DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Imagine wearing glasses with a grey lens? Everything you see would look grey as a result. When you suffer from a depressive illness, your world is grey and everything you see and feel is interpreted through this lens. It colors everything and it is not as easily discarded as a pair of glasses. This is true for the anxiety illnesses, as well. And, make no mistake, depression and anxiety are illnesses, serious ones with far-reaching implications that not only affect the afflicted individual, but their families, spouses, loved ones, friends and even employers. Despite this, these illnesses are often judged as some type of defect of will or determination, rather than a disease born of a complex interplay of biochemistry and environmental stressors. Many, consciously or subconsciously, harbor the beliefs that the problem stems, at least partially, from some failure on the part of the individual, as if suffering from depression or anxiety were a choice. This stigma often interferes with reaching out for help and prolongs suffering - for everyone.

Depressive disorders affect approximately 19 million American adults. People who are depressed may exhibit a broad range of symptoms from difficulty concentrating to loss of pleasure in previously enjoyed activities, to feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness to irritability or thoughts of suicide. Those struggling with anxiety may feel anything from persistent feelings of worry to crippling panic attacks that include sweating, palpitations and true physical reactions that mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.

At Partners in Counseling, we are well versed in working with those struggling with these diseases, and employing a mix of treatment methods to appropriately address them. Research indicates that the most effective treatment for both depression and anxiety is a combination of pharmaceutical intervention (medication) and psychotherapy. This does not mean that medication is the first line of treatment. At Partners in Counseling, we start with a thorough psychological assessment to fully evaluate each situation and the best way to intervene.

The good news is this: these are very treatable illnesses. Talk therapy modalities are documented to be effective eighty percent of the time, whether they are designed to explore past psychological injury, reveal feelings of anger or modify negative thought patterns and behaviors or all of the above. So call or email us now and get the help you or your loved one needs.