ANXIETY & DEPRESSION

AT MAGNOLIA COUNSELING OF PEARLAND

Anxiety Is A Normal Part Of Life

Anxiety, in and of itself, serves a natural purpose in our lives. It reminds us to look both ways before crossing the street or to study for an upcoming final. But sometimes anxiety can become overwhelming, making it difficult to know how to react or cope in healthy, productive ways. Almost everyone goes through periods of increased stress and anxiety, and there are a variety of factors that can cause or contribute to your anxiety symptoms. Many of us aren’t taught how to give ourselves a break or see our situation from a larger perspective, and it can be difficult to learn how to observe our thoughts and emotions instead of being wrapped up in them.

Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting more than 40 million Americans every year, but it is also one of the most studied and treatable problems. With anxiety treatment at Magnolia Counseling of Pearland, you can learn to manage distressing symptoms, thoughts and emotions and begin living a calmer, more peaceful life.

What does Anxiety look like?

Racing thoughts, irrational fears, jumping to conclusions
Sweaty hands, fast heartbeat, on edge, hard time catching breath

Anxiety Treatment Can Help You Feel More Confident And In Control

Anxiety may not always be a problem in your life, but you may go through periods where it gets out of hand and leaves you feeling trapped. While it can be difficult to predict and manage distressing emotions, situations and stress, it is possible to live with less anxiety and stop feeling so overwhelmed. Your experienced Magnolia Counseling of Pearland therapist provides the safe space and strong support system you need to understand and learn to manage and heal from your anxiety.

We take an integrated approach to anxiety treatment sessions, tailoring our work to your particular situation, challenges and goals. We recognize that you may need to develop effective coping skills before you feel ready to discuss and explore the root of your anxiety. Using mindfulness, psycho-education, breathing exercises and a variety of integrated techniques, you can learn to better understand the difficult thoughts, emotions and symptoms you are experiencing. When you realize that you are not broken, that the challenges you are dealing with are the result of an imbalance in your life, thoughts, or relationships, you can take steps to effectively manage and reduce your anxiety.

You may think about your issue or situation logically and know that things are okay, but still feel overcome with worries or doubts. We provide systematic and compassionate therapy to help you see your situation through a wider and more loving perspective. You can learn to trust and accept the thoughts that you know are right and ignore the thoughts that you know are irrational. As you learn to develop self-compassion and give and receive compassion with others, you can let go of shame and self-doubt and feel confident in your life.

We have helped individuals understand, manage and reduce anxiety, and many of us have been personally successful in overcoming distressing anxiety ourselves. We understand how challenging it can be to address these difficulties on your own, and we’ll work with you to cultivate warmth, compassion, and confidence. Our anxiety treatment can help you develop the skills and confidence you need to get well, be well, and stay well. Here are some common questions and concerns we address…

I’m worried that counseling will bring up feelings that are too hard to deal with.

This is a common concern before beginning therapy, and it is true that there is some risk that our therapy work will touch an issue you don’t feel prepared for. We provide a safe environment and compassionate support so you can feel comfortable exploring difficult issues. We respect your boundaries, but we also understand that the point of anxiety treatment is to help you learn to recognize and address the challenges you are facing. Things may get worse before they get better, but you will gain the tools and support you need to cope with difficult thoughts and emotions. As healing takes place, you will begin to feel more confident and in control of your life.

Why Therapy?

Compassionate space to understand why
Safe place to utilize coping skills
Find normalization in being human

Ways to treat Anxiety?

Psycho-education about anxiety

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: retrain your thoughts and behaviors to adapt

Breathing/Exercise

Mindfulness Training

Medication Management for some

What will other people think if they find out I’m seeing a therapist?

Many people go through life just surviving, afraid that they will appear weak or broken if they see a therapist. It takes courage to seek support for the challenges in your life, especially if you are the first of your family or friends to seek therapy. Our sessions are confidential and the only people who will know are the individuals you choose to tell. Therapy has become increasingly common and much more accepted in the U.S. There is no shame in trying to achieve mental and emotional wellbeing, and people see therapists with a wide variety of goals and challenges, from personal growth to managing severe mental health issues.

I don’t think I can afford anxiety treatments.

While anxiety treatment can represent an unexpected or unwelcome cost, consider it an investment in your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. By addressing challenges now, you may be able to prevent more expensive health issues in the future. We can help you find the resources you need to ensure that you receive your anxiety treatment as soon as possible. Additionally, we accept insurance or can refer you to another therapist who accepts Medicaid. There are many ways to get the guidance and support you need.

Depression

What’s Depression look like?

Sadness more often than just your daily blues
Lack of motivation
Over or even under sleeping
Lethargic
Suicidal Thoughts: Inactive or Active

Ways to treat Depression?

Challenging your thoughts into Action
Understanding the underlying why from a systemic point
Positive views encouraged; journaling; Gratitude
Continual monitoring for safety
Purposeful engagement in life
Medication management for some

Why Therapy?

Solution focused goals accomplished with assistance
Alter lens and experience of the world
Mindfulness allows and builds resiliency
To best understand your why and how to handle

What is the Difference Between Clinical Depression and Depression?

The term “depression” means having feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or disappointment. This is a normal part of life, despite how difficult it may appear. However, persistent negative feelings may signify a severe condition called clinical depression. Also referred to as major depression or “major depressive disorder.” This condition is characterized by:

Fatigue or restlessness

Feelings of guilt, sadness or worthlessness

Insomnia or hypersomnia (chronic oversleeping)

Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities

Poor concentration

Significant weight loss or gain

Suicidal thoughts

We typically diagnose depression using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by the American Psychiatric Association. In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must display five or more symptoms most of the day for a total of two weeks, including your feelings of sadness and lack of interest in your normal activities.

Forms of Depression

In addition to major depression, there are other forms of depression that millions of people suffer with, including:

Persistent Depressive Disorder – Symptoms of major depression lasting for over two years. This is a combined term for what was once known as low-grade persistent depression (dysthymia) and chronic depression.

Bipolar Disorder – Formerly known as manic depression, this condition causes sufferers to have extreme moods ranging from very high energy to very low, depressive episodes.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Symptoms of major depression that persist throughout the cold, dark months of the year and typically disappear with the arrival of spring. This is a very common type of depression experienced by people who move from sunny locations such as California or Nevada to Idaho, Utah, or other, colder states.

Psychotic Depression – Symptoms of major depression accompanied by psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions and paranoia.

Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression – Symptoms of major depression occurring weeks or months after childbirth.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) – Feelings of depression prior to monthly menstruation, accompanied by mood swings, anxiety, irritability and more.

“Situational” Depression – Sometimes referred to as “stress response syndrome,” this condition typically occurs when we are overwhelmed by stressful life events, such as the death of a friend or family member, job loss or divorce.

Atypical Depression – When symptoms of major depression can be temporarily eliminated by a positive event or change.

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Complications From Depression

Clinical depression is a serious condition that can affect every aspect of one’s self, body, overall mood, spiritual life and the types of thoughts one has. If left untreated, clinical depression can take a major toll on your life, including:

Obesity
Substance abuse
Sleep problems
Strained personal and professional relationships
Problems with physical intimacy
Self-harming thoughts and behaviors
Suicidal tendencies

Grief

Who does this include?

Loss that is expected or unexpected
Loss of a loved one: miscarriage, child, teen, adult
Loss of a job
Loss of a home (displaced)
Loss of physical ability (medical ailments/trauma)

What therapy looks like?

Understanding the grief process
Processing the loss or events that lead up to the loss
Providing a safe place to make sense of loss
Remembering your loved one in a healthy manner
Address mental health issues that arise out of loss

Why therapy?

You are not alone.
Leaning into others, finding inner strength, and a new way of living
Being able to stand strong in the undertow, keeping your head above the water

How is Major Depression Treated?

Everyone experiences depression differently and for different reasons. We understand that the goals you bring to your treatment of depression will depend on your distinct situation and challenges. We work with you to help you develop the specific skills and solutions you need to engage with life and find satisfaction, energy, and happiness again. You may be going through a temporary rough patch and feel fine after only a few sessions. Alternately, you may need more time to work through severe chronic depression or co-occurring issues like chronic or acute anxiety. We provide a safe space where you can vocalize the concerns and issues you don’t wish to share with others without fear of judgment. Instead of avoiding difficult situations and emotions, you can explore, understand and learn from them.

We apply a variety of approaches and methodologies to treating those struggling with depression, we tailor each session to help you build the skills and understanding you need to find relief. Together, we will take the time to find the depression factors in your life that are more malleable and that we can influence more effectively. There are skills you can learn, such as compassionate mind training, breathing exercises, and mindfulness, and new experiences you can use to gain a fresh perspective on your situation. When you can see things clearly, you can be more compassionate and less critical in your self-judgments. Most importantly, these and other skills help reduce your suffering regardless of the pain you feel.

Good counseling is not just talking to a friend. You have people in your life that you can talk to, but there are limits to what a friend or family member can provide. Depression treatment combines a sense of kinship, rapport and trust, and offers a space where you receive compassionate support with science-based interventions. Instead of just processing the challenges you are facing on the surface, we will set achievable goals that address the root cause of your suffering.

When you have the time and space to discover why you are struggling and what it is you want and need in your life, you can feel hopeful and empowered. In addition, if you are worried about a loved one who may be depressed, especially an adolescent or college student, there are steps that you can take to support him or her. We can help you learn to recognize when they are having thoughts of self-harm and how you can help him or her stay safe.

We are committed to helping local individuals understand and manage depression—healing is possible. With the guidance and support of a trained counselor, you can find relief from oppressive emotions and symptoms of depression and feel alive again.

Helpful Resources for Anxiety:

Anxiety disorders - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

NIMH » Anxiety Disorders (nih.gov)

Helpful Resources for Depression:

NIMH » Depression (nih.gov)

Helpful Resources for Grief: