If you have depression and anxiety, you may notice that these two diagnoses have a knack for sneaking in and taking control of your life.
No matter what your symptoms, one common denominator when it comes to anxiety and depression are the excessive amount of negative thoughts experienced daily. As we’ve seen, thoughts can be very powerful. While our thoughts have many benefits, such as the ability to motivate us, they can also tear us down in completely unhelpful ways. When someone experiences anxiety and depression, these thoughts can grow louder and negatively impact our lives. So what exactly are these thoughts that contribute to our depression and anxiety, and how can we regain some control?
According to the Mayo Clinic, depression is a mental health disorder marked by a persistent, depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that impair daily life. Depression can show itself in many forms: excessive crying, severely low mood, agitation, fatigue, slow movements, and the list goes on! When someone is experiencing depression, they may have thoughts such as: “I’m worthless and a failure,” “I hate myself,” and “The world is better off without me.” For some people, these thoughts can take over their entire day, causing them to not get out of bed or perform tasks such as personal hygiene. Depression can make it extremely difficult to live a happy and fulfilling life.
Often coupled with depression is anxiety. As a mental health disorder characterized by persistent fear and worry, it is common to experience physical symptoms such as a fast heart and breathing rate, and sweating. But while the physical symptoms are not always present, the ruminating worrisome thoughts are almost always the most distressing. Some examples of thoughts plagued by anxiety include: “What if my loved one gets into an accident?”, “If I don’t get a perfect score, I will be a failure,” or “I shouldn’t have said that. They must think I’m stupid”. With fear leading our lives, it is understandable that it may be challenging to move forward and experience the joy of the present moment.
ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and is very beneficial for those diagnosed with anxiety and depression. ACT focuses on developing a new relationship with our thoughts and feelings to see the “big picture” and live a more mindful, meaningful life. It allows us to open up to our experiences, accept them, and live a fully present life. While ACT may not be able to rid us of the emotional pain we experience, it helps us to tap into what really matters to us while accepting the pain that goes with it.
RICBT understands the importance of seeking help for those with depression and anxiety. Because of this, we have developed an ACT for Depression and Anxiety Group for those interested in letting go of the struggle and moving forward with the life they deserve.
If you are interested in joining this group, click HERE to submit a group interest form. An Intake Coordinator will reach out to get you scheduled for a one on one appointment with the group leader, Dr. Susannah Mozley-Hopkins. You are not alone in this fight against depression and anxiety. Reframe your life and your thoughts by participating in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Article written by: Kelsey Dixon
