Wilkes-Barre, PA Therapy and Counseling for Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are widespread and common—two of the most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses in the United States. And yet, many misunderstandings about them linger. People who struggle with these diseases may hear advice like…

“I feel more relaxed and steady after yoga. You should come to a class with me.”

“Are you sleeping? Maybe you need a good rest, and then everything will seem so much better.”

“I’ve heard that connecting with nature can lift people’s mood. Can you go for a hike?”

“These relaxation and breathing techniques really helped my friend. Maybe you could try them.”

It is understandable that loved ones want to help their friends and family members who are struggling with anxiety and depression. Without question, advice like this is given with sincere intentions, but also without question, such advice underestimates what anxiety and depression are and how they can be treated. Just as a serious diagnosis like diabetes or cancer requires medical supervision, so serious mental illnesses like anxiety and depression may require a mental health professional’s care.

The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Wilkes-Barre understand the treatment options that are available for anxiety and depression. We have crafted many treatment plans that are tailored to our clients’ specific needs and symptoms. You do not have to fight anxiety and depression alone. We are ready to help.

Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

Although anxiety and depression are separate diagnoses, they are often spoken about as one, and for legitimate reasons. Of the 1 in 4 adults who will be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetimes, half will also be diagnosed with depression. They may be separate mental illnesses, but they often co-occur. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) outlines criteria for recognizing both anxiety and depression.

Several types of anxiety disorders exist. The DSM outlines diagnostics for Panic Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Social Anxiety Disorder—all variations of anxiety disorders. However, what most people simply call anxiety, the DSM-5 calls Generalized Anxiety Disorder DSM-5 300.02 (F41.1). Its symptoms follow:

• For at least six months, experiencing severe and irrational feelings of worry that persist for most of the day.
• Difficulty controlling one’s anxiety and worry.
• Displaying a minimum of three of the following symptoms (Children with anxiety only need to have one for Generalized Anxiety Disorder to be diagnosed):
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Difficulty staying on task.
• Irritability.
• Muscle tension.
• Restlessness.
• Fatigue.
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia).
• These symptoms will be severe enough to disturb one’s professional and/or personal life.
• In order for Generalized Anxiety Disorder to be diagnosed, these symptoms cannot be the result of a substance (like a medication or drug) or another mental illness.

Just as several different versions of anxiety disorders exist, so depression can manifest in several different ways. Persistent Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Postpartum Depression are only a few examples the various forms of depression.

“Depression is the most unpleasant thing I have ever experienced. . .
It is that absence of being able to envisage that
you will ever be cheerful again. The absence of hope.”
– J. K. Rowling

When most people reference depression, they are describing Major Depressive Disorder. When therapists and counselors diagnose Major Depressive Disorder, they work closely with each client because many of depression’s symptoms need to be consider with respect to what an individual normally experiences. For example, for an increase or decrease in appetite to be recognized, clients must inform their therapist about their daily experiences before depression took root.

The DSM-5 gives the diagnostics for Major Depressive Disorder. Individuals must experience five of the following for a minimum of two weeks and for the majority of each day. The severity of symptoms will also interfere with one’s personal and professional life.

• Apathy toward previously enjoyable relationships and activities.
• Intense and hard emotions such as worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, sadness, emptiness, despair, or self-hatred.
• Experiencing changes in one’s weight (gain or loss).
• Fluctuations in appetite (gain or loss).
• Disrupted sleep—hypersomnia or insomnia.
• Shifts in activity levels.
• Lethargy.
• Trouble concentrating and thinking clearly.
• Thoughts about dying or even suicide.

Depression or Anxiety Appointments at Thriveworks Wilkes-Barre, PA—Reaching Out for Help

There is no magic formula or silver bullet that can easily drive away anxiety and depression and bring relief. However, there are effective treatment options. These take time and commitment, but they often bring the healing people desire. Such difficult illnesses often require holistic and extensive treatment. Many people’s treatment plans include a pharmacological element and a therapeutic element. Medications like a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) may bring relief to symptoms so that people can focus upon healing. Talk-based therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), may help people process the difficult emotions that come with anxiety and depression and gain more control. A skilled mental health professional can often find the right treatment plan that meets each client’s particular diagnosis.

If you are ready to reach out to a therapist or counselors, the staff at Thriveworks Wilkes-Barre is ready to help. When you contact our office, our first appointment may be the following day. We accept most forms of insurance, and we offer evening and weekend appointments.

Let’s fight anxiety and depression together. Call Thriveworks Wilkes-Barre today.