Depression and Anxiety

Have you been experiencing for more than a few weeks:

• Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy

• Deep sadness

• guilt or self-blame

• Physical and/or mental exhaustion

• Irritability or moodiness

Depression often shows up in the body as much as in the mind. Some common signs include stomachaches, headaches, appetite changes, changes in sleeping patterns - sleeping too much or too little-and even feeling physically sluggish or uncordinated. No one knows exactly what causes depression, but ut can run in families and is often triggered by difficult life events or trauma. Certain life stages and seasons can heigthen the risk of depression - for instance, relationship and finaicial stresses or during the autumn and winter months often look different for each person and vary by gender. Some people cope by turning to alcohol, drugs or food. Depression can increase the risk of self-harm, which makes getting support especially important.

Anxiety often goes hand in hand with depression. Anxiety can pop up on its own or show up alongside depression often makinf both feel worse. Anxiety is more than just feeling nervous- it’s when worry and fear stick around and start getting in the way of daily life. It can make your heart race, your stomach twist, and your mind feel like it is running in circles. Some people have trouble sleeping or concentrating, while others feel restless and on edge all the time triggering the fight or flight response.

At heart both depression and anxiety are mental health conditions that last for a couple of weeks or months. The good news is that depression and anxiety are treatable. Getting a diagnosis usually starts with talking to a mental health professional. Everyone's depressoin and/or anxiety is a little different, treatment often needs to be tailord to the individual. Options include:

• Talking to a therapist or counselor

• Taking medication

• Healthy lifestyle changes