Depression

Did you know that anxiety and depression co-occur in about 75% of cases? That’s why Pure Anxiety is included among the 7 types of depression. This type is linked to increased activity in the basal ganglia, which causes the brain’s “idle speed” to run high.
Common symptoms of Pure Anxiety include:

• Persistent nervousness or anxiety

• Panic attacks

• Avoidance of people or places due to fear of panic

• Muscle tension, headaches, tremors

• Heart palpitations, dizziness, or nausea

• Tendency to anticipate the worst

• Multiple fears or phobias (like fear of dying or losing control)

• Avoidance of conflict

• Fear of judgment or embarrassment

• Startling easily or freezing in intense moments

• Shyness, social withdrawal, frequent blushing

• Nail-biting or skin-picking habits

Pure Depression is typically associated with overactivity in the brain’s deep limbic system—the emotional center. This type ranges from chronic low mood (dysthymia) to severe depressive episodes that make daily life feel unmanageable.

Common symptoms of Pure Depression include:

• Ongoing sadness or negativity

• Loss of interest in enjoyable activities

• Irritability, restlessness, or frequent crying

• Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness

• Sleep issues—insomnia or oversleeping

• Appetite changes or weight fluctuation

• Low energy or slowed movement

• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

• Difficulty focusing or making decisions

• Physical discomforts like headaches or stomach pain

• Low self-esteem

• Chronic boredom or dissatisfaction

This type presents a combination of symptoms from both Pure Anxiety and Pure Depression. It shows heightened activity in both the basal ganglia and deep limbic system. While one symptom set may dominate at times, signs of both are usually present consistently.

This subtype shows increased activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus, basal ganglia, and limbic system. It’s more common in individuals with a family history of alcoholism. These individuals often fixate on specific thoughts or behaviors and struggle to shift focus.

In addition to symptoms of Pure Anxiety or Depression, common signs include:

• Excessive or irrational worrying

• Frustration when plans don’t go as expected

• Argumentative or oppositional behavior

• Repetitive negative thinking

• Addictive or compulsive tendencies

• Resistance to change

• Holding onto resentment

• Inflexible thinking

• Strong opinions with poor listening skills

• Needing tasks done a specific way

• Frequent worry complaints from others

• Reflexively saying “no” without considering

This variation is connected to irregular activity in the temporal lobes, which control mood, memory, and emotions. Overactivity may also appear in the basal ganglia and limbic regions.

Symptoms (plus Pure Anxiety/Depression signs) may include:

• Short temper or irritability

• Unprovoked anger or rage

• Misinterpreting comments negatively

• Spaciness or confusion

• Sudden panic or fear

• Visual/auditory changes (shadows, muffled sounds)

• Déjà vu experiences

• Mild paranoia or hypersensitivity

• Unexplained headaches or stomach pain

• Head injury history

• Family history of aggression or violence

• Intrusive dark thoughts

• Memory lapses or forgetfulness

This type is marked by intense fluctuations in mood, associated with excessive activity in the basal ganglia and limbic areas. These “emotional seizures” appear in cycles and may be related to conditions like bipolar disorder, panic attacks, or PMS-related mood swings.

Symptoms (in addition to baseline anxiety/depression) may include:

• Episodes of elevated or severely low mood

• Feeling energized on very little sleep

• Grandiose thoughts or risky plans

• Fast-paced speech or excessive talking

• Racing thoughts

• High energy bursts

• Poor decision-making and risk-taking

• Socially inappropriate behavior

• Aggressive or irritable outbursts

• Delusions or hallucinations

This type involves reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), affecting attention, organization, and motivation, alongside increased activity in the limbic system and basal ganglia. It shares overlap with symptoms of ADD/ADHD, but brain scans help distinguish it.

In addition to anxiety/depression symptoms, look for:

• Difficulty focusing or staying on task

• Feeling mentally foggy or spaced out

• Overwhelmed by daily responsibilities

• Physical and mental sluggishness

• Chronic procrastination

• Ongoing boredom

• Easily distracted or forgetful

• Difficulty articulating emotions

• Lack of empathy

• Reduced motivation or drive

A variation of this type includes overall low cortical activity and high limbic/basal ganglia activity, often caused by factors like brain injury, chronic illness, infections (e.g., Lyme disease), environmental toxins, or substance abuse. Symptoms may include “brain fog,” persistent fatigue, and cognitive decline.

Significant weight loss or gain, food avoidance, vomiting, laxative use, or emotional overeating.

Recurrent physical tics, vocal outbursts, or compulsive actions like checking or organizing.