients
 Behavioral causes of anxiety
This refers to certain behaviors than one engages in either intentionally or unintentionally and
causes anxiety.
Some of the common behaviors that are likely to cause anxiety are outlined below;
-Denial
-Fishing for reassurance
-Alcohol and Drug Use
-Thought to stop
-Avoidance
Treatment-Use of different behavior therapies such as exposure therapy
Advantages of Behavior therapy
Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs
Disadvantages of Behavior therapy
Not suitable for patients with complex cases of depression

Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
 Environmental causes of Anxiety
This refers to the causes that are attributed to by one immediate environment and/or the
environment that they have lived at (Swinbourne et al, 2012 p.107).
Some of the environmental causes of anxiety comprise of aspects such as abuse, the death of a
loved one, divorce and trauma.
Treatment- Humanistic therapy can also be used in the treatment for some environmental
cause’s mental illnesses.
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time

 Humanistic causes of Anxiety
This refers to causes that are attributed to the human nature of an individual. For instance, adults
may develop anxiety because of denial and not accepting the person that they have turned out to
be.
Treatment-Humanistic therapy
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time
A case study on Anxiety
Joe, 20 years old in the ADF, deployment to Bougainville
Joe had always been a worrier ever since he was a kid. This was caused by various issues such as
the fact that her mom and dad used to fight when he was a kid. Joe worried about quite a number
of issues such as his health, education and his life(Corrigan & Rao, 2012 p.94).
When he joined the army he started worrying less. He turned 45 years old and quite the army
with the hope of getting another job. It was at this point in his life when the worrying came back.

He could worry so much about his life, his wife, his children, whether he was going to get
another job or not.
His wife advised him to go see a specialist that really helped him with his condition. Actually,
the breathing exercise, as well as meditation, played a really important role in his recovery.
2. Depression
Depression is a type of mental illness that has an effect on how someone feels, think and act.
Depression is often associated with feelings of sadness and loss in interest in activities that are
actually fun to engage with (Hill, Reid, Morgan, Lacey, 2010 p.59). Depression has the ability to
cause various physical as well as emotional complications such as the inability of a person to
function properly.
Signs and Symptoms of depression
Depression is often associated with the following signs and symptoms.
A persistent low mood that is often coupled with feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness,
and frustration (Cooney et al, 2012 p.66).
Loss of interest in some various activities that are usually fun to engage in and enjoy. Some of
these activities could include sex.
Excessive feelings of guilt coupled with worthlessness.
Memory loss problems
High levels of restlessness

Highly disrupted sleep patterns which comprise of difficulties in falling asleep
Changes in appetite which are often followed by numerous digestive troubles and a loss in
weight
Persistent headaches and other body pains
Suicidal behaviors
Treatment for Depression
The commonly known treatment for depression is medications and psychotherapy.
 Medication
There are various types of antidepressants that are known for the treatment of depression. It
is important to note that these medications often have side effects and one should seek
medical advice before using any of these medications.
Some of the commonly used medications for the treatment of depression are outlined below;
a) Atypical antidepressants-These consists of bupropion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, and
trazodone.
b) Monoamine oxides inhibitors-These comprises of medications such as tranylcypromine
and isocarboxazid. These are usually prescribed when other drugs do not work. They are
known to have extremely harsh side effects, it is for this reason that they require a strict
diet (Borzekowski, Schenk, Wilson, Peebles, 2010 p.50).
c) Tricyclic antidepressants-These comprises of drugs such as imipramine, nortriptyline,
doxepin, trimipramine, and desipramine.

d) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors- Usually doctors start by prescribing these drugs
because they are considered to be relatively safe in comparison to other drugs. This is
because of the fact that they cause lesser side effects.
 Psychotherapy
This is a general method involved in the treatment of depression that comprises of one talking
about their condition or the issue that is affecting them to a mental health professional. It is some
times regarded to as talk therapy.
Various psychotherapy techniques can be helpful in the treatment of depression. Some
commonly used and well-known techniques are Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal
therapy.
Psychotherapy is really essential and very clinical in the treatment of depression. It plays flowing
roles;
a) Helps an individual adjust to a certain crisis, the condition that they are in.
b) It is also very tactical in identifying some negative beliefs and behaviors in a depressed
person and replaces them with healthy and positive thoughts
c) It helps an individual explore his/her personal relationships as well as experiences with
other individuals and thereby creating a positive relationship (Zeeck et al, 2011 p.30).
Causes of Depression
 Environmental causes of Depression
Various environmental factors have been known to be a cause of depression. Some of these
comprise of factors such as synthetic chemicals, food additives and preservatives, pesticides,

genetically modified foods, and various industrial by-products. The term environmental has been
given to this group of causes because they get into our environment in the form of pollutants
Other known causes in this category comprise of factors such as childhood abuse, loose of a
loved one and various traumatic events (Hill, Reid, Morgan, Lacey, 2010 p.119).
Treatment- Humanistic therapy can also be used in the treatment for some environmental
cause’s mental illnesses.
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time
 Cognitive causes of Depression
These are causes that often address mental events such as thinking and feeling. Some of the
cognitive causes of depression comprise of issues such as faulty and/or irrational cognition that
often take the form of distorted thoughts and judgments.
This usually happens from instances where children from a broken family watch their parents
fight and fail to successfully cope up with intense pressure as well as stressful situations.

Treatment-Cognitive behavioral therapy
Advantages of Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of depression
Can be completed in relatively short periods of time in comparison to other techniques
Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs
Disadvantages of Cognitive therapy for treatment of depression
Not suitable for patients with complex cases of depression
Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
 Behavioral causes of Depression
These are causes that are caused by various negative thought patterns that often results in
negative behavior patterns (Eisenberg, Nicklett, Roeder, Kirz, 2011 p.39).
Recent studies indicate that internal events and issues such as perceptions, values, expectations,
personal evaluations and expectations have an effect on someone’s behavior. It is such issues
that form the basis of the behavioral causes of depression.
Treatment-Use of different behavior therapies such as exposure therapy
Advantages of Behavior therapy

Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs
Disadvantages of Behavior therapy
Not suitable for patients with complex cases of depression
Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
 Genetic causes of Depression
A family’s history is likely to increase the risks of depression. A person who comes from a
family line that has cases of depression then there is a possibility that other members of the
family will suffer from the same (Stice, Marti, Rohde, 2013 p.75).
Treatment-Use of medication
Advantages of medication
Most effective in cases where disorder is at its initial stages
Disadvantages
Medications could have some serious side effects
 Humanistic causes of depression

These causes are associated with the humanistic nature of a person. They often focus on a
person's individual nature. Some of the causes of depression under this category comprise of
issues such as low self-esteem and rejection.
Treatment-Humanistic therapy
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time
 Psychodynamic causes of Depression
This is causes that are associated with issues such as inward-directed anger, sever ego demands,
loss of self-esteem, broken relationships and loss of loved ones.
These causes suggest that depression is like grief. It occurs as an immediate reaction upon the
loss of a loved one. It’s the directed anger after the loss of someone important that causes
depression.
Treatment-The use of psychodynamic therapy
Advantage of psychodynamic therapy

This therapy facilitates training in psychodynamic therapy as well as transfer of research in a
clinical practice.
Most effective especially when administered at an early stage
Increases confidence especially in a person’s abilities
Boosts a person’s self esteem
Disadvantages of psychodynamic therapy
It’s a long process that often delays immediate need for medication especially for patients with
serious complications.
Case Study
R.A is a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with 2 types of diabetes, he is also mildly obese.
About five months ago, he started having difficulties in sleeping and often felt tired and fatigued.
He became less active and could not perform his daily activities well. As time went by, he
stopped socializing and eventually lost interest in some of the most important things such as his
career and sexual activities. Despite all the signs, R.A strongly denied that he was depressed. He
continued with his daily activities but he had real trouble in concentrating as well as constant
frustrations (Eisenberg, Nicklett, Roeder, Kirz, 2011 p.99).
After sometime R.A saw an expert and he was diagnosed with depression. Due to the fact that he
was diabetic, he was treated with the cognitive behavior theory and it actually worked. After
some time, he became normal and could now engage in his daily activities without any problem.

3. Eating Disorder
Eating disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by irregular and abnormal eating patterns
and often results in distress and concern over one's body shape and/or weight.
May comprise of issues such as inadequate or excessive drinking which has a potential of
damaging an individual’s live and overall well-being (Dowlati et al, 2013 p.22).
There are three common types of eating disorder and these are; Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating
disorder and Bulimia Nervosa.
Signs and Symptoms of Eating Disorder
Constant weight fluctuations that are characterized by weight loss or weight gain\
An obsession with fat contents of food and calories
Irregular cases and periods of overeating and fasting
Engaging in abnormal eating patterns and behaviors such as eating alone and/or hiding of food.
Chronic levels of dieting that often results in underweight (Lader, 2015 p.34).
Treatment for Eating Disorder
Unlike other mental illnesses eating disorder is quite complex and it requires proper treatment
from an experienced professional.
Some of the treatment measures that can be employed on eating disorders are outlined below;

a) Nutrition-This refers to guidance for normal eating and being obedient to a certain set of
the meal plan.
b) Therapy-Various forms of therapy could be very useful in the treatment of eating
disorders. It allows an individual to heal through expression on how they feel about the
condition and thereby be in a position to take appropriate action in dealing with the
condition (Wilson, Wilfley, Agras, Bryson, 2010 p.55).
c) Medications-This involves taking various prescribed medications that reduce bad eating
habits.
Causes of Eating Disorders
 Biological causes of an Eating disorder
Research indicates that abnormal eating disorders are often caused by a disruption in the
serotonin levels.
Women who develop eating disorders often have altered levels of dopamine in their brain, this
usually causes hyperactivity and in some cases behaviors such as food restriction.
Cortisol hormone in the brain causes mild cases of eating disorders. This hormone is released in
the brain in the cases of stress (Wang et al 2011 p.49).
Treatment-Use of medication
Advantages of medication
Most effective in cases where disorder is at its initial stages
Disadvantages

Medications could have some serious side effects
 Genetic causes of the eating disorder
Research indicates that genetic factors behind the various types of eating disorders contribute to
the onset of the disorder and may not be necessarily predictive in nature (Kristeller & Wolever,
2010 p.77). In some people, it brought about by certain chemicals in the brain that controls
things such as hunger and appetite.
Certain specific genes that contribute to eating disorders have been studied and most of them
have shown specific personality traits (Vocks et al 2010 p.20). Some of the traits are; obsessive
thinking, emotional instability, hypersensitivity and impulsivity among others.
Treatment-Use of medication
Advantages of medication
Most effective in cases where disorder is at its initial stages
Disadvantages
Medications could have some serious side effects
 Psychodynamic causes of eating disorders
These are associated with issues such as inward issues within an individual. They comprise of
issues such as internal conflicts, internal motives and other forms of unconscious forces.

These causes suggest that eating disorders are triggered by some inner attitudes and feelings
Treatment-The use of psychodynamic therapy
Advantage of psychodynamic therapy
This therapy facilitates training in psychodynamic therapy as well as transfer of research in a
clinical practice.
Most effective especially when administered at an early stage
Increases confidence especially in a person’s abilities
Boosts a person’s self esteem
Disadvantages of psychodynamic therapy
It’s a long process that often delays immediate need for medication especially for patients with
serious complications.
 Cognitive causes of eating disorders
Some of the cognitive causes of depression comprise of issues such as faulty and/or irrational
cognition that often take the form of distorted thoughts and judgments as well as bad early
parenting and trauma at early stages of life(Dowlati et al, 2013 p.82).
Treatment-Cognitive behavioral therapy
Advantages of Cognitive behavioral therapy for treatment of depression

Can be completed in relatively short periods of time in comparison to other techniques
Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs
Disadvantages of Cognitive therapy for treatment of depression
Not suitable for patients with complex cases of depression
Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
 Behavioral causes of eating disorders
Associated with causes that are brought about by various negative thought patterns that often
results in negative behavior patterns such as bad eating habits, tendencies of overeating and
underfeeding among others.
Treatment-Use of different behavior therapies such as exposure therapy
Advantages of Behavior therapy
Usually helpful in cases where medications do not work
It’s highly structured and this means that it can be provided in various forms such as self-help
books and even computer programs
Disadvantages of Behavior therapy

Not suitable for patients with complex cases of eating disorders
Time consuming especially in attending its numerous sessions
 Environmental causes of eating disorders
These comprise of issues such as dieting, bullying, body dissatisfaction; a situation where one is
not happy about their body shape and/or weight
The thin ideal internalization-This refers to the degree with which a person feels that being thin
is being attractive.
Treatment- Humanistic therapy can also be used in the treatment for some environmental
cause’s mental illnesses.
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time
 Humanistic causes of eating disorders

History of trauma based on past physical and/or sexual abuse.
Difficulty in expressing one's emotions
Troubled families and other complicated relationships.
Treatment-Humanistic therapy
Advantages
Effective for treatment of complex cases of anxiety
Considered to be more effective because it focuses on the human aspect of an individual
Disadvantages
Time consuming as it seeks to understand the humanistic nature of an individual which often
takes time
Case study for an eating disorder
Miss Laura was a young lady that had just graduated from college. She had issues with eating
behaviors and went to see an expert on the issue. The expert diagnosed her with an eating
disorder called Binge Eating disorder(Kessler et al, 2013 p.17). She could not believe and she
thought she was okay. Based on the nature of the occupation that she had just got into after
college graduation, the expert used the Humanistic approach on her and it worked, she is now
okay and on her last stages of recovery.
Conclusion

As depicted above there are certain approaches that are much more effective in the treatment of
various mental disorders. This is so because there are some certain approaches that have
extremely harmful negative effects and when not properly used and/or followed then there is a
probability that they can result in other complications (Thapar, Collishaw, Pine, Thapar, 2012
p.30). Therapeutical approaches are examples of approaches that have fewer side effects.
Mental illnesses are very common, especially in the 21st century. As mentioned earlier they are
caused by a range of factors which range from behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, genetic,
biological and environmental. In one way or another, a person who suffers from mental illnesses
is likely to lead a very traumatic life that is characterized by one and off visits to the hospital.
Despite the detrimental effects that are associated with various mental illnesses, it is important to
note that these disorders are treatable. Numerous ways have been used to treat different types of
mental disorders. Some of the common treatments for mental disorders comprises of; use of
medication, engaging oneself in various exercises, meditation, and certain therapeutical
techniques.
Looking at all these mental illnesses we notice that almost all of them are caused by some
common factors. Among the common factors that contribute to mental disorders are; traumatic
experiences, loss of loved ones and cases of abuse in some early years of an individual.
Finally, it can be concluded that mental disorders are a threat to our generation. Efforts should,
therefore, be made on how to handle and reduce the rapidly growing cases of mental disorders.
In addition to that mental disorders is a global challenge. It is, therefore, a challenge for the
international community to take the necessary steps so as to counter these mental disorders
(Kessler et al, 2013 p.37).

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Appendices
CBT-Cognitive Behavioral Theory, A therapy technique that is often used to treat and manage
various mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and eating disorders