Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can be normal responses to circumstances. We are naturally depressed if we experience significant loss or frustration, and it makes sense to be anxious if we are about to do something that feels risky. If these feelings are situation-specific, then we know why we have become despondent or stressed. Although we feel emotional pain, we also have sources of well-being. In order to cope and recover, we need friends and ways of engaging with life, but we don’t need drugs or therapy.
Where emotional pain is severe, however, or where it becomes more general and ongoing, it can isolate us, diminish our ability to function, and strip us of our vitality. Anxiety and depression can be experienced together, each making the other worse. Sadness and disappointment can become an inability to feel. Anxiety can become panic or a near-constant state of dread. Either can become a chronic drain on energy, self-esteem, and connection with others.
Because Western culture emphasises “positive thinking” and “self-control”, we may feel unable to seek help because we are ashamed. Anxiety may make it seem impossible to reach out, and depression may convince us that there’s no point anyway.
Shame, fear and hopelessness are significant obstacles, but they are not truths. Depression and anxiety are treatable. Psychotherapy has been validated as effective, and if you are on medication, it happens in parallel with support from your GP or psychiatrist.
There are parts of yourself that are unwilling to give in to depression, and parts of yourself that don't want to be limited by fear. These parts are what bring you to therapy, where you and your therapist work together to support your strengths while respecting and making sense of your vulnerability and pain. With help, things get better, and you can heal.
Where emotional pain is severe, however, or where it becomes more general and ongoing, it can isolate us, diminish our ability to function, and strip us of our vitality. Anxiety and depression can be experienced together, each making the other worse. Sadness and disappointment can become an inability to feel. Anxiety can become panic or a near-constant state of dread. Either can become a chronic drain on energy, self-esteem, and connection with others.
Because Western culture emphasises “positive thinking” and “self-control”, we may feel unable to seek help because we are ashamed. Anxiety may make it seem impossible to reach out, and depression may convince us that there’s no point anyway.
Shame, fear and hopelessness are significant obstacles, but they are not truths. Depression and anxiety are treatable. Psychotherapy has been validated as effective, and if you are on medication, it happens in parallel with support from your GP or psychiatrist.
There are parts of yourself that are unwilling to give in to depression, and parts of yourself that don't want to be limited by fear. These parts are what bring you to therapy, where you and your therapist work together to support your strengths while respecting and making sense of your vulnerability and pain. With help, things get better, and you can heal.