Anxiety and Depression Therapy in Miami, FL—Therapists and Counselors

The 2010 movie, The King’s Speech, gave viewers a peek into what it is like to struggle with anxiety—an illness from which even King George IV was not immune. And King George IV is not alone. As many as 40 million normal, average people suffer from anxiety and/or depression each year in the United States. That may be one of the reasons The King’s Speech was so popular—it portrayed a reality that many people experience in their daily lives. It showed the struggle of fighting anxiety. It showed the myths and misconceptions about healing. It showed how people can overcome the roadblocks that mental illness throws in their path.

In one poignant scene, the king’s speech therapist asked him, “Why should I spend my time listening?” King George IV yells back, “Because I have a voice.” “Yes, you do,” replies the therapist. The meaning is clear, King George IV is finding his voice in multiple ways. He is speaking without his stammer, but he is also overcoming the anxiety that has plagued him since childhood. Healing is possible.

As many as 1 in 4 American adults will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime, and as many as 1 in 6 will be diagnosed with depression. These are severe mental illnesses that prevent people from carrying on in their daily lives as normal, just as anxiety prevented King George IV from doing his job. And just like King George IV experienced, many healing interventions are available.

The therapists at Thriveworks Miami Counseling understand the severe symptoms that anxiety and depression can bring into people’s lives. They also understand the path around those symptoms and toward healing, and we have walked that path with many clients. We can accompany you on your path, too! Just contact our Thriveworks Miami, FL office to schedule anxiety therapy or depression therapy now.

Identifying Anxiety and Depression

People often treat anxiety and depression as one mental illness, and for good reason. As many as half of those who struggle with one will struggle with the other. And yet, they are distinct illnesses. In fact, there are a variety of diagnoses that can be made within the broader categories of each.

“I didn’t want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep.

And that’s really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare,

like when you wake up from a nightmare you’re so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare.”
– Ned Vizzini, It’s Kind Of A Funny Story

Depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways. It is not a singular diagnosis. A few examples of the different diagnoses for depression include…

• Major Depressive Disorder: When people commonly think of depression, they are usually thinking of Major Depressive Disorder, which includes dark and difficult to control emotions like emptiness, sadness, despair, and hopelessness. People struggling with Major Depressive Disorder may experience suicidal ideation or thoughts about death. They often have changes in their sleeping patterns and appetite. These fluctuations can either increase or decrease their desire for food and sleep. To meet the diagnostics for Major Depressive Disorder, these symptoms will occur for a minimum of two weeks.
• Bipolar Disorder: People can experience depression for a season and then swing toward another extreme: mania. Bipolar Disorder cycles people between those two extreme phases. Depression carries the same symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder. Mania involves frenetic energy that can be euphoric or irritated. People often make risky and harmful choices during a manic episode. They rarely think about long-term consequences to their actions during mania, and they may put themselves in harm’s way financially, physically, and/or sexually.

Just as depression is not a singular diagnosis, neither is anxiety. There are many varieties of anxiety disorders. A few examples include…

1. Panic Disorder – Anxiety can take the form of a panic attack, and when these attacks are recurring, they may be Panic Disorder. A panic attack can occur without warning and without an obvious reason. During the attack, people often feel chills, heart palpitations, sweats, numbness, restricted airways, stomach pain, and more. They often feel as if they will die.
2. Social Anxiety Disorder – People may feel extreme fear of social interactions. They often feel acute embarrassment, think that people are judging them, and dread meeting new people.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – When the anxiety that was experienced during a traumatic event, it may develop into Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. With PTSD, people experiencing the on-going effects of a traumatic event—stress, flashbacks, nightmares, and more.

Setting Up an Appointment at Thriveworks Miami Counseling for Anxiety or Depression

Such acute illnesses often require in-depth treatment. There are a variety of treatment options available for people who are fighting anxiety or depression or both. In general, treatment plans take a multi-faceted approach that involve a form of medication and a form of talk-based therapy. Working with a mental health professional to find the right diagnosis is often paramount for healing.

If you are ready to work with a therapist or counselor, know that Thriveworks Miami offers appointments for anxiety and depression. When you contact our office, a scheduling specialist will answer to help you set up your session. You may be meeting with your therapist within 24 hours. We offer weekend and evening appointments, but we do not keep a waitlist. We also work with many insurance companies.

Let’s work together. Call Thriveworks Miami today.