Depression

This may sound shocking, but depression can be a good thing. Why, you ask? Well, the answer lies in the fact that our brains and bodies have built-in warning systems that alert us to danger, sickness, disease, exhaustion, and deficits in life management and relationship skills in general. Most of us have had episodes of sadness, loss, intense stress, and piercing disappointment that left a trail of tears and depleted resources for recovery. These episodes are part of the normal ebb and flow of life, which teach emotional resilience and survival skills. When the aftermath of these episodes begins to linger and even become chronic, it’s an important signal that extra care, rest, guidance, nutritional and spiritual support has become essential for healing. Paying attention to the brain’s warning system sooner rather than later prevents a downward spiral from occurring along with its related poor judgment, which makes bad matters worse. Most depressive episodes can be resolved without medication (roughly 80%), but sometimes expert intervention is necessary to address a cluster of symptoms which may include sleep and appetite disturbance, fatigue, loss of concentration or interest in activities that used to bring pleasure, a sense of hopelessness, and recurring thoughts of death and dying. Be encouraged that help is available.

Anxiety

Just like depression, anxiety is not a bad thing. A certain amount of anxiety is absolutely necessary in order for us to achieve anything in life—from getting to work on time and meeting certain deadlines to acting on a sense of urgency when a child is sick or taking wise precautions for safety. We need a certain amount of friction or push to encourage productive action. The problem is that sometimes anxiety takes too many of our thoughts captive and begins to work against accomplishment or task completion because it reduces concentration, fills the head with condemning and critical thoughts, paralyzes decision-making, creates irrational fear, and sometimes promotes excessive busyness and perfectionism as the answers. It can short-circuit the energy necessary to live fully and meaningfully because it values safety, routines, and limited thinking/behaving over personal growth and stimulation. Anxiety can be exhausting because it tries to figure out all the twists and turns of the future before today’s sun has even risen. Living with debilitating anxiety is a draining way of life which may include sleepless nights, racing thoughts, chronic worry, high distrust of others, loss of concentration, problems with digestion, panic attacks, heart palpitations, unexplained headaches, and elevated blood pressure. The good news is that no one has to remain in this state. Be encouraged that help is available.