Anxiety and depression are liars.
Perception is reality, and because these illnesses affect our perception of the world around us, this can be devastating.
Anxiety and depression can be so confusing. It can make us question ourselves. This is because it can hijack our mind with negative thought patterns such as, “I am alone and have no support. No one loves me. No one truly understands me and what I am going through.”
Anxiety and depression can impact our mood to include feelings of sadness, irritability, hopelessness, negative self-talk, cyclical worry, fear, panic, intrusive thoughts, overthinking and even thoughts that we want to harm ourselves and thoughts of dying.
Mood alterations that stem from anxiety and depression can lead to changes in our behavior, such as isolating ourselves, impaired sleep and appetite, lack of motivation and avoiding others. All of these symptoms can greatly impact our role-functioning and induce a decline in the ability to function as we would like to in our day-to-day lives.
Because depression and anxiety are not tangible and are illnesses that people cannot necessarily see or understand, we might hear feedback from others that might be well-intentioned, but might be more harmful than helpful. You might hear such statements as, “Just think happy thoughts,” “it could be worse,” “it is all in your head,” “just calm down,” “don’t worry so much,” or “stop stressing.” Feedback from others might serve to make us feel weak-minded, confused and lonely.
What I would like to stress to people who experience depression and anxiety is that it is not your fault. Your thoughts and feelings are real and valid. You are NOT alone.
