Depression and anxiety are both common mental health conditions. They can affect you at any age, and they can affect you for any reason. There are those that develop anxiety and depression because they are under extreme stress, and those that struggle with issues that leave a lasting impression on their mental health.
There are also those that seem to experience anxiety and depression for no clear reason at all. When that happens it can sometimes be scary in its own way:
- Why is this happening to me?
- Is this even anxiety or depression, or is it something else?
- Why does my life feel this way?
Anxiety and depression do generally have a cause. But that cause may not always be something more obvious, like a trauma. For some, it can be a lot of micro-events and emotions that had been present for some time, but had not been addressed.
How Challenges and Experiences Can Affect Mental Health
Every day we have dozens of different small experiences, thoughts, and life changes. Some may be bigger than others, but all of them can cause issues that may not have been coped with. For example, moving to a new city for a job may be a good thing, with more money or a great new home. But major changes may require some type of coping, and not everyone takes the time to learn to adapt to their new surroundings.
Even smaller events can create these types of experiences. For example, a slight feeling of self-doubt or an issue with a personal interaction can fester and cascade if a person doesn’t know how to address their emotions.
Addressing the Underlying Anxiety and Depression Issues
Over time, when those issues are not addressed, they become expressed as anxiety and depression.
There are actionable tips that we have to cope with anxiety and depression without exploring a person’s past. But there is value to assessing what is going on in your life right now, big and small, how it makes you feel, and determining if there is an underlying issue that must be addressed. Often we’ll find that there are little things here and there that, when found, can provide you with greater life perspective and the ability to be mindful of how you’re feeling, when, why, and what you can do about it.
If you’ve been struggling with anxiousness or depressive symptoms, or you simply want someone to talk to, we have offices in three areas on Long Island: Rockville Centre, Garden City, and Lawrence, and these three offices are all available to see Long Island psychologist Dr. Marc Shulman and his associate, Dr. Atara Wertentheil. Call us today for an appointment.
