Depression and Anxiety

When should I seek help for depression and anxiety?

Anxiety develops when you face or anticipate a challenging, dangerous, or stressful event. This type of anxiety usually serves a positive role. When you feel anxious, your brain quickly reacts, increasing hormones that energize your body.

Your anxiety should disappear when the immediate source of your stress (or the threat) ends. If you have constant or frequent anxiety instead, or you change your daily life to avoid anxiety, it's time to consider therapy.

Many people think that depression is like the blues and will eventually improve on its own. But they're not the same. While the blues will lift, depression doesn't get better on its own. If your depression lasts longer than two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with Jennifer.

What symptoms occur due to depression and anxiety?

People who are depressed experience symptoms such as:

• Feeling sad, worthless, and hopeless
• Withdrawing from their partner, family, and friends
• Losing interest in the activities they enjoy
• Eating more or less than usual
• Gaining or losing weight
• Sleeping more than usual
• Struggling with insomnia
• Having a hard time concentrating
• Being unable to make decisions
• Thinking about suicide

Depression may also cause physical symptoms. You may have headaches, nausea, indigestion, muscle aches, or chronic pain.

Anxiety causes symptoms such as:

• Dread
• Fear
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Stomachaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fast or pounding heartbeat

Severe anxiety may trigger a panic attack. Panic attacks cause sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing, and sweating. In many cases, people describe their symptoms as feeling like a heart attack.

How are depression and anxiety treated?

During your initial consultation, Jennifer learns about your symptoms and performs a thorough psychological examination. Then she creates an individualized care plan based on the severity of your symptoms, as well as the type of depression or anxiety disorder.

The primary treatments for depression and anxiety include therapy, medication, or both. Jennifer specializes in many different therapeutic approaches proven to help people overcome anxiety and depression.

Stress management also has an important role. Living with excessive stress contributes to depression and anxiety.

Jennifer may also recommend lifestyle changes. For example, you need certain nutrients to produce the brain chemicals that regulate your mood. Exercise increases the same chemicals and also helps relieve anxiety.

If you need compassionate care for depression or anxiety, call Town Center Counseling or book an appointment online.