Have you ever found yourself submerged in a whirlpool of emotions, with intense waves of sadness that seem insurmountable? Are you battling the shadow of depression and anxiety that sneak up on you, leaving you bewildered and longing to feel ‘normal’ again?
You’re not alone in this.
These emotional upheavals are often the body’s way of signalling that some of your vital needs aren’t being met. These are needs beyond the basics of food, water, and sleep for instance. They are the unique elements that make us thrive, rather than just survive.
Anxiety and Depression- Symptoms & Signs
Let’s walk through an everyday scenario: You’re living your life, ticking off tasks on your to-do list, trying to stay afloat in the rush of daily activities. But do these tasks stir any passion in you? Are there friends or family members who truly understand your emotional states? Is there a special someone who complements your life and fills it with love and warmth? How you relate to these aspects of your life could provide crucial insights into why you might be experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
But why consider anxiety and depression as symptoms rather than disorders?
To understand this, let’s take a look at physical health. When you’re running a high fever, you’re aware that the fever isn’t the disorder itself, but a symptom of your body trying to fight off an infection. Likewise, if you’ve spent a long day under the hot sun and start feeling thirsty, you recognize this thirst as your body’s signal that it needs hydration. You wouldn’t label this as a ‘dehydration disorder’, would you?
The same reasoning applies to our mental and emotional health. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are much like that of a fever or thirst. They are not disorders, but indicators or signals that your psychological wellbeing may be out of balance.
They might be hinting at something, perhaps a signal that your inherent need for deep, meaningful relationships — with your family, friends, a romantic partner, society at large, and vitally, yourself — is not being met.
When you sift through the different facets of your life under this lens, the manifestations of these symptoms become clearer. Feelings of disconnect or alienation from your family, lack of intimate friendships, absence of romantic relationships, and a blurred sense of identity or purpose in society — all these factors could contribute to the onset of anxiety and depression.
It’s these symptoms nudging you and telling you that something in your life needs to change. All too often in today’s world, feelings get confused as being the problem. Our time has been described as the ‘age of anxiety’ which many thinkers and academics have linked to the meaning crisis.
The structure and pace of modern society often worsens these symptoms rather than soothing them. Instead of encouraging introspection and recovery, the onset of depression can inadvertently lead to greater isolation and withdrawal. This often creates a vicious cycle of despair and disconnection, fostering a negative self-image and leading to an escalating spiral of depression and anxiety.
And here lies the importance of reframing our understanding of these emotional states.
Anxiety and depression should be seen as indicators, symptoms of deeper, unaddressed issues, rather than alien feelings or disorders that need to be swiftly stamped out.
This change in perspective can be liberating, enabling a compassionate approach to interpreting and addressing these emotional signals.
Awareness And Shifting Attitudes
So the next time you sense the onset of anxiety or depression, remind yourself that they’re not your adversaries but messengers, pointing to underlying issues that need your attention.
It’s about listening to these symptoms, understanding their roots, and seeking the right support and resources to navigate through them. It’s not merely about ‘fixing’ or ‘curing’ these symptoms; it’s about addressing the root causes — nurturing your relationships, finding your purpose, connecting with society, and fostering a healthy relationship with yourself.
In the end, understanding anxiety and depression as symptoms, rather than disorders, can help you reframe your approach to your mental health. This shift can steer you towards a path of holistic wellness, where you’re not just battling symptoms, but truly nurturing your overall emotional and psychological wellbeing.
If you need any help or want some mental health coaching, get in contact and we can organise a consultation to make things better.
