Anxiety, Depression & Stress
Life is filled with situations that cause feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. These are normal emotions. But when these emotions persist and interfere with daily activities like work, school, or sleep, they become a behavioral health concern and it's important to get help.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders last at least six months and can get worse if not treated. Anxiety disorders include:
- Panic Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Social phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder)
- Specific phobias
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Irritability
- Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, including sex
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping or excessive sleeping
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Thoughts of suicide
- Physical aches or pains
- Tension and irritability
- Fear and anxiety
- Difficulty making decisions
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Loss of appetite
- Nightmares
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Crying
- Sleeping problems
- Persistent feelings of frustration toward oneself or others.
- An inability to enjoy life or the company of others.
- A hot temper or a tendency to yell or argue with others.
- Physical signs such as headaches, rapid breathing, or a pounding heart.
Each disorder has different symptoms, but all focus on excessive and irrational fear and dread. Anxiety disorders are treated with medication, psychotherapy, or both.
Depression
More than just feeling blue, depression lasts for a continuous period of at least two weeks. Adults and children alike can suffer from depression.
Signs and symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but may include:
Depression can be treated. For help with depression, call us at (480)830-8299
Stress
We all respond differently to stress. The following are some of common stress symptoms:
Overwhelmed by stress?, ask for help from a health professional at (480)830-8299
Relationships
Family Therapy:
Your family is a unique social system, we understand this fact. It has its own style of communication, its own system of faith and its own traditions. Regarding this, some families are very involved in these areas and the all the things they produce. With other families... not so much...., still others – not at all. Nevertheless, values centered family counseling is founded upon the understanding that every family is a dynamic social system following its own styles of communication, traditions and faith practices. Each of these areas produce a “family personality” which powerfully impacts each member of the family, from the youngest to the eldest.
When communication and family values begin to weaken, all the family members suffer. One or more of its members may behave in ways which may cause confusion and possibly physical or emotional harm to themselves or others. If change is not made the family is at risk of serious permanent harm – perhaps even divorce. It is then that the family needs an experienced counselor. Our counseling goal is to help families restore the respect, joy and harmony which hopefully the family once enjoyed.
Couples Therapy:
Every relationship has ups and downs, going through good phases and ones that aren’t so terrific. Sometimes, you need help to get back on track together. That’s why we’re here…to help you get out of the cycles that are causing the stress and tension and move into ones that make you both feel better about yourself and each other. Couples counseling helps couples recognize and resolve conflicts, improve communication and improve their relationships.
To discuss relationship issues, ask for help from a health professional at (480)830-8299
Anger
While news reports often focus on the damaging effects of anger, anger does not always lead to negative consequences or behavior. Anger is an emotion, and experiencing it is normal. Managing reactions to anger can decrease the likelihood that it will become a problem.
Anger also sometimes serves as a mask for other emotions that an individual may be less comfortable with. Some people experience anger when they are fearful, sad, or lonely, and manifesting these emotions in the form of anger instead may work as a protective mechanism to avoid feelings that may be more uncomfortable than anger. However, anger can hide the actual issue that an individual may need to work through, particularly in individuals who have difficulty expressing emotion, who have been taught to refrain from emotional outbursts, or who believe that the expression of a particular emotion, such as fear or sadness, is unacceptable.
Some people feel that letting their anger out by screaming or yelling at someone else helps them feel better. But angry outbursts can become a habit, and they often tend to cause more anger, not less. Moreover, the way other people react to anger can fuel an individual's stress and may lead to increased anger.
When Anger Becomes a Problem: While anger can contribute to aggression and violence, intentional or unintentional acts of self-harm, and social or legal problems, it can also be a sign of psychological conditions such as major depression or bipolar. Drugs and alcohol may help mask anger temporarily, but they may also have the effect of worsening one's anger, as drugs and alcohol can reduce self-control and tend to increase impulsivity.
If an individual has an anger problem, he or she may be aware of it but not know what to do. That individual may also not be aware of his or her anger; the nature of anger may lead those experiencing extreme anger to deny they have any responsibility for the problems to which they contribute.
Potential signs of anger issues include:
Managing Anger: Because frequent anger can become intolerable for some and may come to affect daily actions and relationships negatively, an individual experiencing intense, frequent anger may wish to take steps to reduce it. Therapy can help people learn to manage their emotions.
