Picked up a random poetry book From the crowded shelf. Quick easy hour read: Delight and wonder. Then, Found…
Acknowledging Anxiety & Depression
Today, I had gotten up early feeling refreshed so I went for a twenty-five minute brisk walk. I returned and got myself ready. Then as I stood in the kitchen, watching my oldest prepare sandwiches for her sister and her to have after church before their youth group, and my husband was getting our dinner out of the freezer for later, suddenly I felt myself falling into a chasm of sadness. I had no answer for my sudden mood change, except that I was out of my anxiety medicine, having failed to notice I don’t have any refills left.
My husband noticed my downward expression and asked me about it. He usually tries to help me with whatever I need, but days like today when I have no idea what to tell him has happened, I simply just shrugged, holding back tears I did not want to let fall.
What in the world was wrong with me?
According to ourworlddata.org, “322 million people worldwide live with depression.” (Ritchie & Roser).
The National Institute of Mental Health reports, “Depression—also called ‘clinical depression’ or a ‘depressive disorder’—is a mood disorder that causes distressing symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks,” (“Depression Basics”).
How does depression relate to anxiety?
My school counselor friend, Connie, once showed me how depression is about your past, while anxiety is worrying about the future.
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports,
- “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.”
- “Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.”
- “It’s not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder,” (“Facts & Statistics”).
As a teacher in a middle school, I see the same symptoms of depression and anxiety in some of my students. I definitely try to help these students figure out a better way to be successful in my class. Sometimes that means I give them extra time to work, or sometimes I just let them come into my room at lunch to chat.
Whatever the circumstances for my students, I have no control over their treatments, and cannot help them beyond referring them to the school counselor. I just have to do what I can to help them while they are in my class.
At the same time, I have to remind myself I need to help myself too.
Based on findings in a 2017 National Comorbidity Survey Replication, “An estimated 31.9% of adolescents had any anxiety disorder,” and “An estimated 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 13.3% of the U.S. population aged 12 to 17,” (“Depression Basics”).
These numbers seem too high. Why are so many of us at different ages now being diagnosed? I think that there is just more awareness about depression and anxiety now than there was twenty years ago. We are fortunate that there are ways to improve our quality of life despite having depression or anxiety.
Most importantly, I know that everyone deserves a chance to heal their minds and hearts. I totally recommend counseling and psychotherapy to anyone in need. Your physician or school counselor will help direct you to the right treatment. Check out The National Institute of Mental Health‘s page for more information.
Remember, you are not alone, no matter how old you are nor how long you have been suffering without help.
If you know someone who is suffering from depression and/or anxiety, please help them by getting them help. The National Institute of Mental Health offers these suggestions:
- “Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.”
- “Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your loved one’s health care provider or therapist.”
- “Invite him or her out for walks, outings, and other activities,” (“Depression Basics”). Check out their webpage for more tips.
Depression and Anxiety are the most common mental illness, and we need to help each other make sure we all are supporting each other.
Here is a helpful video from TedED to explain the ins and outs of depression:
Check out The Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s Find a Therapist Link Directory.
If you have any comments or tips on how to help support someone with either anxiety or depression, please comment below. I would love to hear from you!
Here is a book from Amazon that also seems useful:
References:
“Depression Basics”. National Institute of Mental Health,  U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, N.D. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml#pub1.
“Facts & Statistics”. Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2018. https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics.
Ritchie, Hannah & Roser, Max. “Mental Health”. Our World in Data, April 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/mental-health#anxiety-disorders.