Therapy for Depression and Anxiety Disorders in Laurel, MD—Therapists, Counselors, and Psychologists

Depression: A mental health disorder characterized by persistent despair or loss of interest, which causes impairment in one’s life.

Anxiety: A mental health disorder characterized by worry, anxiety, fear, and other harmful feelings that interfere with one’s day to day life.

Both depression and anxiety are difficult mental illnesses to deal with—at least when you try to deal with them on your own. Fortunately, there are mental health professionals who specialize in helping people properly manage their depression and/or anxiety. If you are feeling depressed or struggling with an anxiety disorder, please consider reaching out for the appropriate help. Thriveworks Counseling in Laurel, MD would be honored to provide you with this help.

Symptoms of Depression: Am I Depressed?

We all feel sad or down every now and then. We might feel upset after a breakup; we might feel sad after saying goodbye to a dear friend; we might feel down after a fight with a loved one. But this occasional sadness or hurt is normal and okay. Depression, on the other hand, is a deep despair that can serve as a serious hurdle in one’s life.

There is not one cause of depression. This form of mental illness might develop after someone has experienced a great loss (e.g., the death of a loved one) and it can also develop out of the blue, for no good reason. In any case, the symptoms are relatively similar from person to person. However, they can vary too. Here is a list of what someone might experience if they are depressed:

• Deep despair
• Lack of interest in day to day events
• Withdrawal from others
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Sleep disturbances
• Difficulty concentrating
• Guilt
• Hopelessness
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Suicidal thoughts and ideation

If you can relate to these symptoms and you think that you might be depressed, it’s important that you obtain the right help and support. While there are things you can do on your own to manage your depression, healing often requires talking to a mental health professional. Please consider reaching out for this professional help at Thriveworks Counseling in Laurel, MD. We have depression therapists on staff.

Anxiety Disorders: What Are They?

We all deal with a little anxiety every now and then. We might feel anxious about a conversation with our boss or significant other; we might feel anxious about a job interview; we might feel anxious about what to order at a restaurant. But this occasional and mild worry or stress isn’t a problem. What is a problem is the constant, uncontrollable, severe anxiety.

There are many different anxiety disorders out there, all of which are characterized by this uncontrollable or persistent worry. The main differences, though, between these disorders are their presentation and triggers. For example, PTSD is triggered by traumatic experiences, while social anxiety is triggered during social interactions. Here’s a little more about several common anxiety disorders:

1. Generalized anxiety disorder: This form of anxiety is likely one you’ve heard about. This is everyday anxiety that makes normal day to day functioning hard. These individuals feel anxious about a range of events.
2. Posttraumatic stress disorder: PTSD, as we said earlier, is triggered by traumatic experiences. Once an individual develops PTSD, they might experience flashbacks, nightmares, and—of course—anxiety, especially when they’re reminded of the traumatic experience.
3. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: OCD is another form of anxiety that is characterized by specific compulsions and behaviors. Many people with OCD have a fear of germs and take extreme precautions to keep things clean or avoid germs.
4. Panic disorder: Finally, panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks, which can come on suddenly and for no apparent reason.

All of these anxiety disorders (and those we did not list or describe) can cause an individual a lot of harm. If you’re struggling with any form of anxiety, it’s important that you learn to manage it, which often involves a professional’s help. If you’re suffering from anxiety, please consider reaching out to Thriveworks Counseling in Laurel, as we can set you up with the right provider.

Schedule a Depression or Anxiety Appointment at Thriveworks Counseling in Laurel, MD

Depression and anxiety are the two “big” mental illnesses. They are widespread and they can make every aspect of life unappealing or unenjoyable. It’s important that you obtain the right mental health help to get through either (or both) of these mental health conditions.

Thriveworks Counseling at Thriveworks Counseling in Laurel, MD would be honored to help and support you during this time. We can determine what form of treatment might work best for you, based on your specific experiences and symptoms. To get started with one of our providers, just give us a call. We’re here to help you.