Depression and Anxiety
Changes in mood are a normal part of the human condition. All people at times are depressed, usually in response to circumstances in their lives. In most cases, and depending on the circumstances, our mood will eventually improve. It is when this does not occur that we need to seek help.
Depression can affect people at any age, and involves feelings of deep sadness and dejection. Sometimes there are no external causes contributing to the condition, but often depression can be caused by major life events and circumstances such as
death of a spouse or partner, close family member, close friend or co-worker, divorce and marital separation, major change in health of self or close family member, being fired, trouble with boss, retirement from work, moving to new house, school, state or country. Depression becomes a problem when negative thoughts become persistent and extend over long periods of time, affecting a person most of the day, nearly every day, and impacting on their work, their relationships and the overall way they appraise and relate to their environment. Some other symptoms of depression include low self esteem and feelings of inadequacy, negative, pessimistic thinking, irritability and anger outbursts, loss of ability to experience pleasure, sleep and appetite disturbance and suicidal ideas.
Anxiety is a common and normal emotion essential for effective functioning. Any situation which threatens wellbeing may produce anxiety. It is normal for all of us to experience some anxiety on a periodic basis and it is a useful response when it alerts us to real or potential dangers or problems. However when there is no immediate external stressor, when the anxiety occurs over prolonged periods and dominates the affected person’s life, when the response is extreme, causing a person to become unable to activate any problem solving thinking or behaviour, then help should be sought. Anxiety can cause many symptoms to appear, including the feeling of panic, shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, crawling skin, chest pain or discomfort, a feeling of choking, trembling, shaking, sweating, nausea and lightheadedness among many. It can also cause a social phobia in some people causing them to withdraw from social life, or other specific phobias such as fear of spiders, dogs, heights, elevators, flying or enclosed spaces.
If you think you may have depression or anxiety, it is important to make an extended consultation with a health professional (either a doctor who is a General Practitioner (GP) or a psychologist first to have your situation assessed and to obtain professional advice on your treatment options. See the Beyond Blue website for further excellent information as well as a listing of professionals who are specialised in this field.
It’s important to remember that you need not remain in your current debilitating situation and that there is help out there. Depression and anxiety can be treated successfully and medication as well as ongoing counselling is often prescribed. Counselling can help a person explore their past, as well review their current behaviour, thoughts and feelings that may be contributing to their depression or anxiety, so they can gain clarity and direction to deal with life situations differently and more affectively in the future.
If you have depression or anxiety, and have been recommended by a professional for ongoing counselling, then please contact me.
Depression can affect people at any age, and involves feelings of deep sadness and dejection. Sometimes there are no external causes contributing to the condition, but often depression can be caused by major life events and circumstances such as
death of a spouse or partner, close family member, close friend or co-worker, divorce and marital separation, major change in health of self or close family member, being fired, trouble with boss, retirement from work, moving to new house, school, state or country. Depression becomes a problem when negative thoughts become persistent and extend over long periods of time, affecting a person most of the day, nearly every day, and impacting on their work, their relationships and the overall way they appraise and relate to their environment. Some other symptoms of depression include low self esteem and feelings of inadequacy, negative, pessimistic thinking, irritability and anger outbursts, loss of ability to experience pleasure, sleep and appetite disturbance and suicidal ideas.
Anxiety is a common and normal emotion essential for effective functioning. Any situation which threatens wellbeing may produce anxiety. It is normal for all of us to experience some anxiety on a periodic basis and it is a useful response when it alerts us to real or potential dangers or problems. However when there is no immediate external stressor, when the anxiety occurs over prolonged periods and dominates the affected person’s life, when the response is extreme, causing a person to become unable to activate any problem solving thinking or behaviour, then help should be sought. Anxiety can cause many symptoms to appear, including the feeling of panic, shortness of breath, accelerated heart rate, crawling skin, chest pain or discomfort, a feeling of choking, trembling, shaking, sweating, nausea and lightheadedness among many. It can also cause a social phobia in some people causing them to withdraw from social life, or other specific phobias such as fear of spiders, dogs, heights, elevators, flying or enclosed spaces.
If you think you may have depression or anxiety, it is important to make an extended consultation with a health professional (either a doctor who is a General Practitioner (GP) or a psychologist first to have your situation assessed and to obtain professional advice on your treatment options. See the Beyond Blue website for further excellent information as well as a listing of professionals who are specialised in this field.
It’s important to remember that you need not remain in your current debilitating situation and that there is help out there. Depression and anxiety can be treated successfully and medication as well as ongoing counselling is often prescribed. Counselling can help a person explore their past, as well review their current behaviour, thoughts and feelings that may be contributing to their depression or anxiety, so they can gain clarity and direction to deal with life situations differently and more affectively in the future.
If you have depression or anxiety, and have been recommended by a professional for ongoing counselling, then please contact me.