Does Every Day Feel Like A Struggle?

Living with depression and/or anxiety can be destabilizing and debilitating. You may feel as though you’re lugging a heavy burden that you’re aching to unload. You want to be free of this, and may have tried everything you can imagine to feel unburdened, but something is keeping you stuck. If any of the symptoms below resonate with your experience, I recommend counseling for depression/anxiety.

Could It Be Depression?

Do you wake up each morning dreading the day ahead, not wanting to leave your bed? Perhaps there’s something from your past or present that haunts, even obsesses you in the wee hours of the morning; the more you think about it, the more regret, shame and confusion you feel. Conversely, you could be thinking about the future with a sense of hopelessness and despair. Perhaps you can’t picture a future at all.

You may be struggling with grief and loss following a distressing life event, such as the death of a loved one, loss of a job, moving, or the end of a relationship. These events can induce or worsen feelings of depression. You are left questioning your worth, self-concept, and self-esteem. You may feel hopeless and weighed down as the result of yet another setback.

Maybe an underlying sense of dissatisfaction discolors everything from your relationships to your ability to function well on a daily basis. It’s also common to lose interest in things that you used to really enjoy, whether an activity or a creative pursuit or hobby.

If you’re suffering from physical symptoms of depression, like lethargy, oversleeping, mental fog, or stomachaches, you may feel persistently unable to engage with others or attend to responsibilities.

In addition to these factors, depression can have a hereditary component; perhaps you’ve had a parent or other close family member struggle with it. The inherited/biological factor can make the above situations feel even worse.

Do you experience situations when you feel deeply depressed–without a real external cause–and people tell you to just “cheer up” or ask you “Why are you depressed?” That can be an isolating experience, one that may worsen the dark feelings.

Could It Be Anxiety?

Do you feel agitated much of the time, beyond what most others seem to experience? In a heightened state of physical distress, with heart racing, palms sweating, shakiness, stomach aching? Are you already worrying about tomorrow before you even get through today? Do your physical symptoms of anxiety, triggered by worry and fear, make you feel panic, which in turn increases your worry and fear, like a chaotic ride you wish would stop?

You might harbor the fear that something is about to go terribly wrong or, especially if you struggle with social anxiety, that other people are judging you. Perhaps you feel as though no matter how hard you try at home or work, nothing is ever good enough. You may have heightened concerns about your job performance, interpersonal stresses, your relationship, getting from A to B and back again.

By the time you try to unwind and go to sleep, the physical and mental aspects of anxiety may leave you completely exhausted–yet too troubled to sleep–from trying to hold it all together.

Could It Be Both?

Depression and anxiety do commonly co-occur. You may move from racing thoughts to mental fog to tears to paralyzing worry, for example; sometimes you can be experiencing these feelings and sensations all at once! They can feed and build upon one another in an unbearable cycle you’re longing to break.

You Are Not Alone

No matter what your critical inner voice might be telling you, you are not the only one dealing with these experiences. You may be surprised to know that anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in the US, affecting approximately 18% of the population, according to  the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The ADAA also reports that depression affects nearly 7% of the adult US population. Nearly half of those diagnosed with anxiety are also diagnosed with depression.

As with depression, anxiety can be hereditary and biological as well as situational. Mental health problems can stem from a range of factors both internal and external.

In the Bay Area, people are beset with financial burdens and high-stakes, high-stress work environments that often lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. It’s currently the most expensive place to live in the U.S., and many have to work long hours or take on multiple jobs to make ends meet. If you’re feeling like you’re not as successful as your peers, you might be stuck in negative thought loops that fuel low self-esteem.

Counseling Can Help You Move Forward

The good news is that these conditions are highly treatable. With the right guidance and support, and a desire for change on your part, it’s completely possible to lessen or even alleviate anxiety and depression.

Anxiety and depression counseling can be hugely effective in helping you gain perspective on your current situation, and acquire the tools needed to take control of your life.

In the safe space I provide, we’ll uncover your deepest self, examining your cognitive patterns and how they influence mood and behavior. We’ll also take a look at your past relationship dynamics and how you see yourself in the world. Depending on your goals for therapy, we may explore new ways of interacting, both with others and your own emotions and thoughts. As we collaborate on your treatment, you will develop a new, positive sense of self and greater ability to not only cope, but to thrive.

I have a broad background and a wealth of skills to treat anxiety/depression, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic work and EMDR. These modalities offer a range of relief, from repairing damaging thought patterns, to compassionately understanding the way your illness is expressed, to letting go of something from your past. Most importantly, your treatment will be collaborative; you and I will be invested and engaged, together, in your progress and recovery.

Therapy offers a space that is 100 percent dedicated to you. I can help you tap into your intuition and move forward on a path that’s right for you. With my expert guidance, you can sharpen critical thinking skills, communicate more effectively, set healthier boundaries and advocate for what you need to feel and function better.

You might still have questions or concerns about counseling for depression and anxiety…

I’ve been like this for so long; I doubt anything will help me.

In my 20+ years of experience, I’ve helped a lot of people overcome anxiety and/or depression. These disorders are very treatable. It does take work, but together, we can create an actionable plan that works within your resources and comfort level. No matter how long you’ve felt stuck here, you can overcome the rut you’re in right now.

Will I need to take medication?

I cannot prescribe medication, but I may recommend trying it, depending on your experience of coping with depression, anxiety, or both. An often successful treatment method for depression and/or anxiety is medication in conjunction with other therapy, but this depends on the individual. Medication is often a temporary means to help you engage more fully in the therapy process. Once we begin working together, I’ll be better able to know whether to refer you to a psychiatrist if needed.

That said, the decision to use medication is yours to make. My individualized approach to depression and anxiety treatment can yield substantial benefits with or without the use of medication.

I’m so busy; I don’t have time for counseling.

Therapy is an investment into the most important thing you have—you. This is your health we’re talking about! In fact, people with anxiety or depression tend to visit the doctor more often and take time off work, which can lead to wasted time and money.

We can zero in on your specific issues so you can work toward solutions. You can walk away with practical tools that help you feel more energized, capable and productive. You can spend your whole life saying you don’t have time, but wouldn’t you prefer a lifetime of feeling better?

Healing is possible

I hold a doctorate in psychology and have been working with people seeking a better quality of life for over two decades. I know that change is possible, if you are willing to do the collaborative work to attain the peace of mind you’ve longed for.

If would like to consult with me about depression and/or anxiety therapy, please contact me at my practice in Berkeley, CA for a free 30-minute consultation.