If you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or other persistent and difficult mood shifts, you are not alone. While it can be tempting to shrug off depression or anxiety as an unavoidable side effect of modern living, doing so does not serve you or your loved ones well.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression
Clinical or major depression is more than just the temporary “blues.” Depression hurts – in body, mind, heart, spirit, and in all the areas where life holds hope, joy, and promise. If you are experiencing problems in eating, sleeping and concentrating, if your mood is interfering with your ability to participate in and enjoy relationships, your career, and your daily life, and if your ability to experience pleasure feels subdued or inaccessible, it is time to seek help. Depression is not a character flaw, nor can it be willed away. When left untreated, your depression symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. With appropriate treatment, however, most people with depression can achieve a full and lasting recovery.
Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
While anxiety can be useful as a short-term motivator and early warning system, if anxiety becomes constant or overwhelming, you may be struggling with an anxiety disorder. As a facet of the body’s fight-or-flight response, feelings of anxiety in the body can be extremely uncomfortable. Similarly, anxiety can affect mood, functioning, relationships, and enjoyment of life. If you find yourself feeling continually irritable, anxious, restless or jumpy; if you have trouble concentrating; if you struggle with feelings of free-floating apprehension, irrational fears, or dread, then your anxiety is interfering with your ability to engage successfully in your daily life. Anxiety can look different for each individual, but the need for professional help is common to all. Without treatment, anxiety usually will not lessen, and can grow more severe over time. The good news is, treatment for anxiety has proven to be effective in the large majority of cases.
The Link Between Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and depression are the result of a complex interaction of personality characteristics, genetics, and environmental factors. Since anxiety and depression are believed to arise from the same biological predisposition, you may notice yourself experiencing symptoms of both, or struggling first with one and then the other. Since experiencing difficulty at one end of the spectrum tends to worsen symptoms at the other end as well, it is vital to seek professional treatment.
We Can Help
At the Southlake Center, we know what it is like to struggle against depression and anxiety. We encourage you to believe in a life beyond mood disorders, and to reach out for the hope and expert professional support that can send anxiety and depression packing – for good!
Personalized & Caring
Saying no to mood disorders begins with saying yes to getting the help you need to get better. Right from the moment you first contact us, we will partner with you to develop a personalized plan of action to help you start feeling better NOW.
Intensive & Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment Plan
Learning more about you and your situation is a critical first step towards identifying the right course of treatment for your unique symptoms and recovery goals. Our first step will be to complete a comprehensive assessment of your current symptoms and situation. This assessment will provide an in-depth analysis of your symptoms, thought processes, and behaviors. From here the Southlake mood disorders professionals will design a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals for full recovery and say yes to life!
