Are you feeling a sadness that seems to be more than just the blues? Has it been going on for more than a couple of weeks? You may have depression.
Symptoms of depression include:
- Sleeping a lot more or an inability to get restful sleep
- Eating more than usual or an inability to eat
- no motivation to do anything, even things you used to love
- irritability
- isolating yourself from others
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- low self-esteem
- negative self talk
- feeling hopeless
Do you avoid doing certain things, going to places? Are you always waiting for the next bad thing to happen? Have you always been a worrier? Do you overthink things? You may have an anxiety disorder. Some examples of this include general anxiety, panic attacks, social anxiety, and phobias.
Symptoms of Anxiety include:
- rapid heartrate
- feeling shaky
- sweating
- nausea, diarrhea, or stomach problems
- a lump in your throat
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
There is help. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been found to be one of the most effective forms of treatment for depression and anxiety. You will learn why your depressed, or experience anxiety, as you may feel like you don’t know. You will learn how your faulty thinking impacts your mood and how you go through life.
CBT is not “turn that frown upside down” or “the world is all rainbows and puppies and roses.” It is learning about your thinking style, challenging it, and tweaking it to be more realistic about the situation you are in or are struggling with. You may be an all or nothing thinker, a catastrophizer, or a perfectionist. You will learn new coping skills and problem-solving methods so that you won’t continue to be overwhelmed with life.