Depression
According to some estimates, one in four women will experience depression sometime in their lives. It is so common that mild forms of depression and anxiety have been called the “common cold of the brain.” Serious instances are far from benign and can be associated with suicidal behavior and greatly reduced quality of life.

Depression is more common in men than generally understood and symptoms may appear differently than in women. If a person has had depression at some time in their life, whether it is treated or not, they are 50% more likely to experience it again.

Depression is most effectively treated with psychotherapy and—if symptoms are moderate to severe—with medication. It is important to address depression before it creates impairment in one’s career, relationships and ability to function.

If you think you may be suffering from depression, you may want to take this quick Depression Self-Test.

Anxiety
While some anxiety is an inevitable part of life, it is important to distinguish between anxiety that is appropriate to circumstances and anxiety that is a disorder. What distinguishes anxiety disorders is their intensity and duration. Generalized anxiety disorder can be alleviated through therapy and other effective strategies. Other types of anxiety disorders such as phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders and panic attacks may benefit from specialized treatment.

Depression and anxiety often occur together. Both are risk factors for addictive disorders. It is important to have knowledgeable treatment which includes understanding the role addictions can play and how this impacts treatment.

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