Depression Counseling and Therapy for Anxiety in Cleveland, OH

Have you ever thought anything like this…

“I always feel nervous, even when I don’t know why. My friends do not understand what it is like to have that feeling with you all the time.”

“I have this voice inside of me that knows everything I’m afraid of and everywhere I am insecure. It’s the loudest voice in my head. Sometimes, it is the only one I can hear.”

“I lied. They wouldn’t understand so I just said I had other plans. And in some ways, I did. I had to breathe. I had to calm my racing pulse. I had to tell myself I’m ok. I had to apologize over and over.”

“I know there is no reason to be freaked out right now, but I just cannot shut it down.”

If you have had thoughts like these, you are not alone. You may be one of the many people who struggle with depression and/or anxiety. These are two of the most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses. They can disrupt people’s daily lives, making it difficult to function. But they also have effective treatments. Many people are reaching out for help and receiving the guidance they need from mental health professionals.

You do not have to battle anxiety and depression alone. The staff at Thriveworks Counseling in Cleveland, OH has walked side-by-side with clients who are ready for treatment, and together, our therapists and counselors work with them to find a path forward.

The Struggle of Anxiety and Depression

Many people think of anxiety and depression as mental illnesses, and they are—but their effects are far-reaching. They affect both the body and the mind. People are whole beings, and many of the struggles that anxiety and depression introduce into people’s lives are both physical and emotional. For example, people may experience…

• Disrupted Appetite – Often, anxiety and depression disturb people’s eating habits—either causing them to eat constantly or to rarely eat. Sometimes, people bounce between these two extremes.
• Irregular Sleep – As with food, so can sleep patterns be disturbed. Some people have insomnia and are unable to fall asleep or stay asleep. Others want to sleep all the time.
• Listlessness – Fatigue and lethargy are common side effects of anxiety and depression. Sometimes, this is a direct result of sleep disruptions, but other times, listlessness occurs without any sleep disruptions.
• Difficulty Focusing – Negative thought patterns can distract people and make it difficult for them to focus on the task at hand.
• Indecisiveness – Those same negative thoughts can keep people from making decisions, leaving them feeling stuck in indecision.

More than the Jitters, More than Sadness

Approximately 25 percent of adults in the US will receive a diagnosis of anxiety at some point in their lives, and over 15 percent of adults will receive a depression diagnosis. While they are separate illnesses, people often associate them and for good reason—they frequently accompany each other. As many as half of people diagnosed with a depressive disorder will also be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. What is it like to live with anxiety and depression?

Even though anxiety and depression are widespread, myths about them persist. Anxiety is not the jitters. Depression is not the blues. The severity and longevity of depression’s and anxiety’s symptoms distinguish them from the normal mood swings that most people experience. The symptoms are disruptive to daily life—making it difficult for people to have active professional and personal lives. People who have anxiety and/or depression may experience…

• Disinterest in hobbies, relationships, or anything that was once enjoyable.
• Difficulty emotions such as hopelessness, worthlessness, sadness, and emptiness.
• Psychosomatic pain—psychological pain that is felt physically.
• Thoughts of dying, death, and/or suicide.

Anxiety and depression are serious mental illnesses, and reaching out for mental health care is often an important step in healing. Just as someone with an illness like cancer will need professional interventions, so may people who have anxiety and depression. There are a variety of treatment options, and skilled therapists can often help people find the right combination of therapies that work for each individual. Although there are no magic formulas or silver bullet cures for anxiety and depression, many people can experience relief from their symptoms.

Depression and Anxiety Treatment at Thriveworks in Cleveland, OH

Relief from the difficulties that anxiety and depression bring into people’s lives often comes in the form of a multi-faceted, individualized treatment plan. Each client experiences unique symptoms and has unique needs. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Cleveland give each client the individualized treatment they need. Treatment plans often involve a form of medication for symptom relief. They also often involve a form of talk therapy (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) that helps clients build coping skills and healing from past emotional and psychological wounds.

If you are ready to meet with a therapist or counselors, know that Thriveworks Counseling in Cleveland, OH offers appointments for anxiety and depression. When you call our office, your first session may be within 24 hours. We accept most insurance plans, and we offer evening and weekend appointments. Also, your call will not be sent to voicemail, but a real person answers our phone and helps our clients schedule their sessions.

Let’s fight anxiety and depression together. Call Thriveworks Cleveland today.