Sorting mental health issues into precise diagnosis is sometimes helpful. And at the same time, interventions and treatments are often similar across the diagnostic labels and categories. If your particular issue is not listed here, it is still relevant, but long lists can be overwhelming,
What do Depression and Anxiety Look Like?
Looking at your day-to-day life is a good place to start, whether or not you already have a diagnosis. Having depression and anxiety at the same time is not uncommon. Men, women and children can experience different signs of depression and anxiety. While mental illness varies for each person, there are a few common symptoms to be aware of. The more symptoms you experience for a longer period of time can indicate you are likely suffering from depression and/or anxiety. Therefore you may benefit from depression and anxiety counselling.
Clues or Indicators of Depression or Anxiety
All of the following are signals of depression and anxiety, especially when they continue for several days or weeks.
Depression
Are you wondering why you are so:
- Sad, angry, forgetful, hopeless,
- finding no meaning, wanting to be alone,
- overeating or not eating,
- lethargic, self blaming, unable to concentrate,
- finding little real joy,
- quick to anger and lash out, inclined to be aggressive and violent,
- can’t sleep or sleep and still exhausted,
- Teary, easily in tears for no real reason
- Full of guilt ?
Anxiety
Are you wondering why you are so:
- Edgy, irritable, can’t hold onto a thought or a feeling,
- forgetful, quick to anger and exploding into not making sense,
- needing reassurance that I am doing ok,
- much a perfectionist,
- such a procrastinator,
- needing everything to be just as I think is right and predictable,
- unable to focus,
- shaky so often,
- unable to settle,
- overusing meds, marijuana, alcohol, food, etc.,
- afraid of so much so often?
When Should I Seek Depression and Anxiety Counselling?
You may be also wondering these things. If you have tried a better diet, more exercise, good sleep habits, yet no change happens, it’s likely time to get therapy.
And yes, diet and exercise are indeed good front-line interventions that can help. Often doctors suggest them before suggesting medications.
When whatever you try does not make a lasting change, when the feedback does not shift that is a sign more is needed. It’s time to do the hardest thing of all, it is time to reach out and find ways over, under, around or through the struggle. And the right therapist can do that with you.
Depression
Are others asking or commenting:
- Are you ok, you don’t seem yourself?
- How are things going?
- What’s wrong, you don’t seem to care about anything anymore?
- Maybe you are just too lazy to care or be bothered?
Anxiety
Are others asking or commenting:
- why are you so forgetful?,
- if you really cared about (blank) you would remember,
- stop being so controlling and fussy,
- just get it done for *** sake!
- what do you mean you can’t think?
- you are smart, just too selfish and uncaring,
- why are you so afraid of everything?
- what’s all the guilt tripping about?
How Will Counselling Help Me?
Talking about struggles is the oldest known form of getting help known to humankind. We also know there are specific skills that make a difference over the longer time, and that is how therapy can help. Challenging our negative thoughts, finding meaning in the meaningless with someone who can be a guide makes a real difference. And using skills to actually end the struggles with the awful stuff frees up energy for a life with more possibilities.
Working With Liz
She is
Liz is a registered psychologist in Edmonton, who began her career as a clinical social worker. Liz Massiah considers the impact with social, cultural, familial economic, educational, and other influences. As well as the more individually focused work of psychology to her therapy practice.
Liz has practiced since 1983 here in Alberta.
Read More
Tailor Made Counselling
New Possibilities
