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How to Get Rid of Anxiety and Depression

Creating Calm: How to Get Rid of Anxiety and Depression

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Dark nights, desperate to fall asleep before you fall apart? Mornings without motivation, when you struggle to leave your bed? Overthinking every little thing whilst losing control of everything?

Many people dealing with depression and anxiety believe they will never feel better and that nothing and no one can help them. They want to know how to get rid of anxiety and depression but they feel trapped in a dark tunnel – and they don’t realise there are tools available to help them find their way towards the light. Sadly, many people with depression and anxiety disorders don’t come forward to seek help and spend the majority of their lives suffering.

But anxiety, depression and their underlying causes are very treatable with medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.

Combinations that cause misery

The incidence of developing depression in addition to an anxiety disorder is high — almost half of all people with major depression also suffer from severe and persistent anxiety. Depression and anxiety are mental illnesses that are frequently co-occurring with substance abuse such as alcohol and drug addiction. The relationship between the disorders is bi-directional, meaning people who abuse substances are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, and vice versa.

The three tend to work together creating a cycle of suffering. Substance abuse can not only put you in a depressed state but the process of obtaining and taking a substance often causes anxiety and shame which leads to further depression. A depressed state can cause people to try and escape with the only way that they know how, through substance abuse…and the cycle continues.  

Symptoms of Depression

  • Low mood
  • Lack of interest in enjoyable activities
  • Increase or decrease in appetite
  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Slowing of movement
  • Lack of energy
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviours

Symptoms of Anxiety

  • Excessive worry
  • Restlessness
  • Being easily fatigued
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Muscle tension
  • Panic attacks

If you compare the two lists of symptoms, you can see that there is some overlap. Sleep problems, trouble concentrating, irritability and fatigue are symptoms of both anxiety and depression. Many of these symptoms can also be seen as a result of substance dependency and abuse.

Comorbid Anxiety and Depression Treatment

Admitting that you have a problem and seeking help is the first step to conquering depression and anxiety. Often the root cause of these feelings can stem from past trauma, grief or substance abuse. An experienced therapist will work with you to examine these causes and determine an appropriate approach to treatment.

The treatment should be tailored to a specific diagnosis. A treatment plan for a diagnosis of depression, an anxiety disorder and substance addiction should be designed to help a person manage and reduce the symptoms of the disorders, often at the same time. The identification of all of the underlying causes and psychological factors that build to create these afflictions is the first step on the road to recovery.

Some people may have a disorder that causes most of the distress, and it is important to address it first. For example, if a person has developed PTSD due to a highly traumatic experience, they might be unable to begin treatment for depression until they confront and process their trauma. In other cases it is difficult to tell which set of symptoms is predominant, so treatment of both may start at the same time.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

CBT is often used to treat anxiety, depression and addictions. CBT can teach people to manage their fears, anxieties, and depressive symptoms by figuring out what’s really causing them. People also learn how to take control of their emotions. CBT works to replace negative and unproductive thought patterns with more realistic and useful ones. These treatments focus on taking specific steps to overcome anxiety and depression. Interpersonal therapy, problem-solving therapy and in some cases hypnotherapy can also be effective treatments.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed to help treat conditions. Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders often occur together, and research shows that both respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications.

Exercise

Exercise can also help both depression and anxiety disorders as it releases chemicals in the body that make you feel good, and help you relax. Taking just a 10-minute walk may alleviate symptoms for several hours.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness have been proven to ease symptoms of both anxiety and depression and boost your quality of life.

The Road to Recovery at The Dawn Rehab Thailand

The Dawn Residential Mental Health Centre Thailand offers effective the personalised depression treatment.

The Dawn offers highly personalised treatment for substance addiction, depression and anxiety that is tailored to suit each client’s unique requirements. We offer a holistic, non-religious approach and have an onsite detox centre with medical support available around-the-clock.

Having treatment for anxiety and depression at The Dawn will not only allow you to work with a team of highly experienced, licensed experts and medical professionals but there’s the benefit of your treatment being a quarter of the cost of similar treatments offered in rehab centres in Australia or the UK.

Contact us today to receive a no-obligation assessment to find out how we can help. 

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