Roughly 46% of all Americans will struggle with a mental health disorder in their lifetime, while another 5% of adults struggle with a mental health disorder each year. Mental health disorders, like depression and anxiety, can cause disabling symptoms when left untreated. Depression and anxiety can make it difficult to work or further your education, as well as increase your risk of attempting suicide. Mental health disorders can also isolate you from others, especially if you have depression and anxiety. While conditions like these are highly treatable, delaying treatment can make your symptoms unmanageable. Finding early treatment is important, especially because mental health disorders are chronic and progressive.
Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. 6.7% of Americans struggle with depression, while another 18% of adults suffer from anxiety-related disorders. Depression can cause you to experience intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness for weeks at a time, which can make it hard to leave your home or take care of your responsibilities. Both can cause significant mood and behavioral changes, which can make it difficult to maintain relationships or employment. Isolation is a common symptom of depression and anxiety-related disorders and can ultimately worsen your symptoms. The cause of depression and anxiety is unknown, but many people who struggle with conditions like depression have a decreased presence of serotonin, which is a pleasurable neurotransmitter that causes positive emotions like happiness. Depression can also increase your risk of suicide, as suicidal ideation is a common symptom. Anxiety-related conditions, which include things like obsessive-compulsive disorder and social anxiety, can lead to uncontrolled anxiety attacks. Depression and anxiety can also increase your chances of using drugs and alcohol to cope with your symptoms, which can ultimately make them worse.
How Depression and Anxiety are Treating
Both are chronic mental health diseases. Early treatment can greatly reduce, and even eliminate, your symptoms. Common treatments for each include:
- Prescription medications, such as Prozac and Ativan
- Individual counseling
- Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy
- Holistic therapies, like yoga and meditation
Part of the recovery process includes learning how to manage stress and coping with negative emotions. Finding healthy ways to decrease your symptoms can help you better manage your mental health. During treatment, you will also learn how to deal with triggers, which can be people, places or things that cause your symptoms to worsen. Another benefit of treatments like individual therapy is that they improve your communication skills and provide you with a strong support system.
Finding Mental Health Treatment Today
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression and anxiety, finding help is an important first step in your recovery. Mental health plays an important role in your daily life. Untreated symptoms can make it hard to achieve your goals or fully engage in life. To find out more about depression and anxiety treatment, call us today at 844.875.5609.