Although anxiety and depression are two separate conditions they are often interlinked.

Anxiety disorders are the most common and prevalent mental disorders in the United States and are just as real and significant as physical disorders such as diabetes or heart disease. Although scientists don’t know the exact cause of anxiety disorders, genetics, environmental factors and brain chemistry are believed to play a role. In addition, researchers believe that the areas of the brain responsible for controlling fear may be affected in some way.

Depression, on the other hand, is a condition in which a person feels sad or hopeless, is unmotivated or disinterested in life for more than two weeks; it affects the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and functions. Common causes of depression include:

⦁ Brain chemistry. People who have depression may have a chemical imbalance in the areas of their brain that manage mood, sleep, thoughts, appetite, and behavior.
⦁ Hormones. Changes in estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle, in perimenopause or menopause, or postpartum may increase the risk for depression in women.
⦁ Genetics. People with a family history of depression are predisposed to developing it themselves.
⦁ Early childhood trauma. Certain events experienced as a child can affect the way the body reacts to fear and stressful situations.
⦁ Medical conditions. Chronic illness, chronic pain, insomnia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart attack or cancer can increase the likelihood of developing depression.
⦁ Pain. People dealing with emotional or chronic physical pain are significantly more likely to become depressed.

Trained counselors and psychotherapists are particularly well-equipped to deal with individuals struggling with the effects of either anxiety or depression, or both.

In the case of a person with an anxiety disorder, personal triggers can remind them, either consciously or unconsciously, of an event or memory that causes them distress. These triggers can sometimes be difficult to identify, but a counselor is trained to help the person recognise them so that they can learn to overcome them.

Although depression is somewhat different from anxiety, counseling is no less effective in managing the effects that the long-term sadness, lack of interest and motivation, or feelings of being overwhelmed have on those living with depression. Speaking with a counselor can help an individual to learn coping skills and deal with their negative feelings. Counseling, or talk therapy, has been shown to improve symptoms in people with depression and is often used alongside medications such as anti-depressants.

Counseling sessions tend to take the same format: approximately 45 – 55 minutes in length, with client and counselor sitting in a private, comfortable room.  A first appointment will likely require the client to arrive a few minutes early to fill out paperwork, and the session itself will start with some introductory questions to “break the ice” and allow the client to feel more at ease.  The counselor will want to know the client’s concerns and goals for treatment, if there is any relevant family history and how their problem is affecting their everyday life. At no time will the client feel pressured to talk about something they don’t want to, and the counselor will know not to push.  At the end of the session a time will be set for a follow-up appointment, if required; the number of sessions needed will vary from individual to individual. 

This is how a typical therapy session is conducted; when you contact Reaching Resolution you can discuss these details in more depth.

As touched on above, anxiety and depression do sometimes occur together, but they can be experienced separately as well.  While they both have their own signs and symptoms there are some commonalities such as irrational fears or worries that won’t go away and physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and difficulties falling or staying asleep.

If you would like to know more about anxiety and depression and how we can help, contact Reaching Resolution today! Call us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located 9719 Northeast Parkway, Suite 100 Matthews NC 28105. We serve clients from Matthews NC, Charlotte NC, Mint Hill NC, Indian Trail NC, Pineville NC, and Stallings NC.