Dr. Dana B. Altman, DO

Collectively, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issues diagnosed in the United States -- even more common than depression. Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety, and it is extremely common for a person with anxiety to have another illness at the same time, such as depression, a physical illness, or substance abuse.

Treatment for anxiety usually involves medication and psychotherapy together. Medications used may include antidepressants (which also work for anxiety), anti-anxiety medications, or beta blockers (which can be used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety). Psychotherapy can be useful to teach patients new ways of thinking and reacting so that they can manage their feelings of worry and fear. Support groups can also be very effective for anxiety, and they can be a form of treatment themselves for social phobias. Stress management, relaxation techniques, and meditation all help reduce feelings of anxiety or of being out of control. Finally, having a strong support network of family and friends is an excellent way to help manage the difficulties of life with anxiety.

We don't yet know what causes depression, but it's thought that it is a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and social influences. Because of this, the most effective treatments for depression combine medication with psychotherapy. Therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can be extremely helpful in resolving the negative thoughts and feelings that come with depression. It gives patients new tools that they can use themselves to cope when their depression is making them feel down.

Some of the common medications used to treat depression include antidepressants such as SSRI's (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) or atypical antidepressants (Cymbalta, Wellbutrin). It's important to remember that these medications have different effects on everybody, and no one medication works right for everyone. Patients may have to try a couple before finding the one that works just right for them. If the first medication they try doesn't work, they should talk to their doctor about trying something else. In extreme cases where medication is not enough, electro-convulsive therapy and hospitalization may be the answer to keeping a severely depressed person safe.

Depression is a difficult illness to deal with, but it is more common than believed and there are many people who can help. With the right treatment, individuals with depression can get back to fully enjoying life again.

Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.

A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.