The Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression
Among the most common psychiatric disorders are anxiety and depression. These two disorders are considered to be comorbid with each other. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) about 7% of adults and 13% of adolescents suffer from these disorders at any given time. Typically, women suffer them more than men at about a two to one ratio.
A survey which was conducted worldwide reported that almost half of all individuals will have suffered major depression in their lifetime. Data from Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) suggest that about half of the patients with major depression also suffered significant anxiety.
Anxiety and depressive disorders are part of a broader category known as internalizing disorders. These types of disorders are thought to be moderately inheritable. Data suggests about 40% of cases are thought to be genetic in origin. Major depressive disorder seems to be the most common of the inherited internalizing disorders.
It is well known that environment can exacerbate and already existing condition. If a person is under a lot of stress, recently gave birth (or is pregnant), is worried about losing their job, or is having major family trouble, these can all be compounding factors in relation to their depression and anxiety disorders.
Counseling
Counseling is an effective tool against these disorders. Yet, only 36% of people with these disorders actually receive treatment. Qualified therapists can often help reduce and manage symptoms of these disorders and even assist in full recovery.
We understand that seeking counseling can be anxiety-provoking. This is why you can use our contact form or email address to begin the process. It’s private and low pressure in nature and can start you on your path to recovery.
You will talk to your counselor about what is going on with your life, what happened recently causing you stress and anxiety, and anything else that may be bothering you. Your counselor can provide helpful feedback and introduce you to actionable tools to help you feel better.
Your counselor can teach you CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) skills which are clinically proven to help in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
As the professional counselor guides you through your treatment they may introduce alternative approaches, such as psychodynamic and trauma-informed therapies to get to the root of the problem and offer deeper sense of release and healing.
Finding a trusted and qualified therapist is essential to getting the right help. Often this is the hardest step. Read here some additional guidelines on how to find the right therapist for yourself.
Conclusion
According to NIH 30% to 40% of anxiety disorders can be treated with medicine. For the rest of those people therapy is the best option. And many people have success with a combination of medicine and therapy. Therapy can be the most helpful tool in your tool bag when it comes to fighting overwhelming depression and anxiety. Modern methods and variety of approaches can offer you great relief at the times of the most need.
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