Anxiety and depression are both normal human emotions that may be appropriate and healthy responses to troubling situations. However, when either anxiety or depression linger for a substantial period of time, or are frequently triggered, it can have a devastating impact upon your life, making usual day-to-day activities extremely difficult to manage.
How do you know if you have anxiety?
Anxiety is often characterised by feelings of fear, heightened worry or uneasiness. Anxiety is a normal response when feeling threatened, vulnerable or under pressure. Anxiety produces a physical response, allowing you to feel sharp and alert. However, these physical reactions usually disappear once the stressful situation (or ‘stressor’) has passed. It is when the anxiety remains heightened for a significant period of time that it can begin to negatively impact upon your life. At this point, counselling may be extremely beneficial.
Anxiety can be a general emotional response, or it can be triggered by specific situations or events. Sometimes anxiety can occur when faced with a particular event or object, such as flying on an airplane or fear of getting an injection. Other times, anxiety can present itself after a traumatic experience, such as experiencing a death, injury or abuse. Experiencing such a traumatic event may lead to feelings of extreme fear or helplessness. Anxiety can also generate specific, repetitive behaviours that may be disruptive to a person’s daily life: for example, constantly washing hands, or regularly checking that doors and windows are locked. This type of behaviour is generally acknowledged by the person as being somewhat unreasonable, yet they persistently behave in the same manner.
When anxiety counselling is right for you
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following statements, you may find counselling for anxiety worthwhile:
- I have difficulty sleeping
- I feel uncomfortable or fearful in situations where most people seem comfortable
- I have difficulty concentrating
- I feel restless or on edge
- I feel easily irritated
- I sometimes experience panic attacks
- I have noticed a difference in my appetite
- I frequently experience a number of physical responses: hot and cold flushes, racing heart, tightening of the chest, obsessive and obtrusive thoughts and/or muscle pain
More often than not, anxiety can tamper with your general mood and trigger dramatic emotional highs and lows. Although it is common to feel sad or moody from time to time, anxiety can result in these feelings occurring intensely, and over a substantial period of time. Sometimes it is difficult to explain the way you are feeling to others; anxiety often leads to social withdrawal and isolation if left untreated.
How do you know if you have depression?
Whilst feelings of sadness and low mood are quite common, severe forms of depression have a seriously detrimental effect on your physical and mental health. At its worst, depression can induce feelings of self-harm or suicide. Thoughts about self-harm and suicide often occur when a person with depression feels an overwhelming sense of helplessness, being ‘trapped’, and unable to see a way out. However, even if it is not possible to change everything in your life for the better, it is possible to change the way you feel about it – this is something you do have control over.
When depression counselling is right for you
If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of the following statements, you may find counselling for depression worthwhile:
- I frequently have negative thoughts
- I often feel overwhelmed and indecisive
- I don’t enjoy things that I used to enjoy
- I don’t go out or see family/friends as much as I used to
- I’m losing interest in everyday activities
- I struggle to get out of bed in the mornings
- I always feel like I’m ‘getting sick’
- I feel hopeless
- I feel lethargic and tired
- I have noticed a change in my eating habits
- I struggle to contain emotions such as tearfulness
Counselling for depression will provide you a variety of treatment options, professional support and practical guidance. Life Supports counsellors and psychologists can show you the way forward, and help you to live a life free from debilitating moods.
Moving on from Anxiety and/or Depression
Anxiety and depression have the ability to affect people from any background or walk of life. These moods don’t discriminate between rich and poor, or young and old, and don’t always have identifiable reasons for affecting you.
Just like any other illness, anxiety and depression can get better with treatment.
Specialist Anxiety and Depression Counsellors and Psychologists
If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, and want to identify workable strategies that you can use to manage these moods, it is crucial to have expert support. Setting achievable goals and implementing effective strategies are the keys to a positive and successful path forward.
Life Supports accredited anxiety and depression counsellors and psychologists are qualified, experienced and competent in providing you with the specialist services required.
Find a Life Supports accredited anxiety and depression specialist in your local area
To make an appointment or enquiry you can speak with an intake consultant on 1300 735 030.