Treatment for Depression and Anxiety—Depression Therapists and Counselors in Orlando, FL

Do you feel restless and irritable? Are you experiencing loss of appetite or changes in weight? Are you struggling to stay focused or concentrated?

These are all symptoms of depression as well as anxiety. Now, depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in life, while anxiety is characterized by racing or unwanted thoughts. Both, though, can prove very harmful to one’s life, especially if the individual goes without treatment.

If you are exhibiting symptoms of depression, anxiety, or both, please consider contacting Thriveworks Orlando Counseling. We can pair you with a depression therapist or anxiety therapist right away. We have both in-person and online counseling opportunities, and we’re happy to accommodate whatever your needs or preferences are.

Diagnoses of Depression and Anxiety: Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are both serious mental illnesses, characterized by specific symptoms that can prove to impact an individual’s life in more ways than one. Common symptoms of depression include:

• Persistent feeling of sadness
• Hopelessness
• Loss of pleasure in once loved activities
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Social isolation
• Fatigue
• Changes in weight
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of concentration

One person might experience a handful of the above depression symptoms, while another person might experience a separate set of the above depression symptoms. Now, common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Racing or unwanted thoughts
• Excessive worry
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Lack of concentration
• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Feeling of impending doom

Again, the exact symptoms one experience can vary from person to person. However, all of the aforementioned can prove very harmful to one’s health. The diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety involves answering questions to identify the key symptoms an individual is experiencing. Once the symptoms have been identified, the doctor will then seek to provide the most appropriate diagnosis. There are unfortunately no simple blood tests or physical examinations that can identify these disorders in an easy and straightforward manner. The patient can be in perfect physical health and yet be suffering from complex mental problems.

Causes of Depression and Anxiety: Why Am I Depressed? Why Am I Anxious?

The developmental causes of depression and anxiety are, broadly speaking, often linked to family history, genetics, and traumatic life events. Having a family history and, therefore, a genetic predisposition towards depression and anxiety disorders renders an individual far more likely to suffer from them at some point in his or her life. Whilst it does not guarantee that the individual will develop any of these conditions, it makes it more probable that traumatic life events and experiences will trigger the disorders.

Common trigger events could include losing a job, experiencing abuse as a child, getting a divorce or a period of intense stress. These triggers may cause a number of changes in ones’ body that can lead to depression and anxiety disorders. Scientists do not have a full understanding of the biological changes that occur, but research suggests that these seem to be linked to variations in the chemical balance and structure of the brain.

Depression and Anxiety Treatment

Now that the doctor has diagnosed the patient, he or she will create an individualized treatment plan. Frequently, lifestyle interventions are recommended, such as increased levels of exercise, as these can be effective methods of controlling the symptoms. Medications such as anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are also commonly prescribed; however, these can rarely put the patient into full remission.

It is also universally recommended that the patient attends talk-based therapy sessions, such as those provided by Thriveworks Orlando Counseling. An expert counselor will guide the individual through a particular method of therapy, designing a treatment plan based upon finding and managing the root cause of his or her disorder.

Here at Thriveworks Orlando Counseling, we focus not only on enabling our patients to effectively manage the symptoms of their problem, but we also help them deal with the root cause, therefore making a lasting remission possible for many!

Schedule Therapy for Depression or Anxiety at Thriveworks Orlando Counseling

If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness for that matter, it’s important that you talk to a professional. Think about it: When you start to feel ill or you sustain an injury, you go to your doctor to make sure you’re okay and receive any recommendations for treatment. You should do the same for your mental health, too!

Thriveworks Orlando Counseling will be happy to pair you with the right therapist, who has the skills, training, and experience you need to manage your given illness. They will also serve as a support system, as you navigate this difficult or stressful time! To schedule your appointment, just call our office. We’ll be here.