Mental illnesses do not discriminate. They can strike in any gender, race, or socio-economic status. They can even cripple a king. The renowned and Academy Award winning movie, The King’s Speech, tells the story of King George IV, who struggled with anxiety and a speech impediment. One of the many, many reasons people resonated with the movie in 2010 is that almost 40 million people—normal, average Americans—could resonate with the king’s journey. They too struggle with anxiety and it effects in their lives. Just like the king, they too want to carry out their normal lives without anxiety that can be so crippling. They could see their own stories in the king’s story of struggle.
In one moving scene, the king is working with his speech therapist on an upcoming speech he must give. The therapist asks him, “Why should I spend my time listening?” Confidently and with a steady tone, the king responds, “Because I have a voice.” “Yes, you do,” responds the therapist. King George’s speech impediment is healing in more way than one. Yes, his voice is steadier and more clear. But yes, his internal voice is also steadier, no longer swayed by the power of anxiety. The King’s Speech shows the struggles of recovery, but it also shows the hope available to anyone else who is fight anxiety and depression. Healing is possible.
The counselors and therapists at Thriveworks Oklahoma City understand how anxiety and depression can keep people from living their normal lives, but we also understand that there are treatment options available. We have helped many people find the help they needed.
Finding a Diagnosis for Anxiety or Depression
Depression and anxiety are separate diseases, but many times, they are addressed together because as many as half of people who are diagnosed with one will be diagnosed with the other. Finding the right diagnosis is often a crucial step in healing, but doing so is easier said than done. Not only do anxiety and depression often co-occur, but each can also manifest in a variety of forms. Anxiety is not a singular diagnosis, and neither is depression.
The stammer that King George IV experienced is a common manifestation of anxiety, and there are other ways that anxiety can show up in an individual’s life. Here are only a handful of the ways anxiety can look…
- Panic Disorder – Anxiety can show up as a panic attack where people may experience numbness, chills, sweats, elevated heart rate, difficulty breathing, and more. Often, during a panic attack, people feel as if they are having a heart attack or that they are dying. When panic attacks take place more than once or even on a regular basis, they may be Panic Disorder.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – Social settings and interactions can cause acute fear and worry if people suffer with Social Anxiety Disorder. They often feel judged and embarrassed when they interact with other people. They may also fear meeting new people.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Trauma that is not processed and resolved can remain long after the particular event has passed. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can mean that people suffer with flashbacks and nightmares about the trauma. They may also continue to experience the fear, worry, and anxiety of the trauma.
Much like anxiety, depression can show itself in a variety of ways. A few of those include…
- Major Depressive Disorder – This form of depression is what most people think of when they speak about depression. Its symptoms include emotions like hopelessness, sadness, emptiness, and despair. Many people struggle with changes in their appetite and sleep patterns. They may want to sleep all the time (hypersomnia), or they may have difficulty sleeping (insomnia). They may want to eat all the time, or they may have difficulty eating at all. People may also experience suicidal idealization or thoughts of death. When these symptoms are experienced for at least two weeks, they may be Major Depressive Disorder.
- Bipolar Disorder – Is a form of depression that is commonly called manic depression because of the two poles its swings people between: mania and depression. When people experience the depression pole, the symptoms are similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder. The mania pole is nearly the opposite. Mania is a furious and abnormal energy that can take the form of irritability or happiness. During a manic phase, people often make poor choices and put themselves in harm’s way. They may take financial, emotional, physical, or sexual risks.
Appointments at Thriveworks Oklahoma City for Anxiety or Depression
As you read through the different types of anxiety and depression, did you recognize anything? If you are ready to meet with a mental health professional, the counselors and therapists at Thriveworks are ready to meet with you. When you contact our office, a person will answer you call and help you schedule an appointment. We offer evening and weekend sessions, and new clients often have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. You will never be put on a waitlist—because we do not have one. But we do accept many insurance plans.
Let’s fight anxiety and depression together. Contact Thriveworks Oklahoma City today.
