Did you know that depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health disorders in the world? In fact, about 45% of people in America who have one mental health condition end up meeting the criteria for two or more mental health conditions. That means if you have anxiety or depression, your chances of also having the other are pretty great. A lot of the signs and symptoms of these two mental health disorders end up overlapping so it’s not always easy to distinguish one over the other. However, what is important is that you understand and recognize when you might be battling with one, or both, of these conditions. Getting help as soon as you can, can greatly improve how quickly you overcome them and start living a happier, healthier life.
Depression isn’t pretty. But having depression doesn’t make you ugly. Anxiety is a burden. But having anxiety doesn’t make you a burden. You aren’t your problems. You deserve respect and patience.” – Unknown
The reasons why people develop anxiety and depression are complex. It’s hard to always pinpoint a specific instance in time when your feelings changed; however, a licensed and trained therapist can help. If you are struggling with one or both of these conditions, consider working with an anxiety or depression therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Frederick, MD. Choosing to seek help isn’t always an easy decision. Just know that you are stronger than the things holding you back and with a little extra guidance and support from a trusted therapist, you can make meaningful changes in your life. To get started, just give us a call.
Depression vs. Anxiety: How Can I Tell the Difference?
Anxiety and depression, as we briefly mentioned, have a lot of similar signs and symptoms. This can make it difficult to distinguish the two. In some cases, you may develop anxiety because of your depression and vice versa. Consider this situation:
McKenzie’s family has never really been on the same page. They fight often and she rarely feels like her parents prioritize her feelings. While she and her brother are grown adults, this doesn’t change her brother’s behaviors and causes her to feel crazy when her parents don’t recognize this. McKenzie started to fall into a depression and rarely left her apartment, especially to see her parents. Because of her fatigue and lack of motivation, she started to develop feelings of anxiety. She’s anxious whenever they get together and is always worried that something bad is going to happen.
McKenzie’s situation is just one example out of what these illnesses might look like. It’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms so you can get the help you need before your situation gets out of hand. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Anxiety: lack of sleep, restlessness, constant worry, mood swings, irritability, heart palpitations, excessive sweating
- Depression: intense emotions, unusually persistent emotions, lethargy, fatigue, mood swings, worry, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities that once brought you joy
The ways in which you experience anxiety and/or depression go beyond the lists above. You may have noticed that some of the symptoms overlap. Battling these emotions can be extremely difficult to handle alone. Luckily, with the help of a therapist at Thriveworks in Frederick, MD, you can tackle these issues safely and effectively.
What to Expect from Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
Here at Thriveworks Counseling in Frederick, we offer a helping hand and listening ear when you feel like no one else in the world can understand you. We are client-focused and are dedicated to prioritizing your unique goals and needs. If you have been looking for a compassionate, warmhearted therapist, your search is over. We want to help you establish a healthy routine for your daily life and tackle the things holding you back. We can help you by:
- Identifying your stressors
- Giving you the tools to practice better communication
- Coping and managing intense feelings and emotions
- Setting goals and seeing that you achieve them
- Monitoring your success and celebrating small victories
We believe therapy should be a partnership. That’s why we will be by your side every step of the way through your mental health journey.
Tackle Anxiety and Depression with the Help of a Therapist at Thriveworks in Frederick, MD
If you’ve made it this far, we’re glad you’re here. This isn’t always an easy decision to make. Just know that we are ready and prepared to help you in any way we can. When you’re ready to get started, visit our online booking system or give us a call to be connected with one of our scheduling specialists. We have flexible scheduling options, online counseling available, no waitlists, and availability as soon as tomorrow. If this sounds too good to be true, don’t worry, it’s not. We can’t wait for you to explore all of these benefits and more. Let’s get started.
