CHILD PLAY THERAPY
Anxiety and depression are not black and white mental health disorders. There is a lot of variations of what anxiety and/or depression might look like from one person to the next. The key is to know when to seek help. Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. According to the research from the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), from 2020, anxiety affected some 40 million Americans. A survey by Mental Health America in 2017 looked at the prevalence by the state of mental illness. Florida had the lowest rate of 16.03%, and Oregon had the highest at 22.66%. With a worldwide pandemic that has lasted for over a year, I would suspect these numbers are much higher now.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a general diagnosis. Symptoms include persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Examples include work, life, financial concerns, family, health, romantic relationships, etc. In GAD, the worry is often not warranted, or the individual might predict or expect the worst-case scenario from any given situation. We can also offer EDMR treatment as well as marriage and family therapy services.
Clinically diagnosed depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. This is called Major Depressive Disorder. It affects how you feel, how much energy you might have, and how you are able to take care of yourself. This can lead to trouble making normal day-to-day activities, low self-esteem, difficulty at work or school, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.
Both biology and the environment play significant roles in what anxiety and depression feel like. Biology is outside of one’s control. On the other hand, the individual does have control over their environment. Improving the environment can lower the intensity of how anxiety or depression feels like. Building up healthy resilience is another aspect that can limit the effects of anxiety and depression on one’s life.