Our lives will always include periods of stress and sadness, but sometimes those feelings take hold and overwhelm us. All mood disorders, including but not limited to depression and anxiety, can impact relationships, productivity, sleep, eating, and overall well-being.

Depression can make people feel hopeless, helpless, and isolated. It can also manifest in less obvious ways, such as agitation, having little patience, over- or under-eating, or being disinterested in things you would have found fun in the past. Even if your life is going well, and you think you “should” be happy, these difficult emotions can show up.

Anxiety can hijack our minds with worries, intrusive thoughts, and an endless cycle of “what ifs.” It can also be a general sense that something is wrong or something bad is going to happen. It can be very hard to self-soothe and calm down when you’re in this heightened state.

The good news is that depression and anxiety are absolutely manageable. If the descriptions above feel familiar (or something else feels off), therapy is an excellent option. You don’t have to — nor should you — face these challenges alone. Because depression and anxiety often thrive on shame, I always encourage clients to have compassion for themselves as they work through their experiences.

In addition, you don’t have to wait until you are in crisis to start therapy. Even if you’re “just” feeling low or nervous, consider seeking support. You deserve to feel better no matter where you’re at. Counseling can also prevent symptoms from worsening.

Take the first step towards relief with a 30-minute phone consultation.