Depression and Anxiety
Depression
Depression drains the life out of living. It robs you of the energy to get through your day, the pleasure of doing the things you enjoy, and the delight of being around people you love. More insidiously it can also convince you that you are the problem – that if only you weren’t so lazy or stupid or inept that you’d be able to just pull it together and get on with things.
You have probably been able to ride out some rough patches of life in the past. This can make it harder to recognize when you need extra support. Here are some signs that you might not have realized are linked to depression:
You don’t feel like doing anything. It might be the tasks at your job or household chores you can typically manage. Even the basics like showering or brushing your teeth might feel like too much of a bother.
Eating is hard. Nothing seems appetizing and you feel like you need to force yourself to eat. Or you might find yourself eating a lot more, especially when you feel the worst.
You can’t wait to go to bed at night. Bedtime is creeping to earlier and earlier hours, and some days it feels like it can’t come soon enough.
The little things that usually bring up your mood don’t seem to have any effect. You might be starting to wonder why to bother even trying to feel better.
Using alcohol, cannabis or other substances seems to be the only way you can enjoy yourself. You’re having more conversations with yourself about how much or how often you drink or use.
Your trust in other people is dwindling. It feels like when it comes to your problems, you’re on your own.
You keep asking yourself, “What is wrong with me?”
How can therapy help me with depression?
Our work together can start you down a path to a more recognizable version of yourself. In our collaboration, I can help you to:
Work to understand the shape of your depression, including crippling and distorted beliefs about yourself, other people, and the future.
Stop blaming yourself for the way you feel.
Build a toolkit of coping strategies to help you ride out difficult times.
Reconnect with the passions and values that make you feel and do your best.
Increase your engagement with life and other people, starting with small, achievable goals, and then growing from there.
Replenish your soul and rediscover your zest for living.
Anxiety
Anxiety can make every day feel like an ongoing crisis. It can overwhelm most any part of your life with worry.
How do you know if your anxiety is “normal” or a problem that needs attention? A big hint is if it is creating problems for you: difficulty making it through a day without a meltdown, fear and self-doubt getting in the way of your work or relationships, difficulty sleeping or taking care of your body.
Other signs that anxiety might be an issue that needs attention:
Difficulty making decisions, even small ones.
Worry that seems to attach itself to one thing after another.
“Overthinking” or replaying conversations with other people. Finding yourself preoccupied with what they think of you.
Physical jitteriness, tension, or shortness of breath.
Gastrointestinal upset.
Finding it hard to slow down or “turn off” your mind.
Alcohol, cannabis, or distractions feel like the only ways you can relax or enjoy yourself.
Feeling embarrassed that you’re not doing as well in your work or relationships as you should be.
How can therapy help me with anxiety?
If you find yourself struggling with some or many of these issues, I can work with you to find ways to:
Identify the self-defeating beliefs that often underly anxiety and learn how to tame them with reality-testing.
Relax your nervous system with breath exercises, somatic awareness, and other body-oriented strategies.
Cultivate the confidence to take risks and navigate the unexpected.
Understand and address deeper issues that might lead you to habitually belittle and undermine yourself.