Depression & Anxiety

Depression

What is "depression?”

Depression is a common mental health condition that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and impacts your mood, affect, thinking, functioning, and overall wellbeing.

Please remember, depression can happen to anyone.

What are the causes of depression?

Depression can be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

  • Life Events (e.g: traumatic occurrences like the death of a loved one)

  • Genetics (e.g: family history)

  • Chronic stress (e.g: ongoing work, relationship, financial problems)

  • Medical (e.g: pregnancy, chronic illness, etc.)

  • Trauma (e.g: a history of abuse)

  • Seasonal (e.g: winter blues)

  • Personality Traits or Habits (e.g: being self-critical)

  • Addiction Withdrawal (e.g: low mood following use)

What are your therapeutic modalities?

We have extensive training in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including: psychodynamic therapy; existential therapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

We are greatly influences by the work of David D. Burns, MD. His cutting edge evidence-based practices offer great relief to clients with depression.

Anxiety

What is "anxiety?”

Anxiety is a common emotional state characterized by feelings of unease, worried thoughts, and a persistent feeling of dread or fear. A person can experience anxiety about everyday situations in life.

It's human and normal to experience some anxiety.

What are common anxieties that people have?

Anxiety can range from slight agitation or uneasiness to totally a debilitating reality.

  • Social Anxiety (e.g: public speaking, large crowds)

  • Relationship Issues (e.g: judgment, commitment, wedding, breakup)

  • Sex (e.g: performance anxiety, erectile dysfunction)

  • Personal Safety (e.g: fear of increased crime, disasters, accidents)

  • Work (e.g: performance evaluations, deadlines, interviews, job loss)

  • Academic Pressure (e.g: stress about exams, grades, college apps)

  • Life Transitions (e.g: baby on the way, moving, moving in together)

  • Financial Stress (e.g: debt, loans, mortgage, not having enough)

What are your therapeutic modalities?

We have extensive training in a variety of therapeutic approaches, including: psychodynamic therapy; existential therapy; cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT); and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

We are greatly influences by the work of David D. Burns, MD. His cutting edge evidence-based practices offer great relief to clients with anxiety.

We provide a variety of clinical services to meet your needs.

Find out what they are and how they can help you by clicking on the button below.

10 Depression Symptoms

10 Anxiety Symptoms

  1. Persistent Sadness or Low Mood: A continuous feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that lasts for most of the day, nearly every day, for weeks or months. This can also manifest as feelings of despair or a sense that nothing will improve.

  2. Loss of Interest or Pleasure in Activities: Known as anhedonia, this symptom involves a marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable or fulfilling, such as hobbies, socializing, or even work.

  3. Fatigue or Lack of Energy: Individuals with depression often feel physically drained, even after rest or sleep. Simple tasks, such as getting out of bed or completing daily chores, can feel overwhelming or exhausting.

  4. Difficulty Concentrating or Making Decisions: Depression can impair cognitive function, making it hard to focus, concentrate, or think clearly. This can also result in difficulty making decisions, leading to feelings of indecisiveness or being "foggy."

  5. Changes in Sleep Patterns: Depression often affects sleep, leading to insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping or sleeping for prolonged periods). Both extremes can occur and disrupt daily functioning.

  6. Appetite or Weight Changes: Depression can lead to changes in appetite, either through loss of appetite or overeating. This can be linked to emotional eating or a lack of interest to prepare or enjoy food.

  7. Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Individuals with depression often experience excessive or inappropriate guilt, self-blame, or feelings of worthlessness. They may dwell on past mistakes or failures and have a distorted, negative view of themselves.

  8. Irritability or Restlessness: Depression can cause irritability, agitation, or restlessness, which may lead to frustration over minor things. People may feel "on edge" and experience a shorter temper than usual.

  9. Physical Symptoms Without Clear Cause: Depression can cause unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, back pain, digestive issues, or muscle aches, which don't seem to have a clear medical cause but persist over time.

  10. Thoughts of Death or Suicide: In more severe cases of depression, individuals may experience persistent thoughts about death, dying, or suicide. This includes ideation or attempts, which require immediate professional intervention and support.

  1. Excessive Worry: A hallmark of anxiety, individuals often experience uncontrollable, persistent worry or fear about everyday situations. You will find that this worry is often disproportionate to the actual threat, however, the felt experience is one of real threat.

  2. Restlessness or Feeling On Edge: People with anxiety frequently report feeling restless, uneasy, or “on edge.” They may have difficulty sitting still, and their mind may constantly be in motion, anticipating problems or catastrophes.

  3. Fatigue: Chronic anxiety can drain energy, leaving individuals feeling tired or exhausted even if they haven’t engaged in physical activity. This can be due to the constant tension and mental energy spent on managing worries.

  4. Difficulty Concentrating or Mind Going Blank: Anxiety often interferes with concentration, making it hard to focus on tasks or conversations. A person’s prefrontal cortex becomes overwhelmed during moments of anxiety, making it difficult to process information.

  5. Muscle Tension: Physical tension in the body is common with anxiety. Individuals may notice tightness in their shoulders, neck, jaw, or back. This muscle tension can lead to aches, headaches, or even gastrointestinal discomfort.

  6. Irritability: Anxiety can make people more sensitive and easily frustrated. The constant feeling of being overwhelmed can result in irritability, where even small things feel aggravating or unbearable.

  7. Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety often causes sleep-related issues, such as insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), restless sleep, or waking up frequently in the night. Worries and racing thoughts can prevent relaxation and make it difficult to get restorative rest.

  8. Rapid Heartbeat or Palpitations: People with anxiety may experience physical symptoms such as a racing heart or palpitations. This can occur during moments of anxiety or seemingly without any clear trigger.

  9. Shortness of Breath: Anxiety can cause a feeling of breathlessness or difficulty breathing, often accompanied by rapid breathing (hyperventilation). Some people may feel as though they can’t get enough air or feel smothered.

  10. Avoidance Behaviors: Anxiety can lead to avoidance of situations that trigger discomfort or panic. This might include avoiding social events, work presentations, or even leaving the house. Over time, this avoidance can lead to increased isolation or a narrowing of one’s life.

Depending on the individual and their unique life circumstances, the above common symptoms of depression and anxiety can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency.

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Your unique life circumstances have led you to this website. Your instincts are telling you it’s time to get help. Don’t hesitate any longer. Give yourself the gift of quality psychotherapy and begin your journey of recovery today.