Personal Relationships - A Christian Counseling Center

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression are the most common reasons people seek therapy and psychotropic medications. These problems are so common that they affect every one at some time. Over ten percent of people can be classified as significantly anxious or depressed at any given time. And severe depression is ten times more prevalent today than it was fifty years ago.

Although people have suffered from anxiety and depression throughout human history, the incidence of these problems is growing. The main reasons for the rise in depression and anxiety may be that we are less connected to each other as a society, more driven to find answers from pop psychology/self-help books, and less physically active.

All our therapists at Personal Relationships are highly skilled in helping you reduce anxiety and depression. One thing that we recognize at Persoanl Relationships, which most therapists and psychiatrists fail to recognize, is that typically (though not always) depression can be characterized as a severe form of anxiety and that anxiety is essentially the same thing as stress. The most compelling piece of evidence for this is that over ninety percent of the time when a person is depressed, he or she is also anxiety, and the anxiety almost always precedes the depression. Further evidence is that the main medications used to treat anxiety (called SSRI’s, like Lexapro) are also the main medications used to treat anxiety, and they are equally effective for both types of problems. Similarly the best therapy for anxiety (cognitive-behavioral therapy) is also the best therapy for depression (note: all of our therapists are highly trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy).

So how does anxiety turn into depression? The body can be in only one of two states: arousal (anxiety and anger) or relaxation. Anxiety or arousal occurs when a person feels threatened or out of control. The body goes into the fight-or-flight mode (anxiety) as the mind and body attempt to regain control over relationships or health or finances. Over time, as the anxiety and fight for control go on, the person becomes exhausted, loses all hope and gives up- this is depression, a state of exhaustion and hopelessness, where things that were once enjoyable no longer have any appeal.

But don't lose hope. Anxiety and depression respond extremely well to therapy. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, call us today and let one of our therapists help you experience the freedom God wants you to enjoy.



Anxiety & Depression Anxiety and depression are the most common reasons people seek therapy and psychotropic medications. These problems are so common that they affect every one at some time. Over ten percent of people can be classified as significantly anxious or depressed at any given time. And severe depression is ten times more prevalent today than it was fifty years ago. Although people have suffered from anxiety and depression throughout human history, the incidence of these problems is growing. The main reasons for the rise in depression and anxiety may be that we are less connected to each other as a society, more driven to find answers from pop psychology/self-help books, and less physically active. All our therapists at Personal Relationships are highly skilled in helping you reduce anxiety and depression. One thing that we recognize at Persoanl Relationships, which most therapists and psychiatrists fail to recognize, is that typically (though not always) depression can be characterized as a severe form of anxiety and that anxiety is essentially the same thing as stress. The most compelling piece of evidence for this is that over ninety percent of the time when a person is depressed, he or she is also anxiety, and the anxiety almost always precedes the depression. Further evidence is that the main medications used to treat anxiety (called SSRI’s, like Lexapro) are also the main medications used to treat anxiety, and they are equally effective for both types of problems. Similarly the best therapy for anxiety (cognitive-behavioral therapy) is also the best therapy for depression (note: all of our therapists are highly trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy). So how does anxiety turn into depression? The body can be in only one of two states: arousal (anxiety and anger) or relaxation. Anxiety or arousal occurs when a person feels threatened or out of control. The body goes into the fight-or-flight mode (anxiety) as the mind and body attempt to regain control over relationships or health or finances. Over time, as the anxiety and fight for control go on, the person becomes exhausted, loses all hope and gives up- this is depression, a state of exhaustion and hopelessness, where things that were once enjoyable no longer have any appeal. But don't lose hope. Anxiety and depression respond extremely well to therapy. If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, call us today and let one of our therapists help you experience the freedom God wants you to enjoy.