What are anxiety and depression?
Anxiety and depression are debilitating common mental health experiences that can universally affect us all no matter our age, background, or lifestyle. Anxiety is characterized by fearful and bad thoughts that show up as an emotional turmoil of worry, fear, with unease and agitation, and can manifest in a variety of physical symptoms, including over-thinking, racing thoughts, rapid heart rate, sweating, change of appetite, muscle pain and difficulty sleeping. Depression is a condition characterized by persistent and overwhelming bad and critical thoughts about themselves and everything that create an emotional numbness of sadness, anger, despair hopelessness, with a loss of interest in life and living, creating fatigue, isolation, changes in appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
While anxiety and depression are different and over-whelming experiences, they often occur together, and can have a profound impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Anxiety and depression can interfere with daily activities and relationships and can lead to feelings of isolation and hopelessness. Anxiety and depression can lead to self-medication through obsessions, work or sport, or substance abuse, food, alcohol or drugs, and even lead to thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
What is the treatment?
Fortunately, anxiety and depression are treatable, and there are a variety of effective treatments and therapies that can help individuals to manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Transactional Analysis is a talking psychotherapy that is an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. It encompasses some of the traditions of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and goes beyond to uncover the roots of your symptoms that lie embedded in your personality.
This therapeutic process creates personal awareness and is the foundation on which new life skills are gained that aid the deep personal change that is profound and lasting. Many people can achieve contentment and well-being without the need for medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Commonly people reduce their medication within six to eight sessions of therapy and certainly as the therapy proceeds. The key to success when in therapy is your personal engagement with your journey and an on-going curiosity and self-reflection in the relationship with yourself.
In addition to professional treatment and support, there are also steps that individuals can take on their own to manage anxiety and depression. These can include:
· Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness and self-reflection like journaling, to help manage anxiety and reduce stress
· Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity, which can help to reduce stress and improve mood
· Getting enough sleep by improving your ‘sleep hygiene’ which is essential for overall mental and physical health
· Eating a balanced and healthy diet, which can support mental and emotional well-being
· Connecting with others, whether through therapy, support groups, or social activities, which can provide a sense of community and support.
Overall, anxiety and depression are common and treatable mental health difficulties that can have a significant and debilitating impact on individuals’ lives. By seeking professional treatment and support, and by practicing self-care and seeking support from others, individuals can increase their resilence, regulate their emotions, and improve their overall well-being.
If you want to explore individual therapy with me then call me on 07880 668651 or email at he***@si**************.uk
