Depression & Anxiety

Many people will experience a period of depression or anxiety. For some, these incidences will become more chronic or debilitating.  If depression goes untreated, it has the capacity to keep us stuck in the past with feelings of resentment, regret, shame, and remorse. When anxiety is untreated, it can tend to rule our lives. We become consumed with fears and concerns that may significantly restrict our quality of life. Both anxiety and depression contribute to losing contact with the present moment, our relationships, and the things that you value in your life.

Depression and anxiety and are the most common struggles that bring people into treatment.

Depressive symptoms may include:

• Feelings of unhappiness
• Thoughts of harming your self and/or suicidal thoughts
• Feelings of helplessness and/or hopelessness
• Irritability
• Loss of energy, motivation and/or interest in activities that you normally enjoy
• Changes in sleep and appetite patterns
• Isolation and withdrawal from others

Anxiety develops as a result of being overly concerned about the future and not being comfortable in the present. We often may find ourselves preoccupied with thoughts and plans about what may or may not happen in the future. Symptoms of anxiety may include the following:

• Repetitive and racing thoughts about future events
• Constant worry, fear, unease or nervousness
• Rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, cold sweats, headaches or having “butterflies” or a feeling of nausea in your stomach
• Panic attacks where you may feel overwhelmed by a wave of sudden and intense anxiety that feels as if you are going crazy or may die
• Difficulty sleeping because your mind races at night
• Difficulty paying attention, concentrating or remembering things because your mind is so preoccupied
• Fears and concerns that contribute to you avoiding things in your life